A guide to navigating the city of neighbourhoods
Starting a new life in a brand new city is undoubtedly exciting and nerve-racking. Whether you come from an even bigger global city or a smaller town, Toronto has a lot to offer. Popular tourist attractions include the CN Tower, Queen’s Park, Nathan Phillips Square, the Rogers Centre (formerly known as the SkyDome, if you want to be very “Toronto” about it), Scotiabank Arena (again, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, if you want to blend in with the locals), and our very own University of Toronto campus. But there’s so much more to Toronto, which some call “a city of neighbourhoods.” Compared to our city’s plentiful visitors, you are here for the long haul and deserve adequate knowledge on how to explore Toronto like a local. Not sure where to go when you want to take a break from studying? Want a peaceful moment away from the downtown core? No problem, we’ve got you covered with some wonderful (and free!) places to visit.
Before we talk about where, let’s talk about how. Added on top of law school tuition, owning a car or constantly taking Uber may not be financially feasible. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is our local public transit system that can, slowly but surely, take you to all corners of the city. Speed matters less when it’s cheap, right? However, walking or biking beats the TTC if you are travelling in the downtown core. Still, the subway is a close second as it is usually faster than getting stuck in our notorious downtown traffic, giving the Don Valley Parkway (more like the Don Valley Parking Lot) and Highway 401 a run for their money. Also, take note that if you have a few places to visit, the TTC is free for any re-entry within two hours from your first Presto tap onto the system. Unfortunately, the Line 1 Subway is often not running between St. Clair Station and Finch Station on weekends due to the Eglinton Crosstown light-rail transit construction, so plan your trips accordingly.
So, where are some places worthy of exploring? Toronto’s cultural neighbourhoods, such as Little Italy, Chinatown, Greektown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Little Portugal, and Little India, are no-brainers and should be on your bucket list by default. In addition, these three neighbourhoods offer unique experiences and are worth mentioning:
- The Distillery District is a historic site with refurbished Victorian industrial buildings comprised of a full range of shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. Its 190th-anniversary event is happening on September 29, 2022 (i.e., today, if you’re holding a freshly-released copy of the paper!).
- St. Lawrence Market is another gem. Located inside a massive building with remnants of Toronto’s first City Hall, over 120 vendors are there to provide you with a spectacular community and food experience.
- Kensington Market is closes to campus and is known as a ‘melting pot’ of food and cultures. People of all backgrounds converge to create one of, if not the most, diverse neighbourhoods in Toronto.
A concrete jungle is the inevitable outcome of a prospering downtown, although at the law school, we are lucky to have Queen’s Park as a neighbour. Nevertheless, Toronto has an extensive park system that allows you to escape from the hustle and bustle to find a moment of serenity. Whether you want to seek refuge in greenery or relax on the waterfront, each of these parks presents a distinct natural beauty that won’t disappoint. One perk about Toronto parks: you can reserve picnic tables and firepits through the City of Toronto at a relatively low cost (under $100) for large gatherings of up to 200 people. Some of Toronto’s finest parks include:
- High Park
- Trillium Park
- Centre Island Ferry
- Riverdale Farm
- Scarborough Bluffs
- Edwards Gardens
- James Gardens
- Colonel Samuel Smith Park
These are a few recommendations within an hour via transit to get you started. There is a lot more to be explored as you venture further into areas that were part of other municipalities before Toronto’s amalgamation.
I hope you enjoy your new home in Toronto!
