Living in Toronto 1989

My corporate apartment at 71 Front Street, Toronto; Construction of the Skydome; View of the city from CN Tower; The Amazing Video Machine at Miracle Foodmart.

[@spendingtimetogether8428]

The nostalgia is almost suffocating, we'll never get back these moments. Will need to watch this in detail. Tx for the memories.

[@ViaSandee]

Did you live nearby?

[@spendingtimetogether8428]

@@ViaSandee No, I grew up in North York and Scarborough.

[@8252001Maverick]

Those were the good old days. Life was simpler. I missed those days.

[@Flash-yr9ct]

Yup

[@mattkunq]

I don't

[@SpruceMoose-iv8un]

Yes before the internet where retards can find each other and validate each other.

[@Tobi-ln9xr]

Ah yes especially behind the Berlin Wall…

[@musicus11]

I miss those days! Toronto actually functioned - and there were no cookie-cutter condos going up on every vacant piece of land!

[@ViaSandee]

Yup, each of the units at 71 Front Street were unique! I had 3 different ones over 4 years! :)

[@Skyfoogle]

architecture in the 80s was "cardboard box with windows"

[@musicus11]

@@Skyfoogle No the 80s, wasn't known for its beautiful architecture, but I wouldn't trade my solid and spacious 80s condo for the cheap-looking crap being built today!

[@zochbuppet448]

@@Skyfoogle The suburban houses being built on the edge of steels and into Markham at the time. There were some interesting architecture in the the 70s that carried over into the 80's. What we think of as ugly 80s stuff is the stuff from the late 70s that they really made cheaply, and ended up looking really ugly. Some of those big blocky building are solid and have large interesting interior spaces, as seen here, compare to the ugly shoe boxes where you can hear people cough in the next apartment or condo

[@legesupra4275]

no immigrants either now its brown town every second person you meet is asian or something

[@denisethepainterNarc-FreeZone]

You know the jist of why the 80's were greatest? After the 80's, Toronto fell into a depression that we never really came out of. In the 80's, everyone was making money. Life was affordable... and fun.

[@maryjeanjones7569]

The 1980s Recession was the worst in Canadian History. Many companies closed down and thousands of citizens were out of work. Canada also had one of the worst Conservative Governments at the time. Mulroney was a disaster!

[@MrGittz]

More “the past was better” crap. You realize you are living in the most prosperous, peaceful, healthy and informative age in HUMAN HISTORY? does that mean nothing to you? People have being doing what you are doing since Moses wore short pants. The past is always better. Even when it wasn’t. When this video was taken, 1989, you realize someone was complaining about how shitty things are and how everything was better in the 1950s? And in the 1950s someone was complaining how awful things are and everything was better in the 1920s. Etc etc.

[@leejones7439]

I remember people handing out pamphlets at Yonge/Bloor advertising available jobs. Toronto in the '80's was wonderful.

[@maryjeanjones7569]

@@leejones7439 Wonderful if the company you worked for didn't close down or you weren't laid off due to the recession. It was s difficult time indeed.

[@stevemitchellhomes8249]

Remember those days well. Downtown looks like a little village compared to now! We didn't even have Sunday shopping back then, that battle was just ramping up. When I first got here, just before this, I went up in the CN Tower and looked down at the Skydome (today, Rogers Centre) which was just a hole in the ground, hadn't even poured concrete yet, let alone rolled out their turtle mascot "Domer". Thanks!

[@vantastroganoff4370]

The fur man on spadina fought for it Porn had.black dots Censorboard remove all

[@laurameunier5290]

There was Sunday shopping in 89 !

[@thethreatwrestling.7053]

Toronto looks so different. I went to visit the city in 2019 and there's big changes. It turned as my favorite place and I'm residing in US. Toronto. Got Impressed from the Beautiful, friendly people and cleaness environment.

[@emw747]

Thank you so much for sharing some important historical documentary footage of a time gone by. Things have changed quite abit. Cheers!!!

[@citizenadvocate]

I worked 2 blocks away, at Yonge St in 1989. Kept looking for myself in the video.

