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Right now is probably the worst time to come here. With global recession and post-pandemic hardship, everyone is feeling the pinch. Small businesses are closing down as they could not repay back the relief loans given by the government during the pandemic. Trudeau’s policy of immigration through the educational stream and admitting so many refugees from Syria and Ukraine have caused massive rent increase - too many people chasing after lower real estate supply. Because people are feeling the pinch, crimes are up and homelessness has become a serious issue. But, here are the (long-term) advantages of living here, vs. The Philippines:\n- free healthcare - no matter how rich you are back home, wealth can be depleted if a major illness strikes;\n- free education for your kids up to highschool and opportunity for your kids to enter worldclass universities after highschool;\n- government programs that actually work - Worker rights are upheld, doleouts when you lose your job, 12-month mat/paternity leave, doleout/govt match when you save for yr kid’s university educ, tax rebates for whatever you save for retirement, retirement income even if you never held a job, infrastructures are maintained, transparency and stability of political system; \n- safer environment - yes, greater crimes lately, but still one of the safest places to live. I live in greater Toronto, and sometimes we forget to lock our door at night or leave a bicycle outside and nothing happens;\n- commitment to the environment - the country adheres to protecting the envt. You can drink water from the faucet. Strict laws on recycling and waste disposal. Greenbelt protection on forest and conservation park areas, even in the cities. Canada also has the world’s biggest water supply...in today’s global climate change, were decades away from water wars;\n- a beautiful country with friendly, humble and relaxed people who observe work-life balance

Wrong information. Students and new immigrants including work permits just pay 1000 dollars for 1 bedroom basement apartment in Toronto. Many Indian home owners give them rents at much lower price than the market rate which goes up to 1400 dollars a month but since they are Indians and new to Canada they give them for 1000 dollars a month. If students 3 people live in that, if families 2 people. Indian home owners do that for food cooking smells and other reasons. I see some new immigrants both working couple make up to 90k per year but still live in basement apartments for more than 3 years to save money. Indians are money saving people, do not want to spend money.

I live in the State now and I'am a Republican, Back in the early 90's Toronto started to import the problem, multiculturalism will never work , that's why there's wars , too bad ,Toronto was nice .

I live in Toronto, and although I agree the price of houses has gone to the roof. I still think is a safe city.

Toronto resident here. I do agree with everything that Alina pointed out. Those thing exist. But the only REAL problem is the high cost of rent. It now equals and even surpasses the cost of a mortgage. If the rent problem were resolved, and they can do this by simply building more housing (which they are now starting to do - with government programs and incentives), then most of these problems Alina reported on would recede or disappear completely. \n\nAlso, the homelessness is not visually worse than anywhere else I've visited. Homeless encampments are visible in every city I've been too. However, in Toronto, a LOT of homeless people come from other parts of Canada. \n\nThe violence that Alina referred to was just a snapshot in time. She made her video around 4 months ago, and at that time there were several truly shocking incidents on the subway (which even made international news). Those incidents have not continued. The subway system, and Toronto, is still a very, very safe city. We are the third largest city in North America, after LA and NYC, and we had something like 50 homicides last year. Chicago has like 500. Just by way of example. \n\nI love Toronto, even though it is very expensive to pay rent here. But there is so much to offer that I wouldn't consider living somewhere else. Not a chance. It's great that you can live somewhere else if you work remotely, but when you're not working, what do you do?...Toronto is safe, clean (except in tourist season), with limitless opportunities for career and lifestyle. Wouldn't live anywhere else.

I am planning to move to Canada by myself as a permanent resident and I am a software developer, I was wondering if tech industry related jobs are in good situation there ? Could I afford to live there comfortably If I live alone ? My goal is to get a job in Toronto, save up for couple of years and then buy a home in Hamilton ON with the help of mortgage? is this possible with the current situation of Canada? I would be glad if you could answer my questions, because I need to hear the perspective of an immigrate who is currently living there.

