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[ZZMitch]

I don't know what house I will be in yet, but I put lower burwash as my first choice. And thanks for all the info, I will keep that in mind when I have t pick classes on July 25th!

 

[EvilMario]

People from Vancouver think they're warm and friendly but living in Vancouver with homeless people on every single corner and Greenpeace guys with clip boards all over the place and dumbass 9/11 Truthers and hipsters living on the front steps of the art gallery are why I wear headphones when I'm out even if I'm not listening to music.

Toronto doesn't have that many homeless people, but the ones it does have are terrifying. My theory is that you have to be really, really, really crazy to survive the winters here living on the street.

Toronto has plenty of homeless. If you don't think so, ride around Queen West, and Parkdale a bit more. Nearly every LCBO in the city has someone outside begging, as well as plenty of cafes, shops, and empty doorways downtown.

Growing up in the meca of homelessness in San Francisco, I can safely say Toronto's are much more aggressive too as you've pointed out. The mentally challenged ride the transit harassing people & screaming, the drunks beg outside liquor stores (please try to be less obvious), and the worst are the thuggish younger 'homeless' kids that probably grew up in Mississauga. Usually they have a few (poor) dogs with them, and they're about as arrogant, and rude as could be.

Lots of different types of street people though. Some people are very nice, most will simply take 'no' as an answer to any begging, but there are a God awful number of the more unpleasant types.

 

[whitehawk]

what are you guys going into?

Humanities. I was also assigned to the woodsworth college, but I signed up for university college. Also so far my plan is not to live on residence. I'm not far from downtown, and I'm right on the subway line. Figure it might be smart to save my money. Although a small part of me wants to get out of my parents house. I'd def be moving out after 1st year.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Be practical and go from home if you live close enough to the subway. It's not worth spending that much money.

 

[whitehawk]

Yeah, I'm about 1.5 blocks from the nearest subway

 

[Biscuits]

Welcome!

Edit: I'm a specialist in peace & conflict studies at the Trudeau Centre.
and I'm a Vic College student (Vic One alumni)

Oh cool, just finished Vic One this year. Stowe-Gullen though, lol. High five!

 

[Dies Iræ]

Oh cool, just finished Vic One this year. Stowe-Gullen though, lol. High five!

Oh WOW -- congratulations, you've really earned the title "survivor."

Making it through Stowe-Gullen is like braving the depths of Mordor. Practically everyone that I know who made it through S-G have gone on to become top of their class. Keep up the pace, go for ROPs , etc!
Edit: btw, I wrote my first grant proposal last year (my fourth year) -- my hat goes off to every S-G student for doing that in first year. holy crap it's like giving birth

 

[MalboroRed]

Humanities. I was also assigned to the woodsworth college, but I signed up for university college. Also so far my plan is not to live on residence. I'm not far from downtown, and I'm right on the subway line. Figure it might be smart to save my money. Although a small part of me wants to get out of my parents house. I'd def be moving out after 1st year.

Woodsworth is mainly for part-time students, not sure if university college residence is all that great, vic is alright and it's coed, Trinity has maid service once a week (sweep your floor and make your bed, you can eat with the guys at Strachan and if you don't want to you can hop over to St Hilda's for meals with the girls, but you have to wear a stupid robe).

Probably a good experience to live in res for at least a couple of years, easier to make friends when you live in the same place and it's always easy to play ball hockey on the weekends.

 

[Roto13]

this is every where, even in middle-of-no-where towns like here in Edmonton. Except we don't have any 9/11 truthers on the streets. We have everything else, though

Vancouver has more.

Toronto has plenty of homeless. If you don't think so, ride around Queen West, and Parkdale a bit more. Nearly every LCBO in the city has someone outside begging, as well as plenty of cafes, shops, and empty doorways downtown.

Well I guess it's relative. When I say Toronto doesn't have that many homeless people I mean there aren't literally three of them at every cross street downtown and then at least one outside of every grocery store or drug store or convenience store like I'm used to.

I haven't been attacked by a homeless guy yet since I got here, aside from that one crazy guy who jumped out from behind a sandwich board and screamed nonsense at me. That's a good sign, I guess.

 

[added_time]

Vancouver has more.

