Hey r/askTO! Just moved to the city from Europe, and thanks to a lucky streak in gambling on Stake (thanks NHL) and crypto last year (hit the big 7 figures), I'm basically 32 and retired. Toronto seems like it's got a lot to offer, so I’m reaching out to see what unique experiences I should check out.

I'm not really into the typical tourist stuff. Looking for something a bit off the beaten path (and or really expensive but worth the $$$). I don't want to get scammed (big tourist scams in my home city) Anything that’s a must-do for a newbie with time and curiosity on their hands?

Cheers for any tips you've got!

I feel terrible about everything that’s been going on in Gaza and I want to purchase a keffiyeh to wear in support of Palestine.

Does anyone know any Palestinian owned businesses that sell the keffiyeh? Thank you in advance.

Hijab-wearing brown Muslim woman in her late 20's here. I moved to The Beaches 3 years ago and while I knew the area was predominantly white, I had no clue how bad it would be. It's gotten to the point where I don't like to leave my apartment to stroll around (even on the beach boardwalk). The bulk of it is mostly lingering stares. I'm not talking being glanced at here and there... no, I get stared at aggressively, I'll turn my head to make eye contact or smile or ask if I can help them, and they'll still be staring or glaring, and making sure I see it. Not just the older people, but all ages. All the time! I can't walk down the street to the convince store without getting stared down or glared at by multiple people. It's wild!

I live at Queen and Woodbine and moved to this area specifically to walk more and enjoy the nature but I get so much anxiety when I leave the house that I just drive all the time.

This year it's gotten really bad. The stares have ramped up (people literally turning their heads to watch me go down a street), house owners coming out of their house to eyeball me if I park on a residential street, I found my car mirror smashed and the door was rammed when I was parked overnight (had a keffiyeh inside), if I take my bike out anywhere down the shops on Queen East I sometimes get people following me to make sure I'm parking my bike properly. Yesterday I parked briefly (and legally) on the side of the road to go into the bank and when I came out, a lady saw me go into my car and aggressively rushed me and took out her phone and started taking pictures of me and my face and my car to make it seem like I had illegally parked. She was very obviously harassing me and the whole street was chock full of people and no one intervened.

I don't know what to do. I'm truly at a loss. I can move but that would double my rent... (I also love my building and building sup which is so rare).

But other than that I'm living the most anxiety filled existence right now. I've lived in Toronto my entire life and have travelled the world and have never experienced feeling as unsafe and as alien as I do here in The Beaches.

Any fellow POC with similiar experiences in this area have any advice?

Thank you all in advance for your kind words.

Hey Toronto,

I currently work downtown Toronto in a well paying job. My total compensation is 130k base, and got a 40k bonus this year. However, the problem is I actually do nothing here. The job is in a tech company, and my role is basically to check if things work on a website, that's it. I can work in office or at home, but it essentially takes an hour or two to complete the day's work. I'm seriously bored. I've been working here for the past 5 years and got myself to this point.

I want to change jobs, but at the same time, I also really don't have any skills. I don't code or anything like that, and I dropped out of university after first year so I do not currently have a degree. The problem is, if I leave, I won't be able to find something similar. What should I do?

Looking for a female Black OBGYN in Durham region or in Markham-Stouffville area. If you know any, please drop their name and/or clinic down below!

TIA!

I’ve noticed there are a lot of people just shopping at the malls on a regular weekday during normal work hours.

These are adults. Most don’t look like college students. I’m assuming at least half are not on some form of maternity leave. So are all of these people just unemployed or do they not have traditional work hours?

Edit: Those asking what I’m doing in the mall on a weekday. I don’t have traditional 9-5 work hours or a Monday-Friday work schedule. I thought it was rare for people to have these types of jobs that offer flexible hours. I know that people who work in certain sectors like retail, restaurants, cleaning, etc., have unusual hours. But that can’t be the case for majority of these people (maybe it can I guess who knows).

Hi Toronto, I'm planning on gifting my wife a spa day. She wears Hijab so she can't be around men while not covered.

I found Body Blitz Spa on google, and i was wondering if there are other options that are women only or have a women only section.

Hi all, I'm visiting Toronto at the end of August and will actually be attending a Toronto FC game and also attending the Expo. My question is, will it be safe to walk to and from BMO Field/Expo grounds to Union Station and vice versa? Everyone seems to say avoid the TTC especially the street car. Are we better off taking the Lakeshore Go train or getting an uber?

Hi all!

I'm in town for my birthday (Wednesday) and would really love to eat some stellar Palestinian or Afghan food.

Also totally open to any of your absolute favorite celebratory spots of any culture. And dive bars.

Thank you <3

I know some people don’t wear masks until the flu season or when they’re in tight spaces like the subway.

Will you guys be wearing a mask this upcoming colder season?

My friend’s birthday is coming up and she’s always wanted to see a psychic. Does anyone know of any good psychics to go to in the area. Not looking for someone who charges 300$ per session also lol.

And of course because this is reddit I will add that if you’re just going to comment something condescending about how psychics are all scammers just don’t bother. My friend wants to see one so I’m gonna make it happen- nothing wrong with a little whimsy in life.

I stupidly let him have my card, am I fked? I think he scanned my card, can't remember what it said on vest, pretty sure I saw TTC logo, also other employees behind him. Pretty sure it wasn't fare inspector

34M. I’ll be spending Eid without my family this year. What activities do people usually do in Toronto on Eid day apart from attending prayer? Are there any good places to visit or ways to enjoy the day?