Lived here since 1966. It’s not “ Toronto the Good”. I’m lucky I got into the market in the 70s. I wouldn’t recommend moving here for all the reasons you say. Taxes are high, rents are high, crime and homelessness are high. Not a place I’d recommend for someone starting out to move here. I’ll stay here because I live in a lovely neighbourhood and know all my neighbours. It’s home.

I have applied to universities in Toronto, Canada as an international student for September 2024. But I’ve also been accepted to a university in Victoria, British Columbia. I am now second-guessing my application because so many Canadians are disappointed with the state Toronto is in right now. Is it still worth it to go and pursue my education? (I’m planning to continue in my major until masters, then do research to help my home country but still live in Canada)

I LOVE Toronto. But would never live there. I keep it as a weekend destination a couple times per year to soak in the vibes, meet the amazing people and enjoy the cuisine. I flat out refuse to pay that much for rent, considering I own a house a few hours away and my mortgage is less than half the rental cost for the average Toronto one bedroom. I really hope they can successfully tackle these problems because the city really is incredible.

As an international student from India at a top university with a scholarship, I found it quite odd when I go to the Tim Hortons near McgIll or literally any food shop in Toronto and found talking to the guy/girl taking the order in Hindi. I am like bruh wtf I went from India to mini India, wasnt studying abroad supposed to be a difficult prospect. The senseless immigration that happens through diploma farms, that only increase the population of unskilled immigrants needs to stop. Like Canadian healthcare is on the verge of collapse, cuz u dont have enough doctors yet you want 200,000 more TimHortons workers from Punjab. I do not understand this policy. \n\nI also question the impeccable brain power of the Indians who leave the comfort of their family and home (which imo has massively better healthcare system) to come here and then live a life of hardship due to not having proper education or just not having enough money.

I live in Toronto. Everything you talk about in Vancouver applies equally to here. Toronto has become, under socialism, the most expensive outdoor toilet in Canada. And our taxes are going up 16.5%, and mayor and city council have voted themselves a similar salary increase.

I agree with your assertions. Things have gotten much worse in the last 5 years or so. Letting in immigrants with no place to live is a federal government fiasco among many other issues like health care funding etc. I love Toronto and I will always live in the GTA!

I said Good Bye to Toronto in 2019. Never ever went to see it again. We knew something was coming. We were running. That something was the fake virus plus migrants. We are very happy living in small small town. I was born in a capital, always lived in cities. That will not happen again during my life time but also during my children’s. The children may have to enter, note enter and leave. But none of us will ever again live in a zoo.

I live in Niagara Falls.\nWant to drive to Toronto? In 2014, 80 minutes. In 2024, 80 minutes off peak, on peak 140 minutes.\nYes! Rush hour traffic adds 1 hour to the equation. Once you pass the Oakville Ford plant, you crawl all the way to Downtown Toronto. At least the GO train works well. Toronto is now overcrowded. Mississauga and Brampton are getting just as bad. Need to go to a hospital in or near Toronto? 14 hour wait.

I grew up in Toronto and am fortunate enough to live in America, USA, and U.K. I still missed Toronto despite all the changes.

I have been in Toronto recently for holidays and it was one of the worst places I have ever been to. The whole city is simply full of cars, it stinks everywhere, you get watched by security all the time when you go shopping (even for clothes), which, as a european, was just a major cultural shock, and once when I used the subway to go somewhere, we could not continue because someone got shot on a street so that is was blocked. The combination with a total lack of any nice place like some nice parks or something (there is the lake, but somehow they managed to literally build an airport on an island opposit of the promenade, which is simply loud and disturbing), I would liteally be depressed after a few months if I had to live there. I am not really sure why people go there despite these high rents. In my opinion, rents would need to be lower than average in such a city...

I was born in Toronto. It was my home . I moved out a few years ago . I live 30 min outside the city now . Toronto is finished . Crime is up .the city is dirty . They want to defund the police! Wtf . To many people. Run by the crazy left wing . They want to change the name of Dundas street and it will cost $12 million. Now chow dog is putting up your tax by 16 % . Omg .