That's an understatement. My mind was blown when I saw how many are in Vancouver. I don't blame that city though... I think the mild winters probably attract homeless people from the rest of the country.

 

[The Interrobanger]

That's an understatement. My mind was blown when I saw how many are in Vancouver. I don't blame that city though... I think the mild winters probably attract homeless people from the rest of the country.

Yeah, I was blown away when I visited Vancouver and saw it's homeless population.

We're talking AT LEAST a 10 to 1 ratio compared to Toronto.

 

[Roto13]

Best city in the world for quality of life herrrrp derrp

 

[Firestorm]

That's an understatement. My mind was blown when I saw how many are in Vancouver. I don't blame that city though... I think the mild winters probably attract homeless people from the rest of the country.

If by attract you mean given a one way bus ticket to Vancouver by the local governments so they didn't die in the winter you'd be correct good sir.

 

[EvilMario]

Yeah, I was blown away when I visited Vancouver and saw it's homeless population.

We're talking AT LEAST a 10 to 1 ratio compared to Toronto.

It's still nothing compared to the Bay Area, and San Francisco specifically. Like Vancouver, pretty attractive weather, and the government throws oodlesof money at the problem.. but don't really care about getting them off the streets.

However, the mentality of Toronto's homeless scare me quite a bit more. The crazy drug addict women that screams at people on the 501 in the morning (claims to be from North Carolina) is my 'favourite'.

 

[Firestorm]

My "favourite" back home is right outside my campus. We call him "can't play the guitar guy" because he has a guitar that he can't play and just strums it once or twice as you walk by saying "spare change, guy? spare change?". Of course we eventually realized he wasn't actually homeless. He's only ever out on days that aren't raining, has ice in his water bottle during the summer (you know when you freeze a water bottle and just drink from it as it melts into cold water), and my friend says he saw him buying a TV from Future Shop.

 

[Roto13]

I like the one on Burrard and Robson who always has a sign that says it's his 54th birthday or something. Every day. Fuck that guy.

 

[Firestorm]

I like the one on Burrard and Robson who always has a sign that says it's his 54th birthday or something. Every day. Fuck that guy.

The best is on I think it was Granville and Georgia that has a cup with some change that he places on the sidewalk just out of sight but in the path people walk on. So people knock it over as they pass by, feel bad and help him pick the change back up and put some in themselves.

The man's a genius.

 

[Biscuits]

Oh WOW -- congratulations, you've really earned the title "survivor."

Making it through Stowe-Gullen is like braving the depths of Mordor. Practically everyone that I know who made it through S-G have gone on to become top of their class. Keep up the pace, go for ROPs , etc!
Edit: btw, I wrote my first grant proposal last year (my fourth year) -- my hat goes off to every S-G student for doing that in first year. holy crap it's like giving birth

I'm still kicking myself for not applying for ROPs... anyways giving birth is definitely a great way to put it.

Woodsworth is mainly for part-time students, not sure if university college residence is all that great, vic is alright and it's coed, Trinity has maid service once a week (sweep your floor and make your bed, you can eat with the guys at Strachan and if you don't want to you can hop over to St Hilda's for meals with the girls, but you have to wear a stupid robe).

Probably a good experience to live in res for at least a couple of years, easier to make friends when you live in the same place and it's always easy to play ball hockey on the weekends.

The woodsworth res definitely looks very nice though, imo.

 

[Magnus]

Huh? The one on Danforth? I've never had an experience like this there.

Naw, Yonge and Bloor. Well actually, just south of there, Yonge/Charles I believe? There's a Zyng and a Second Cup at the corner there, a McDonalds/Starbucks across the street.

I realize i nearly described 700 intersections in the city right there, but yeah. lol

 

[whitehawk]

Naw, Yonge and Bloor. Well actually, just south of there, Yonge/Charles I believe? There's a Zyng and a Second Cup at the corner there, a McDonalds/Starbucks across the street.

I realize i nearly described 700 intersections in the city right there, but yeah. lol

Yeah I know where that one is. Only been there a couple times though, so I can't vouch for the customer service. But the one at Danforth is great.