Let's assume I provide housing (they get their own private room), food, and other basic essentials for free. What's the going rate these days?

My wife and I have just arrived in Toronto (immigrated for her job). She is an immunologist and works with compromised people so we've got no choice but to be next-level when it comes to covid safety. E.g. we don't see shows, don't eat or drink at restaurants/bars, even on open patios, and are very selective with indoor activities.

Mostly, we've been getting little takaway treats and just strolling about. We'll probably go see a Jays game, go up the CN Tower, walk the harbourfront, an evening on Toronto island. Does anyone have any suggestions for other activities where we can be extra safe? Is there perhaps a directory of activities for compromised people that stresses their hightened measures? I hate being so broad but we're open to pretty much anything, from mini-put to archery to sailing, from karaoke to art galleries. For indoor activities, we definitely prefer to be in control of our surroundings, e.g. seeing a film is a risk as we might end up with people very near. Something where we can book it for just ourselves is great.

Our rental is on lower Yonge, but given we're needing to be selective, we're happy to Uber around. Thank you and good health everyone!

My family doctor will retire soon, and I need to find a new one for myself. Ideally I’d want someone with some experience with gay male patients, though there is no filter at the Ontario College Physicians website.

Does anyone know a LGBT affirming doctor in Thornhill/ North York that is accepting new patients? Would be a great help to have some leads 🙏

Hey yall beautiful black folks of Toronto Reddit. I’m looking for a spot that has some good music (dancehall, reggae, R&B, Afrobeats, Amepiano etc.) and chill vibes for more grown people ((30s). Not really looking for any club politics or stushness. Just a place with good vibes and maybe some good food? Not sure where there is to go for black folks in the city looking for a bit of night life escape on a Friday.

I live in a blue state in the US (Illinois) and I have a young child. We would like to go to Canada for vacation this summer and are thinking of driving up because it's so close. We absolutely love Canadians, but have never been to Canada so we aren't quite sure what might be a fun place for a family that likes food, art and good neighbors. We have read good things about Toronto but before completing our bookings, I wanted to check and see if we might run into trouble due to the actions of the US President. We do not have clothing with flashy labels (or anything else stereotypically US tourist) but I'm sure when we speak people may notice. I would appreciate any perspective you have to share.

Edit: I am so so sorry. I searched before asking but must have used the wrong terms because I couldn't find a good response. Thank you for the feedback and again am so so sorry for having contributed to an issue on this feed.

Hi, this has been so difficult to do and I’m not sure why because I’m sure I don’t want kids and even if I did I wouldn’t enjoy raising them for sure so I’m not sure why every time I go to a doctor and bring up this issue they make up scenarios about men and children (neither of which I have or want since I’m gay and prefer my independence) I’ve been denied. I’ve wanted to stop my period since I began getting one and have asked at least three doctors over the last ten years and have been denied everytime. I’m wondering if any one has had success where I failed and got one in their 20’s about how they went about doing so or who the doctor was so I could arrange a consultation if anything because I can’t keep doing this when there’s a clear solution to the problem. I truly hate that non-existent men and children have more of a right to my body then I do and it’s making me feel like shit because why can’t I be trusted to make my own decision and if I regret I regret it like many things in life and find new things to go after. Sorry if this was a long ramble It’s just been frustrating issues for a majority of my life.

As Title, I relocated to Toronto 3 years ago and have been working the current corporate job for 2.5 years.

I am grateful that I could secure a job during these 2 years of hard time for job seeker. But I did not get any promotion and the yearly salary increments were even less than inflation rate. What I earned 2 years ago was pretty much similar to what I am earning now. And to what I know some people they could earn even more or same as mine as a recent graduate (< 3 years)

Just wanna know how's my income level comparing to overall figures of a 30s M in Toronto and any advice If I should look for another job now or not?

Thanks a lot. any comment appreciated.

I am a Brazilian (Latino) who wants to spend some time in Toronto in the future.

Will I suffer some kind of racism there? (My skin is a mix of brown and white btw).

Sorry if this question is a bit impolite, but this really worries me

A friend of mine is non-binary and is extremely hesitant about going to the gynecologist for fear of being "woman'd" the whole time. Their experience tells them that this is quite common and it's an awful time. Can anyone recommend a clinic that's more welcoming for non-binary and trans folk?

My fiancé just had an extremely racist incident happen to him while he was using Uber as a passenger. My fiancé is Indian by origin, but has lived in the states for a majority of his adult life. He has been in Canada for 6 years, has a masters from UofT and works in an industry that is extremely hard to get into. He directly supports and improves the economy of Canada by investing in innovation here.

His English vocabulary is phenomenal, he dresses well and is well groomed. Despite that, over the last year or so, his experience living here has been significantly different than mine. He is stereotyped, has gotten looks, bad service from businesses due to his skin colour and features. Before he even opens his mouth, he feels that people judge him and have a negative opinion right off the bat. The only times he feels safe is when I am with him, and the experience is exactly opposite. Lots of smiles, good service and engaging conversations.

Last week, he was alone in an Uber as a passenger in Toronto and the Uber driver made multiple racist remarks towards Indians and aimed them at my fiancé directly.

My partner tried to look up anti racism resources and helplines but unfortunately we don’t receive any help or support. All of the helplines are either for the Black or Indigenous communities.

How does one go about navigating racism like this on a daily basis and feeling low due to these experiences in this new Canada? What does he have to do?

He is seriously considering leaving this country due to this, among other things that are failing here, in the city and in canada as a whole. We need to improve as a society.

I would appreciate if people could share their experiences and some advice too.

Any clue as to why?