I was a gay kid who ran away to Toronto in 1982, age 17. Minimum wage was $4/hr and a bachelor at Church and Charles was $350, a one bedroom was $400 - $425. I had a relatively successful career as a pianist/entertainer and teacher at the Y. I was never able to purchase, but rented as the real estate prices only lept and bounded as interest rates on savings declined. I can no longer afford to live in TO, but bought a 100 acre farm in Parry Sound District by cutting a cheque. I have no community... and my cohort as all approaching 60... but the Toronto of the 80's and 90's no longer exists. The discos are gone, the kids today have no appreciation of ACT or Casey House or the hell we went through. But, the virus is controlled... I am rambling, but the city is no longer a place where young disenfranchised can go to be free to exist and be themselves. I worry about the kids of today who will never have enough money to leave home and go to where life can happen. And don't tell me that a cell phone is a replacement for a physical, real existence!!

Toronto is no paradise its expensive overlytaxed the people are miserable and selfish and is getting more and more violent the city hates god it keeps poor people down so you can't own a home it is rasist in passive way just too give impression like its not\n Free health care was in the past in toronto doctors in toronto just use your health card as a hustle you go in their office early in the morning sit whole day till evening then im lest than 5minutes you out then they try too experiment drugs on you and you still sick if not the drugs causes other problems. It's a city of lawlessness and only very wealthy people dont see the troubles most taxpayers face . Tax payers are taken advantage of by politicians in toronto now people cant afford housing . I wouldn't advise people to come here its gotten very difficult too live.

Let me save some time for you...3 reasons she mentioned Toronto is not good:\n1- High cost of rents\n2- Raising random crime to random people\n3- High cost of living compared to income\n\nThese problems exist in every city and every country, not just Toronto. Stop creating hate and propaganda against Toronto. (I live in Toronto, and I have been to 30+ countries around the world)

I am tied to Toronto because of family and friends. But yeah, the cost of housing sucks. Structural I don't think housing will improve for a while. There are too many people wanting to live here for the space available now and in the future. The governments (a Ontario and Toronto) have to change the by laws to get allow single family dwelling neighborhoods to be bull dozed, not to build gigantic condos but multi dwelling space which may be a few stories high.

Born and raised in Toronto in the 60s-70s. Lived abroad and out west and Canada’s north. I now live about an hour and a half north east of the city. All I can say is that you reap what you sow. The WEF is wreaking this kind of havoc all across the western world. It’s party time folks…

Hi Alina, I have been living in Toronto all my life and it is changing rapidly just in the last few years. To live sort of comfortable, you would need 2 incomes or sometimes 3. I don't know how long I can stay here.

I hope you find a better place because there are the same problems around the world. The United States have normalize a lot of what you are talking about. Hate is growing, greed is growing. I'm almost 70, born in Toronto, I've only traveled to Quebec a few times, no other provinces. I have flown 4 times in my life, once to Thunder Bay, once to Chicago, and two times to the Philippines. I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world. I have worked over 40 years in average jobs but I made it. I respect everyone's religion but don't push it on me, I'm not religious in anyway. Religion belongs in a believer's home or religious establishment. All I can say is good luck, life is what you make it.

I would sooner be homeless than live in Toronto,\nOh wait, I probably would be homeless if I moved to Toronto and any personal possessions would be stole so I wouldn’t have to worry about insurance!!!

I have been in Toronto since 1990 - used to love it but now... we're bankrupt as a City due to all the immigrants and homeless migrating here - thanks to our Federal Gov't not doing their jobs. I am disabled and was attacked 4 times on the TTC last year. Really hating what this city has devolved into. But where to live? Moving back to the UK is not an option as it is much the same there. Vancouver again? Not much cheaper but at least there you have more opportunities to get away from people.

Your own canadian government is like communist state. toronto doctors are allowed to give people an injection to end their life. This way they are no longer a burden to society / government. I have cousin inlaws that live in markham a suburb and they have a house and when I visited them I had to squeeze my car in the driveway to park overnight. You're not allowed to park a car on the street or else you get a ticket? I know of no place that does this in suburb in america. I'm in nYC, been to PA, lived in jersey, nyc, have family in long island etc..

