The city of Toronto offers convenience and excitement in its array of lifestyle and housing options.  Whether you are relocating to Toronto as an individual or a family, the city’s diversity (and diverse range of real estate opportunities) has something for you.

Although you will not find it listed on a map, you will frequently see the term ‘GTA’ written in the media and in literature on the region.  Officially, the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) includes the city of Toronto proper, and the four outlying regional metropolitan areas (York, Durham, Peel, and Halton) that surround it.  These surrounding municipalities themselves further encompass several other towns and cities, such as Mississauga, Markham, Pickering, and Thornhill.  Although these bedroom communities each offer unique features, Toronto proper remains at the forefront as the cultural, entertainment, shopping, and recreational hub of the region.  Because of the large number of people who commute from the slightly further cities such as Burlington, Aurora, and Hamilton, these are technically not part of the GTA.

Unless you have a job on the city outskirts or you have a particular taste for sleepy suburban living, if you are planning a Toronto relocation, then consider starting your search for a home in Toronto proper.  Almost every type of home imaginable can be found.  Downtown loft conversions, sprawling ravine properties, new construction neighbourhoods, condos with lakeside views, and historical gingerbread cottages are just some of the options.  Living in the city allows you to forge a better connection to all it has to offer, while also minimizing the time you waste commuting through the heavy traffic that plagues the roadways leading out to the rest of the GTA.

If this is your first Toronto relocation, it can be a daunting challenge to become familiar with its hundreds of unique neighbourhoods, and to then determine what community if best for you or your family.  This is where it becomes important that you select the right type of real estate agent to assist you in finding appropriate housing.  Many real estate agents focus on specific neighbourhoods or districts.  If you are planning a Toronto relocation, consider choosing a Realtor who is experienced with the city’s many differing neighbourhoods, and who has assisted others to relocate to Toronto.  Having the help of a real estate professional who has the appropriate knowledge base will allow you to efficiently navigate through the challenging (but exciting) process of relocating to Toronto.