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I live in Edm but have been to TO many times and was just there 2 wks ago visiting family. It’s a super fun and exciting city that I love. However your points are valid but I think these things are happening in all the bigger Cdn cities right now. Inflation is ridiculous, the cost of living is untenable considering wages aren’t going up at the rate they should for people to reasonably pay their bills, resources and social services are being cut, our govt is a shit show and isn’t managing any of these issues appropriately ?. All of that leads to people being frustrated and disillusioned, homeless, having mental health issues w no access to help bc it’s unaffordable… it’s a mess. You’re def lucky to have the option to flee

I think yyou are wrong, the reason why they are in tents in the park is because of refugees, illegal refugees, here in Toronto, all the s helters are full so where do they live, and the cost of liberal government are destroying this country

Interesting how Ford wants Toronto to “get its fiscal house in order.” Which provincial government downloaded a lot of these costs to the cities (and closed the mental health hospitals)?

@31:00 minutes. People are not giving birth because that money from the Government is not enough. If you are renting a one bedroom, the moment you have a child you want a second bedroom. The cost of moving from 1 bedroom to 2 bedroom could be roughly $500 to $1000 in Toronto area. The extra rent alone will wipe out whatever Government is giving you. Cost of diapers, baby food, baby clothing adds up. The biggest is the cost of freedom (free time away from the child), to hire a nanny or daycare is too expensive for most people. Everybody you know is working so you hardly find anybody to babysit free or watch the child for you free.

Hi Alina, I used to live in NYC, I am use to the chaos of major cities, traffic jams, high crime, expensive cost of living, fast paced life style, etc. I wouldn´t mind moving to Toronto. I love your way and your videos, you beauty of beauties, rgs ❤❤❤

I had lived in TO from 2000 to 2005 and had seen a trajectory of high housing costs and increased crime rate back then . Leaving was the decision I did not regret since these same issues have become worse. I am disappointed with the government at all levels, who have done nothing to solve these problems. COVID is used as an excuse, but the reality is that during COVID the housing market boom ? while many people were unemployed, it is perplexing.

I moved out of Sherbourne and Richmond area to Ohrid Macedonia 2 years ago. \nMy 550 sq ft apartment cost me $86000 and the build quality is by far better than an average condo it TO, the weather is better, the food is better, the people are nicer, we have a thriving expat group, etc etc on and on ????

A few months ago, I was planning my move to Toronto for my kids education. Both my kids are Canadians and I felt that there will be more options for university in Toronto for both of them. But after the last 2 months seeing and hearing all these issues in Canada, my inner voice is telling me not to make the move. It’s scary hearing abt the healthcare crisis, crime and housing cost. Comparing to what I have now in Singapore, I’m not too sure anymore if Canada has a bright future ahead. Will Canada bring in privately run medical to support the medical crisis? And I read that Canada is in deficit now, how is it going to come out of it and solve all these problems at the same time.

A country like Canada which is supposed to control the cost of necessities, first and foremost rent, should never seek to wipe out the supply of available housing by exponentially increasing demand by ridiculously bringing millions of immigrants back to the country.

I can't imagine how a big country as Canada have 1 of highest house rental cost in the world. Canada does not have scarce land like Hong Kong or Singapore, or even Monaco. They can always expand whenever they see fit.

Costs and crimes have been going up in many cities, but right now I consider Toronto to be an overpriced copy of Chicago.

Would you please consider a video on the pros and cons of living in Halifax specifically the cost of living compared to Toronto?

The homeless situation is man made created by Liberals. They opened boarder to the every one from across the world specially from African countries who flew their country for crimes.. Now its all over.. They also brought almost 2 million student without any housing and healthcare fix. Now I can see 4 to 5 students live in one room basement apartment each pay $700 a month.\n\nWe are now dropping below other G8 countries in terms of living standards. I remember back in early 90s when Harper was Prime Minister. He use to bring most wealthy business people to come here to open business and employ Canadian. That has boosted the Canadian economy until Trudue came to power and destroyed every thing been built. \n\nWe are fearful our future generation what kind of Canada they will get after 10 to 20 years from now. I hope the Liberals will be out and new PM will do some real work on to stop these useless immigration, international students who mostly come here live not for study as they give up after a year or so due to high cost of fees..

I agree, Toronto is not the best place to live in at the moment due to the escalating cost of living and crime. But it would have been nice if you had discussed what the options are. Sounds like you moved to a better place. Please share what province and city that is

In Quebec City, my house that I bought a year ago cost me almost five times less than it would cost in Toronto, and I get one of the safest cities in the world with absolutely fantastic quality of life.\n\nI can afford it on a single average income while I take care of my disabled wife and of my daughter.\n\nReally, the choice is easy. We would live in absolute misery and squalor in the big expensive cities.

