Congratulations! You made the move. Or you made the move and hightailed your way back to that West Coast nirvana locals offhandedly call "Vancity."
Regardless of choosing to stay or go, you know the nuances between Vancouver and Toronto run deeper than having mountains or not.
There's a learning curve with the move because, well, that's what happens when you start somewhere new. So here are some grating reality checks you may happen upon:
1. First, let’s break it down to food terms:
You basically swapped cheap (delicious) sushi for questionable street meat.
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2. Questionable because your bar is set high.
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3. Speaking of high, everyone assumes you know where to get great bud.
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Because you do. Still, what’s with that? Probably because of this guy:
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4. Also, everyone assumes you do yoga.
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Because you do. For three dedicated weeks a year (shhh).
5. “Going to the island” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
What it means in Vancouver:
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vs. in Toronto:
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6. Neither does “going to the beach.”
What it means in Vancouver:
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vs. in Toronto:
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Clik here to view.![vancouver island]()
7. Plus you know this Toronto air you’re breathing in by the litre isn’t the freshest.
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Mmmm. Smog. Builds character, right?
8. Let’s talk weather. You need a winter coat.
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Because you realize your awesome Gor-Tex® shell and extra layers won't do.
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Clik here to view.![]()
9. A proper winter coat will cost you.
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10. But it's worth it. Because "bone-chilling cold" is a very literal temperature gauge.
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Clik here to view.![polar vortex]()
NEVER FORGET.
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Clik here to view.![polar vortex]()
11. After the snow melts, you remember main roads aren't exactly bike-friendly.
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Clik here to view.![]()
12. Which sucks because construction here takes months to finish and inconveniences the maximum number of commuters possible.
Above ground:
And underground:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
Map of an actual weekend TTC closure (red). Here’s a list of current diversions.
13. WHERE MY SALMONBERRIES AT?
Oh yeah. They’re growing on the B.C. trails you left behind.
Because these are your new local trails
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
No salmonberries, but oh look! There's a free inkjet all-in-one printer!
14. Your hiking boots serve no purpose here.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
You win some. You lose some.
15. Most surprising of all, you may take jokes about your umbrella stash personally.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
But it's OK. You know it takes only one flash storm to wipe away haters' cynicism.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
That's right, Charlie. Now you're learning.
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Clik here to view.![]()
Like Us On Facebook
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Follow Us On Twitter
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Contact The Author
Regardless of choosing to stay or go, you know the nuances between Vancouver and Toronto run deeper than having mountains or not.
There's a learning curve with the move because, well, that's what happens when you start somewhere new. So here are some grating reality checks you may happen upon:
1. First, let’s break it down to food terms:
You basically swapped cheap (delicious) sushi for questionable street meat.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. Questionable because your bar is set high.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
3. Speaking of high, everyone assumes you know where to get great bud.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Because you do. Still, what’s with that? Probably because of this guy:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
4. Also, everyone assumes you do yoga.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Because you do. For three dedicated weeks a year (shhh).
5. “Going to the island” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
What it means in Vancouver:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
vs. in Toronto:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
6. Neither does “going to the beach.”
What it means in Vancouver:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
vs. in Toronto:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
7. Plus you know this Toronto air you’re breathing in by the litre isn’t the freshest.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mmmm. Smog. Builds character, right?
8. Let’s talk weather. You need a winter coat.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Because you realize your awesome Gor-Tex® shell and extra layers won't do.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
9. A proper winter coat will cost you.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
10. But it's worth it. Because "bone-chilling cold" is a very literal temperature gauge.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
NEVER FORGET.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
11. After the snow melts, you remember main roads aren't exactly bike-friendly.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
12. Which sucks because construction here takes months to finish and inconveniences the maximum number of commuters possible.
Above ground:
And underground:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Map of an actual weekend TTC closure (red). Here’s a list of current diversions.
13. WHERE MY SALMONBERRIES AT?
Oh yeah. They’re growing on the B.C. trails you left behind.
Because these are your new local trails
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
No salmonberries, but oh look! There's a free inkjet all-in-one printer!
14. Your hiking boots serve no purpose here.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
You win some. You lose some.
15. Most surprising of all, you may take jokes about your umbrella stash personally.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
But it's OK. You know it takes only one flash storm to wipe away haters' cynicism.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
That's right, Charlie. Now you're learning.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Like Us On Facebook Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Follow Us On TwitterImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Contact The Author