Lifestyle talk, Relocation, toronto toursim

Things You’ll Notice As Soon As You Move to Canada

March 26, 2019

Relocating to the Great White North? Here are some differences you’ll notice right away when you move to Canada.

It is Cold in the Winter

If you move to Canada from somewhere with a mild climate, the intense cold of your first Canadian winter may surprise you.

However, as you will learn from your new Canadian friends and colleagues – there is no such thing as bad weather – only inadequate clothing. Make sure that you invest in a warm coat and a pair of waterproof boots and you will be warm and comfy no matter how hard the cold winds blow and how deep the snow gets.

move to canada

Distances Are Long

Canada is the second largest country in the world (only Russia is bigger) and it’s population density is very low. This means that, once you leave the main cities, the towns are small and spread out.

This means that if you plan to drive or take a train somewhere else in Canada, be prepared to travel. If you are moving from a small place like the UK, driving for 6-8 hours can put you on the other end of the country. In Canada, it will barely get you halfway across the province.

Politeness is Extremely Important

Etiquette is very important in Canadian culture, which is why Canucks have a reputation around the world for being polite. Keep in mind that saying please and thank you is commonplace here, even in the simplest little interactions.

Plus, in general Canadians tend to communicate in an indirect, sugar-coated way and are careful not to cause offense or confrontation. This might be different from your own culture, so take the time to learn and adjust or you might accidently put your foot in your mouth.

Tipping is the Norm

When it comes to tipping, Canada follows the same format as the USA. Tipping is expected and not leaving a tip is seen as a direct protect against terrible service. If tips don’t exist in your home country, it’s important to pick up this habit when you move to Canada or your server will wonder what they did to deeply offend you.

move to canada toronto

Smoking in Public is a No-No

In Canada it is illegal to smoke in any public places, including restaurants, stores, hotels, hospitals, offices and pretty much everywhere else. This also means that you can’t smoke in the common areas of apartment buildings or rental complexes. Smokers can indulge in designated smoking areas, within their own home, in their vehicle or in the great outdoors.

Now you know why the air in Canada smells so fresh and clean!

It’s Wonderfully Diverse

Canada has received many generations of immigrants from all over the world and as a country, it prides itself on being a Multicultural mosaic. For example, more than half of Toronto residents were born outside of Canada.

This is a great thing, because it means that when you move to Canada you’ll be able to experience many different cultures, traditions, cuisines and festivals – without having to travel the world.

Planning to Move to Canada?

Our short term furnished apartments are a great place to stay while you get settled. Contact us for more info.

Downtown Toronto, Events, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk, toronto toursim

Toronto Neighbourhood Spotlight: Chinatown

May 18, 2018

Toronto is a delightfully diverse city and its many neighbourhoods reveal cultural influences from around the world. Let’s take a close look at one of those exciting neighbourhoods – Chinatown.

Introduction – Chinatown

Everything from food markets to bars to music shops to vintage clothing boutiques and much more are located within this compact neighborhood, running along Spadina Street. It is one of the largest Chinese districts in North America and is home to ethnic Chinese from Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and elsewhere.

One of the best times to visit this neighborhood is during Chinese New Year, when there will be a loud, noisy and exciting Dragon Dance parade winding through Dundas Street.

Must Visit Spots in Chinatown

For authentic noodles, chow mein, dim sum and other Chinese favourites, check out King’s Noodle (This is just one of the many great restaurants in the neighborhood! Come with a big appetite!)
This Old Chinatown Food Tour offered by Toronto Food Tours is led by a culinary professional and will take you on a guided adventure sampling some of the yummiest treats Chinatown has to offer.
The infamous Furama Cake and Desserts is well known in Chinatown as a hub of activity and a spot for older Chinatown residents to catch up on gossip over tea. It’s a great place to try some delicious cream buns.
If you are the type of person who is obsessed with beautiful stationery, you’ll love The Paper Place. This shop features gorgeous paper, art supplies, notebooks, books and more.

History

Chinatown in Toronto first began in the 1890s, when many American Chinese emigrated from California (due to the racial conflict there) and from the Eastern USA (due to the economic depression). One of the first to establish here was a man named Sam Ching, who opened a laundry business on Adelaide Street. He was the first Chinese person to be listed in the city directory of Toronto and there is now a lane named after him.

