How Living in Toronto (Slowly) Burns You Out Mentally | Financial & Social Issues

[@FrankHuynh]

Question: How do you feel about living in Toronto over the last few years?

[@Peter-sz1sn]

I used to live in Toronto 15+ yrs ago. It used to be one of the best cities in the world. Now it seems like it is falling apart ...

[@ianw1410]

is that even a question?

[@offgridwithdiv]

Think all cities are basically headed for the same dystopian cess pits. Saw the writing on the wall years ago and worked remotely from my camper with solar and starlink while exploring the continent. Ended up purchasing 10 acres in Muskoka for the same price as a down payment on a shoebox Condo in Toronto with plans to turn it into my own little slice of mortgage free paradise now building my own home on it. Canada is still rich in fresh water as well as wildlife for game and hunting so as to minimize reliance on grocery stores. Just have to learn to live outside of the cities. As the century gets worse with climate change the value of this nature will be more apparent

[@lio_k]

I've been here since 2005, moving right after graduation. Maybe its because I'm getting older but the city has lost its charm. It seems like developers are just copying and pasting King West everywhere now , glass condos , malls , etc. One of the only authentic place left is Ossington. :/

[@olinafan4459]

Toronto is whack but noone wants to admit it lmao

[@vanillacoke8981]

It's an over-rated city. Thinks it's a global elite city like LA, NY, Paris, London, etc. But has none of the economic/job opportunities of those* cities, but has the inflated prices.

[@FrankHuynh]

toronto is like the new york of canada, but cleaner i heard !

[@anon5191]

Toronto is the Chicago of Canada with lesser crime.

[@andre97621]

A lot of people would NOT call LA a global city.

[@anon5191]

@@andre97621 Los Angeles is where Hollywood is located. Hollywood is the global entertainment capital of the world

[@vanillacoke8981]

@@andre97621 ever heard of Hollywood? That plus all of the major tech companies have offices in SoCal.

[@sunsetfromvenus]

I was born and raised here, I’ve never lived anywhere else. I feel like Toronto used to feel like a small town, everyone knew each other and no one outside of Canada even really knew about it. But since it’s grown into a big grown up internationally known city it’s trying to be something it’s not. Like the nerd in high school who started hanging out with the cool kids and started dressing and acting different all of a sudden and forget who his real friends are

[@belyndaowens]

@@sunsetfromvenus lol. You’re hilarious!

[@geertstroy]

For Europeans Toronto is like an Ikea lamp .

[@greghdn]

Do you think Trudeau's mass immigration and multiculturalism policy ruined the city?

[@inherblues7261]

@@geertstroy nobody cares

[@damianmorris1460]

Ironic that drake is from here lol

[@retrogamer82]

Cost of living, traffic, never ending construction, homelessness, drug addiction, crime just to name a few

[@FrankHuynh]

yikes

[@chris_hawk]

No one smiling on the streets, pump and dump culture, etc.

[@juliapower9792]

Took me two hours to drive 6.2 km yesterday. Needless to say I was crying in my car😢

[@theninethrees8044]

Don’t forget the horrible weather, this city is done

[@truth-om7iz]

@@theninethrees8044 the weather is beautiful for a Canadian city

[@alextrip9750]

Moving far away from Toronto was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Grow a pair and move out too. You can love Toronto all you want, but it will never love you back, it will chew you up and spit you out into homelessness or give you life changing injuries.

[@user-ze3sg6ix1u]

I find people who blindly defend Toronto are like people in a toxic relationship

[@chelseagirl278]

agree 100% leaving Toronto after three decades was the best thing I ever did. i wish i did it DECADES ago

[@amymarieca]

Totally agree! I’m leaving Toronto next month and I can’t wait!

[@bedbath9056]

Where did you guys go ? I am thinking of moving out due to crimes that indians brings.

[@pixelletickle]

As an ex-torontonian I always refer to TO as a bad lover, it will never love you back is how I frame it to everyone! The small joys are also slowly leaving, Ontario place, Revue cinema (in my old neighborhood in Roncy), Science center all gone; Allen Gardens has been a campsite for a while now......, most of the free/ cheap joys are disappearing 🥹 thank goodness high park is owned by the city or it would be sold off too

[@sophiewalsh5492]

I live in Hamilton and go to school in Mississauga but have no car, so I take Go transit. I’m in fourth year now and I feel like I’m collapsing. I can’t stand it anymore. I used to be more school focussed and school was all I cared about when I was younger, but I’ve grown and changed and now I care more about my health, having time to workout, having time to cook and grow some of my own produce, having time to spend on my relationship. I have my internship semester coming up in the fall, and I need 420 hours of work in a writing or publishing job in order to get my degree, but I’ve been applying to places all semester and I’ve heard nothing back. It’s getting really bleak. Most of the jobs are in Toronto and would require a 2.5-3 hour commute in one direction for me. I can’t do that and maintain the life I have, not even just for one semester. I can’t afford to move to Toronto either. Most of the internships are unpaid, too, or if they are, they pay an honorarium which comes down to less than minimum wage. But again, I’m in fourth year and I need this in order to graduate, and without my degree, I really can’t do much at all. I’m just having a tough time with that and Toronto housing costs and the traffic issue just make me feel insane. I don’t want to sacrifice my relationship, my health, my joy, and my life savings in order to work a job for free, or at best, minimum wage, in a city that although can be very interesting and beautiful, i won’t even have the time or energy to explore.

[@FrankHuynh]

I hear you - balancing school, internships, and personal life is incredibly challenging, especially with long commutes. It’s important to prioritize your health and well-being. You’ve come this far, and you’re doing great. Hang in there!

[@legrandfromage6450]

@@sophiewalsh5492 I also had to search for my own internship/practicum position. The companies don't even want to offer unpaid work positions anymore, and the colleges don't seem to help or coordinate anything, although they still collect the expensive tuition.

