Shard

Interesting proposition. Would have to say, as a national epicentre, London for Toronto, but then the difference in scale and "world clout" difference undermines the comparison. Manchester on the other hand, too small, too provincial.

Vancouver? No real UK comparator, though it does share some Brighton characteristics (liberal, costal).

Pizzawheel

I agree Brighton is probably as close as you can get for Vancouver; but even that's a stretch.

Toronto I just don't think you can draw a comparison. For starters, there's the lake. Second, there's the new town sprawling suburbs. Maybe if you dropped Manchester city centre into Nowa Huta (don't dare mention a new town in blighty) and slap a lake on one side...

JamesM

I lived in Manchester for 3 years as a student and have spent 6 years in Toronto. I lived in Clapham for two years and worked in London and the South East for 6 or 7 years.

Toronto and Manchester is a reasonable comparison in terms of number things to do and likely cultural events that will occur in the city.

One thing about Manchester is that it is a city that re-invents itself incredibly quickly and I think this process is helped by it's vast student population and ability to adapt to trends.

Where Toronto slightly pulls ahead on a professional level is the presence and headquarters of the Big 5 banks that draws in more commerce.

Shard describe's Manchester as small and provincial. I think most Canadian cities are highly provincial.

Going forward that may change with immigrants heading predominantly to Van, To and Calgary resulting in growth.

Manchester I think along with the north has a net migration loss each year. That is something that fingers crossed the new high speed rail link will change.

My only other point is I think Toronto isn't quite the epicentre because the national government is based in Ottawa after all. If you relocated that then there would be a push closer to London.

Toronto is a big city. London is a metropolis. Therefore I think Manchester, perhaps Birmingham are closer at this stage. Toronto is upwardly mobile.

The Curry Mile meets Chinese Food on Spadina :-)

Vancouver is Brighton or Southampton before you look at the spectacular surroundings.

Calgary is Newcastle. Spent about a a weekend in both so I'm clearly an expert

bats

Oh but Chicago is lovely to look at, well the downtown bits, not the impoverished ghetto parts. It had the benefit of being able to rebuild after the fire so the waterfront isn't all industry and railways.