What screams "I am new to Toronto"?
I dated a guy in Toronto from 2000–2003. We did all the touristy stuff on my first 2 or 3 visits, got it out of my system. Then decided to hang out with all the locals as much as possible.Apparently I learned quite quickly, even picking up the accent. I was visiting about every 2–3 weeks for a while there. I had learned my way around on public transit, and was comfortable enough to go alone, and walk through the underground paths. I would listen to a talk radio station when out of town, so I knew what was going on, and what would be. I found writers’ groups, dining groups, conventions, and more.They would crack jokes about Bush Jr. and Americans, and say “Present company excluded,” till we learned how many people living in Toronto were technically, landed immigrants. Or from Ottawa or some other Canada town. Or dual Canada-USA citizens. They quickly learned that nobody at the table really cared for the American politics, or their politicians, and would give anything to live in Toronto, where they had half a dozen parties to hate, instead of just the two.Apparently I had blended in so well, that a decade later, old Toronto friends were asking when I had moved to Chicago, why did I leave Toronto. They could not believe that I had never lived in Toronto.I have not visited since 2003. But should I ever get back there, I’d probably plan for it about as before. Talk radio is great for that, as are the online newspapers.I see other answers comment on the parking. I was told, “Don’t park downtown. It’s expensive.” Being from Chicago, I asked, “Define expensive.” He said, “Oh, about $6 per day.” BWAHAHAHA, we’re driving. I’m used to $12 an hour in Chicago. “But… traffic?” I said, “Ha, it takes me 3 hours to drive 45 miles in Chicago. In Canadian time, that’s um… 72 kilometers, and still 3 hours? Although really, your QEW is pretty impressive. What is that, 12 lanes, and still gridlock?”