[@timothyrday1390]

That's crazy. I have never heard of a degree requiring a private internship to graduate. I hope you can find some options to move forward. 🙏

[@CowboyPants-h5p]

Born in Toronto 1953, lived in the area all my life. In 2019, I the wife and I retired and moved to rural Nova Scotia. We've never had so much spending money in our lives. We have zero debt and zero stress. We LOVE it out here SO MUCH!!!!!

[@emallace447]

That sounds lovely! Congratulations!

[@FrankHuynh]

Very cool!

[@theamvlog4545]

I’m in downtown Toronto right now. My wife and I are looking into Nova Scotia.

[@JustinLeeChristie]

Yea you got too buy in the housing market when a house was $50000 and prob sold for a million rite ? My generation less you get it passed down too you good luck sadly …

[@emallace447]

​@@theamvlog4545 I would love to go to the United States where prices are much more reasonable (in the right place ofc), but getting a U.S. visa is not at all easy.

[@natj-vs]

It’s all Canadian big cities, if not all big cities everywhere in the world. I’ve lived in Vancouver for 13 years, moving back home to Mexico at the end of the week. We’re done with the soul-sucking place that Vancouver has become. As a woman, I feel safer in Mexico than I ever do walking alone in Vancouver with needles, homeless people high chasing me before, screaming and yelling, and the random stabbings. Healthcare is a joke, housing is a joke, the job market is nonexistent if you’re looking for anything you could try to call a career. Education system is captured. And the Canadian government has proven they will grasp at power and control no matter what party is at the top. Leave while you can. We worked our behinds off and saved up for 3 years just so we can leave.

[@connorwagstaff2348]

Best of luck :)

[@parkerbohnn]

@@connorwagstaff2348 I parked 23 million in Mexico at double digit interest rates. Mexico is the place all the smart people are moving to. Canada can cut their interest rates but my money is no longer in Canada so Canada's interest rates cuts won't rob me of the interest on my money.

[@danag812]

Amazing! Good luck and well done❤

[@danag812]

​@@parkerbohnnhow do I invest in Mexico without being a resident of citizen?

[@seanleyden7971]

Why is Mexico cheaper and what is the Government down there like I wonder ??? Doesn't a lot of the drugs you're tired of seeing come up from there and China 🤔

[@Happy..Laura..]

Great video Frank. You nailed it right on the head about GTA/Toronto lifestyle burnout. It does make one think about how we want to spend our precious life minutes. Keep up the great content!

[@FrankHuynh]

Thanks Laura! If I remember - I believe you made the move out West. Hope all is well out there still.

[@discipleJosh]

Let me tell you my story. I'm 25 and live in Mississauga (just next door west of Toronto, still in the GTA). I currently work at Home Depot which thankfully is extremely close to my apartment in Mississauga. 5 minutes via e-scooter (funny enough they're legal here in Sauga but not Toronto). Alternatively it's a 1-3 minute bus ride or if I wanted to on a nice day it'd be a 15-20 minute walk. Work life balance is excellent. I get hour lunches so I can come home to chill, eat or even take a short nap and feel refreshed. I always used to have FOMO because I wasn't in the "heart of it all". People online used to talk down on me just because I wasn't from Toronto. That made me very insecure about where I live and it made me wish "I had it all". That I'm young, I need the rush, I need to get ahead. Don't get me wrong. Being in a big city (aside from the high cost of living) I feel would inspire one to be more competitive simply because you're surrounded by people who are on their hustle and grind. That energy is contagious. Now with me struggling mentally with depression, anxiety and other stuff, I'm EXTREMELY grateful to be where I am in Mississauga. Especially where I live with my mom and our apartment is $1433/month for rent. Especially with my job being in extremely close proximity to home, I feel quite content here. Maybe I don't need to have that FOMO because trying to be in the heart of it all has a great cost. Don't get me wrong tho, I love going to Toronto for "staycations" and make sure I visit. I don't wanna go too much because I'd get bored of it.

[@A.I-GAMING]

Dude mississauga is the GTA. rent everything costs the same in Mississauga ,Toronto, Markham, Scarborough, Richmond Hill etc, your talking like you moved North Bay.

[@FrankHuynh]

Your story shows how finding a balance between work, cost of living, and mental health is key-sounds like Mississauga suits you perfectly!

[@Brian-kl1zu]

Home Depot? Are you the vice president? They must pay well. Even a once-upon-a-time living wage in this country barely covers rent + food+ whatever. Forget raising a family; or ever having a house. Your e-scooter will soon become commonplace in Trudeau's "Canada."

[@MarinaValmont]

I didn’t know e-scooters weren’t legal in Toronto. I’m so glad I read your comment because I was thinking of getting one, thank you 😊 I struggle with mental health as well and grew up in Mississauga. I really miss the parks there like Jack Darling and Erin Dale

[@toni-xz6dd]

@@Brian-kl1zu do you blame Canada's cold weather to Trudeau?

[@chopaface]

Let me adjust that question for myself: How do I feel about living in Toronto for all my life? I feel like life is meaningless. Work just dulls the pain temporarily. I am so desperate to leave. Toronto are where the jobs are at… everywhere else feels so shitty. I am in a better position compared to others without a support system.

[@FrankHuynh]

Thanks for sharing your feelings. It sounds really tough, and I appreciate your honesty. Living in one place for so long can feel challenging. While Toronto has many job opportunities, your well-being is important too. Maybe exploring different parts of the city or talking to someone about your feelings could help. Remember, you're not alone, and it's okay to seek what makes you happy. Take care!

[@eldeluxo]

Unfortunately, Toronto is no longer the city it was 20 years ago and earlier. Excessive development and immigration has ruined a once lovely place.

[@captainsunbear5472]

I agree on every point. I stopped working in toronto few years ago after witnessing a guy in a wheel chair getting shoved down the subway platform at yong and bloor because how crowded it is during rush hour. everyday i risk getting pushed down myself. So glad i stopped working there.

