Is Living In Toronto Still Worth It In 2026?

Is Toronto still one of the best cities to live in, or has the cost of living, traffic, housing affordability, and everyday friction started to outweigh the upside? In this episode of The Toronto Real Estate Podcast, Ralph Fox and Kori Marin take an honest look at the pros and cons of living in Toronto in 2026, from the city’s global energy, food scene, walkable neighbourhoods, ravines, schools, job market, and cultural depth, to the realities of expensive housing, double land transfer tax, long commutes, healthcare wait times, daycare pressure, winter weather, and the rising cost of everyday life. If you are thinking about moving to Toronto, relocating within the city, buying Toronto real estate, selling a home in the GTA, investing in the Toronto housing market, or simply trying to decide whether the trade-offs still make sense, this conversation offers a grounded, unfiltered view from two lifelong Torontonians who live, work, and sell real estate downtown . Toronto is expensive, complicated, occasionally frustrating, and still, for many people, one of the most compelling cities in North America. The question is not whether Toronto is perfect. The question is whether the value of living here still matches the cost. #torontorealestate #livingintoronto #movingtotoronto #torontohousingmarket #torontocostofliving #torontocondos #gtarealestate #torontolifestyle #foxmarin #torontorealestatepodcast CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome To The Toronto Real Estate Podcast 01:07 What We’re Covering Today 02:02 The Pros Of Living In Toronto 03:25 Wildlife, Ravines, And Unexpected Nature 04:25 Walkable Living, Career Opportunity, And Big League Sports 05:00 Airports, Weekend Escapes, And Schools 06:35 Toronto’s Arts And Culture Scene 07:23 The Cost Of Living In Toronto 10:22 Foreign Buyer Ban And Toronto Real Estate 11:10 Toronto’s Job Market And Brain Drain 14:23 Healthcare In Ontario 17:39 Traffic, Transit, And Commute Times 20:37 Is Toronto Safe? Crime, Perception, And Reality 24:22 Toronto Weather And Winter Reality 28:01 The Real Cost Of Everyday Life 30:14 Daycare Costs And Waitlists 32:13 Ravines, Waterfront, And Outdoor Living 32:55 Is Toronto Friendly? 35:07 How Toronto Ranks On The World Stage 36:18 Where Toronto Hurts 37:35 What Keeps People In Toronto 39:02 Where Else Would You Live? 40:17 Final Thoughts On Living In Toronto This episode explores the real pros and cons of living in Toronto in 2026, with a practical look at Toronto real estate, housing affordability, rent prices, cost of living, traffic, transit, healthcare, daycare, job opportunities, safety, weather, neighbourhood walkability, schools, ravines, culture, and quality of life. Ralph Fox and Kori Marin discuss why Toronto continues to attract people from across Canada and around the world, including its multicultural identity, strong restaurant scene, major employment sectors, financial industry, tech and AI talent, universities, arts community, sports, waterfront access, and distinct neighbourhoods like Little Italy, Little Portugal, Greektown, and other walkable pockets across the city. They also unpack the harder realities of living in Toronto, including expensive home prices, high rent, double land transfer tax, grocery costs, phone and internet bills, auto insurance, long commute times, TTC challenges, winter weather, healthcare wait times, daycare waitlists, and the effort required to build a social life as an adult. For anyone considering moving to Toronto, buying a home in Toronto, selling property in the GTA, investing in Toronto real estate, relocating to Canada, or comparing Toronto to other major North American cities, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at whether Toronto still delivers enough lifestyle, opportunity, and long-term value to justify the cost. Fox Marin is a boutique brokerage and content platform dedicated to delivering expert insight, strategy, and client-first service across the Toronto real estate landscape. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, our Toronto real estate team breaks down market trends, pre-construction opportunities & listing strategies to help you navigate the Toronto real estate market with confidence. 🌐 Our Website: www.foxmarin.ca Also, remember to read our blog posts ✍️ https://foxmarin.ca/blog/ Our press releases have been featured in prominent business publications such as Toronto Life, Elle Canada, National Post, & The Globe and Mail 🗞️ https://foxmarin.ca/press/ 📞 Connect with us via: Office ☎️ – 416-322-5000 Text 📲 – 416-567-0460 General Inquiries / Press / Marketing ✉️ – [email protected] Deal Administration 📋 – [email protected] Or inquire online here 💻 – https://foxmarin.ca/contact-us/ 📍Meet us in person at our office: Fox Marin Associates Ltd., Brokerage 489 College Street, Suite 305 Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1A5 📲 Follow us on social: Instagram 📸 / _foxmarin