Hey guys!! Toronto is the first place we're checking out on our new quest to find a home🙌🏼 After traveling full-time for 7 years and visiting over 100 countries, we want to find the perfect place to call home. On this journey, we'll consider other places that we've actually visited many times before and love. Toronto we just decided to check out since we were going there anyway - and we loved it! Where should we check out next?👀
I still don't get why does the UN underestimate our population. Canada actually has more than 41 million residents in 2024 but in Worldometer whose data from the UN only recorded as having 39.09 million like wtf? Canada would have ~70 million residents in 2050 if the government constantly spurred the immigration but again Worldometer whose data from the UN predicted Canada as having only 45 million residents in 2050 like again wtf? Do they have any problem with Canada? Immigration is a real thing here and I'm also an immigrant from Poland!
You should check out Vancouver (it is way warmer there during the winter) and Calgary. It is much warmer here then Toronto. In Calgary (High River is where I live) it is small town with almost no traffic but you can be at the Calgary International airport in 45 minutes, neighbors talk to each other, we have a hospital and way cheaper homes then Toronto or Vancouver. Would love to see you two settle here. Plus our healthcare is way way cheaper then the US and still just at cutting edge.
I didn't get the sense you found the Toronto that you would experience if you live here. Walking around downtown is nice but most Torontonians live in distinct neighbourhoods that give them the lifestyle they want: The Gay Village, The Beaches, Forest Hill, Kensington Market, Chinatown, Little Italy, High Park, etc. Each acts as a community with a particular feel, people and lifestyle. Then the bigger city provides the amazing selections of restaurants, theatre, art galleries, museums, sporting events, nightlife, parks, libraries, etc. Plus the city has festivals and is very vibrant. Health care is excellent and provided through taxes. Generally a safe city, clean, inclusive, and well connected to the rest of the world.
I lived in Toronto for 15 years and I never had any problems accessing medical care. I'm sure there are problems but I still consider Canadians lucky to have this kind of medical care.
Same here. I consider myself lucky to have the healthcare which Canada provides. My only gripe with the Canadian system is *sometimes* wait times for certain procedures and hospital emergency department visits can be long, but that depends on the population density of where you live in the country. No country has a perfect system, but Canada's is much better than many other places (including the U.S. in my opinion - I lived there for nearly 10 years)
As someone heavily sick with degenrative chronic diseases, overall I have a very good appreciation to our health care in Ontario and I live in Toronto. I feel lucky that I am here and I won't change it for any other place. I am very satisfied with the quality of care and attention I am getting from ALL my doctors, specialists, nurses, social worker and on ... I am not expecting perfection to be happy
It’s great to see videos of you traveling and working in Toronto! Regarding the fire alarm, you gave the most correct demonstration! The world's largest Starbucks will open in Taipei next year, and you can travel to Taiwan by then! The more I look at you two, the lovelier you are. Thank you so much for sharing! 👍😍🙏
Welcome to Toronto. As a Torontonian who grew up in the tropics, I know enough to stay away from the lake unless it'd mid summer. With respect to health care, I think it's a challenge in most countries. We think we have it better than those in the US. I love living here. Toronto is probably the most diverse and welcoming, accepting places on the planet.
If you live downtown in Toronto, you can escape windy -20c days by just using the PATH system. I’ve had a hotel connected to the PATH and went out for dinner in a short-sleeved shirt during a blizzard. Besides, those record cold days never feel as bad as they look on paper. I found the 32c summer days more unbearable.
3:07 Before you discount Toronto for being too cold, just wait 20-30 years and climate change will make it a whole lot warmer. Don't go where the climate IS, go where it's going.
If you're considering Canada you should give Vancouver a look, too. It doesn't quite meet your sunshine criterion, but the climate is very mild for Canada and if you can afford it, it's magical, especially for the nature.