[@FrankHuynh]

Thanks! And wow - that's wild that happened at Yong and bloor, did the person end up being ok?

[@jakecarroll5]

I was around the corner of Spadina timmies when a guy robbed them of their donuts with a bread knife 😅

[@parkerbohnn]

@@jakecarroll5 The Chinatown area that would explain that.

[@miaa7097]

Canada is a 3-star hotel charging you 8-star rate. 😂😂

[@jptrainor]

Toronto is a hell hole. Face it Toronto. I've lived in big cities and small cities in Canada and for short periods in Europe. Toronto takes the cake. It's unlivable. Even just having to drive through on the 401 is miserable.

[@andyanderson3628]

I've been here for 40 years. Great home in a great neighbourhood. No plans to ever leave. We all have different opinions. I'm sure there would be negatives for where you live.

[@svj5089]

​@@andyanderson3628No shit your happy, you own a home which you most likely bought for peanuts compared to todays prices

[@olinafan4459]

i only go to toronto for painted lady bar and jerked chicken

[@chris_hawk]

Thank you! It is, I live here.

[@olinafan4459]

@@andyanderson3628 yeah it's still good it you own a home and don't go downtown too often. The younger people are all angry and causing crime in the city due to that current economic state.

[@connor43057]

“Commutes from Richmond Hill” LOOOOLLL try commuting from Barrie…

[@tylorg7971]

Another good video, Frank! One thing I find about a lot of people in general these days is that the value of something is lost on them. They believe that if something costs more, that it has more value. My wife's parents who bought in Toronto wanted to own a piece of Toronto. That's what many people want and believe in. But the problem is, Toronto is not really giving back what it used to. Largely in part because so many people believe that it will eventually give back. So you have worse jobs; more expensive housing; and an unemployment rate of 7.9% (almost 2% higher than Canada's average). All fuelled by artificial demand. Then what happens is, people work harder and longer every year, just to get further from the goal of owning a home and starting a family. All-in-all, it's not fair. Only way to win is to not play. Toronto might be worthwhile again in the future, but for now, it's not, IMHO. The sooner people start to abandon Toronto, the sooner it will get its act together to serve its citizens again. It's like an abusive relationship. 😆

[@FrankHuynh]

Thanks Tylor & it's great to hear from you again! Yup sounds like you get - the notion of the only way to win is it not play period. Sort of feel like the goal post keeps on moving and we're having to work more and longer hours for the most minimal. Anyways, hope all is well dude!

[@markadler8968]

I agree with most of what you say but the demand for homes is hardly artificial. The problem lies in the massive immigration and housing shortages. Housing is not being developed at anywhere near the levels it needs to keep up with the demand. We at least 500,000 homes a year built country wide and this year barely 200,000 will be built. On top of that developers are shelving projects because of the low prices/economic uncertainty we are seeing today. This will only lead to far more expensive housing in the future. Either homes need to be built at 2-3X the rate they are being built today or immigration needs to be curtailed. Both of which will never happen.

[@tylorg7971]

@@markadler8968 What you say is true, as we certainly don’t have enough housing, but there still exists loads of speculation around housing. Presently, there are tens of thousands of listings on MLS in the GTA and GVA going unsold. We also have a lot of empty units across both cities. The reality is: many people cannot afford homes (or even rentals) at their listed prices. We may have reached or come close to reaching the limit of affordability (if one could even call it that, haha). And I will adjust by saying inorganic or induced demand, rather than artificial. Mass immigration is having a tremendously negative toll on the supply of housing. And the lack of building fails to support it.

[@DeividasRudokas]

Toronto as a city has very little to offer + dealing with crackheads on a daily basis is annoying least to say. How do you guys live here? Entertainment industry is dead 😭

[@timedone8502]

Well, those who make it in Toronto using familial resources mostly will not admit they need their family support. They will just tell the rest of us to stop being a loser and get another job lol

[@FrankHuynh]

lol basically! Not something ppl will openly share

[@FrankHuynh]

lol basically! Not something ppl will openly share

[@stefanielozinski]

We have 3 kids and I’m a SAHM (with a small business) and my husband has to work basically every second. It is totally unsustainable, terrible for our mental health, and even though my husband earns well above the median household income, we will never afford anything that could physically fit us and our children lol we are moving September 1 and I literally could not be more excited.🎉 we’ve basically ended up, trapped here for the last few years, trying desperately to save for a down payment elsewhere. The lack of social proximity is a huge issue that I’m so glad you addressed it! Add in all of our friends having a couple of kids, I truly feel like I had way more opportunities to socialize when I lived 45 minutes away from a city of 50,000 people growing up, everything is 45 minutes away in Toronto and everywhere you go costs a fortune. On top of that, no one has adequate living space so it’s very hard to just invite people over for dinner or whatever, especially with children. I really do not think thoe city has a very positive future if they do not start taking into account, hard-working families and single young career folks.

[@FrankHuynh]

happy to hear you're excited about your move and hope it brings you the much-needed relief and social connections your family deserves. best of luck with everything & congrats!

[@stefanielozinski]

@@FrankHuynh Thank you so much! Enjoying your channel and hoping you can find all the success, however that looks for you! :D (I sounded very negative, but I will miss some things about the city... especially gorgeous Lake Ontario and all the walking paths alongside it)

[@MariamMariam-ue7vz]

Congrats on your exit plan! Where are you moving to? This is where i get stuck… figuring out where to go.

[@ianstuart5660]

Totally true! I experienced what you're living now, but 20 to 30 years ago. Back then, it was so much more affordable! Best wishes to your family! ❤❤

[@DL-ds7xp]

Toronto is not going to get cheaper only a lot more expensive. Work a job you hate to buy things you don't need to impress people who don't care about you Fight club

[@FrankHuynh]

Pretty much!

[@TonyMontanaDS]

Left 15 years ago and never looked back. There's a whole world outside the city.