You are spot on! (And far too polite/politically correct - sorry to say lol).\n\nToronto is the WORST city to live in. I look forward to leaving. I regret moving here 17 years ago - don't know how I've managed to stay this long. Toronto has changed me... and not for the better. This place will make you bitter, you'll have no friends (or shallow, money-hungry ones) and there's no sense of community. Your workplace will be toxic, you'll work long hours for a boss that treats you like crap and pays you less than you're worth. You'll be underpaid, and not valued or appreciated. You'll wake up in the dark to go to work in the freezing cold and come home in the dark, in the freezing cold. You'll live in an expensive tiny box in the sky with disrespectful neighbours (and their barking dogs). The 'unhoused' and addicts will hang outside of your building, begging you for money and smoking crack/weed. The stench of urine and poop on a hot summer's day (the 3 months of it that there is) will make you want to heave.\n\nAnyone thinking of moving to Toronto should seriously think twice and do LOTS of research. There are so many BETTER cities in the world - choose wisely. Don't choose Canada.

I immigerant to Canada 2008 and lived in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver. I realized I was in the wrong place. 2013, I ran from Canada and never regretted it.\nShe is 100% right. DO NOT go to Canada if you are poor with limited money.\nCanada is a beautiful country. It is a shame the cruppt Canadian GOV makes it so hard for people to live.

still, Toronto is a lot safer and better than the USA, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, Of course, it is not like Japan or Singapore but the immigration crisis is everywhere and worse. can be a cleaner, can be cheaper, working as a waitress and expecting to live downtown does not add up. it just reminds me of when I used to work in a motel, I paid for a motel room and expected 5-star hotel.

You want to live in Toronto, the third largest city in North America on average salary? I think that’s an unrealistic expectation when you compare the rent to cities like New York and Miami. I think given its current size and growth trajectory, Toronto is still on the affordable size and it will get much more expensive in the future. I visited Toronto and the GTA area, all you can see is new construction, businesses packed with people. May be Canada bit more than it could chew and the economy has not grown since COVID making inflation pinch even more. My only problem was due to the rapid expansion, the city seemed to lack a soul which comes through organic growth. All I could see was broad highways, residential areas packed with housed and large shopping complexes.

People have to stop using rental prices in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. That's like Americans using rental costs in Bel-Air California or Manhattan as an example of what rent costs in America. It's not a realistic portrayal of rental costs. \nHere in Quebec the the annual tax rate is between 26.53% and 53.31%, depending on income. Then you have to consider all the socialist programs that you are forced to pay into, which also sucks up a significant amount on your weekly salary. After that, you must consider that you pay 15% sales tax on almost everything. It's safe to say that half of your yearly earnings, give or take, are taken in taxes and socialized programs. As for salaries, less than 20% of the Canadian population make a 6 figure salary. We're not talking about household income. I am talking about individual income. You're not going to become rich here in Canada! The majority of people who do become rich leave Canada to avoid taxation. Canadians live a life of debt. You will live just balancing your debt to make sure it doesn't get out of control Few Canadians have money in savings without debt. The ones who do have money saved, most of them have debts on top of their savings which is counterproductive in my opinion.

I used to live in toronto and i actually liked it there, people are ok not as friendly but ok, the lifestyle was good with so many different things available to do, u never get bored there, good nightlife, good sceneries, good malls, good parties, hot looking girls everywhere, the food is amazing with so many options to choose from all around the world, all good...... but the big problem was that life was so damn expensive, i had 2 jobs and was barely making enough money to survive, that's why i left.

Toronto and Canada claim to be inclusive and diverse. I know many gay men who have been beaten up on the TTC. One buddy was beaten to a pulp, and no one helped him. People just sat there are let it happen, didn't even call the police.\n\nI would never live in Toronto, I'm leaving Ontario because this province is going downhill fast. In Windsor alone dependence on food banks and homeless ness has increased 500% in the past year. And their solution? To continue to raise taxes and give millions away to China and Ethiopia. What about Canadians? It's really sad.... I don't see China or other countries giving us foreign aid.....