ALINE .... totally a reasonable decision to get out of there, I visited in 2015 and it was still a nice place.\nYou have so many other better options\nDidn't your mother live there, is she still with us ? Maybe you can move her to Curitiba ?\nI am nearby and find it difficult to move back the the US but might try it in a year to see what happens, little boring for me after 5 years here in Brasil\nAm seeing rental costs dropping to pre covid and lower rates in S FLA now, can rent for $800-1,000 a month vs what is was not long ago $1,700 +

It's common knowledge. Anyone with an IQ above that of a politician understands completely.... a growing population, without corresponding increase in housing inventory, results in higher cost of housing.

I've been postponing my return to Canada for years now. And no, I am not worried about crime. I worry about cost of living.

Ford taking away rent control in 2019 to encourage more investors to build more properties killed the lower and working class. Built nothing but condos that mostly investors bought. Now rent is $2,500 for a 1 bedroom. Even with a modest 50k salary you barely getting buy. You need to make 100k in Toronto just to live a basic life. In Canada, more than half of people's income goes to rent or mortgage. This country has been bought and sold to the real estate. This is what happens when everyone treats real estate as an investment instead of a basic necessity. But enjoy your sky high property values. A house costs 1 million dollars now. Guess Canadians are all millionaires.

Winnipegger here who lived in Toronto 2014-2020, moved back to Wpg 2020-2021 and is now back in Toronto. \n\nFirst and foremost, your comments on crime are inconsistent with the data and blown out of proportion. I suggest viewers take a look at StatsCan’s crime severity index which confirms that Ontario is the safest province or territory in Canada (safer than PEI lol). There are also scores for cities and Toronto is safer than almost every other Canadian city, safer than even Ottawa or Calgary, twice as safe as Vancouver, nearly three times safer than Winnipeg. If we start comparing to US cities, it would be even more shocking. Suffice to say, Toronto is not only safe, but it’s the safest major city in Canada and one of the safest major cities on earth. \n\nThe homelessness crisis has certainly gotten a lot worse, sadly. As has the cost of living, but you get what you pay for.\n\nHaving travelled to 35 countries (doesn’t mean I’m an expert, but I have some experiences in other places), I respectfully disagree and think Toronto is one of the greatest cities. It’s one of the greenest cities in this continent, safe, on the lake, super close to other major cities, great infrastructure (relative to Canadian cities anyway), it’s beautiful and there’s a ton to do, not to mention the diversity. \n\nDon’t be turned off by this, if you can afford it, it’s one of the best places you could live on this planet.

I am sorry to say although kl is a low cost city, but like Toronto , so many migrants from nearby countries like myanmar, Bangladesh, pakistan, indonesia, Philippines. Sometimes tourists are scammed by them but locals are blamed as they are trading even though they are not allowed. They are only allowed in certain sectors. Also we too have homelessness as well but not as bad as other western countries.

I grew up in the states but am a dual Canadian citizen. I'd love to move to Canada one day but the cost of living compared to the low wages is a huge turn off. Even though the US has a host of problems, for my field (tech) all its major cities pay far beyond what any major city in Canada would.

I am born and rasied in Toronto and I would have to say what is happening now in this city is do to the covid fallout. Toronto has always had higher rent then most Canadian cities but I think with the loss of jobs and and the rise in cost of living all over Canada due to covid I would say that Toronto is going through some hard times like everywhere eles in Canda. Unfortunately because it is the bigest city alot of people have moved here in the hope of a better life. I have noticed a rise in drug use but have not noticed a rise in violent crime. They do say that the TTC is got worse...Hard to say as I take the TTC every day across the city and have not noticed any diferance other then more and more people are useing it again. During covid the subway was empty and now all these people that have never used it before are having to learn how it all works and subway edict. I think media is making the subway seem worse then it is. To me it has not changed. I do agree the real problem is dealing with homeless that was more hiden but now is out in the open. Funding from all levels of goverment needs to help all big canadain cites more. I think Toronto will come back again to what it was pre-covid. Hopfully soon!!

With all the major cities with all their problems (ie. high cost of living), Toronto ranks as the best for me.

That wasn’t an easy video to make, Alina. You were more diplomatic than I am about my hometown NYC. I left when I was 35. Crime, costs and homelessness are through the roof. Not even the rich can afford it anymore. New York and Toronto are great places to be from, but they are no longer meant to be lived in.

These issues are big city problems, and seen far worse in the US. If you go to NYC, you will see cost of living being astronomical (much higher than Toronto), homelessness being worse, crime is worse and mental health services are non existent. The same is true for LA. \nIn fact, in the US petty crime is more lethal due to the mass access to firearms and rampant gun violence. \nThings can be better in Toronto but it is still far better than many equivalent cities in the US.