Canadians love to gripe about our healthcare but at the same time, poll after poll shows that 80%+ of Canadians see our healthcare system as a source of national pride and would not want to change it. Is there room for improvement? For sure; show me a system where there isn't. I have to say, it's a very unfamiliar concept to me that you see the lack of private healthcare as a negative. In Canada, the concept of getting better/faster care if you're rich enough is repellant and goes directly against the values the vast majority of Canadians hold. But let's be honest, I don't think you were seriously considering Toronto as a potential new home. You just happened to be there for a conference and didn't even stay on an extra day or two to have a proper look around.
I’m originally from Canada and lived in Toronto (and was there on a visit just a bit after you guys!); it’s a pretty great city that has really exploded in recent years. Canada is often called the Sweden of North America (weather and all), which may make it a great future home base for you (or not, depending 😊). Either way… enjoy!
As a Toronto resident, I can confirm that nobody here cares about the fire alarm 😭. I’ve had the fire alarm go off a few times in the middle of the night and only like 25% of the building evacuated.
As another Torontonian I agree that no one cares! In many commercial buildings there is a two tiered system, which is better (with security staff on site). At level 1 you are told to wait for further instructions. If there is a confirmed fire or the time limit has expired level 2 kicks in. The evacuation tone then comes on.
Vancouver is the perfect choice. I can't afford to live there full time yet but I spend 4 to 7 months a year there according to my budget (and I have TONS of Vancouver vlogs if you wanna check it out!😊)
I think your only option in Canada would be Vancouver or maybe one of the islands that you can easily get to Vancouver. It was great to meet you both at the Travel Summit and I hope to see you at the next one 🇨🇦
Boys! You should absolutley move here. As Scandinavians you'll find a LOT that it similar. As for the heat....wait for it. Toronto has an EIGHTY degree spectrum over thr course of the year. We can go from -40C in thr darkest depths of winter to +40C in the summer (with all the sticky gooey heat you can desire.)
Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in North America. Temperate climate with the Japan current affecting temps and precip. And a short drive from the city you're in the spectacular Canadian Rockies! Gastown is a cultural experience in itself, and Stanley Park is right in downtown. If I had to migrate to Canada (when Justin Trudeau and his politics are gone) Van would be where I would head to!
BS about health care. I’ve never waited longer than a day to see a doctor and emergency has been equally swift if serious enough. Surgery wait times are vastly exaggerated and you don’t look like you need new hips or knees! (You’d just have to wait 6 months to be covered and can buy supplemental insurance.)
Sorry I missed you guys in my hometown! If healthcare is the only downfall to Toronto, neglect it. It is paid for through taxes in Canada and it is VERY affordable. The wait times many people complain about depend on the urgency. If it is an emergency, you don't wait at all. If it is the lowest level of urgency, you may have to wait a few months to see a specialist. Your family doctor's appointment depends on the urgency and depends on scheduling /availability. I work in legal- health care and I have seen it (almost) all...
Toronto is great. A lot of people like to complain but I am born and raised here and it’s honestly one of the best cities in North America. A pretty good transportation system by North America standards, lots of great places to eat, party, hang out. Lots of green space. Health care is amazing. First and for most, it’s free. Yes, there is a shortage of family doctors and finding one and getting an appointment is insane. BUT, I have never actually had a problem with the healthcare itself. In regard to surgeries, I believe most routine procedures are covered by the government but more complex ones may require health insurance. In terms of climate, it may be cold but trust me it’s not as bad as other cities. Toronto is say has the 2nd best climate in Canada after Vancouver. Summer can get pretty hot. We just saw 2 straight weeks of 30°! My one big complaint would be the housing. We’re going through a bit of a liveability crisis. Prices have sky rocketed and there’s not enough affordable housing. This only compounded by the government having no immigration control leaving the city and by and large the country feeling pretty overwhelmed. So just keep that in mind.
The skyline at night is amazing. You really need to spend more time in Toronto to immerse yourself in the food scene. It's awesome! In the summer you would get to experience the festivals of all kinds.