 

[lunarworks]

Growing up in the meca of homelessness in San Francisco, I can safely say Toronto's are much more aggressive too as you've pointed out. The mentally challenged ride the transit harassing people & screaming, the drunks beg outside liquor stores (please try to be less obvious), and the worst are the thuggish younger 'homeless' kids that probably grew up in Mississauga. Usually they have a few (poor) dogs with them, and they're about as arrogant, and rude as could be.

Part of the reason for all the aggressive, crazy homeless people in Toronto is that Mike Harris kicked many of the patients out of the mental institution in the '90s, as part of "balancing the budget", and they've never been brought back in.

Plus, winters can be brutal, so it takes a special kind of belligerent crazy to survive them on the streets.

 

[Roto13]

They don't have the presence of mind to freeze to death.

Naw, Yonge and Bloor. Well actually, just south of there, Yonge/Charles I believe? There's a Zyng and a Second Cup at the corner there, a McDonalds/Starbucks across the street.

I realize i nearly described 700 intersections in the city right there, but yeah. lol

I've never had anything close to a problem there. They've always been perfectly polite.

 

[pestul]

Quick question for you guys. I'm coming to TO June 9-12. What's the most economical way to get from Pearson to Niagra Falls (falls view casino / hotel) on the 9th, and then back to the city core for the 10th? I looked into Megabus, but apparently they don't leave out of Pearson, only servicing downtown to Niagra. Probably could get a ticket from Niagra Falls back to the core with them though..

Thanks.

EDIT: Oh, and back to Pearson from downtown on the 12th.

 

[whitehawk]

Just accepted my offer to UofT, it's official

 

[added_time]

Quick question for you guys. I'm coming to TO June 9-12. What's the most economical way to get from Pearson to Niagra Falls (falls view casino / hotel) on the 9th, and then back to the city core for the 10th? I looked into Megabus, but apparently they don't leave out of Pearson, only servicing downtown to Niagra. Probably could get a ticket from Niagra Falls back to the core with them though..

Thanks.

EDIT: Oh, and back to Pearson from downtown on the 12th.

The most economical way from Pearson into downtown is to take public transit. There is a bus that goes to Kipling Station from the airport and then you take a subway to wherever the bus station is. That would probably take about an hour though so it depends if you have time for that kind of thing.

 

[pestul]

The most economical way from Pearson into downtown is to take public transit. There is a bus that goes to Kipling Station from the airport and then you take a subway to wherever the bus station is. That would probably take about an hour though so it depends if you have time for that kind of thing.

Hmm, that sounds good for the trip back to Pearson, thanks. Would that be a problem on a Sunday, or are the bus schedules still pretty good?

 

[Dies Iræ]

Hmm, that sounds good for the trip back to Pearson, thanks. Would that be a problem on a Sunday, or are the bus schedules still pretty good?

To clarify, from downtown Toronto you take the Bloor line as far Westbound as it goes. The terminal station is Kipling. From Kipling, you get on the Airport rocket (clearly labeled station) to Pearson. Know which terminal your airline flies out of before getting on the bus, as there are multiple terminals and you'll want to know which one is correct (it will be terminal 1 or 3).

The TTC subway is notoriously unreliable. I have had the subway breakdown on the way to Kipling station before. Delays are not uncommon. I've also had the Airport Rocket's breaks blow out on the highway (which was the same day that the train broke down -- I made my flight with 3 minutes to spare).

My rule of thumb is to leave Yonge-Bloor station westbound to Kipling with two hours before the departure time of the flight. That should be really safe. Both the train and bus should be running high frequency.

 

[added_time]

Hmm, that sounds good for the trip back to Pearson, thanks. Would that be a problem on a Sunday, or are the bus schedules still pretty good?

This is the schedule of that bus leaving Kipling Station on a Sunday:

http://www3.ttc.ca/Schedule/schedule.jsp?Route=192N&Stop=KIPLING_STATION&Day=Sunday

The subway you never have to worry about. It runs every 3-4 minutes at the most. So just focus on the bus part and how long the actual subway ride to that station is.

 

[EvilMario]

House shaking thunderstorms. Ayeeeeeee!

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

Thanks for all the info! I will probably be majoring in environmental sciences or maybe geography but I am really not sure yet. I am signed up to study social sciences. I was also kind of wondering on how the transition will be from living in a small town to living in a big city I guess.

Do you recommend buying a computer from the UofT bookstore?

