Toronto is Canada’s largest city and has a well-earned reputation for being multicultural, vibrant, and, honestly, a little intimidating.

With millions of people in the Greater Toronto Area, the sheer scale alone can be overwhelming for newcomers.

Settling in to this stunning city takes more than just unpacking boxes and sipping on some Tim Horton’s coffee. Here are five insider tips for settling in Toronto so you can feel like a local.

1. Master Public Transit

One of the first hurdles every Toronto newcomer faces is figuring out the public transport system.

You will soon learn that the city is massive, parking is expensive, and traffic is often a nightmare. Fortunately, Toronto has an impressive public transit network of subways, trains, buses, and streetcars.

As soon as you arrive, get yourself a PRESTO card – a rechargeable smart card that works on the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) and on regional transit systems, such as MiWay (Mississauga) and YRT (York Region Transit).

Tapping keeps things simple, and you can schedule automatic reloads so you are never stuck without fare.

2. Canadian Winters

Canadian winters are notoriously freezing – they are less of a “season” per se and more of a personality test.

Toronto has milder winters than some other parts of Canada, but it is still completely capable of making you question every life choice that has led you to this freezing city.

The first thing you must do is buy a proper winter coat. Not a little fashionable puffer, but something with weight.

We are talking full-on arctic explorer meets sweet marshmallow person, especially if you are planning to try ice fishing.

3. Understand Toronto’s Neighbourhoods

Toronto is a beautiful patchwork quilt of neighbourhoods, each with its own unique personality and price tag.

Picking where to live is one of the biggest decisions you will face, and choosing without doing the proper research can mean you end up with a killer commute or young neighbours who party until 2am.

Understand and get to know the vibe of each area by finding rentals for short-term Toronto stays, so you can get to know each area for a month or two and then try somewhere new.

That way, you won’t have to commit to anything long-term until you know it is in the perfect area for you.

4. Local Lingo

One of the most effective ways to settle into the city of Toronto is to pick up the local lingo, slang, and cultural quirks.

Toronto is big on personal space, so don’t overcrowd someone’s bubble or crowd people in line. Small habits like these are cultural currency and will help you move from outsider to local in no time.

5. Tap Into Toronto’s Multicultural Foodie Scene

One of the best things about living in Toronto is that the city can take you on the taste bud adventure of a lifetime if you let it.

From small cafes, serving recipes passed down through generations, to fine-dining experiences that rival New York and Paris, you’ll soon discover that food is one of the quickest ways to connect with Toronto.

Final Thoughts

Moving to Toronto will come with its fair share of challenges, but the trade-offs are well worth it.

Few cities offer the same blend of culture, energy, and community that Toronto does.