Get to Know Your New City!

 Moving to a new city can be emotionally jarring, to say the least. The process can be expensive and spike fears of instability. Learning about your city prior to your arrival may help create excitement and lessen your fears. Let’s explore a few tips for exploring a new neighborhood both before and after your move to a new home.

1. Join some social media feeds, such as Instagram and Facebook. They are a great resource when trying to discover local restaurants, seek out hidden gems, engage in exciting events and visit places to explore. Here are some of my recommendations.

BlogTO: Toronto's source for local news and culture, restaurant reviews, event listings and the best of the city.

NarcityToronto: Discover why Toronto is the most interesting place in the world. Narcity Toronto covers news, events, hidden gems, and the best spots to be in your city.

TorontoLife: Toronto Life is a monthly publication covering daily news, current events, social issues, trends, lifestyle, and listing of Toronto's top restaurants.

TasteToronto: TasteToronto is an online community dedicated to connecting food lovers to the hottest restaurants, drool-worthy dishes, exclusive events and buzz-worthy!

TorEats: TorEats is a Toronto based foodie community dedicated to sharing new, current and classic restaurants. Find the best restaurants in Toronto for any occasion.

2. Get to know your neighbourhood and be sure to map out your daily routine before you make the move. This will cut down on any disorientating feelings that moving can stir up. Make a note of the following spots for an easy transition: work commute, grocery store, bank/ATM, gym, doctor’s office, parks, gas stations, and a vet if needed. Once you get to your destination, ensure that you do something special for yourself that can relieve a bit of stress from the transition. A simple coffee or a walk in the park is a great way to take a breath and enjoy your new city.

3. Explore Toronto’s neighbourhoods and find the local hot spots! Toronto is Canada’s largest city and one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Many immigrant cultures have brought their traditions, languages, food and music to Toronto. If you are looking for local hotspots, spark up a conversation with a small business owner and ask for recommendations. Canadians are extremely polite and eager to help new arrivals!