[@pdxincanada143]

I live in Fredericton, NB. Our quality of life is really good on an 80k household income. I love it here. Toronto sounds like hell on earth.

[@FrankHuynh]

happy that NB works for you!

[@parkerbohnn]

The problem is people can't move from to Toronto to a city full of potatoe farmers.

[@pdxincanada143]

@@parkerbohnn Fredericton actually has a growing tech sector, and there are jobs here.

[@davidstone5094]

We in Eastern Canada want to separate from the rest of Canada .we will become a sanctuary region for white Europeans fleeing the murderous non white invaders destroying their lives and countries. Stay away from us and leave white people alone .We are staying white and strong. We will also seeking criminal charges against the pricks and traitors who have done this to Canada. We will arrest, try, prosecute all involved in the murder of Canada The east is for whites

[@amymarieca]

I’ve lived in Toronto for 17 years and I’m moving to a small town next month. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I love Toronto, but you are right- it mentally wears you down!

[@FrankHuynh]

Congrats on the move! I wish you the best in your next chapter.

[@amymarieca]

@@FrankHuynh thank you so much!

[@samanthathompson9812]

What are you going to do for a job?

[@amymarieca]

@@samanthathompson9812 I’m a teacher and I found a job where I’m going

[@parkerbohnn]

@@FrankHuynh Next Chapter was a standardbred racehorse who produced world champion pacers.

[@OriginalMessiFan]

I think Canada overall is hard to live in. I'm currently saving my money to move away from canada.

[@lrg3834]

1. The minimum wage in Alberta is $15.60. 2. You can still buy a one bedroom condo in Edmonton for $70,000. 3. A minimum wage job is more than enough to afford the mortgage, condo fee, electricity, property tax and insurance on said condo. 4. After paying the condo-related costs, you still have more than $1,200 left each month to stuff your face, pay the phone bill, and get around. 5. Alberta has the cheapest gasoline prices in Canada. The poor bastards in Vancouver are paying 50-60 cents more a litre. 6. Alberta has no provincial sales tax. 7. Alberta has a real economy. UNDERSTAND. It’s not how much you make that counts, but rather how well you live on what you make! Who gives a sh*t if you make $100,000 when one bedroom condos are selling for $400,000 to 600,000 in Toronto/Vancouver. The guy who makes $15.60 an hour and owns a $70,000 condo in Edmonton lives way better than you do, plus he doesn’t have the stress of being thrown out on the streets if he loses his job because it’s EASY to find another minimum wage job!! Unless you’re significantly bought-in (low mortgage) or grandfathered rent-wise, Toronto and Vancouver are total trash ripoffs. A young person starting out in life who lives there is a financial idiot.

[@michaela.5363]

It has certainly lost its luster

[@FrankHuynh]

ya!

[@kevin6588]

I rented a condo downtown in Cityplace for a year and a half working from home. My life felt mundane, predictable and I wasn’t saving any money. I decided to end my lease at the end of last year, moved back with my parents and then went down to Medellin Colombia for a few months to work remotely, where my dollar goes 3x as far, the weather is actually nice all year and it is easier to meet people and engage in social activities. Sure you trade a little bit of safety, but the quality of life is substantially better. With the poor weather, bad traffic and lack of community in Toronto, I can’t justify paying as much as I was to live there

[@FrankHuynh]

Nice. Your move to Medellín for remote work seems to have improved your quality of life and financial situation compared to living in Toronto.

[@pinkaquira]

One thing to note is making 6 figures is not what average people’s salary. Most people are making less than that. There are far less jobs that pay more than $100k per year in Canada than in USA. You need to be working in specific field or title to make more than 6 figures in Canada, like software engineer, doctors, managers or some senior level titles. While two people in same household combined may easily make more than 6 figures.

[@ianstuart5660]

Don't forget the tons of minimum wage workers who earn approximately $30K a year! Hard to even pay rent and eat like that! 😢😢

[@simonplussier]

Commuting from Richmond hill to downtown Toronto is not nearly as bad as the thousands of people who commute a whole hour from Barrie. With the traffic and construction it turns into a joke

[@CalCalCal6996]

My guy, you do realize that the Bank of Canada lowering tahe interest rate is not a good thing. The reason we had such housing inflation is because we had historically low rates (cheap money). Unless you're someone who has a tonne of debt outstanding, a rate cut is not good news. It's very bad news. Also, the bank only cuts rates when they think the economy is rolling over (recession) to provide liquidity. The rate cute is a sign that the real pain of recession is right around the corner and asset price inflation is potentially in the cards again.

[@CowboyPants-h5p]

I don't think he is "your guy".....wtf......

[@user-ze3sg6ix1u]

Yup, and in the process they end up flooding the market with more cheap money. Ultimately delaying the recession and exacerbating it

[@maddoxmagennis1520]

I mean, the main cause of price inflation in housing is a lack of supply combined with very cheap borrowing, but yeah

[@00Anew00]

I understand all of this but these economic theories and practices are based on an old economic model they don’t account for globalization and the unlimited flow of foreign dollars into to the real estate market - so raising these rates is not good for an average middle age, middle class and lower class person - because these people are not the ones purchasing a home and are most likely renting and are already maxed out due to the stagnation of wages over the past 3 decades and so they have no money left over to save for a inflated & overpriced housing market. So rising interest rates only eats into the limited funds of average middle age people, that don’t have the safety net of a house, and it doesn’t actually really make a positive impact on the housing market and the avg person.

[@lumpyrex007]

What the heck? ​@@CowboyPants-h5p

[@depressedkermit5337]

Born and raised in Canada. I work full time and a house is 100% out of the question. It’s sad that entire generations are going to miss out on home ownership just so they can rent a tiny space for a ridiculous amount. So many factors here for this I just know whatever the government is currently doing is only making it worse. Importing so many people from one country also didn’t help our housing situation. I’m not blaming immigrants but the government that allowed so many to come in at once while we have non existent infrastructure and services.