Chinatown went through two phases in it’s history. There was the original “First Chinatown”, which became a slum area for incoming immigrants from the 1890s to the 1950s and was razed in 1955 to make way for Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto New City Hall. Then there is what is known now as the “Old Chinatown.” Although a small Chinese community was already in this location before the 1950s, the businesses that had to be relocated from the first area moved here.

How to Get There

Chinatown is accessible by the 510 Spadina and the 506 College Streetcar. It can also be reached from the St. Patrick Subway Station, which is about two blocks west along Dundas Street.

What’s your favourite spot? Let us know in the comments below.

Downtown Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto History, toronto toursim

Cool Toronto Art Galleries to Check Out

September 26, 2017

The first item on the list for any art lover visiting Toronto is to check out what’s on at the Art Gallery of Ontario – the city’s largest gallery. However, once you have perused the AGO’s collection don’t just stop there. Toronto is a city bursting at the seams with great art and there are so many other intriguing galleries that you can visit if your thirst for art has yet to be quenched. If you love nothing better than strolling through an art gallery and discussing the themes and questions raised by the art on display – check out the following Toronto Art Galleries:

Toronto Art Galleries – The Power Plant

The Power Plant is known for hosting the annual Power Pall, an indulgent party for the city’s art elite. It is located at the Harbourfront, which means that it is within reach of the other main tourist attractions and furnished downtown toronto apartments in Toronto. The exhibitions here are varied and they are often experimental and conceptual, with an emphasis on modern art by Canadian artists.

Wil Kucey Gallery

Wil Kucey is the owner and director of this unique and interesting gallery, located in the Little Portugal neighbourhood of Toronto. It focuses on promoting the work of emerging artists who haven’t yet broken into the commercial market. This gallery has represented several fantastic artists over the years, including Benjamin Oakley, Tristram Lansdowne and Nicholas Di Genova. When you visit you will discover an array of thought-provoking work in many different mediums.

Mercer Union

“The Mercer” as it is called, moved north to Bloor and Landsdowne a few years ago and it is now located in a gorgeous historic building designed by the same architect as the Casa Loma. The artist-run gallery has some of the most ambitious and exciting programming in the city, including lots of great video installations.

Cooper Cole Gallery

Simon Cole opened this gallery as a way of showcasing a wide range of works, from conceptual paintings to abstract works to sculptures. He doesn’t restrict the gallery to a specific style – he refuses to be pigeon-holed. His goal is to include a wide range of different types of styles so that he can represent a cross section of the Toronto art scene.

If you are an art lover visiting Toronto, these are just a few of the intriguing galleries you can explore after you have seen the Art Gallery of Ontario. Tap into Toronto’s art scene and you will discover so many conversation-worthy pieces by talented and creative artists from Canada and all over the world.

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Events, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto History

Happy Birthday – Canada Day 150 Years Old

June 30, 2017

This year’s Canada Day celebrations will certainly be a once in a generation event. We mark 150 years since Confederation and this landmark birthday is being celebrated all over the country with huge events, fireworks shows and much more.
The Canadian Federal Government announced that it would be spending approximately half a billion dollars on the 150th anniversary- which means it will be a massive party!

Canada Day 150 Events Happening in Toronto

The theme of this year’s celebrations will be TO Canada with Love and the city will also be hosting Canada 150 Mosaic, which is an exhibition of over 80,000 paintings and 150 individual murals across the country. Here are some of the exciting things that will be happening in Canada this weekend:

Canada Days – Nathan Phillips Square – June 30-July 3, 2017

This exciting celebration will include arts, dance, food and musical performances from the Barenaked Ladies, Ron Sexsmith, Belly, Dvsn and Buffy Sainte Marie.

Toronto Ribfest – Centennial Park – June 30-July 3, 2017

Celebrate Canada’s Birthday and your love of delicious barbequed ribs at this festival. The event will also feature live music, midway games, pony rides and much more.

Family Friendly Celebrations at Queen’s Park – July 1st

Admission is free and celebrations will be taking place from 10am to 10pm, including roaming performers, music and dance performances, games, children’s activities and much more.

