As the largest city in Canada, Toronto is leading the world in business, culture and technology. Mixed with a vibrant art scene, multiculturalism, diversity, and a seamless transportation system, it’s no wonder Toronto is one of the world’s most desirable cities.With something to offer to just about everyone, here’s a look at what makes Toronto so attractive to people from all over the globe.
The Tech Scene
Toronto has certainly been on the radar for its advances in technology. In fact, the city is praised for having the highest concentration of artificial intelligence (AI) startups in the world and has added more new tech jobs recently than New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area combined.
Several global tech leaders have been attracted to the city as of late, including Uber. The company announced plans to invest over $200-million over the next five years as it opens an engineering office and expands its self-driving car center in Toronto. The city has further secured its reputation as a global center for AI, thanks to a $5 million investment by Google into the Vector Institute and a buy-in from local academic, government and corporate sectors.
Infrastructure Projects
Recent investments in high rise condo buildings are making Toronto an even more attractive place to live. There are several up and coming construction projects in progress – and they are certainly adding to the city’s desirability factor.
Toronto real estate developer, Sam Mizrahi and his team have broken ground on The One, a supertower to be located at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor Streets. Once completed, The One will be the tallest building in Canada and also Canada’s first supertall (300+ m) skyscraper and will feature a mix of commercial and retail space.
Meanwhile, Google’s parent company Alphabet has revealed plans to build a new district along the eastern waterfront of Toronto, called Sidewalk Toronto, using cutting-edge technology to pioneer a model for future urban developments.
The visionaries at Sidewalk Labs says Sidewalk Toronto will combine forward-thinking urban design and new digital technology to create people-centred neighbourhoods that achieve precedent-setting levels of sustainability, affordability, mobility, and economic opportunity.
Diversity
Known for its historic immigrant communities and attraction to world travelers, it’s no wonder why Toronto is a place where you can meet people from all over the world. From a wide range of cuisines and restaurants down to the vibrant music scene and local museums, Toronto’s cultural diversity is desirable to everyone.
Easy to Navigate
For a large city, Toronto is fairly easy to get around, either on foot or by public transportation. The city is built on a grid and block system, making it hard to get lost when you’re exploring the area. The city’s subway network is also one of the simplest in the world, with only two primary lines.
Hockey
You’ve probably never met a Canadian who isn’t into the sport, but Toronto may be the best place to be for hockey fans. Home to the Stanley Cup, The Hockey Hall of Fame is the permanent residence of the NHL’s most prized trophy.
Whether you are looking for a robust nightlife, a career in the tech field, or just an overall awesome place to live, there’s a reason why Toronto is a favorite city for so many.