Like any major city, living in Toronto comes with its fair share of pros and cons.
There’s no denying the upsides—an exciting social scene, endless events, and summers that can be downright beautiful. But there are drawbacks too, like traffic jams and the nonstop crowds.
To find out what people outside the city think, we asked a simple question on Narcity Canada’s Facebook page: “Aside from the cost, what would make you not live in Toronto?”
Hundreds of comments rolled in, with many echoing the same sentiments. Here’s what people had to say about why they wouldn’t want to live in the 6ix.
The driving (and drivers)
Traffic during rush hour in Toronto.Mike Clegg | Dreamstime
One of the most common responses to our question was (perhaps unsurprisingly) related to Toronto’s chaotic road network. Many locals, former locals and non-locals said that Toronto’s ridiculous traffic, congestion and bad drivers (eek!) would put them off living in the city.
“Traffic 100%,” one person said.
“A lot of bad drivers and also the high crime rates!” shared another.
“You never know how long it will take you to get from A to B,” a third person said.
Another person said, “(It) takes two hours to get from Toronto to Toronto.”
The transit
Two TTC streetcars.
Vadim Rodnev | Dreamstime
Toronto’s TTC may help people get around, but it often tests their patience.
Much of the public transit system — especially Line 1 and Line 2 — is showing its age, and key stations like Bloor-Yonge are known chokepoints.
What really frustrates many riders are the constant service disruptions and unexpected route changes.
“Too many people, crowded, high crime areas, unreliable transit, traffic congestion everywhere,” one person wrote.
Another said, “Gridlock traffic and unreliable transit.”
The crowds
Some of Narcity’s readers said Toronto can be too crowded.
Sagar Bhujel | Unsplash
Toronto’s population was 2,794,356 in the 2021 Census but that number has likely grown in the years since.
As Canada’s financial capital, Toronto is home to many major company headquarters, drawing people from across the country and worldwide for work and opportunities.
But with all that growth comes a price: downtown Toronto, in particular, can feel overwhelmingly busy. Many of our readers pointed to the crowds as one of the most significant drawbacks of living in the 6ix.
“Traffic, crime, noise, construction and too many people,” one person responded.
“The business, the smell, the noise, the rush of everyone and everything,” said another.
“Traffic and too many people. But the suburbs are nice,” a third added.
“It’s too busy for me, man. There’s 200 people in my town,” one wrote.
Another said, “It’s too busy and getting around to do basics like getting groceries is a pain in the behind. I moved out in 2004 and am happy I did. I’m only an hour drive to downtown, so it’s close enough for the entertainment the city offers but far enough away that I can get to a grocery store in 1-5 minutes depending on the store.”
The weather
Toronto’s weather can be extreme. Winters are bitterly cold, while summers bring intense heat and humidity.
On Monday, June 23, the city is experiencing a heat wave, with temperatures soaring to 36°C and a humidex reaching 46. That kind of weather isn’t exactly comfortable.
While summer in Toronto can be vibrant and energetic, not everyone enjoys the weather.
One person wrote, “Had a chance to live there back in the 90s. Living with that summer humidity was not a selling feature, but it was expensive, large, and not very friendly at the time.”
And when winter rolls in, the city doesn’t get much sympathy either.
A user said, “It’s cold in the winter.”
“Cold winters,” another wrote.
“Cold weather,” one reader said.
The crime rates
Like many major North American cities, Toronto sees its share of crime.
That said, it ranked sixth on the World Population Review’s list of the Safest Cities in the World, ahead of cities like Washington D.C., Copenhagen, Seoul, and Melbourne.
Still, for many Narcity readers, safety remains a concern and a key reason they wouldn’t want to live in the city.
“Too many people. Too much crime. Not the quality of life I wanted for my family,” one user wrote.
“A lot of bad drivers and also the high crime rates!” said another.
The people
This one feels personal — because, for a lot of Narcity readers, it’s the people who make them think twice about living in Toronto.
One person summed it up bluntly: “The people.”
Others chimed in to agree, with one adding, “It has that Upper Canada snub your nose feel to it.”
“The people, sorry,” another wrote.
And one response kept it short: “Torontonians.”
Surely folks in Toronto aren’t that bad… right?
The smell (ouch)
Some of the odours in Toronto can be especially tough to ignore — particularly in the summer.
When the humidity kicks in, certain parts of downtown can really smell, thanks to a mix of subway vents, sewer grates, and garbage buildup baking in the heat.
The smell was one of the most common responses to Narcity’s question about why people wouldn’t want to live in the city.
One person wrote, “The smell. Why does the whole city smell like pee?”
“Smelly streets and corridors,” another commented.
A third person said, “The awful smell when walking downtown.”
Yikes!
The constant construction
Toronto’s skyline is dominated by cranes.
Nuvista | Dreamstime
Take one look at Toronto’s skyline, and the number of cranes is hard to miss.
With new homes going up, infrastructure projects underway, and condos rising fast, the city often feels like one big construction zone.
Nowhere is this more obvious than along the Gardiner Expressway or the Church & King intersection — two hotspots that have become symbols of Toronto’s never-ending development.
Naturally, readers didn’t hold back on this point.
“…constant disruptive construction everywhere, I could go on,” one said. Another added, “The traffic and never-ending condo building.”
Construction can also cause noise pollution in the city, too.
“Noise, dirt, traffic, population density,” one person said.
Of course, the prices
Toronto has a reputation for being pricey. Whether it’s rent, groceries, or just grabbing dinner out, the cost of living adds up fast.
It’s usually neck-and-neck with Vancouver for the title of Canada’s most expensive city, and that didn’t go unnoticed by Narcity readers.
One person summarized it: “In 2025, it feels like you’re living in a two-star hotel, but you’re paying five-star prices.”
It’s interesting to hear an outsider’s perspective on Toronto, while it may hurt our feelings sometimes!
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