Oh and do you know where I can see this anti-calendar?

edit- I was actually reading the handbook thing they sent me and they mentioned the anti-calendar saying it was at assu.ca, so never mind about that one!

Don't get anything from UofT bookstore til you've shopped around. Computer stuff?

Tigerdirect, shopRBC, Canada Computers, Infonec, NCIX, Newegg, etc, etc.

Your major ain't too bad, though my bud who has the same major is workin at the LCBO.

related to other post: Torontonians are snarky assholes. I'd say majority of people striking up random conversations with me on the street usually
Want change
Want me to sign up for something
Want to sell me something
Want to talk about their religion.

Very rare I get a 'How bout dem Leafs' 'Crappy weather, eh?' 'Where can I find...'

They can be rude, but it's more a wiseass sarcastic comment instead of full blown tirades.

Unrelated: Called a lot of companies in the States and I found Carolina and Colorado the friendliest and most helpful people.

 

[Roto13]

I don't care about dem Leafs or the crappy weather. I don't mind giving someone directions if they need them (though I'm kind of terrible at them myself ) but I am so not interested in small talk with strangers.

 

[Firestorm]

I don't care about dem Leafs or the crappy weather. I don't mind giving someone directions if they need them (though I'm kind of terrible at them myself ) but I am so not interested in small talk with strangers.

You realize that's what "people in [insert city] are cold" means right?

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

Homeless may be less noticeable since we're the biggest city in Canada, but when I was in Ottawa for a visit? Christ, it seemed like they were all over.

When I was in korea the homeless were ashamed and usually bowed facediwn wuth a hat in front RIGHT in the middle of the steps leading to the subway. Better than those walking through the train playing Christian music or sad music and pretending to be blind...OR those who CRAWLED through the trains cause they lost their legs?

But I digress...TO homeless generally aren't too bad, I hate the religion, sign up, sell something people a lot more

 

[Entropia]

Think I'm going to bite the bullet and look for a job in Toronto. I've been looking in London and Kitchener but there's been nothing really.

 

[Roto13]

You realize that's what "people in [insert city] are cold" means right?

Yeah, it means I'm a jerk if I don't want to talk to random people about pointless shit. Not my problem.

Homeless may be less noticeable since we're the biggest city in Canada, but when I was in Ottawa for a visit? Christ, it seemed like they were all over.

When I was in korea the homeless were ashamed and usually bowed facediwn wuth a hat in front RIGHT in the middle of the steps leading to the subway. Better than those walking through the train playing Christian music or sad music and pretending to be blind...OR those who CRAWLED through the trains cause they lost their legs?

But I digress...TO homeless generally aren't too bad, I hate the religion, sign up, sell something people a lot more

I hate those people who hold things out like they're giving them away and then hold onto them and try to get you to buy them.

My husband grabbed a book from one of those dudes the other day and just kept walking. He's my hero.

 

[Firestorm]

I do too, I've had days where I would stare at a post thinking "i don't ever remember posting this".

Go by avatar, not username ;D

 

[Fuzzy]

Go by avatar, not username ;D

What about during E3 when they turn off avatars along with the OT?

 

[Firestorm]

What about during E3 when they turn off avatars along with the OT?

I don't think I've attempted to post here during E3 in the past two years...

 

[AlphaTwo00]

Think I'm going to bite the bullet and look for a job in Toronto. I've been looking in London and Kitchener but there's been nothing really.

What field?

 

[AlphaTwo00]

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110525/budget-consultations-2012-toronto-110525/20110525?hub=TorontoNewHome

After spending its first months in office cutting taxes and TTC routes, Toronto's budget team is asking residents what else they can cut in order to balance the books.

In the first of eight meetings to be held across the city, Torontonians were asked Tuesday night to tell the city what they'd put on the chopping block to try to make up the 2012 budget shortfall of $774 million.

They're also being encouraged to organize their own budget discussion parties, or participate by submitting comments online.

Participants are being asked to rate 35 city departments using one of the following designations: "necessary for our city," "less important" or "not required for the city."

Well, this is going just fine...

 

[lunarworks]

related to other post: Torontonians are snarky assholes. I'd say majority of people striking up random conversations with me on the street usually
Want change
Want me to sign up for something
Want to sell me something
Want to talk about their religion.

