How to learn a new language when you’re too old to learn a new language
There’s a popular idea that it’s easy to learn a language as a child and after a certain age it’s just not possible. When you look beyond the headlines, there’s not a lot of support for this theory. It’s no surprise that there’s...
The best books I read in 2019
To celebrate releasing the fourth edition of Moving to Canada and my 2019 Cross Border Tax Guide, here are the books I’ve found fascinating recently: Understanding Canada A History of Canada in Ten Maps It’s a challenge to find books on the history of...
Gated communities and the legacy of the kollektivhus
I grew up as the kind of person who scoffed at country clubs and gated communities. Scoffing is actually a generously polite description of my feelings on the matter. I viewed the type of people who are members of country clubs as part of the problem. When I thought...
Dog friendly bars in Toronto
Toronto has a lot of things going for it as a place to live, but one of the things that is a source of constant heartache is just how not dog friendly it is! Sure, there are plenty of restaurants where you can clip your pup to the patio railing and they can look at...
Ottawa’s best places to work remotely (that aren’t a coffee shop)
Can’t drink another latte? Here’s where to get some work done on your laptop in Ottawa that isn’t just a list of coffee shops.
The best of Toronto
Now that I’ve been living in Toronto for a while, people ask me for recommendations all the time. Here are my favorite spots in Toronto: Art Museum: Ryerson Imaging Center The exhibitions here are always fantastic. Not only are they well curated, but...
City Place, Toronto: What it’s really like to live there
Curious about what it’s really like to live in City Place? Here’s what Toronto’s waterfront neighborhood is like.
Leslieville, Toronto: What it’s really like to live there
Leslieville has all the charm of Cabbagetown’s adorable houses and tree lined streets, mixed with the diversity Toronto is famous for.
Do you love where you live?
You want to know what it’s really like to live in a city, but hardly anyone has lived in enough places to compare. I’ll be providing information you can’t get anywhere else — what it’s really like to live in Toronto, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Boston, Chicago, Kingston, Raleigh, and other places I’ve gotten to (temporarily) call home.
Leaving Canada doesn’t mean you’re not still a resident
Going on a trip, however long it lasts, doesn’t mean you’re not a resident of Canada. You have to file taxes with the CRA until you prove that you’ve left Canada for good.
United Shades of North America
W. Kamau Bell visits Canada in United Shades of America. Is Canada really a utopia? What’s the story with healthcare? What about the experience of visible minorities? I help Kamau figure out if moving to Canada is even an option. You can take the quiz yourself....
Halifax: A digital nomad’s guide
Sometimes I wonder if I could love living in a small city. A smaller, less expensive city. Where I would know my neighbors. Be able to have a meaningful impact in local politics. Buy a building with a storefront downstairs, live my main street retirement dreams. Maybe...
Best parks near Toronto — no car necessary
Get out of the city and visit these amazing parks near Toronto — without needing a car.
The Tesla World Tour
It’s difficult to imagine what the world would be like without Nikola Tesla. He’s one of the most famous scientists who ever lived and has over 300 patents. His inventions power our lives, yet he died penniless and alone. Living in hotels all of his adult life, he...
The story of Toronto’s St. James Town
When we first moved to Toronto, I quickly became fascinated by St. James Town. While most of Toronto’s highrises are brand new, these ones hailed from an earlier age. Clearly one that didn’t catch on. The low prices and easy subway access were pretty tempting, but...
Buying a condo in Canada
You hear it all the time: Toronto is way too expensive to buy anything! In fact, houses downtown are over a million dollars! What’s wrong with this statement? The idea that you need to live in a house right downtown. No one talks about buying houses in Manhattan or...
Renting an apartment in Toronto
You’re finally moving up! Here’s how to find your new home in Toronto, from where to look for listings to what to expect in your lease. If you’re coming from a small town, renting in Toronto is probably going to seem really unpleasant. If you’re coming...
Setting up your apartment in Canada
Once you’ve signed a lease or bought a condo, it’s time to turn your empty place into a home. Before you move in, you’ll need light, heat, water, internet, and furniture. How to move to Canada Utilities Insurance Furnishings Utilities Unless you’re okay with...
Toronto neighborhood guide
Neighborhoods of Toronto The neighborhood you live in has a huge impact on how you experience the city. Before you rent your first apartment or buy a condo, you want to make sure you’re choosing a place that fits with your lifestyle. Toronto is a big city with...
The toxic history of Niagara Falls, NY
Niagara Falls has millions of visitors every year, yet the cities it connects are full of poverty, crime, and desperation. Most people want to hear about the falls themselves, death defying adventures and amazing engineering. Or they want to know the best spot to eat...
The layover: 8 hours in Toronto
The shiny new Union-Pearson Express will get you from Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Union Station in 30 minutes. Take this time to charge your phones and get in a quick catnap. You’ve already seen your first Toronto landmark: Union Station. Look across the street and...
Vancouver: A remote worker’s guide
My first trip to Vancouver was a bit of a whirlwind. I was there for — believe it or not — in-person all day meetings. I still managed to walk my feet off and explore downtown. But only downtown. For that reason, we’re going to pretend Mount Pleasant and...
Why you want the Mobile Passport app
US Customs and Border protection is getting hip with #mobilepasport, their Mobile Passport app. If you don’t travel enough for a trusted traveler program to be worth it (it’s always worth it, but to each his own) and you live in one of these cities, Mobile...