[@zochbuppet448]

I think she got you. I'm quite sure thats you in the leather jacket crossing the street not far from St. Lawrence market

[@Chrisbackgroovey]

Wow that was a blast from the past, including smoking in any restaurant, the music and seeing the area where future buildings were to be built. The family is marvellous with their New Jersey accent. The kids now are probably 42-44+ Oh my. This was an awesome video, thanks for sharing it! ♥️ 🇨🇦

[@ViaSandee]

Yes, the two kids are my nephews ... they both have kids, one in college already! My mom was only 54 in this video, she passed away in 2015. Thanks for watching!

[@A_Canadian_In_Poland]

Having recently travelled to the Balkans where smoking in restaurants is allowed or bans are not yet enforced, I got immediate memories of my childhood, and had to eat outside to avoid the smoke. I believe banning smoking indoors was a change for the better.

[@peterrezba995]

The first thing I noticed was the cars LOL I was 30 years old in 1989 driving etc. but the cars looked great LOL Now looking back wth? LOL I recognized all the areas you were in amazing how under developed they were compared to now. Thanks for sharing this and jogging my memory as well!

[@davesilva75]

You would know who it was just buy the car back then..today evey car looks the same.!

[@Unit-ep2eg]

Dayam!😳 You guys were livin’ like THAT in ‘89?!!😳 Wow! Thank you SO much for sharing this! Was REALLY nice seeing the neighbourhood like this again! St. Lawrence neighbourhood in its prime! I was 12. I know those kids didn’t go to Market Lane!😆

[@cliveroberts8760]

Market Lane ! I went to St Michaels next door!!

[@ViaSandee]

It was so nice to live in Toronto, I'm originally from NJ. I worked in Mississauga but wanted a "cool" apartment in the city! The two little kids are my nephews, now in their 40s ... also from NJ.

[@MatrixDiscovery]

Oh the 80's. I miss those days.

[@roguewarr4662]

The 80s were the best of times for me living in T.O . This looks like early Johnny Strides KZbin video . Ha Ha . I left T.O in the fall of 1989 for a new life in the Great state of Florida and have never looked back . Except for KZbin videos of the city , WOW have things changed , a lot GOOD and some not so good . I Remember watching the CN tower getting built while in High School at Central Tech ,what a great high school that was .My Auto shop teacher was Mr Pipa . But I have to say the other half of my life living in Florida has been Great . I Think it's time for a HogTown visit .

[@zzekrom2834]

Amazing ty for sharing ❤❤

[@simonriddick]

We came to Canada in 1989 :). Time flies.

[@at1212b]

Wow, amazing video. I was 9-10 years old. Going to the arcades. My parents ran a shop at bay n bloor so I would go down every weekend and then explore the city on my own. Yes, it was simpler, easy times, safe. Gun crimes were unheard of really. This vid really captured the mood and feel of the city. And notice the lack of 'young' ppl?

[@uniquelypositive]

Wow! Awesome archive!

[@patricksweeney6418]

There's so much space, what a completely different universe

[@tomstur119]

Video Machine (at the end of the clip) That boy is the exact same age I was - looking over the Video Rental machine trying to pick out which movie to get. Just seeing that Video Machine logo brought back so many memories.

[@ViaSandee]

I worked for the company that brought the Amazing Video Machine to Toronto! :)

[@808v1]

the Video Machine section was priceless :)

[@inmatejason]

I wish i was raising my kids during these times rather then today during a fucking pandemic. Plus toronto looked much nicer and less crowded with overpriced condos owned by investors in other country’s. It cost 1million to buy a house today in scarborough lol. Between the pandemic and house prices, life sucks right now lol

[@vantastroganoff4370]

All investor eh My 8 million dollar home be a turn off eh

[@haweater1555]

In 1989 Toronto, you were able to board a train to take you across the country, in the greatest scenic route in the world, at any day you desire on a whim.

[@1NoJobROB]

The odd person that walks around with a camcorder the size of a four slice toaster, not like today where everyone has a multi function phone.

[@homewrecker44]

Thanks to the odd person, we have these videos we can watch and remember the good times.