Great video though I'm a little confused about this endeavor. Wouldn't the first criteria have to be where you can legally live? You touched on that at end a bit but I would love a more detailed explanation of your thinking there.
As you get older nostalgia for Sweden may start to infuse your souls… just know that 2 hours north of Toronto there are literally thousands of kilometres of geology/geography that look & feel just like the wilds of Scandinavia. 😊
Thank you for this great video. We love Toronto too!! talking about health insurance.. if that's your concern, you should also consider Taiwan. My husband and I went to a major hospital in Taiwan for diagnostic checkups. Even without the national insurance and just paying out of pocket, it only cost us about $130 USD for seeing the specialist, same day ultra sound, X-ray, blood test, and urine test. Everything was done in the same day and we got all the results the following week. (BTW, everything was fine!!) Not only was the cost low and efficient, but my husband was presently surprised that the services were high quality. Moreover, you might be able to just go to the hospital to see a doctor on the same day even without an appointment in advance. Just as a side note, my husband was also able to go to an optometrist to do an eye exam and get 2 pairs of glasses in just less than 3 hours. Again, low cost and high quality service.
I am happy to see you guys in Canada. Unfortunately, it is not what it was around 15 years ago. I don't want to discourage you but things are way too expensive, especially housing and food. Health care has deteriorated too. However, it still has a good quality of life. Toronto is a great city, but if you like Canada, how about Montreal?
This series is going to be a big hit! I can't wait to see the other cities. I thought it was interesting that 'cost of living/housing' was not on the list 🙂
If you want to feel like you're in both NA and Europe at the same time, try Montreal. It can be cold a few days a year, but definitely not North Pole like... We already experienced 8 days of 30°C + temperature in 2024 even before the start of summer. There was no snow on the streets and sidewalks for most of every months last winter. And Canada seems to be where temperatures are climbing the most with climate change on top of that. Americans who go to Montreal think it feels more like Europe compared to American cities, and Europeans find it feels more like America compared To European cities. It has more of a distinct personality than Toronto, and though I can agree that Toronto has made some progress on the cultural front, the vibe in MTL during the summer months with all the festivities is definitely not the same. I think the only way Toronto could be a better choice is if you're looking for a more suburbanish kind of vibe, but that would be a very expensive suburban life. Montreal really is cheaper. Wish you good luck on your journey!
I like Montreal, but if they think TO is too cold, why would they want to move to an even colder place? It’s also very hard to make money in Montreal, and income taxes are insanely high.
you visited my university :) i lived in toronto for five years and canada all my life except for my one year in japan. i think if you have your pick, vancouver would be a better choice. i've been there multiple times and it's an amazing city. i'm so envious of the weather!
Summer time is best for Toronto visitors I’d think. Everything is in bloom and there’s no cold at all. There’s a lot to see and do in Toronto. Aside from the most known things like CN tower the aquarium museums and castle loma. Wondering the main areas like Yonge street queen street, for some unique shopping or gifts. There’s a little of everything along younge street and queen street. Also many of the side roads off each street. Many cool bars unique restaurants the down town literally has everything you could want to purchase some things just might involve a little patience with people as it’s a very busy place during the day light hours. The city comes to life though in the evening and at night to. The staff in most all of the restaurants and bars are great. Friendly and informative on specials and whatnot. Remember to tip these hard working folks. To many places to list. One just has to go and wonder around. Great city for amazing photography. Times of day can totally change the look of an area. Best to see in day and night if one can stay up late it’s worth it.
You guys were smart to evacuate! I'm glad it turned out to be nothing, but you never know. I visited Toronto in May and it was 25F degrees warmer than normal! It was fine, but I would've preferred cooler temperatures. Thanks for showing views of the beautiful parks around Lake Ontario, too! Also, the tower reflected in that building was lovely. 🙂 Good luck in your search for a permanent home! I live in Los Angeles and our weather definitely can't be beat. (I won't talk about the many issues we face here, though!)
