Feel Good About Where You Live: Toronto

Do you live in Toronto or are you considering making the city your new home?

Park Property Management believes you should feel good about where you live.

We want to help you get to know the city of Toronto, Ontario. Check out the links and information below to find out what the city has to offer you!

Toronto has several boroughs with a combined total of 140 neighbourhoods that provide their own unique character and stamp on the city.

With a population of over 2.8 million, Toronto is the largest city in Canada!

Toronto is a diverse and multicultural city, comprised of over 200 distinct ethnic origins and more than 140 spoken languages. English remains the primary language, with French a close second and Chinese as the third most widely spoken language in Toronto.

In 1996, six Metro Toronto cities amalgamated into what is now known as the Greater Toronto Area (GTA): Etobicoke, Scarborough, York, East York, North York, and Toronto. Learn more about the individual neighbourhoods!

Toronto may be an urban centre, but there is no shortage of greenspace to explore!

Located along the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto covers over 280 square kilometers of land. Although the city is dominated by large businesses and skyscrapers, there is no shortage of parks, beaches, conservatories, gardens, and nature trails.

Best Natural Feature: Toronto Islands

This small cluster of islands just off the shores of Downtown Toronto, offer locals and tourists a different view and experience of the City! You can reach the islands via ferry or water taxi from the Toronto Harbour. Known as a recreational destination, these mostly car-free islands offer up an amusement park, airport, beaches, parks and an opportunity to enjoy water sports on Lake Ontario!

Getting around Toronto is simple with its extensive public transportation system and easy access to highways.

TTC

The Toronto TTC offers residents 3 efficient ways to get around the city: Subway, Bus, and Street Car. All of these methods of transportation can be paid for via cash, passes or the Presto card. Check out the latest fare pricing and information on obtaining a pass or Presto card.

Rail

VIA Rail and GO Transit are the two major passenger railway companies in Toronto. The main train station in Downtown Toronto is Union Station. The GO Transit line is mainly used for commuters going into and out of the city, with the most frequent trains during the AM and PM rush hours.

Taxi and Ride Services

There are six taxi companies within the city: Beck, Diamond, Royal, Co-op Cabs, Flash Taxi, and Scarborough City Cab. Uber, Facedrive, or Taxify are also frequently used ride hailing and sharing services.

Air

There are two major airports in the city: Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ)and Billy Bishop (YTZ). Toronto Pearson is Canada's largest and busiest International Airport, handling both passenger and commercial cargo. Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island serves mainly domestic flights within Ontario, Quebec and the East Coast, as well as a handful of nearby major US cities like New York and Washington.

Main Highways

Hwy 401
Hwy 427
Hwy 403
Hwy 404/Don Valley Parkway
Hwy 410
Hwy 400
Hwy 407 (ETR)
The Gardiner Expressway
QEW

Toronto has a great sense of community!

The city's community centres offer residents a safe place to learn, socialize, exercise, and more! There are also numerous recreational arenas throughout the city great for skating and other sports and leisure activities.

Do you need to see a doctor, STAT?!

Toronto Hospitals

The University of Toronto is affiliated with 9 major institutions that are constantly researching, teaching, and providing unwavering care. In Toronto, over $2 million dollars a day is spent on medical research alone.

Toronto Clinics: There are over 80 medical clinics in Toronto Central.

Looking for a little retail therapy? Toronto has so much to offer any type of shopper!

There are 10 main shopping districts in the City: Albion Islington Square, Bloor-Yorkville, Cabbagetown, Chinatown, Church-Wellesley Village, The Historic Distillery District, Downtown Yonge, Gerrard India Bazaar, Greektown on the Danforth and Port Credit.

Some of the more popular shopping centres and areas are:

CF Toronto Eaton Centre

The CF Toronto Eaton Centre is a destination shopping mall, located in the heart of the City on Yonge Street. It houses the flagship Hudson's Bay Company store, along with over 200 fashion stores, restaurants and lifestyle brands like Apple and Indigo. Newly added department stores like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, attract high-end shoppers and tourists alike. For brides, it's a must-stop for gown shopping at Kleinfelds, in The Bay.

Queen St. West

Queen St West offers shoppers a wide variety of trendy boutiques, high-end designer stores, hot-spot restaurants and cafes, and more. A shopping destination for both locals and visitors, this is an area that will become one of your favourite City stops!

Kensington Market

If mainstream malls aren't your thing, Kensington Market might be for you! A quaint neighbourhood filled with vintage clothing shops, delectable cafes and eateries and other eclectic boutiques, this is a shopping destination for those who like something a little different. You never know what treasures you might find here!

St. Lawrence Market

Toronto's Downtown St. Lawrence Market isn't your traditional shopping experience. Since 1803, this market has been serving culinary delights in it's food stalls and it still uses the original location and structure! While it's undergone several renovations over the years, the traditions have stayed the same. Here you'll find food sellers with homemade goods, butcher and fish stands, bakeries, farm produce and hot food options to-go. If you've never been, it's time you took a trip to the market!

Bloor-Yorkville

This shopping district is well-known for it's high-end, designer stores and dining options. Shops like Burberry, Chane, Holt Renfrew and Dolce & Gabbana are situated in this vintage Victorian style neighbourhood.

Q: What is there to do in Toronto? A: Lots!

Visit the CN Tower

As the 3rd tallest tower in the world, the CN Tower attracts millions of visitors each year! Head up the 147 floors to the main deck or journey a little higher to the SkyPod for an epic look at the City below! Stand on the glass floor with the City sprawling beneath your feet, or check out the 360 Restaurant for a fantastic culinary experience!

Catch a Game

Toronto has several high-profile sports teams in the City. In the Spring/Summer don't miss a Blue Jays baseball game at the Rogers Centre, or check out the Toronto FC if you're a soccer fan! In the Fall/Winter the Toronto Maple Leafs play hockey, the Toronto Raptors take over the basketball court at the Air Canada Centre and the Toronto Argonauts (CFL) play at BMO Field.

Combine learning with fun!

There are lots of ways to get some educational fun done in the City, but our top 3 are:

Royal Ontario Museum: Affectionately known as the "ROM", this museum is one of the largest in North America and is well-respected in the artifact communities. The museum is also a major research and conservation operation, but for visitors, it's rotating galleries will keep you coming back!
Ripley's Aquarium: One of only 3 Ripley's Aquariums in North America, this fish adventure is awe inspiring! Not only is it open 365 days a year for guests to view it's vast collection of underwater creatures, the facility regularly hosts fun events for both kids and adults!
Ontario Science Centre: This educational facility has turned science into a hands-on, fun experience for kids and their parents! The Science Centre has permanent exhibitions, as well as rotating, temporary ones. Along with your science adventure, you can enjoy a true IMAX dome film!

Do you know...

What the original Toronto team names were?

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Blueshirts (1917-19) and then The St. Pats (1919-27)

Toronto Raptors: They have always been named the Raptors, however, before the NBA there was the BAA and Toronto had a team: The Huskies.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Jays have also had their name since the team inception - but it was the public who submitted name suggestions and a panel of 14 judges who ultimately made the name choice.

Who Toronto's first mayor was?

William Lyon Mackenzie! After his mayorship, he was voted into the Legislative Assembly. A couple years later, Mackenzie went into exile from Canada for his own safety, after leading an unsuccessful rebellion against the British-led Upper Canada. He was later re-elected to the Legislative Assembly.

About the "Great Fire" of 1904?

The fire destroyed a large section of Downtown Toronto, with more than 100 buildings affected. It started in a factory and while the cause is still unknown, it's expected that faulty electrical was to blame. It is still the largest fire the City has experienced, to date.