The Self-Initiated Expat

The Self-Initiated Expat

I’m living in:

Toronto, Canada

A bit about me:

I emigrated here from the UK after I got married, about 35 years ago. When our son was 9 years old we lived overseas on and off for the 15 years, in Baku, Cairo and Dubai. For the last 3 or 4 years in Dubai I worked for ExpatWoman organizing and hosting coffee mornings and events.

How long have you lived there?

I repatriated to Toronto 6 years ago.

Why did you move?

Our initial move to We were looking for better job opportunities and adventure. We’d visited friends in Toronto and fell in love with the city and the country. Since then, Toronto has always been home.

What’s the accommodation options where you live?

Toronto is Canada’s biggest city and so, like many large cities, it’s a mixture of single-family housing and high rises. In the 15 years we were away there was an explosion of high-rise condominiums built in the downtown core, which makes for a very dramatic skyline. There is everything from sprawling suburban homes to funky loft apartments, but central locations are pricey. Almost half the population rents, and there is strong demand for good quality rentals.

What are the summer months (Jun-Aug) like in your part of the world?

Just glorious, the best time of the year. Temperatures are in the mid to high 20°s (Celsius), generally dry and big blue skies. August can be a bit humid with occasional thundershowers, but generally you can plan outdoor events with confidence.

Is summer (Jun-Aug) the best time of year to visit?

Yes, but they are also the busiest months due to tourism and school holidays. September is quieter and still warm and sunny during the day and quite dry. October is the best month for the fall colours; the trees are magnificent. And of course January to March if you want to partake of winter sports.

What do you enjoy doing with your time in the summer?

I love the city parks. Ravines (former river valleys) across the city, and most have been turned into tranquil, semi-wild parkland, with well-marked trails and BBQ areas. You forget you are in a big city.

What’s the highest temperature it can reach in the summer time (Jun-Aug)?

The highest temperature ever recorded was 38°C in 1948, but usually the highest would be about 30°C.

What do you love the most about this time of year?

The big shade trees, which are everywhere, eating outdoors at the many small ethnic restaurants, walking along the lakeshore. There’s something happening every weekend, and many activities are free.

What do you like the least about this time of year?

Traffic, particularly on Friday afternoons as many people exit the city for cottage country (aka “up north”).  The brown smudge of pollution visible on the horizon.

What do you wish you’d known before you moved?

We bought a house as soon as we arrived. In hindsight we should have waited until we’d learned our way around, as we ended up selling and moving fairly quickly. Also, for English speakers, don’t assume the culture is the same just because the language is the same; it isn’t. For example there isn’t the pub life here, like the UK, but people are more likely to strike up conversations with strangers.

Anything else you’d like to share with us about your expat experience?

Toronto in particular is a very diverse city. Half the residents were not born here. It reminds me of Dubai, except that here most people are on the path to citizenship. Canada welcomes immigrants and is proud of its multicultural policy. I love hearing 4 or 5 languages spoken as I ride the subway to work and the wide choice of food and groceries.