Oh please!!!!!!! You don't get it, we get that, but there's no reason to write suggesting that everyone not following your lifestyle is an idiot. Your comments above are really unworthy of a person of your intelligence.

I don't think I used the term "idiot". At least not on this thread. I have though long wondered what sort of person goes into those malls as I don't think I know any. Are you one of them? What do you get from the experience?

Again unworthy of YOU. As it happens I do not frequent shopping malls but i have been in malls and have no issues with them or those who do frequent them.

Surely everyone goes to malls once in a while ?? Especially during winter.

I haven't heard of it but we have heat at home, I suppose the homeless might do that. I know sometimes people who don't have air conditioning go to them in the summer.

.... and I prefer Chicago to Buffalo.

Although I am very excited that All Saints is opening in Yorkdale in a couple of months, and that unlike J Crew, they've decided on price parity with the US. But then typically it still costs about $150 for a top.

In terms of clothing, English Canada is something of a cultural desert. There are (or were) a few reasonable Quebec clothing retailers (Bebo, Tristan, Femme) but without exception, all pretty expensive.

Guess it depends on what your passion is. I've been in Canada for 8 years now and still can't by a bra here that fits me, still hate most of the clothing choices and still find it very hard to find anything of a reasonable price at a reasonable quality.

True, this. Most British high streets look the same wherever you go.....a mix of the same old same old (Greggs, New Look, HMV (although they may have gone now)...Boots (I do miss Boots though)). If you want something special or different you have to visit a place like Brighton (great place, that) or York.....or....well, you get the picture. The malls are killing high street retail. After all, who wants to pay £1.50 for half an hour to shop on the high street when you can park up all day at a mall and shop til you drop and get a coffee part way through. It's not my idea of shopping, in fact I hate malls, but it's the way it's going on both sides of the pond. Supermarkets in the UK don't help the high street either...you can pretty much buy everything you want under one roof. Then there's the internet. The high street doesn't stand a chance. Shame, that.

Detroit! Weirdly, I work now with people who shop at "The Collections" north of Detroit.

Queen Street West, Yorkville, The Danforth, Chinatown, Little Italy, Kensington Market, Little India, etc. all have plenty of "high street shops" - not to mention Yonge Street itself between Bloor and Queen, and between Lawrence and Eglinton. Sure, more people shop at the malls (mainly because of the weather) or pick things up after work in one of the stores underground, but I would have to disagree that there is nothing in Toronto to compare with UK style high street shopping. There are also pretty vibrant downtowns for shopping in other GTA municipalities like Oakville, Markham, Unionville, Whitby, etc.

The OP wasn't looking for a high street, Toronto certainly has those, but big exciting shopping streets. Excitement isn't one of Toronto's strengths.

I've not made it to Buffalo.

I am however looking forward to Guildford High Street and the Friary on Monday before heading back to Canada on Tuesday.

There is not the choice in Toronto that you will find down Oxford street. I'd say besides the Eaton Center if you head down Queen Street there are the chains east of Spadina and then a poor impersonation of Camden west of Spadina with lots of independent stores and designers seeking their way. This is the nearest thing to "High Street" shopping.

If high end (expensive) outlets and boutiques are the OP's sort then there are some stores around Bay and Bloor and along Yorkville.

The reality is that a lot of people in Toronto, myself included, like to shop elsewhere because you can find the same items cheaper and also more choice in other places. Especially because the Canadian dollar is so strong these days.

Could yo no get to NYC in the same time?

Yep

I buy things that I would have bought in the high street in the UK. Clothes for my kids, toys for my kids, clothes for myself, presents for relatives and guests from the Uk etc. I actually think they are better than the UK - free parking and warm and dry in the winter.

In the winter I actually go to vaughan mills to get some exercise for me and my kids as I can walk miles and miles while staying dry and warm.

Not all malls are super expensive either - I have found there are plenty of reasonable priced stuff in outlet stores and in the sales.

My friends, family and work colleagues all go to malls as well.

Just because others go to them and you don't doesn't make them the exception.