[@MOJO-xi3wf]

Back then I went to the pub in the basement of the Flatiron bldg on my lunch for pints & billiards. 🇨🇦🍺🍺

[@79tazman]

1989 I was 10 years old and I spent the summer in Toronto at my aunts place and went all over to the CN tower, The Zoo, Science Center, the ROM, Canada's Place and the EX, the island and Maple Leaf Gardens it was a great time that summer and remember much of it.

[@Ad-mn4fj]

MY LOVE TORONTO 🤲❤️❤️❤️GOD BLESS TORONTO THANKS FOR NICE MEMORIES

[@OofusTwillip]

My neighbourhood, about 20 years before I moved to it. The site of my building was still just a big parking lot, one of many in that area.

[@Ad-mn4fj]

Nice video love it ❤️❤️GOD BLESSED TORONTO🤲❤️❤️

[@homewrecker44]

I'll never forget those hot summer nights walking on Yonge up to Yorkville Ave. Everyone playing music and showing off their cars. What a great time that was. Seeing this just makes me miss it more 😪

[@tucker12435]

I miss my parents 1989 safari van

[@at1212b]

We had an 87 Astro van. It was the party wagon in the later 90s when I got older. Also had 2 89 caprices. Fun cars.

[@unbearable5883]

I remember Miracle Mart and the VCR rental machines!

[@rainbowfrequency1]

Omg the virgin shirley temples in the cn tower rotating restaurant! My heart❤

[@RR-xu5xk]

I remember going to Miracle as a kid in Malton.

[@mikes9971]

Does anyone know what company owns the orange truck in the first shot?

[@christopherwelch136]

There was a great cafe bar in the basement on front st south Jersey Giant!

[@thomassmith1922]

I was looking to see if I was in the video. I worked in that neighbourhood for 16 years starting around then.

[@ajs41]

The stadium opened in June 1989 so this must be just before that, assuming it wasn't open. Maybe the first couple of months of 1989.

[@dannythedon82]

This video gave me goosebumps because I remember these times and all the areas and how they were back then and how fun it was. I just want to ask you at the end of the video your all in my area of Mississauga first at Square One and then at the Iona plaza at Mississauga Valley and Central Parkway where the Miracle Mart was then Dominion and now Metro. How did you wind up in Mississauga? Did you live there or just visiting? Also were you from Toronto in general or new to the city?

[@ViaSandee]

I'm originally from NJ, I worked in Mississauga but wanted a "cool" apartment in the city! I made so many great friends in Toronto (actually married one, but later divorced!). My office was near SquareOne! :)

[@dannythedon82]

@ViaSandee Really cool your from NJ and came to Toronto to live. Glad you met some really good friends and even got married, Sorry to hear about the divorce though. Where was your office in Mississauga? I live right around that Miracle Mart in Mississauga that's in your video and I immediately recognized it so that's why I asked. I used to live around Dufferin and King and Etobicoke on Eastmall and Rathburrn in the early 80's to early 90's but I've lived in Mississauga for 30 years going on 31 this year. This is the city I call home the most. When I moved out here in 92 it was a fresh start and I loved it. Is still love it But I miss the 80's and 90's so much! Things were so much better back then. Even the early 2000's were good but things have really fallen apart in the world the last 15 years or so. I Pray things are good for you and your family though and all the best always! Thank You for replying❤️🙏

[@pryamewa4909]

That open house appartment wow!!! Very 90's feel i wanted to see the full tour sadly im wondering jf i can get a house like that today in toronto

[@ViaSandee]

There's one for $999K for sale! www.torontolofts.ca/market-galleria-lofts-lofts-for-sale/71-front-st-e-506

[@OofusTwillip]

For the price of a small semi-detached house, on a tiny lot in the GTA, ypu can get a decent-sized chateau on several acres of land in France.

[@cameranmanner4701]

​@@OofusTwilliplike to see a link for a $1M CDN chateau in France.

[@cameranmanner4701]

i have been trying to hear what the realtor was saying about the prices for the units. do you happen to remember the numbers for the 1 and 2 bedroom

[@cheyennemoyer3567]

I wasn't around in 1989, but my parents and grandparents were.