Wow I am so amazed how Toronto has changed! I used to live there for 6 years and it was amazing, Toronto has a special place in my heart I had a great time I met wonderful people and learnt a lot, however, the city has changed in a very bad way which is sad to hear at some point I was seriously considering going back but I suppose I will have to let it go.

I left Toronto in 2017 (born and raised there, lived in Toronto for 35 years about). I moved to London Ontario, the cost of housing here is basically half of what I was paying in Toronto. I even took a $10k per year paycut for a new job and I still live better in London Ontario than I did in Toronto because in Toronto nearly my whole salary went towards living in squalor.. whereas for half of what I paid in Toronto got me a comfortable home in London. Unless you are wealthy, living in Toronto is lunacy.. you can live much more comfortably by just leaving the big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, even if it means taking a lower paying job.

As someone who has been in Canada my entire life (except the odd travels), I would leave Canada if I could. Unfortunately I have family circumstances that require me to be available for my family in a short timespan (so I've bought a house within one hour drive from my parents with my partner). But if my life circumstances were different (and I can convince my partner) - I'd be out of Canada within a few months, once I find a job overseas. It's quite depressing here and I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. \nNote: I do not live in the Toronto area or the Vancouver area but still a pretty medium/large city.

My wife and I used to live in Toronto. We moved to the United States in 2018. We've literally saved more money in the 5 years we've lived in the U.S. than our entire lives in Canada. Everything in Canada is way too expensive, taxes are heaped upon taxes, and the price is inflated even more. Toronto is even more crazy than the rest of Canada in terms of expenses. There is no way young people will ever be able to afford a home or save for retirement.

I live in Canada and it's a strange place. You work so hard and never seem to get ahead. Wages are low and cost of living is really high it's so hard to save and build towards a future. Not to mention the cost of housing is crazy. Two bedroom one story house in Toronto will cost 1.5 million. Cost of living is out of control.

It’s because everyone thinks they must live in Toronto and Vancouver. That’s like saying I want to live in London, or New York with low income.\n\nTry smaller towns which are more affordable.

Very good objective video. I grew up in Toronto and had many great experiences in the city as well as commuting from west Toronto into the city for five years of high school (grade 9 to grade13). At an very early age I used to fearlessly ride buses, street cars and the subway system with no concerns of crime or potential violence in my mind. I wouldn't suggest this now for a young person unless you have 2 or 3 marshal arts black belts in your resume! The very same circumstances exist in Vancouver...quite possibly x's 2. My family and I now live a short distance east of Vancouver, but the city has changed about 10,000% since I lived there from the late '70's to the late '90's. I don't mind saying that I believe most of the problems/issues in Toronto, Vancouver and many other cities in Canada have been accentuated by poor policy decisions at all levels of government...municipal, provincial and federal...particularly since 2015 aka the J Trudeau era. I would like to share this video with MP Pierre Poilievre is that is OK with you. JV.

I am not from North America. But I too think Toronto is a fine city. Once upon a time maybe back in the 1970s,80s 90s and early 2000s would have been one of the best cities in the world to live in but these days not anymore. Still looks the same like in the past but it has changed the high cost of living and other changes mean standard of living has dropped in the last 10 years. Still a nice city though but hopefully it will bounce back to how the city was in the distant past 2 decades ago and earlier.

I live in Toronto since 1999 and witnessed the decline of the city due to higher crime rates, poor car racing on highways, more selfish people parking at the fire lanes, legalization of pot (thanks to stupid Trudeau govt), more traffic congestion, more homeless taking up the parks etc since 2005. It gets worse and worse each year.

I think that a lot of people who seem to hate Canada in this comment section are either from Toronto and Vancouver, the two most expensive cities in the country, but these two cities don't represent Canada as a whole. \n\nPersonally I live in a smaller city in Québec (Saguenay) and life quality is super good, there are a lot of job opportunities and housing is very cheap, and it is an amazing place for outdoor lovers\n\nI saw many comments saying that the US is cheaper than Canada... Those people simply don't compare what's comparable. If you compare Toronto with comparable cities in the US like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Toronto is in fact MUCH cheaper. If I compare my city with comparable cities in the US, well it turns out that Saguenay is much cheaper\n\nSo before wanting to move to another country, you can simply think about moving within Canada. If however you hate winter, then there's no reason to stay here ?

