People often assume that Toronto is Canada’s capital city (Ottawa is the actual capital), and for good reason. It is the most populous metropolis in the country, is situated in the country’s most populous province of Ontario, and borders the United States.
If you choose to attend university in Toronto, you will be in the heart of one of the world’s most exciting and multicultural metropolises. Natural and cultural attractions abound, with most weekends showcasing a new festival or event.
This guide was written for young adults and prospective students who want to study in Toronto. It’s packed with helpful information that will help make the most of your university experience.
Things to do in Toronto
Don’t let school keep you from seeing the sights of Toronto. There are numerous exciting places to visit during your time as a student here.
Famous attractions
Most people who come to Toronto will want to see Niagara Falls, and during the summer, a boat ride will get you quite near to them. Algonquin Provincial Park is the best place to explore Canada’s wildlife and forests.
The Canadian National Tower is instantly recognizable as a symbol of Toronto. The CN Tower features a 360-degree restaurant with sweeping views of Toronto and Lake Ontario.
Rogers Centre is home to Toronto’s professional baseball team, the Blue Jays. At the Scotiabank Arena you can see the city’s ice hockey and basketball teams, the Maple Leafs and the Raptors. These venues also host various concerts and cultural events.
Established in 1850, St. Lawrence Market is a popular destination for locals and tourists searching for fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and unique artwork.
Not only are the collections of Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) exceptional, but the buildings themselves are works of art. The Entertainment area along King Street is home to various shows in the manner of Broadway.
Toronto Islands
Commonly called The Island or Toronto Island Park, they are a group of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario accessible from the city by boat in a little over a quarter of an hour. The Island has attractions and activities for people of all ages. Sports centres, beaches (including a clothing-optional one at Hanlan’s Point!), bike, canoe, and kayak rentals, a marina, picnic areas, a theatre, an amusement park, and many more places to go!
Taste of the Danforth
This festival occurs annually in the Greek neighbourhood of Danforth in August. Enjoy live music, delicious Greek food, and the chance to explore Greek culture with the rest of the city.
Canadian National Exhibition
For two weeks in August each year, the Canadian National Exhibition takes place. The perfect way to spend the last weekend of summer with amusement rides, a huge food terminal stocked with exotic delicacies, and a slew of arcade games.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
The 135,000-square-foot (12,500-square-metre) Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada has marine and freshwater ecosystems from across the world in over 1.5 million gallons of water.
Transportation in Toronto
Even if you don’t have a car, you don’t have to worry. There are many easy and hassle-free methods for getting around Toronto.
Drive (taxi, Uber, Lyft)
Regular taxis and ride-hailing cabs allow you to move comfortably about the city. However, keep in mind that lengthier trips cost more, especially if you get stuck in rush-hour traffic.
Bikes
Bike paths are conveniently located throughout the central business district. You can use Bike Share to find rentable bikes across the city. The city is littered with Bike Share docking stations and stands where you can rent bicycles. Costs depend on how long you keep the bike. They also offer a yearly membership that grants access to bikes and allows you to make as many rides as you like.
Toronto Transit Commission
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) provides the most cost-effective means to navigate the city. The TTC will become your finest travel companion if you make the Downtown area your home.
The TTC includes buses, subway, and streetcars. Your PRESTO card will work on the metro, buses, and streetcars. The PRESTO annual pass provides unlimited rides on public transportation for the whole year for a flat rate.
Subway
Toronto’s subway is an underground rail system serving the whole city and surrounding suburbs. You can easily navigate west to east on the green Bloor-Danforth Line (Etobicoke to Scarborough). You can find the University of Toronto at the centre of this line (St. George Station). The city centre is accessible from the north and south via the University Line (yellow).
Buses and streetcars
A bus can take you to almost all Toronto locations. They usually operate every 10 minutes. However, in inclement weather, this may take longer.
Like buses, streetcars run around every ten minutes. However, they are only available in the city centre. There’s plenty of room on longer streetcars, allowing you to find seating even at the busiest times.
Student accommodation in Toronto
It’s often easy to meet new people and make friends in student accommodation, especially as a first-year student, when everybody is looking to get to know their fellow students.
First-year students at the University of Toronto can participate in a guaranteed residential program. However, on-campus accommodation can come at rather hefty prices. It can range from $9,200 to $18,000, depending on the hall’s quality and whether or not a food plan is included.
The most expensive places to stay off-campus are in downtown Toronto, while the surrounding areas are far cheaper. However, living in the outskirts naturally requires more planning due to added time and transportation costs.
Below we’ve listed some of our most popular student properties in Toronto:
100 Wellesley Street East – Pearson Housing
100 Wellesley, or The Wellesley, offers private bedrooms with shared bathrooms in an excellent location in downtown Toronto. Living at The Wellesley you’ll be in the heart of things, and getting to class will be easy. You can get to the University of Toronto in about 20 minutes on foot and in about 15 minutes with public transport. You can walk to Ryerson University in 15 minutes.
Liberty Village – Pearson Housing
Liberty Village is a great neighbourhood to live in if you’re headed to Toronto. It’s a trendy neighbourhood popular with young professionals. It’s a bit quieter than the busy downtown area, but you can still get to the city centre easily with a streetcar. At Liberty Village – Pearson Housing, you’ll have a private bedroom all for yourself. Depending on your budget, you can choose a cheaper room with a shared bathroom, or spend a bit more and go for an en-suite. The property has amazing amenities: a swimming pool, a gym, a games room, a study area and laundry facilities in each apartment. You can get to the University of Toronto campus in less than 30 minutes by public transport.
Flex Plus – 561 Sherbourne Street – Harrington Housing
Flex Plus at 561 Sherbourne Street is located in the neighbourhood of St. James Town, in the northeast corner of downtown Toronto. If the weather is nice, you can walk to the University of Toronto campus in about half an hour. If you’re not feeling like walking, you can get there by public transport in less than 20 minutes. Ryerson University is also about 20 minutes away. Flex Plus Harrington Housing offers private bedrooms. You can choose to have your own private bathroom or save some money by sharing a bathroom with your fellow students.