Please!I T.O. is one of the greatest cities in which you find yourselves. Okay, I'm a little prejudiced because I grew up in Buffalo, and my family went to Toronto at least once a month if not more. I spent my summers in Ontario, so it really was a second home for me. It's a great theatre town, too (though the last time I was there to see one of my shows). Also, half my family lives in and around T.O. (You should call my cousin Lisa, who is the best person in the world.) If you can't be in NYC, then move to Toronto!
For everybody saying Vancouver… it’s WAY too expensive and has a huge homeless/drug problem. Alberta has private healthcare (via the two-tier healthcare system).
It's true about the healthcare. It's easy to see a doctor for simple things like a sore throat or a skin infection, no problem to get treated. But if you have serious issues like cancer or back pain it will take you months to get specific exams and surgeries. I have relatives who fly to NYC to get proprer cancer treatment. Luckily they have American health insurance through their jobs, otherwise it would be quite expensive.
Unironically, I've told many a friend this but if you want sun, living by a lake/river/ocean (all of these!), affordability, great vegan options, good healthcare (public and private) and not cold winters with a great lifestyle - Perth, WA (Australia) is genuinely a super underrated city and you absolutely should give it a go. I'd also shoutout Wellington NZ, Canmore AB (Canada again but super cold), Singapore and Porto, Portugal
If you love nature and big cities and great European and American architecture mixed together Montreal would be the place for you guys! Also has the best food in Canada! And the best festivals and etc
Toronto my home town ❤ !! You need to spend a bit longer here next time. And the Royal York Hotel.......my old place of work ❤ !! As for the Health Care System....well, it's not perfect but the people demanding American style coverage here want to jump the line (a 2 tier system) / no thanks / never been denied health care myself. Toronto is expensive and the crime rate is up but still not like our southern cousins. But ultimately for Dan's work a major American hub city would suit your needs better....more airlines to choose from. Thanks for visiting !! Come back soon !!
Come to Seattle and explore areas outside of downtown please! I think you'll love it as it hits most of the categories on your list with the exception of weather but it really isn't that bad. :)
There's no perfect place, but Toronto is on my list of potential retirement destinations. You should come back and spend a month to fairly experience what it would be like to live in Toronto. The city has many things to love. For an art lover like myself, there's both the AGO (Art Galerie of Ontario) and the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). The neighbourhood surrounding West Queen Street is the Bohemian part of the city and extremely gay-friendly. If you are concerned about climate change, then it's worth mentioning that urban areas with an abundance of fresh water will be in the best position to weather global warming, such as the cities surrounding the Great Lakes. Yes, the Canadian healthcare system sucks, so I will likely keep my US-based doctors.
Welcome to Toronto. Hope you had a nice time. Oskar, since you told me where you got your khaki jacket, I am here if you have questions about the city. Have lived here for a long time.
Public is for everyone with a valid immigration status and a residency of minimum 90 days. Permanent Residents and people on work permits/ self-employed also do qualify.
Dear Oskar & Dan! From my point of view you'd have to consider Austria to call home, like it happened to me many years ago. Hope to welcome you here soon!🇦🇹🤗
Hospitals in Toronto are pretty great having been there my entire life, never had an issue. It’s just nasty in the more rural areas of Ontario. I think you guys should totally move here.