Housing costs are crazy here in Toronto...I lost my apt ...(740 sq. ft. - one bedroom)...which I had in Etobicoke at the end of Covid Jan. 2022 ...( My rent started at $940/month in 2016 and to just a tad over $1000/month in 2022. I Was on welfare during Covid 2020-2022)... Welfare only pays $733 for a single male (Welfare recipients weren't eligible for that CERB that paid every 2 weeks so I had to sell most of my furniture and cherished antiques to survive...Lost my apt...couldn't afford it anymore and I ended up in my sister's basement for 3 months but moved to a rooming house in the east end of Toronto at the end of April. Thank God that I got a job working in a hospital as a janitor...Still, I pay $650 a month for a room that is about 75 square feet....I've seen closets bigger...I share 4 washrooms and one laundry room with one washer and dryer and a laundry tub (This is the main source of water for cooking) with 26 other roomers...There is no kitchen and no lounge area...So yeah Housing is Fuked Up here in Toronto!... I was so close to being homeless...I do not work full-time. I am only on-call so I am at least able to make ends meet but still, it's hard surviving here in the big city...I was born here and grew up here and this city may have changed on the surface but beneath it, it's rotting to the core and it's getting worse every day!.... Love your vids by the way :)

This is similar to the changes in cities like San Francisco or my home capital Denver, Colorado. I moved away from Denver a year ago because of the violence, the homelessness, the drug usage, and the car backings they were occurring. I think safety and violence are of concern in all of the major cities facing housing crises and rising costs. ?

Sobering, but spot-on. I am primarily a theatre actor based in Ottawa and travel to Toronto frequently, for stays both short to long-term. The rise in cost of living, rental, traffic gridlock, safety concerns, everything you alluded to has dampened the experience of working in the city. It is near impossible to find affordable accommodations that is not in a basement or shared space. As you say, all the attractions and big-city appeal are there to enjoy, but only if money is not an issue!

I was just in Ontario and Quebec, last month with my 13 year old daughter. We talked with many native Canadians during our travels. \n\nThe common theme was too much immigration, without letting the natives feel comfortable about it, or giving time for the immigrants to assimilate. Besides cultural concerns, it really hurts schools, hospitals, and the cost of living. \n\nIt doesn’t appear that Trudeau has much concern for Canadians. I heard a lot of anger directed at him. Especially from eastern Indian immigrants—they were very upset about the forced inoculations. \n\nCanada was very much different than it was just a few short years ago. It’s very sad to see. Hopefully they can get some better direction than what they have now.

Not only in Canada dear brothers and sisters, here in the Netherlands housing prices and living costs are at least to say expensive. My luck is that I bought my house 10 years ago for a very good price ( 160.000 Euro's with a current mortgage of 519,00 Euro per month as the interest rate is 1,3% almost hilarious for Dutch standards today ) for a normal house with 3 bedrooms, attic, normal sized bathroom, garden, driveway for 1 car and on one side separated from my neighbor because there is a shed in between. Nothing special but now people will fight each other to get a house like mine. So conclusion: I can save some money to plan a trip to Canada next year or 2025, no delay anymore! Targeting BC and Alberta ( mountains!!!) is the plan for this trip as your country is huge at least to say. I like your vids Alina, really useful information and your relaxed style of presenting. Keep safe and strong, grz from the Netherlands.

Canada in general has declined since 2015. The cost of living is through the roof and the government is focused on all the wrong issues.

To state the obvious, as long as housing demand greatly outstrips housing supply, the cost of living will remain ever challenging. Mixing basic human rights (like having a roof over one's head) with a profit incentivizing vehicle like real estate is...a bad mix, and will always be. But, hey, the world runs on making money and always has (but it does seem to be getting out of hand these days), so, what can you do? Go see a therapist and try to get a good night's sleep (if you're fortunate enough to have a roof to sleep under).

Cost of living and crime are a big turn off unfortunately. After living for 2 years I am ready to leave end of this month

Thank you Alina for your objective assessment of Toronto. It changed too much my liking, I have been trying to move there but costs of living are a huge turn off.

People are so cold ... if rules and access to help in our great land costs to much, is to hard with non background tests, and just want to be free.... legal applications should not cost and no real no unless violent offenders or cartel/ terrorist affiliated... let them into new Mexico we have space

I totally disagree with you on the point of cars. Canada has one of the cheapest and most varied market of cars. The cars in Canada are way cheaper compared to India even for normal cars. \n\nExample: mercedes c300 4-matic costs 45 lakhs in Canada after on road costs and around 75 lakhs in India after on road costs

Canada is not all what it's cracked up to be. High rent cost, high taxes, high food prices, depressing weather, woke AF and the list goes on and on. Your better off staying in your home country and opening up a shop or something.

Just constructing so called low cost housing is not enough & can never solve this issue unless there is strict law enforcement !