[@camels9654]

I'm an hour outside Toronto, affordable, but the dating scene is horrific. The problem, Toronto women won't date outside Toronto because trying to get in/out of the city is so difficult. So as a single guy, you either live in Toronto and spend all your money on rent/mortgage/taxes, or live outside the city and have more disposable income, but zero dating prospects. Ugh no way to win in Canada.

[@amirtak9886]

Bro same issue here. Best thing to do is to go the US or abroad. Way better dating scene over there and women aren't as materialistic.

[@svj5089]

Where is it affordable an hour outside Toronto?

[@0_0_B10]

@@amirtak9886 women outside of Canada are less materialistic…lol. Say you’re broke and move on

[@amirtak9886]

@@0_0_B10 cool bro, I bet you ain't doing much better

[@kevin6588]

Stop using dating apps, they are dead and a waste of time

[@professorprofessorson8795]

It’s a rigged game

[@FrankHuynh]

gg!

[@rosemarieramsingh8749]

100%. When I got married I moved there with my hubby & I couldn't handle the stressful vibes (traffic, aggressive drivers, hustle, lack of housing, expense). We moved to a smaller town 2 years after we got married❤

[@FrankHuynh]

nice congrats!

[@helenqu980]

Your frankness about Toronto is hilarious. Toronto is ultra competitive. Even when you see something you like on kijiji, you have to go and get it right away before it's sold to someone else.

[@FrankHuynh]

"frankness" cause it has my name! lol, thx for watching

[@CowboyPants-h5p]

He's being frank because his name is Frank.....frankness comes naturally for him...

[@chris_hawk]

What are you talking about? I list stuff on kijiji and marketplace all the time and sales have never been this bad for the past 5 years.

[@happytrails151]

All the big metros are like this now. The middle class gets squeezed out. Its more and more super rich people, and super poor

[@FrankHuynh]

unfortunately it's appearing that way

[@crhu319]

I left 22 yesrs ago. I could see it wasnt worth it.

[@FrankHuynh]

congrats!

[@Anitas-peaceful-universe]

Toronto feeds on young people being willing to share and to rent way to expensive apt in my opinion. I am happy for you that you became older, got more mature and has other things that makes you happy and balance your self and life.❤🥰

[@FrankHuynh]

Thank you!

[@Anitas-peaceful-universe]

@@FrankHuynh 😊✌🏻

[@iainbrewin]

I got lucky. Found a cheap 1 BR in Dec 2021 which I don't plan to leave any time soon and got hired by a big fintech looking to move into Canada so the salary is considerably higher than I would make at most Canadian companies. But like I said I got lucky here. Very lucky. Could easily be drowning and not able to save $$$. So I feel for others. Dont blame people for looking elsewhere. If I lost this apartment or job Id make relocation a priority.

[@FrankHuynh]

nice! sometimes a little luck goes your way.

[@Sitaaraa]

You did a great job summarizing life in Toronto as a young professional. I used to commute 2 hrs each way when i worked in Toronto. Ive since moved to a smaller town and now i get to work in 13 mins. I gwt so much more time with my family! I would never go back.

[@FrankHuynh]

Thank you very much, glad you liked the video !

[@ivannightly1919]

oh brother such snowflakes, loved living in Toronto. I only worried about getting the bills paid and a stable job. ton's of free things to do or where you can control the spending like street fests or down on the water front. Shop T&T great store fair prices big lines, whole sections of GTA like Orifus rd have outlet stores to go cheap. Many areas that cater to various groups like Gerrard Street for Indian goods, there are things like ROM Friday nights its free the Fringe festables for live plays so go ontbroadway. I was not born rich didn't have an great expectations, but you can live a great life with just a little work and so research and trust me not only fun but an adventure. Yes in smaller towns life is a bit cheaper but not really because entertainment go up in cost often. you live to your income don't go nuts you will not have these stresses - STOP TELLING YOUR SELF YOUR POOR STOP WINING AND JUST GET OUT FROM BEHIND THE COMPUTER - so much to do

[@thanus7896]

Great video Frank! Agreed the city's becoming way too unaffordable.

[@toddm6999]

Ok everything between New Foundland and Vancouver is a cold shite hole.Vancouver and Vancouver Island is great if your a millionaire.Canada wages are lower than the lowest State in the US..high gas cellphone housing costs.I feel like its a torture chamber

[@lulo1843]

I work two jobs to make over 100k, that still only puts me in a situation where I can afford to rent a run down apartment and a car. Any extra that I am able to save I had to pay it back in taxes as the goons in the hill claim I made too much money. You can't win no matter what you do. Canada is finished! Moving to another city thinking it will be better is delusional. Leaving this country is the only way to save your sanity and attain a better quality of life. No change will ever happen in Canada until a complete overhaul of the establishment takes place. Libs and PC are the same.

[@FrankHuynh]

sorry you're feeling this way. The cost of living and taxes can be tough.

[@AK-ri7rn]

Its completely done and will be for our lifetimes… have to relocate

[@SurpriseMeJT]

@@AK-ri7rn I'm from the US, but I agree on the idea of re-location. Starting out my career in 2007-08, I made the same conclusion - we all work to save for buying property, only got the goalpost to constantly move away. The only way to get ahead was to stay living at home with my parents. Instead of buying property with the money I saved, I invested all of it and moved to France with my wife (who is French). I will never move back to the US.

[@parkerbohnn]

@@FrankHuynh The guy's right and the worse part is things will only get much worse. I put virtually all my money into Mexico to get the appreciation of the Peso and the double digit interest rates there. I still have a lot of relatives that refuse to leave Canada.

[@tanler7953]

We moved to Toronto in 1978 and bought a house. I retired in 2015 so I'm not commuting anywhere to work. The issue for us going forward is population. It looks like they are building a thousand new high rises all over, wherever there's vacant land or corner lots. I don't know if the city can develop the infrastructure fast enough to handle this sudden surge of people. I think trying to raise kids in these small condo-like units is going to be difficult.

