Looking for general information about living in Toronto? The City of Toronto has a helpful website about Moving to Toronto for newcomers to the city. You can also read this general introduction to living in Canada provided by the Government of Canada.
Our staff have written several sets of notes on living in Toronto to help you enjoy the city:
- Living in Toronto notes for international students (PDF)
- Summer in Toronto (PDF)
- Winter in Toronto (PDF), Winter facts (PDF), Winter break in Toronto (PDF)
Climate and clothing
Toronto’s climate ranges from near-tropical in the summer (up to 35° C) to very cold in the winter (sometimes as low as –20° C). You will need different kinds and weights of clothing to stay comfortable all year round.
If you don’t already own winter clothing you may want to wait and buy it in Canada – an easy way to save on luggage space! Lightweight clothing made of cotton is popular in the summer. In the spring and fall when the weather is cooler, sweaters and a lightweight waterproof coat are useful.
Canadian students prefer to dress casually for classes and, indeed, for most occasions. Pants or jeans are acceptable for both men and women and the emphasis is on comfort and practicality. Clothing that is appropriate to the climate is generally socially acceptable.