This is not a welfare State, don't expect everything free at taxpayers' cost, politicians pass all that cost to taxpayers, working people, we cannot continue to bear the burden of others !

How much does the daycare cost please for me that has 2 infant babies

The way to help the homeless people \n\nCanadian people every year welcomed thousand refugees from abroad, and supported them with generous resources to settle down their lives in Canada. There’s no doubt Canadian would do same things to the homeless people in our society, but the same things are not needed by our homeless people.\n\nAs most us know, most our homeless people with mental illnesses and hard bad addictions. They are not capable to make right choices for themselves. But it’s not safe and right for making choices for our homeless people even with our good intentions. As in the past happened so many governments and metal health institutions abused their power over the venerable people.\n\nThe key is the whole country specially the federal government should determined with provincial and municipal governments and many social groups to solve the problems together. To provide the nice, attractive, safe environment places for the homeless people. It would cost more than supporting the refugees and without returning, the refugees after settling would pay back as tax payers. But it would cost much less than mental health institutions, prisons and the damages they cost to the communities. And providing better environment for the people, businesses and communities where the homeless people live now. Most importantly it is our responsibility for the homeless people and the communities where they live.

The fact that Tyler is surprised at how many people bring up school shootings as a reason to stay away from the US is a scary indication of how much this type of violence has become normalized. I'm Canadian and throughout my professional life I've spent time working in the US. In fairness, I've met some truly great people. Also in fairness, religion seeps into US politics in ways that it never does in Canada and never in a good way. Christian fundamentalism is a scary reality of US life intent as it is on heaping hate on sexual minorities and taking away rights wherever they are allowed to. An additional point, but this one is only an irritant, is how ignorant so many Americans are about the world. At any rate, I'm retired and live with advanced kidney disease and a pacemaker. For those reasons alone I couldn't afford to live in the US. Thankfully, my country takes good care of me and my provincial government (Québec) even covers most of the cost of my expensive prescription drugs.

I studied in the UK back in the 80's. All of us from abroad came from families that could afford the costs. I would hv never made the move if I were to be a burden to them so I dont understand why these kids from India go abroad when their families suffer back home. Stay put!

The Venezuelan people are in that mess because the CIA went to ruined their economy . The money's not worth the paper it's printed on . CIA cost chaos ruined their economy now you have people trying to immigrants to the United States in order to survive. The only way to fix that is the trade fare with Venezuela. So the Venezuelans can stay Stay-at-home. They don't want to leave their homes and come to a strange Land and be discriminated on . Didn't want to leave their home and come to a strange Land where they don't understand the language. They would rather stay home where they've been for generations but they're forced to because of big business in the CIA ruining their economy

Been in Aus for 10 yrs now. No doubt that quality of life is better especiallyin terms of road sense, cleanliness and env but thats largeley because of their population to resources ratio and the relevance of cleanliness taught right at schools. However post covid things have changed. Given the current inflation in Aus, the cost of living has tremendously grown. On the other hand, the middle class in India has emerged stronger than the middle class in as in terms of their spending ability. India has far more digitalization than Aus and lot of our jobs are bring outsourved there that i cam tell from my own experience.

This problems had been around for many years ,2023 the problem have increased double from previous years, the cost of living especially in Vancouver had gone out of hands you will have to make 4.000 dólares a month , obvio you must live with a mate to weather the cost of rent at the going rate of 2.400.00 to rent 1 bedroom 650 sq feet’s for those who think coming to Vancouver be prepare for shock and a deep wallet you gonna needed

Honestly the only thing i see needing to change is the weird country divide thing. We dont want to overflow our nation with immigrants as that would directly relate to higher housing costs (more people dividing the same number of houses makes costs go up) and it may not be 100% directly related but Canada's unemployment rate is about 150% higher than that of the US which could be due to the immigration, more research would need to be done. Lastly we have a big issue of illegal immigration and we need to get that under tighter control before we become top focused on fixing the other end. If you have a boat with a leak in it you should be more concerned with fixing the leak than if you have enough supplies for your trip.

Cost of houses in Canada is much worst fyi. Calgary is very expensive too, rents are always close to 2k per month. I live in Canada for many years and petroleum engineering has been decreased a lot. With that being said, Australia and Canada are very very similar and, sometimes, they appreciate you more if you come from the other one. I am getting the same experience on the way around and I got 2 offers from Australia living in Canada.

America is in so much trouble, Biden has cost Americans, what they have no clue about, All this is over the top,, Yet no one want to talk about the elephant, Shut down Blacks in their own country, Its not goung to work, not now , Trump knew, Yet the so called civil, racial war they hope for, will not be what they hope for, Judgement must still come, And the people of this lland will also still be here, Before 1492, on and on til Christ comes comes