I had 2 men on go to Toronto try and steal my bag ,off duty officer from uk said he saw it I moved so fast he didn’t get my bag and police officer tried to grab him white guy and black guy 29’s working together ,sit in handicap section safer ,I’m born in Toronto ,it’s the worst mess ever ,nothing like home ,Canadians born in Canada are just staying home ,look at union station dec 31 ,we were all scared \nWho are all these. Men ?\nWhat have we done crime is high I’m 70 getting picked in on a transit train at 2 om ,well I carry tasers now ,crime is out of control ,I know ,no where have I been more attacked since 10 yrs old ,all by immigrants strangely enough but union shows how many. Non men we had there mean men crowding and fighting ,well enough is enough ,we can’t even afford a place to live now. Because 65 per cent investors own all our housing ,you can have it ,I’m leaving

As forth generation Canadian I left years ago and never ever want to return .\nGrowing up Canada was the greatest place to live but with years of Canada being flooded with a million new bodies a year it’s become a horror show .\nSure many coming are great people but they won’t stick around once they see with their own eyes the realities there .\nSo anyone loving to come to Canada are obviously from third world hell holes and are coming for the free stuff .\nCanada has new migrants from the worst countries in the world countries you would never ever dream of visiting but now those people live next door.\nI watched a YouTube stream from Toronto on New Year’s Eve and did not recognize my old Toronto the good anymore .\nRight at Yonge and Dundas the main intersection in Canada 95 % of the people were South Asian and 80% were male .\nThere was no Christmas decorations in Toronto just one sad looking tree they call a remembrance tree .\nDon’t know what we are supposed to remember what Toronto use to be when they celebrated Christmas and it was a White Christian country ?\nIf you can believe it Toronto doesn’t even have a New Year’s party concert celebration anymore ,just lame fireworks over Lake Ontario.\nMontreal doesn’t even have fireworks anymore lol \nTake my advice get the heck out of Canada move to Thailand where housing is cheap ,food cheap and people are nice .\nYou only live once don’t waste it in miserable Canada

I think people who leave the country is because don’t have the skills that required for the high cost of living specially in the biggest cities like Vancouver ,Toronto ,although Montreal was less expensive to live in compared to the others ones, \nNew immigrants coming to Toronto finds almost impossible to find a reasonable accommodation due to the high demands for housing ,family’s ‘re the most affected, One big reason some people are returning home is because the minimum wages at 18 dollars an hour -40 hours work , 2,880.00 dollars, minus tax, take home is 2,448.00 taxable at the rate of 15 %, , now your rent for one bedroom ,600 square feet cost $2.000 dollars a month , leave you with 448.00 to cover food, transportation , and utilities, at the end you haven’t save any money , So what to do just go home

May Allah help you to choose what is best for you guys and protect you and your family. First time to visit your channel. I’m from Toronto. I share your concerns. I think many Canadians are soooooo disheartened to see the government’s failure to live up to its principles of justice towards the current genocide that is taking place in Palestine.

I came to Toronto when I was 11. 43 years later, my wife and I are getting out. We are even looking at getting out of Ontario, possibly Canada. It is impossible to afford to live here, and jobs aren't available if you don't look too diverse... there are tons of empty boarded up stores increasingly in the GTA and it reminds me of parts of Buffalo in the early 80s. It has changed too much for me. Thanks for sharing, we realize we are not alone.

I am from Toronto. It’s gone. I love it. However it has changed economically since COVID-19. Housing is huge problem to live here renting or owning. The prices are higher than I imagined before the pandemic. \nThen since the gas prices are high and it is huge city, then it is very expensive to move around. \nElsewhere in Canada probably similar, but GTA and Vancouver are the most expensive.