Very rare I get a 'How bout dem Leafs' 'Crappy weather, eh?' 'Where can I find...'

This is Toronto. People don't usually strike-up random conversations. It's not us being cold, at least not intentionally, it's just how we're used to living. Yes, it's not that fun, but that's just how it is. From what I understand, it's all thanks to the city's "proper" English roots.

 

[added_time]

This is Toronto. People don't usually strike-up random conversations. It's not us being cold, at least not intentionally, it's just how we're used to living. Yes, it's not that fun, but that's just how it is. From what I understand, it's all thanks to the city's "proper" English roots.

haha it's not because of the English roots. It's 100% about how we always get burned by strangers begging for money and other random crazy homeless people. That is what makes us distrust random people we don't know.
I find the people here very friendly as long as I'm introduced so they know I'm not a beggar. (of course there are a lot of assholes here as in every city.. I just meant in general)

 

[whitehawk]

wat

It may offer the best view in the city but it’s not for the faint of heart: EdgeWalk, a new attraction at the CN Tower, allows you to step outside the world-famous landmark and go for an outdoor stroll -- 116 stories above the ground.

Starting August 1, you can walk along the 1.5- metre-wide ledge along the tower’s highest pod. The cost: $175.

Up to eight people can make the hands-free trip at the same time, supported by a harness and pulley attached to an overhead rail.

“We think it’s fitting that Toronto’s newest attraction in 18 years should be at the city’s most defining landmark,” Mark Laroche, president and CEO of Canada Lands Company, said in a statement. Canada Lands Company owns and operates the CN Tower.

“EdgeWalk is both thrilling and unique and will push visitors to their limits – literally and figuratively. This will be among Toronto’s, if not the world’s, greatest attractions,” Laroche added.

Tickets for EdgeWalk go on sale June 1. The entire experience will run 1.5 hours, with the walk itself lasting between 20 to 30 minutes.
The walk is inspired by a similar attraction in Auckland - check out a tour of SkyWalk 360 in the video below.
Sydney, Australia, offers the Bridge Climb, a guided walk 134 metres above Sydney Harbour.
The SkyWalk at the Grand Canyon, meanwhile, is a platform with rails overlooking the Arizona landmark - no harness required.

 

[Roto13]

I think that's been posted already. It's pretty... stupid.

 

[ShaneB]

Looking at some condos in the Finch/Islington area, I'm not that familiar with the area, anyone care to sum it up? Decent spot? Or stay away?

 

[Zombie James]

https://toronto.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9sGiRDeirCJmPVq

To address Toronto's 2012 budget gap of $774 million, City Council has launched a review of all of its services and implemented a multi-year financial planning process.

Welcome to the online feedback form for Toronto's Service Review Program. Please tell us:

- What are the most important issues that the City should address.
- Your priorities for City services.
- Your views on how the City should pay for services.
- Your views on who should deliver City services.

I haven't done it yet, I hope one of the options is to kick Ford out.

 

[Epic Tales of Penis]

Oh wow, yeah. Very close lol.

Aldwych?! Damn I live nearby the park...lol

 

[BladeWorker]

This is Toronto. People don't usually strike-up random conversations. It's not us being cold, at least not intentionally, it's just how we're used to living. Yes, it's not that fun, but that's just how it is. From what I understand, it's all thanks to the city's "proper" English roots.

The other day I walked into a semi-crowded elevator, made eye contact with a few people, and said "hello" as I walked in.

I swear I thought I heard someone having a panic attack behind me because they didn't know what was happening.

 

[Kabuki Quantum Lover]

The other day I walked into a semi-crowded elevator, made eye contact with a few people, and said "hello" as I walked in.

I swear I thought I heard someone having a panic attack behind me because they didn't know what was happening.

I lub my anti-social city <3

 

[ShaneB]

It's that way because of the crazy shit that goes on, get plenty of people just terrified of looking at other people.

Hell, that reminds me once. I was waiting for a bus once near Jane/Steeles after I had been north of that area for a job interview at Interchange. I keep checking around the corner of the intersection to see a bus coming, and one guy eventually comes up to me and asks me if I got a problem because I keep looking back. I tell him I'm just checking to see a bus, and he keeps at me till he calms down and goes back to his business.