[@BeeRich33]

You lived in the theatre (71 Front E)? Or did that A/V shop start after? Much safer back then. Won't miss the old North Market though. The new one is taking ages to build. Your building had that Ontario Place/Eaton Centre design aspect to it. Same designer from what I understand, who died recently.

[@ViaSandee]

I was there in the 90s ... not sure what it was before that. Beautiful building, yes, same designer as Eaton Center ...

[@79tazman]

The sky dome was complete in 1989 was it not because I remember haveing a skydome 1989 calender

[@user-iw3ip8kc5x]

Back in the day when you go out and buy a VHS tape at Biway/Honest Ed's and break in your $2000 fully loaded shoulder camera. Those cameras were a bit heavy.

[@MrGittz]

It cut off at the best part. What movie did you select lol

[@vantastroganoff4370]

Front street was special The market was special What the hell happened to toronto I moved.to Vancouver 89 Bus cost 150 train.220 I visited.back every year then stop in 2000

[@valentinaamigo3621]

Hello ViaSandee, Amazing video and quality! We would like to use some small portions of this video for a student documentary at Humber College if you agree. I would like you to know that we will give you credits. And share with you the final result if you would like. Please let me know if it's okay with you. Have a great week!😃

[@ViaSandee]

Of course! Please contact me at [e-mail] …

[@808v1]

what was that cash counter RBC at foodmart, was that the ATM predecessor? When did get ATMs? We were early to that game in Canada. EDIT: ah I see its what RBC called an ATM back then :)

[@patcoston]

Reminds me of the time I went around taking pictures in public right after 9/11 and people asking me to stop and even calling the police because they thought I could be a terrorist taking pictures in preparation for my attack. It's been said that if you let the terrorist change us, they won. Well, they won.

[@cliveroberts8760]

HOLY COW things look sooo different the metro is there now there is a weed shops now haha oh man this makes me want to make a video of thing now to s ee in 30 years how things will change

[@keyzenthiru5867]

instead of being born in 2001 i wish i was there

[@tanishamewa]

Do these condos still exited? The one your sister lived in??? I loovee the one with the White kitchen gosh i want a house like That im wondering if That building still looks the same

[@ViaSandee]

YES, I lived there - they're beautiful! That's my sister, her kids and my mother ... condos.ca/toronto/market-galleria-71-front-st-e

[@tanishamewa]

Is this the loft the forst house of the second home with the cute White kitchen

[@vantastroganoff4370]

Amazing,we ate.coceau saint jacque..PEOPLE forget that whole area was discoland and singles bar One night me & matt frum enter.downtown julie brown on front,oh life under age

[@wilfredwitzke2607]

wow looked like a queit town back then where are all the drugies

[@7abumuhammad]

Wow. Like 60% less people at least or more. Where are the skyscrapers and condos? Wow

[@jakephelps7718]

At 28:28 is that Jennie moos talking?🤣

[@FrankKnight8846]

I love your Apartment. Very 70’s. Where is that located?

[@ViaSandee]

It was a beautiful location! I lived there back in the early 90s ... 71 Front Street.

[@FrankKnight8846]

ViaSandee I saw the location. Right now 1 bedroom they charge $2000....😒

[@pingpong3311]

@@FrankKnight8846 it's expensive living in toronto.

[@haweater1555]

When the streets were full of "three box" 4-door family sedans and 2-door personal luxury coupes.

[@FireflyLightningBug]

My family took me almost every summer to Hamilton in the mid 70s. I really miss the Canadian people from back then, even on up to the late 80s. Here are two of my favourite cross references: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWq4oohqnph1rNU kzbin.info/www/bejne/haGtiXSXq6yjn5Y

[@crohunter100]

Looks like New York because of the fire escapes

[@c.stephenking794]

My first job was right there on Front street

[@legesupra4275]

what about cars? do you remember any Japanese cars at al were they all American ? with a mix of European cars? how did you asses that.

[@grahamkane2993]

The cover pic' I turned that building into a store called The Brown Bag. Back in the early 90's I rented the 100 ft by100 ft atic' for a $100 per month. In that same building. Shiu pong construction.