Biggest challenge for everyone in TO: affordability Biggest challenge for anyone who's not used to it: winter Access to nature: way more than you'd expect on a first pass. The ravine system is amazing! Healthcare: I think you heard some exaggerated complaints. My experiences with healthcare in Canada have been pretty good & a step up than what I experienced in Japan oddly enough
I’ve never been to Toronto but from what images you shared, it kinda looks like most big cities in the USA. I still see you landing eventually somewhere in Europe. You loved NZ, but it’s a bit off the beaten path. Thanks for taking us along on your exploration process. 😊
I've lived in and around Toronto all my life. It's a pretty nice place. It's far safer than the average North American city. But, here's my personal list of the city's shortcomings: 1. Getting anywhere is a bloody pain. The road and transit infrastructure are completely inadequate and neglected. Municipal politicians have completely screwed up transit planning and have turned our road system into a maze. We have the longest commute times of any city in North America. 2. Housing is very expensive. All levels of government have contributed to this problem, and quite deliberately. 3. The city has become boring. Planetarium closed. Ontario Science Centre closed. Yonge Street used to have awesome fun stores but now just plain sucks. In the downtown PATH network 1/3 of the stores have closed. 4. The city has no regard for its history. It will tear down anything to build more highrise condos. More property taxes is all it cares about. Montreal is far better in this regard.
Really, Toronto would be a great choice for your vegan wise. There's any kind of cuisine you can think of here. There is a vegan sushi place in the downtown core that would blow your mind. There's Caribbean vegan. I could go on, and we have a bomba$$ Veg fest every september, and then surrounding areas have their own veg fests too. About the health care. It's not as bad as you portrayed it in the video. Yes, sometimes you can wait for an appointment with your general practitioner or family doctor, but they usually have a walkin clinic attached to their practice where you can go in case you really need to see your Doctor but you're not able to get an appointment right away. Then there are any number of walkin clinics that you can go to. It's kind of like the same idea as what in the states they call urgent care. So you can get medical attention anytime you need it really, and there's even a toll-free number you can call to get medical advice over the phone to see if what you're experiencing is serious enough to go to the Doctor or the hospital. So, really, the healthcare here is pretty good. There are even some doctors who dedicate a portion of the day for last minute urgent appointments. You guys love nature and Toronto is great for that. There are so many great places to go hiking or camping or exploring right in the city. There's High Park with lots ofnice walking trails. There are surrounding areas not too too far away that are great to go camping and hiking like Elora Gorge, for example, you guys would really love. I don't know if you guys have ever been into animal rights activism, but there's usually some kind of action happening. We have cow vigils, pig vigils. We have marches. We have a hub right in the downtown core where we have meetings and gatherings to plan things and just socialize, really. Toronto is great. The transit system is pretty good. You can take the Go Train to any number of places. We're close to New York. We're close to Niagara Falls. We're close to Montreal. We're close to so many nice things you would love. A couple hours north there's Spa Scandinave that you would just die for, and there's also Saint Anne's spa that's a little bit more posh. And right in my neighborhood of Parkdale there's a Copenhagen Vegan Danish bakery that you would really love. WE HAVE THE BEST PRIDE FESTIVAL THAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO MISS!!! Gosh, I could on, so I'll just stop here. In the other comment that I left in your other video, not knowing that you had already been to Toronto, I would be so thrilled to show you around to all the best vegan spots and festivals and hiking trails. And anything that you're interested in.
Also, less than a one hour deive from downtown you can be in the Hills of Caledon or wine country in either Niagara or Prince Edward County. Also, like Sweden, we also have a King. (It's the same one as the UK.)
Dan 😂🤣🤣 “am I running for my life right now…” 😂😂😂😂😂 Canada has to be a contender for you - if not Toronto another place! You could always live in Canada during the summer and then go traveling to somewhere warmer in the winter :) How did you guys like Vancouver? We haven’t been there yet but it’s so close to Calgary via plane so I’m hoping to do a trip out there! Try Calgary tho guys!! It will tick boxes for you for sure!
Vancouverite here: If you ever plan to buy a home, Canada has a MASSIVE housing problem, ridiculously expensive to buy and rent in places like Toronto and Vancouver.
Toronto is one of my favorite cities. However is very expensive there. I wanted to move there in 2016 but I didn't qualify on their residency status. Its not easy to move there, even as an American neighbor! 😢😢
You should definately move, great opportunities here and best jobs. Everything is affordable, low crime and phenomenal health care system. Also forgot to mention, most stable and transparent government in existence. Super progressive and affordable country... Welcome to Canada!
