Working in Toronto Canada
How Toronto is experienced depends a lot on the weather. But what is certain is that for every season there is a different lifestyle.
When it comes to summer, Torontonians know how to make the most of it by getting outdoors and enjoying the heat. Parks and outdoor pubs are all of a sudden busy and the streets of Toronto come to life.
Winter is a different ballgame, entirely. With the weather at times freezing, especially for Australian visitors, Torontonians head underground and make the most of the PATH network of subterranean walkways to navigate the city. And with it, the socializing moves inside. At least the ice hockey is on.
Despite the weather, Toronto has much to offer: unique neighbourhoods to navigate, culture influenced both domestically and internationally, and outdoor areas to explore.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Located about 22km northwest of the city’s central area, Toronto Pearson International Airport is the main airport in Ontario and the key entry point for the country. It is easily the busiest airport in the country and is a hub for Air Canada, Air Transat, CanJet, Sunwing Airlines and WestJet.
Toronto Pearson, which has three terminals, has no dedicated rail link. However, there are several bus services that reach the airport from all over the city. If you plan to hire a car it takes about 40-45 minutes to drive depending on the traffic.
Railway Station
United Station (65 Front Street West, Toronto)
Opened in 1927, United Station is busiest, most multimodal passenger transportation hub in Canada. It is the primary intercity facility in Toronto and handles about 200,000 passengers a day. Union Station is located in the middle of Canada’s busiest inter-city rail service area, known as The Corridor that stretches from Quebec City in the east to Windsor in the west. The station was made a National Historic Site of Canada in 1975.
Transportation
Through the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Toronto has an extensive public transport system based around a subway, bus and streetcar network. Taxis are also an option and there are several companies operating throughout Toronto.
If choosing to navigate Toronto by car, the city follows a basic grid pattern with clearly marked road regulations. However, be aware, the city is known for a rush hour that lasts a lot longer than an hour.
Toronto’s transportation setup is also well-known for its underground walking link, known as PATH. Particularly useful during the winter months, PATH spans 27km underneath downtown Toronto and includes shopping, services and entertainment. When the weather warms up, Toronto can easily be navigated above ground by bike.
Cost of Living
Toronto was ranked as the most expensive city in Canada and 61st worldwide for expatriates to live in, according to the 2012 survey from global consultants Mercer.
However, balancing these costs demands is a high average monthly after-tax salary in Toronto of about $3,200 equivalent.
According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $12.50 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $62.60 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $5.70 |
| Coke (330mL) | $2.10 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $2.10 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.90 |
| Eggs | $3.10 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $3.10 |
| Monthly pass | $131.50 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $1.40 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $1400 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $2600 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $35 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $300 |
Accommodation
Pricing for short-term accommodation in Toronto can vary greatly for hotels and hostels. The most popular areas to look for in Toronto include Downtown, West End, East End and Midtown.
Toronto has a strong range of hotels for budget and high-end travelers. Cheaper hotels, even in more central positions of the city, start at around $80 a night. In contrast, several hotels in Toronto will set you back up to $400 a night.
Toronto also has a extensive number of hostels to choose from for those on a shoestring or looking to meet new friends. The hostels generally provide dorm or private accommodation. Travellers can expect to pay between $35-45 a night for a dorm bed depending on the size of the room. On average private rooms cost between $35-50 per person a night, but also reach up to $60 per person a night.
Budget
Planet Traveler
The Only Backpacker’s Inn
HI-Toronto
Mid-range
The Rex Hotel
Best Western Plus
The Metropolitan Hotel
High-end
The Ritz-Carlton Toronto
The Fairmont
Hotel Le Germain
Shopping
Toronto has a very diverse shopping experience reflective of its population. There are several shopping centres and areas unique to a different culture from the city. A good place to start on Yonge Street, recognised as one of the longest shopping streets in the world.
A few of the most popular shopping areas in Toronto include Toronto Eaton Centre, Bloor Street and Eglinton to Lawrence. The high-end shopping area in Toronto is Yorkville. The must-visit market in Toronto is Kensington Market.
Be aware that in Canada there are two local taxes charged to most goods. The PST (Provincial Sales Tax) at 7% and the GST (Goods and Services Tax) at 5%.
Emergency
Emergency telephone numbers
Police, fire, ambulance & mountain rescue 911
Australian Consulate General, Toronto
Suite 1100, South Tower
175 Bloor Street East
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8 CANADA
Telephone +1 416 323 4280
Facsimile +1 416 323 4295
Insurance and Healthcare
Insurance is a must-have for working holidaymakers in Canada. International Experience Canada states that you are required to buy and maintain health-care insurance (covering medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation) for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. If working holidaymakers do not commit to an insurance policy they may be denied entry. With that in mind, once your visa has been approved and your flights booked, lock in some insurance. With many travelers heading to the ski fields during their stay this is a very good idea regardless. Check out http://www.workingholidaytravelinsurance.com/ for more advice.
According to the Australian government supported Smart Traveller website, the standard of health facilities in Canada is comparable to that in Australia but provincially run health care systems are not easily accessible to temporary visitors.