[@s.elizabeths]

An ATM machine! Wild

[@expressm1753]

36:00 square one Mississauga

[@redman958]

Wow where's all the people? Today Toronto is so crowded and congested everywhere you go.

[@ViaSandee]

It was relatively quiet, busier on the weekends with the market down the street. Lots of nice, little places to eat in the area. I LOVED living in Toronto!

[@justme-ll1qz]

Year I moved to Toronto. If there was a shooting, it was like HUGE news, like BIG news . It just didn’t happen

[@canadianraunchycomediess4379]

31:56 Tour of the Universe they need to bring this back

[@johnpatterson4272]

The Great City of Toronto was a different place in 1989. Perhaps the last vestige of an assured progress as a part of the rest of Canada.

[@pryamewa4909]

How much was a house like this back then

[@ViaSandee]

You know, I don't remember! But I bet it's $$$ now!

[@spacejockey4746]

I wonder what Paul Bernardo was doing during the minutes this video was taken.

[@ViaSandee]

Who's Paul Bernardo? Google'ing now ...

[@mgtowworldwideself-improve3469]

He was probably working like everyone else. Working in sick world that made him sick We shouldn't demonize

[@josephforest7605]

@@mgtowworldwideself-improve3469 He was the Scarborough Rapist back then and also in Mississauga and I almost caught him one night .

[@WalkingAfterMidnightRadio]

The Amazing Video Machine ... the Netflix of the 80s.

[@josephforest7605]

There were less homeless , but the homeless at the time were just coming into vogue .

[@BrianLatimersPage]

Proof that Toronto has never not been under construction.

[@RandyDrayton]

Ba-zing. This guy knows, lol. Where are the TTC delays, weak job opportunities, and skyrocketing rent/ property values? Hahaha

[@OnlyinToronto-wz5fz]

time travel

[@andresfranco8194]

6

[@jg8060]

Only a decade away from the collapse of Canadian Identity.

[@denisethepainterNarc-FreeZone]

Thanks for videotaping & sharing this. Those were the days. Thanks to overdeveloping and gentrification, it's barely recognizable.

[@dixonpinfold2582]

29:39 1989: "Here's your smoothies, kids. Enjoy." "Thanks, grandma, we love you." 2020: What are those decorations in the smoothies? These children will surely both lose an eye! Somebody call the Children's Aid Society! And their grandma is smoking! That's child abuse! Call the police! The mere fact I'm being forced to witness this abuse is itself abuse! Xanax, I need a Xanax! Hypocrisy! (Ok, that very last one refers to Cosby and doesn't belong here. But it still fits somehow, so I'll leave it in.)

[@AnnaLVajda]

I had one of those glasses the topper is plastic.

[@ViaSandee]

That's funny! My mom, blond smoking, started to talk at about 29:39 ... she was born in Czechoslovakia and then sent to Germany after the war. In 1955, she came to the United States. Her accent sounds German, but has a slight dialect (Bavarian). People said she looked like Zsa Zsa Gabor's other sister! Thanks for commenting!

[@dixonpinfold2582]

@@ViaSandee Interesting. Thanks! And thanks so much for this fascinating window on the not-so-recent past. I hope the video stays up for future generations to watch.

[@intercommerce]

Damn! The streets are almost empty! They're not ruined by silly bike lanes!

[@dingdong8242]

I Came To Canada with only 5000 Indian Rupees . I had no choice but to be on social assistance the first few years but thank god me and my family members were able to buy our first home in Brampton While we rented our basement to a Tamil Family and two Bangladeshi students to help with the mortgage payment oh man tough times . But Things are getting better many old Canadians are retiring in different countries plenty of opportunities for new Canadians. God bless Canada .

[@drajah1986]

Roads were roads and not shitty bike lanes that can only be used 3 months of the year by 7 smooth brain people

[@AlAl-fu6ct]

those were the good old days, now everything is garbage in every aspect!

[@spiderjerusalem6887]

It's almost as if diversity isn't a strength at all.

[@mgtowworldwideself-improve3469]

It's not .it's a meaningless buzzword

[@MrGittz]

What the hell…where does crap like that come from?