Travel Medical Insurance
for Visitors to Canada

Moving to Toronto

Welcome to Toronto, a thriving multicultural metropolis!

There’s no place like Home
The first thing you will want to do is find a place to live in a neighborhood you like. Toronto is very diverse culturally and its neighborhoods, each with their own distinct characteristics reflect this. If you are moving to Toronto, The best way to get a feel for the neighborhood is to walk or drive through it. You may also want to consider renting a place in a neighborhood you like before buying. Rentals are available throughout the city. It is possible to rent both furnished and unfurnished apartments.

Prices vary slightly depending on the neighborhood but if you are buying a house expect to pay approximately $310,000 Canadian for a 1,200 square foot house (this figure is taken from a study done in 2003 by Royal Lepage Real Estate Services Ltd.) Visit Tourism Toronto for more information on the different neighborhoods in Toronto. Settlement.org can provide you with more information on accommodations. It is especially helpful if you are looking for a place to stay before you arrive in Toronto. Also, Citizenship and Immigration Canada also has details and information on what to consider when moving to Toronto.

Health
Canada has one of the best health care systems in the world; however you must apply for a health insurance card. You should apply for an OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) card as soon as you arrive in Toronto. The waiting period is approximately three months from the date you arrive until you are covered. OHIP provides all Ontario residents with free essential hospital and medical care.

Since newcomers to Canada are not eligible for health coverage/OHIP during their first three months in Toronto, you may wish to purchase private health insurance or Travel Health Insurance until you are covered by OHIP.

Childcare and services
The Ontario government created Ontario Early Years Centers to be places where parents and caregivers of children up to the age of six can obtain information about programs and services for young children and have an opportunity to talk to early years professionals. Every Ontario Early Years Center offers these services, which are free to all parents and caregivers of young children. If you are moving to Toronto and you would like to find a center near you, check the online list of Ontario Early Years Centers in Toronto.

In Ontario, school boards manage the elementary and secondary school system.

Transportation
You can get almost anywhere in Toronto by bus, subway or streetcar. For more information on the transit system visit the T.T.C website.

Other Helpful Links:
Community Information Toronto
Access Toronto (416) 338-0338
Toronto Health Connection (416) 338 7600