[@fikaboojohn5713]

The traffic is killing us, then the high price and no accountability. We pay so much taxes and those collecting it don’t have to answer to us.

[@redstone5062]

It’s only going to get worse. A road project that would have taken 2 weeks to complete in the mid 90s, can take months to a year now. I see lanes closed for minor repairs to storm drains, a single sidewalk square or a few feet of curb with no workers to be seen for weeks. They are off on a another project, that they will abandon and jump to another. Nothing gets done. I’m not even talking about a major road resurfacing or anything. The city is just pylons and spray paint markings everywhere. Whoever is selling pylons in the gta, must be making a killing.

[@Carolinapetroska]

And What's the point ? To see drug addicts everywhere ? What's in Toronto now ? Nothing interesting. It used to be good 10 years ago and before now it sucks.

[@babylondon204]

Toronto sucks, I've been here about 9 years. I think now is a good time to move for a different setting.

[@fredflintstone2234]

Sounds like nyc

[@FrankHuynh]

New York of Canada kind of!

[@DJDOUBLE077]

I grew up in the city. Never thought I'd want to leave. Once I left for school, I never wanted to come back. I've watched it turn into a turd. I'm leaving this country for good...nothing here for me. Enslavement is not my idea of a good life. It isn't worth the cost of living, in my opinion.

[@a.d.3606]

I honestly don't understand how ANYONE in Toronto can live a healthy social life and not own a car. Like sure you can subway to work and mayyybbeeeee bike/ttc around your neighbourhood for groceries/gym/etc if you live in the core... But if you have family in town, and friends spread out, especially into the 905, you must have a car. Thats why I find it particularly insane that all the new condos in the city are going up with like 2000 residential units but only 500 parking spots or less. I even saw a building's sign near Yonge and Eglington stating that it was getting something like 500 units but only 7 parking spots. Like WHAT?

[@parkerbohnn]

If you drink and drive everyday Toronto is a good place because you don't need a car to live a life.

[@veonnisual]

For the times I need to visit friends/family in north york and the 905, I can uber or do carshare. its still way cheaper than owning a car.

[@Warioda]

It is not a Toronto problem but a North American BIG CITY problem. There are so many layers to tackle…

[@josha8737]

Insurance also robs us here in Ontario big time.

[@theloniuspoon]

Toronto is exhausting man honestly Canadian dream has never been worse

[@FrankHuynh]

def can be exhausting for sure in toronto

[@Ghost960RedBull]

@@theloniuspoon same in Montreal I hate it here these days and peoples are like clueless zombies a specially women

[@markd3131]

Hi Frank. I feel the same way altho I live in Mississauga. I moved here without any support structure around the same time (Oct 2021) and I definitely feel the same. I used to work in northern Ontario where a house was $250k and I rented a house for $840/month and life was pretty stress-free. The main thing I notice is a weird sense of normalcy amongst people from the GTA. Like they have no concept of what it actually costs to build a house or that housing construction is super restrictive here. They also have this huge advantage of being able to live with their parents which outrages me as someone who believes in fairness and meritocracy - like there's a bunch of jobs that are only available to people who live with their parents because they don't pay enough for a 1 bdrm. Maybe more businesses will move to Calgary or the US like I plan to. My gf from the GTA has seen the light.

[@FrankHuynh]

Thanks for sharing Mark. It’s tough dealing with the cost of living and housing in Mississauga. I get your frustration about the job market and fairness. Hope your potential goes well. Glad your girlfriend supports you. Best of luck!

[@bdawg333]

You could say the same about living anywhere in Canada. Trudeau needs to go.

[@PhamVans]

Been living, working, and educating myself in Toronto for most of my life. All I can say is that it is a rat race that runs 24/7. It's good if you're in it to make some money, but I wouldn't ever recommend it to anybody to actually live here. I have friends that own multimillion dollar homes and even they are looking to get out of it themselves. The city just isn't what it used to be, and it's getting progressively worst for whatever reason. Particularly since the pandemic destroyed the local economies... Much of the city has been through some type of gentrification and it has lost the essence that used to make it an interesting place to live.

[@TurnOntheBrightLights.]

Lets put it like this. Even if I could afford it, I wouldn't choose to stay in Toronto. It's that bad.

[@sidoniomarscalle9828]

I’ve read some comments and anyone comparing Calgary, Montreal or Van to Toronto thinking it’s anyway the same it’s NOT !!! Just be thankful you aren’t in Toronto. I spend 3 hours in traffic a day to commute, and I live in Mississauga. You can’t afford anything, you can’t even go to Raptors or leafs game. It’s a mess here. Not to mention you can’t own a nice car because you will have it stolen or get car jacked.

[@simonplussier]

I think Canada exhausted their efforts in Toronto. Time to diversify our resources to the rest of the country.

[@FrankHuynh]

Maybe!

[@ktravers]

Hey Frank. I moved to Calgary back in 2015 after living for 50 years in Toronto (born and raised in Scarborough). Calgary is now heading the way of Toronto - of course no way as bad. But Toronto was such a great city to grow up in - and I worked for CIBC, RBC and BMO in Toronto and it was great before 2015. My last place of residence in Yorkville in 2015 was on its way to doubling in rent. Anyways your videos are on point and entertaining. Feel free to continue to inject humour in your videos - we need the stress relief when discussing money woes that we all face.

[@FrankHuynh]

Oh nice how'd you find the transition from Toronto to Calgary? Sounds like you did had quite the career in Toronto working at all those companies. Thanks for watching and will try to continue to add humor into these related money discussion vids lol.

[@zomgoose]

Calgary has been destroyed over the last 2 years. It's no longer the same city. It also has a very high unemployment rate.

