I’m flying to back to Vancouver in just about 16 hours and I’m definitely reflecting a lot on my experience here this summer. It feels appropriate to write a few posts about my stay in Toronto. A common question from friends is to compare the cities, so here goes:

1. Climate

This no is a no-brainer.  Toronto has hot, humid summers and blistering cold winters.  Even this summer, when I wanted to get some nice sunshine, there seemed to be thundershowers every other day, while Vancouver had an exceptionally warm summer.  When I visited Toronto for a few days each of the last two winters, I managed to hit the biggest storm of the year both times.  I would much rather take the liquid sunshine in Vancouver than deal with frostbite on my face.
Edge : Vancouver by a landslide.

2. Special Events / Fun Things to Do

While I know that Vancouver has many events and festivals happening through the year, it seemed like Toronto just had huge events happening every single weekend.  Throughout the summer, I got to partake in a number of activities happening all across town.   Dundas Square (just a few blocks from where we lived) had something going on every single night as well.  The only thing that I did miss from Vancouver is the Celebration of Lights Firework Festival.
Edge: Toronto

3. Sports

This summer, I got to attend my first MLS game at BMO Field and I also went to three Blue Jays games at the Rogers Centre.  Toronto definitely has more sports options than Vancouver – to add to the above, there is also the NBA’s Raptors and Toronto hosts many more large-scale events such as Golf’s Canadian Open or Rogers Cup Tennis.  However, if the sport that you are most interested in is Hockey, as it is in my case, Toronto is basically the equivalent of a graveyard.  The other teams aren’t doing so great either.  So while there are more teams in Toronto, the Leafs really turn me off from sports in this city.
Edge: Even just because I can’t stand hockey in Toronto.

4. Nightlife and Music

While I definitely haven’t been to every bar and club in Vancouver, I certainly prefer what I’ve seen in Toronto.  While neither city even comes close to my experience in Montreal, I can definitely say that there are a lot more options and some great venues in Toronto. For those interested in music, there are also definitely a lot more acts that come through here.  Seeing Elton John and Billy Joel perform at the ACC was definitely one of the highlights of the summer.
Edge: Toronto

5.  Entrepreneurial Lifestyle

Since my goal is to be an entrepreneur, it would be appropriate to comment on how both cities work for entrepreneurs.  Toronto certainly has a faster pace than Vancouver – people walk faster, work more, and get more done.  Fast pace is definitely strongly associated with an entrepreneurial lifestyle.  In terms of business opportunities, there is without doubt more people, customers, partners, businesses, and money in Toronto.  In addition, there is a closer proximity to the centre of the US market which could also have a significant impact.  As long as you don’t mind living here, Toronto is definitely the better choice business-wise.
Edge: Toronto quite clearly.

6. Scenery / Being Outside

Niagara Falls is great, but Toronto does not even close to Vancouver in this regard.  Toronto has more architectural beauty but Vancouver is miles ahead in natural beauty.  The air and water in Vancouver are much better as well. I can’t wait to see those mountain again!
Edge: Vancouver handily.

Overall:

I had a great time in Toronto and being here for the best season (summer) definitely helped as well.  While there is more to do and see in Toronto, at the end of the day, it comes down to what kind of pace you are looking for.  Toronto is very business focused where everyone seems to be worried about their work.  In Vancouver, people seem to worry about how they are going to balance their work with everything else that is going on in their lives.  At the end of the day, the decision on where I will settle will ultimately lead to weighing out the business opportunities.  If the opportunities in Toronto outweigh all of the things that I love about the Vancouver, then I guess that I will have to return for a more permanent stay.