What are colleges and universities in Toronto?

Moving to the US/Canada start 09, considering Toronto, opinions, tips, good areas/ suburbs please?

• So as the title says i'll be moving from the UK to the US/Canada next year for the foreseeable future, made a shortlist of cities of which toronto is one! Looking for any advice or opinions of the city from people who live there currently, thanks! Also important are: colleges - ideally id like to be able to do my phd after a couple of years so good universities nearby are important climate - spent a year in melbourne, sick of living in the uk where frankly the weather is just depressing, so nothing too cool culture - ideally i'd like a city with a fairly laid back culture, with plenty of young people (im 22), bars/restraunts/clubs/caf... big city - metrosizes 2million plus preferable cost of living - not such an issue as its fairly expensive over this side of the pond but would be good to know any places that are excessively expensive

• Answer:

  Hey, I live in Toronto's awesome west end so I have a lot of thoughts on the city. Weather - First I have to tell you about the weather because it could turn you off. Spring and autumn are beautiful, some days are a little brisk and require light jackets and long pants, but then the next day you could be into a t-shirt and shorts. Summer is short but extremely hot during the months of July and August, many days well above +30°C and humid. Winter is just as extreme. During the months of January and February the mercury drops to it's lowest lows. Toronto's winter can be odd, two years ago we had many, many, days below minus 30°C, it was bitterly cold, but very little snow. This past winter (thankfully over) was one of mild temps. around 0°C but then loads of snow - at one point the snow on my front lawn was well over a metre high. Transit - The TTC provides great public transit. Quite a small underground subway compared to other cities but then we make up for it with an extensive dedicated light rail "street car" system. Most major street car and bus routes run 24 hours. The subways shut down for a few hours each night. Entertainment - Toronto has a great live music scene. There is a really supportive Indie scene. Most big acts doing world tours make a stop here. Any night of the week you can catch a show. Check out club and concert sections of "Now Magazine" or "Eye Magazine" to get a taste of what is going on in the city. Museums and art galleries are somewhat lacking. It's not that there aren't some great places, it's just when compared to other cities around the world.. well there's a lot left to be desired. If live theatre is your things, there is plenty of it. From the big hits that make stops in Toronto, New York, London, to small original productions. The latest best thing I went to see was a stage adaptation of Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead" Food - If your a foodie no worries. Toronto's strong point is food. Avoid the big chains, Toronto is bursting with great independent restaurateurs. Because of Toronto's great mix of cultures any authentic ethnic style food you could want you'll be sure to find. Relaxing - The beauty of the city is it's big, but not over the top like New York with the non-stop crowds and noise. (I LOVE New York - just wouldn't want to live there). Toronto has many parks, two of the biggest are two of the best. Right on the subway line, High Park offers a great place to hike, mountain bike, or picnic, in the city. For those sweltering hot days when the city is getting on your nerves - take a ferry from downtown out to the Toronto Islands. Ignore the small theme park and explore the string of islands by foot, rollerblades, or bring your bike. There are a few beaches on the islands, one is clothing optional. Even better - make a friend who has a car and go north to cottage country. We here in Ontario love to go north - Tip - the further you go, the fewer the people and the more beautiful the landscape. Apartments - I've always splurged and got an apartment near a subway stop, but it's not a necessity. Toronto is made up of tiny little neighbourhoods, many unique personalities. There are too many to list but that's a question of it's own to be asked if you decide to move here. My apartment is the upper 2 floors of a 3 story house. I have 2 balconies and use of a garage. With all water, heat, and electricity included I pay $1050 a month. Phone, internet, and cable tv are extra. Driving - it's crap, but I'm jaded. The roads are mostly fine, it's the traffic. There are almost always traffic jams during the days on most major routes. I try to walk, ride my bike or take transit when possible. Holiday - Great cities to visit within a 10 hour drive of Toronto - Montreal (6hrs), Ottawa(5hrs), Quebec City(9hrs), Cleveland(5hrs), Chicago(9hrs), New York(9hrs). Or you can go just a 2 hour trip to Niagara Falls to see a natural wonder and then cross the boarder to the USA.