[@olinafan4459]

@@zomgoose yes unemployment is rampant in that city. It is because their premiere and the big oil conglomerates are focusing on saving a lump sum of money rather than spending and hiring. Financially Alberta is doing very well, much better than any other province, but it is inevitable that oil crisis will happen again. So they want to hoard a ton of money this time around.

[@eldeluxo]

It's unfortunate that people from Toronto must leave, rather than halting the huge volume of useless immigrants being dumped here.

[@Rajabbutfamily555]

Any lady single in Toronto early 20’s guy looking for shoulder for cry

[@minombre5555]

I am an American who lives in Québec and love it. I am surrounded by French Canadians whose families go back hundreds of years. This is real Canadian culture. What I hate most about Toronto is that there is NO culture. It is just unfriendly new arrivals, a big boring mix of nothing.

[@goldenretriever6261]

That's Trudeau's Utopia, no culture, nothing to integrate into. Quebec is the only place that tries to preserve it's culture and not give it up for the sake of diversity.

[@emallace447]

You said it so well. Toronto just feels soulless. But, I also absolutely love the province of Québec.

[@minombre5555]

@@emallace447 soul-less is the right adjective .... sterile

[@fishingthesky123]

Toronto is bland.

[@ehjo4904]

@@minombre5555 Toronto many interesting things, nothing special!

[@danielkrutikov2009]

Where do you find apartments for 1700? :0 Realtor ca only has 2400-2700 :(

[@FrankHuynh]

good question - likely won't be able to find it in todays market. I got "lucky" securing my unit back in 2021.

[@propheteyebert7063]

Lowest cost would be close to Jane Finch. The area is not as bad as the reputation, especially now with the Finch LRT upgrades. However, a decent 600 sq ft apartment is still at least $2400 unless you were lucky enough to rent it before the Covid inflation. I'm paying about $1200 because of rent control. Don't know how long the windfall will last.

[@connorwagstaff2348]

In Feb 2024 we stopped living permanently in Canada. I spend half my time in southern California now, and I can say the difference is night and day. Didn't realize how much Canada has slipped since 2015. Shocking. People are so miserable and don't even realize it. We invested in property down there, the value for money was a no brainer considering the weather, lifestyle and economy, etc. if we keep going down this socialistic past, I'm truly afraid that there will be no future here in Toronto/Canada.

[@sneakingelephant]

I worked in Toronto for just over a decade(now working in the gta) and I loved it for a long time. However a few years before the pandemic I noticed a trend of many staples of the downtown core being closed down and replaced by condos or businesses being closed and nothing replacing them for years. I feel like there’s less to do downtown then when those years I worked downtown and it got worse after the pandemic with many more stores being closed and a lot areas that were once popular being in a state of disrepair. I was in the path last week walking to the go station and noticed a small pile of human poop in the BMO building. I know it’s probably a one off but I had never seen anything like that in the path in my whole time working downtown.

[@jameschou888]

Toronto is not New York

[@austinsworld8936]

Canada is not the same any more. Its been going down for the last 40 years. Canadians are the richest ever if they have assets and will barley making it if they don't. Big gap.

[@chelseagirl278]

I left Toronto in 2017, after living there for 20 years. Advice: LEAVE!! there is no point in living in an overprice S-HOLE. You can live in a smaller city or town and have a better quality of life. Almost everything is online anyway....

[@timedone8502]

@@chelseagirl278 yeah but some minimum wage earners told me they cant leave because their jobs are available only in Toronto. I loled at the faces. Their mindset put them where they are: minimum wage earners.

[@Layla-yr5ef]

Toronto is stressful. Everything you say is accurate. It is an expensive place to live. I don’t how anyone earning $60000 an afford rent.

[@ladye2818]

Would one earning $60,000 since 2018 have been able to afford rent in 2019-2023? In Vaughan, Markham, Scarborough, Oshawa, or Richmond Hill?

[@Layla-yr5ef]

@@ladye2818 Unfortunately, rents went up across the Toronto region and outskirts. A huge portion of your monthly income would go to rent. Then there is the cost of the commute.

[@wingberry123]

Honestly, I want to cry. It's just sad for myself and for everyone.

[@FrankHuynh]

I'm sorry you're feeling this way

[@RealAmarSheth]

Frank: this is an incredibly well thought out and articulate video. I've never seen you - glad the algo brought me here. You've hit the nail on so many issues. Your transformation from an "old" version of yourself to a new one is great to see. Be happy. Wish you the best.

[@FrankHuynh]

Wow, thanks so much! Happy the algo brought you here too. All the best to you & thx for watching

[@shriramsagar.k4537]

Great video. " There is no life on Mars and in canada. " Toronto is the worst on crime and cost of living.

[@FrankHuynh]

Thanks for watching too!

[@redstone5062]

Toronto was good when it was a mid sized North American city. It’s overpopulated now.

[@usamaansari8732]

100k income is not enough anymore! In fact 200k might not even do it…. It’s horrible now in Toronto

[@samanthathompson9812]

I hate Toronto. Also Mississauga and Brampton. I sit in traffic when I'm not working. Everything within a 3 hour commute of the GTA is just as expensive.

[@FrankHuynh]

yeah the commute can be quite brutal

[@MertSerim]

Most of those issues are just same in every metropolitan city. Nothing exclusive about Toronto

[@Cavadoro333]

Québec city is the best city in Canada, in the best province. You can't change my mind.

[@FrankHuynh]

nice!

[@Shawziairum]

Where can you find detached house for $750 k in GTA let alone Toronto downtown surrounding area, please tell me, I am very curious. Small tiny attached condo style houses in brampton cost 1Mil or more.

[@XYZOxyz]

@@Shawziairum He’s not talking about the GTA

[@jonathan99097]

Toronto is not for young people anymore. Apart from OSAP, young people have no place here, unless you got nepotism. One can argue it was always like that, but it sure is clear now.

[@stansirlmkhope2312]

Moved from Ontario 4 years ago to New Brunswick and it’s absolutely beautiful here and far more affordable…

[@FrankHuynh]

glad you're enjoying new brunswick!

