Of course. My point is that the shine of Toronto wears off eventually. It weats off bloody quickly on the corner of Yonge and Bloor in mid-winter.

I'm not leaving Britain because I hate it (although some of the changes over the last fifty years are not to my liking.....) but I'm getting old and I think I would appreciate spending my twilight years with my only daughter.

Absolutely right. Hating Toronto is definitely a national pasttime. Half the people who hate it have never even been there, and 95% of the people who hate it have never lived there.

It's often the little-brother syndrome. Just like you'll meet certain Canadians who have a hate on for Americans, for no apparent reason.

I'm on the love side. Lived in Toronto for 7 years, and the only thing that drew me away was this job in Barbados (how could I decline?). When the job is up, I would be surprised if I don't end up back in Toronto. So what if it is snowy and cold in February? That's winter. It's not half as harsh a winter as other places. Doesn't mean I love it, but it's not enough to keep me away.

Good luck to you.

I think that's understandable. As I see it, the merit of Toronto is that no one's from here (>50% of the population born outside Canada). That provides great diversity in language, culture and food along with some problems such as the garbage day flyer having to be in 70 languages. People who like "Canada" and "Canadians" won't find those things here. Many people who consider themselves to be Canadians don't care for a place that's physically in Canada but which has little connection to the country.

Also, it's a difficult place to drive through en route from Canada to Canada and bloody ugly to look at while you're trying to do so.

I can understand that. Fortunately my child hasn't offered me a home with her, in Alaska.

Toronto is the London of Canada. I lived in London for 3 years and although I think I had a pretty good gig there it never felt like home - just felt like a visitor like so many of London's resident's. Yes I have only lived in Toronto for 1 month and it may be the honeymoon but it feels like home in a way that London never had. People are friendly, neighbors talk to you - we've been invited to gatherings, have joined community groups. I just don't think I would have ever got that sort of experience in London. The feeling of togetherness and 'in the same boat' is more prevalent in Toronto and it can only get better.

Bring on Feb and the snow storms!

You need professional help.

It's hardly likely that there will be serious snow in High Park, February storms will be a pretty dusting there. April slush though, that'll be a pain.

I have to admit that I find some of the architecture a little ugly but that's no big deal.
All the literature I get from Barnet council is in about ten different languages, so a few more won't phase me.
It may well be that the girls will move to a different city in the future and, obviously, I will go with them. I will like wherever we go because they'll be there!

Alaska would probably be a little chilly but I'm quite looking forward to the longer winter in Canada. I have a skin problem which means that I need to slap on Factor 50 at the merest sign of the sun, so the winter weather suits me fine!

Whereabouts are they now?

Dovercourt and Queen Street W

Ah. Wrong end of the city for me, I mostly know bars in the east end. I'm currently sitting close to the gay cowboys mural on Church St. and wondered if it might have been around here.

I reckon I've been dragged (pun not intended!) to every bar in Queen Street - everyone is very kind but they do give me a funny look when all I drink is Cola! I may have been in your neck of the woods, but everything starts to look the same AND I have no sense of direction. So when I'm told to go East/West/North - I haven't a clue. Daughter's girlfriend (Australian) thinks I'm retarded.

Oh Church Street, how I miss you... dbd33, you've made me nostalgic for the village. There is nothing like that here in Barbados

Enjoy!

It's a bit wasted on me, me being rigidly straight and all, but my kids went to high school on this block and we often had lunch around here. We still go to Zelda's now and then.