While you are out and about, check out some of our favorite places to eat for brunch!

What Does Canada 150 Mean?

The year 2017 marks the 150 year point since Confederation. In 1867 the Dominion of Canada was created as per the British North America Act. This brought together the colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada into one country – merging together English and French speaking Canada. The new Dominion of Canada was composed of four provinces, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario and New Brunswick.

However, it could be argued that Canada as we know it is only turning 35 this year. It was in 1982 that Canada “patriated” the constitution, which allowed us to amend it without Britain’s approval. This was the event that enacted the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is when July 1st changed from “Dominion Day” to “Canada Day.”

But of course, this land is older than 150 and people lived in North America long before 1867. It was in 1142 that the Iroquois Confederacy was formed, which brought together five nations over the area which is now Canada, Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia and formed a “Great League of Peace.”

Even before that, the first evidence of human inhabitants in Canada has been dated back to 30,000 BCE – when people crossed over the Siberian land bridge as the Ice Age ended. A village discovered in British Columbia is one of the oldest human settlements in North America and pre-dates the pyramids.

Indigenous people have been living on this land for thousands and thousands of years and the ownership of the land is a contentious issue still not resolved, which is why many choose to celebrate Canada Day alternatively.

No matter how you measure it, these days the modern nation of Canada is a cultural melting pot that celebrates diversity and is home to a mosaic of different ethnicities and traditions. What does it mean to be Canadian? It’s more than just beaver and maple syrup and snow shovels and hockey: it’s our identity of kindness, politeness, inclusion, acceptance and understanding – which is certainly something to celebrate. Happy Canada Day!

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk

Toronto’s Best Breweries

May 4, 2017

Life is too short to drink bad beer. Fortunately, there are several breweries in Toronto that have dedicated themselves to the art of crafting the perfect pint of suds. The craft beer scene in Toronto is thriving and these creative and hardworking brewers really take their beers seriously. Here are some of Toronto’s best breweries to sample some of the delicious local brews.

Left Field Brewery

This baseball-themed brewery knocked it out of the park at the Canadian Brewery Awards. They took home the gold for “Wrigley” – a refreshing North American style pale ale. Any of the beers in their line-up are sure not to strike out, so give them a try. If you are feeling adventurous and like dark and sweet beers – try the marshmallow mocha stout called “Sweet Jesus.”

Amsterdam Brewhouse

This is the oldest craft brewery in Toronto – it was established as a brew pub way back in 1986. Sit back in one of the comfortable Adirondack chairs and sip on the Barrel Aged Double Tempest, the Boneshaker IPA or the 3 Speed Session Lager. The food menu is also pretty great and pairs well with the beer, with yummy snacks such as mac & cheese croquettes, Amsterdam pretzels and sweet potato fries.

Toronto’s Best Breweries : Mill Street Brew Pub

This is another one of the city’s original craft brewers and it offers a great selection of 15 beers on tap, from seasonal brews to signature ales. They also offer traditional German Bierschnaps (the first time a Canadian microbrewery has attempted them), so why not give

them a try? They are a beer based spirit distilled in the only copper pot still in North America.

Granite Brewery

This family owned brewery is a local favourite and they have been around for over two decades. They make English style ales in small batches and they have won a lot of awards for their creations. Their cask ale Hopping Mad has been highly acclaimed at the Golden Tap Awards for the past three years.

Steam Whistle Brewery

Steam Whistle are gold medal winners at the Canadian Brewing awards and once you taste their delicious ales you will understand why. They have a sampling bar where you can take free sips of all of the different types of beers and find your favourite. You can also take a 30-minute tour of the facilities to see how the beer is made, then finish the tour with a cold bottle.

Get Well Brewery

Not only does this cool hangout have excellent craft beers, it also has pinball machines, retro 80s style arcade games and a very chilled out vibe. If you like Pale Ale, try the hoppy Pineball Wizard. Or, check out their currently nano-brew, which is always changing.

These are just a few of Toronto’s best breweries to start a local crawl of Toronto. And why not check out some of our picks for restaurants for groups! Enjoy responsibly and have fun!

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Downtown Toronto Furnished Suites