[@samanthathompson9812]

What do you do for a job?

[@stansirlmkhope2312]

@@samanthathompson9812 happily retired and you

[@tns-rox]

Thanks, Frank, for profiling a topic that affects all of us big city dwellers. The biggest benefit for me regarding living in a big city is that I can, where I live at least, walk to all of the important stores, etc., that I need for daily living, whereas once you're out of a major city a car becomes almost a necessity and you have to drive everywhere. I also like the abundance of choice that a big city offers. On the flip side, friends you make when you get here often wind up moving out of the city and into the suburbs at some point, and keeping up with those friendships can become extremely challenging, as you mentioned in your video.

[@FrankHuynh]

No worries! As long as you're happy where you are, it's all that matters. Being walk distances to all your favourite spots are important too and it sounds like you got it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@tns-rox]

@@FrankHuynhYou're genuine, informative and motivational, and your videos always brighten my day. They're enjoyable to watch, and I'll look forward to more to come. 👍🙂

[@sparshrastogi2646]

Toronto sucks in many ways but what is the alternative? I lived in Ottawa for a few years and it was so isolating. For me, my connections with friends and options of doing things is important. I am willing to pay the cost of that in Toronto. It depends what trade off you’re willing to make.

[@FrankHuynh]

yup agree - no matter where you go there's pros/cons or things you gain/give up. It's whatever place makes most sense for you

[@run_out175]

I've been making more money over the past 3 years than i have my entire life and im still broke af. Thats canada for you.

[@FrankHuynh]

Sorry you feel that way

[@JAYJAYBEBE]

I pay $850 a month for a two bedroom with a balcony in Cambridge (about an hour drive from Toronto). I'm always in Toronto, but I wouldn't want to pay an arm and a leg to live there.

[@bigboi3512]

The Toronto area is a crap set up, but to be honest im sure many cities in North America are the same, all work and travel. What people aren't realizing is the large businesses have left many supporting communities surrounding the area leaving everyone going to Toronto. Basically they centralized their business without thinking how it will effect people's lives and the community as a whole. Add in the fact housing was left solely to the private sector. This meant too many condos built downtown as investment and too many houses in the burbs instead of density. Plus many things that are bulit are supposedly are "luxury". Add in that transit investment was either delayed or fought over for a long time.

[@bobi7152]

Can‘t tell if the video is a criticism of Toronto or capitalism in general 🤔

[@davidperri8862]

The country and politics have been entrenched in stakeholders Fascism. This isn't capitalism

[@bobi7152]

@@davidperri8862 call it whatever you want, the relevant part is that I don’t think living in a different city will be a big improvement due to living in this system.

[@RickyBalmer]

Speaking about opportunities in Toronto. With 7.9% unemployment in Toronto it's not so easy either. With the non stop influx of new immigrants every year it won't improve the situation, not enough jobs for everyone.

[@FrankHuynh]

Yes finding work these days can be challenging

[@Tarapatil2023]

Thanks to Trudeau!!!!

[@Gillz34]

Frank why did you leave Calgary or Winnipeg. I’d rather be there then to live in this mess here in toronto

[@FrankHuynh]

There's pros/cons to every city tbh! I left for school originally

[@SirTristan50]

Toronto/GTA is not the centre of the universe, guys. There are plenty of other nicer places to live and work.

[@andyanderson3628]

There are many factors. If you don't drive, living in the country is very limited. If you have medical issues, close access to a hospital is advised.

[@FrankHuynh]

yup!

[@JA-mq9ti]

Quality of life is abysmal, bottom line. Crazy thing is, the downward spiral keeps going down.

[@paulirish7955]

lol! It's uplifting reading that all these Toronto haters want to leave .... more room for the rest of us who live a comfortable and fulfilling life here. Toronto is the best city in Canada ... simple as that lol!!

[@Aitch-102]

I used to work in London (UK) in the 90's it burns you out, if you're not making a bunch of cash just leave, don't do it to yourself.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

Live as cheaply as possible, save/invest everything, then move to a cheaper country.

[@JCB671]

I feel you. The only reason im stil here in Canada is because i got a good deal on my rental. If the landlord ever want this place back, im out. I'm thinking about Malaysia or Japan right now

[@FrankHuynh]

Japan would be amazing! But ya I'm basically in the same boat if my landlord did the same. Best of luck and thanks for watching

[@byron9630]

Frank you should come live in nyc and find out. It’s def not the same as Toronto. Maybe housing but living further away from Manhattan , prices are cheaper. Transportation is available 24/7 with subway and buses.

[@FrankHuynh]

id love to visit new york, but I don't think i could do living there

[@Dividend-Shark90]

Too real. I feel like a lot of places in Canada now people have forgotten that there exists a life outside of work as you said. I think maybe its a coping mechanism people have leaned into the "grindset" about bragging working 2 jobs always being busy etc. Because in their reality exists no other way to fund their lifestyle or pay the bills and rather than become depressed its better to try to champion their life of always on the grind with no exit plan in sight.

[@FrankHuynh]

Could be many things ya. Some use it as a form of distraction. Some actually need extra income. Anyways, Thanks for watching!

[@bkhleung]

Toronto vs churonno ... "Toronto" ngmi 😂

[@FrankHuynh]

hahah this comment made my day! thx for watching

[@bkhleung]

@@FrankHuynh humour is the only way to cope with all this... Haha I've got literal doctors complain about how unaffordable things have gotten 🥲

[@alic1977]

I m born and raised in and live in Toronto and this is the most honest realistic perspective I have seen so far your humour made it so relatable thank you 🙏🏾 ❤

[@FrankHuynh]

I appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed the video and hearing it from a person born and raised here and it still resonating means a lot, thank you

[@Cespasbeau]

Why do you choose to ask for people to hit "Like and Subscribe" before we've even watched your video. Perhaps you're not worth it!

[@FrankHuynh]

oh no!