Six Months in Toronto

It’s been just over six months of being a landed immigrant / permanent resident of Toronto, and I’ve definitely figured a few things out. Getting a job isn’t easy, adjusting to life in Toronto isn’t too hard and being able to be close to (rIAm’s) grandparents is incredible.

I’ve also discovered that writing for blogTO is very rewarding, and leads to all sorts of cool things. I can get access to great events, make contacts with good people to know and even have a reason to go hang out with a chef for a while so I can do an interview.

Now I’m very excited that rIAm and I have a great apartment in Roncesvalles, a great Toronto neighbourhood. We spent our Canada Day painting, and the place looks really good. We’ve got some nice colours and have overall brightened the place up. With a delivery tonight, we’ll also have a nice mix of vintage furniture and Ikea. But it’s so exciting to be so close to our independent lifestyle again, and to have it in such a vibrant community. Just visiting Roncesvalles excites me about where I’m about to be living and Toronto in general.

Of course I’ve also figured out a few things I miss about Chicago, and perhaps even the States in general. The obvious first thing, other than the fact my family isn’t in Toronto, is that the Mexican food scene is pathetic. I visited a new place that makes their own tortillas, and while the tortillas were great, the tacos were awful. Other spots that come close to good Mexican fare do it either at high prices or mediocre quality, or both, so it’s hard to be all that excited. There just isn’t the population or competition like Chicago has. At least we have found some good sources for a number of Mexican ingredients, and we are even growing our own tomatillos in nonno’s garden.

I also miss the clothing selection and sales and outlet malls of the US. It’s not like I went shopping that often, but I find it difficult to find reasonably priced options to suit my needs and desires. I’m not being cheap – most of the cheap stuff just looks cheap to me now – but I’m also not looking for the most expensive stuff – and there isn’t a heck of a lot in the middle. I think I was spoiled by the outlet malls, and for the first time, I can sort of understand the obsession my in-laws have with the outlet malls.

I also really miss the great public space in Chicago. The parks, paths, incredible architecture and so much more really contributed to an awesome feeling in the city. Although Toronto is a great city, it doesn’t grab at your emotions in the same way at all. Toronto is a city you aren’t blown away with, but slowly come to love and appreciate. You have to make it your own; Chicago asserts itself.

And this leads me to the big thing I have realized I miss about Chicago: enormous pride in your city. Canadians can’t let the name of a famous Canadian go by without annoucning that person is Canadian, but when it comes to Toronto, residents are as apt to blast a new project as anything else. I hear so much complaining about this that or another – much of it for a reason – but in such a way where no credit is given to the good. In Chicago, perhaps this is unique, the love of the city tops all else. Yes, there is disagreement over how to do things or whether something is good or bad, but at the end of the day, Chicagoans love Chicago and you know it. I can’t say the same for Toronto.

The roots of Chicago’s love go a long way back. Perhaps it was galvanized by the 1893 Columbian Exposition, as Daniel Burnham led the city’s efforts to put on one helluva show for the world. That pride has never gone away, and is stronger today than ever.

Perhaps what I also miss is an iconic, benevolent, dictatorial, corrupt (?) mayor. For all of the criticism that Da Mare (Daley) gets, he deserves every re-election he’s had and I thank him for all of his years of service because despite whatever forays into silliness he’s had, Chicago is one helluva city, and he’s a big reason why.

Over here in Toronto the same can’t be said. Trying to introduce more street food vendors is a good example. Street hot dogs are a bit of a staple in this town, but with all the immigrants – Toronto’s multi-culturalism is incredible – there was a plan introduced to expand the street food vendor cart options to better capture Toronto’s many flavours. Well the plan was ready to be implemented when it got mired in beaurocracy about who should own the carts, who should operate the cars, what should be offered and so on and so forth. Now it looks like it will take years to implement what could have – should have! – been already in place.

But then I visit Roncesvalles and get all excited about Toronto again, because there’s a lot of great stuff happening there and all over the city. I’m getting to know the bike routes, and can’t wait to be so close to the Lakefront Trail. I’m also feeling well connected to the local/seasonal food scene, and I’m feeling more and more comfortable being stopped and asked for directions. I can look around and find stuff that could – should – be improved, but I can also see a great city I’m living in.

And more than anything, I can’t wait for Saturday evening, when rIAm and I are left with our nicely painted apartment filled up with all sorts of boxes. There may not be a tree, but waking up Sunday will be like Christmas morning: I won’t know which box to open up first, and can’t wait for the surprise of what’s inside!