quote:

Originally posted by walter78 That news story really shocked me today. I'm an Aussie who has been living and working in Toronto for about 5 months now. The city is def. not what I expected. The crime, traffic, homeless, old-skool public transport, random crazies on the street and beggers - something I wouldn't have imagined in Canada. An example of what shocks me is near my place along Dupont. Every major store along it has a begger who waits near the entrances. By the way, did anyone go to see the New Years fireworks at Nathan Phillips? Can someone explain what the hell that was - 30 seconds of fireworks?!

This story put a shiver down my spine. But I would still do what I described in this thread anytime.

You just can't live thinking that only the worst can happen in any given situation.


/ rant
Fuck dude, I'm from Montreal... you know it's not that far from here... and I don't understand this city. LOL!
\ rant

For the fireworks, one of my Brazilian co-workers went with her family who came here all the way from Brazil for the holidays. She had a major WTF too lmao!

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gimme a break. toronto is still one of the finest cities to live in in the world despite our problems, quirks, eccentricities. believe it. do yur share to contribute to Toronto the good and we'll all be better off!

d

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quote:

Originally posted by Zeidoo For the fireworks, one of my Brazilian co-workers went with her family who came here all the way from Brazil for the holidays. She had a major WTF too lmao!

I've spent NYE in Rio on the beach with millions of people, WOW....why on earth anyone would want to come to Toronto (ok besides family) for the holidays is beyond me lol

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-.mK. - DONE UNIVERSITY weeeeeeeeee! says:
RITA MCNEIL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL MON @8, CTV

quote:

Originally posted by walter78 That news story really shocked me today. I'm an Aussie who has been living and working in Toronto for about 5 months now. The city is def. not what I expected. The crime, traffic, homeless, old-skool public transport, random crazies on the street and beggers - something I wouldn't have imagined in Canada. An example of what shocks me is near my place along Dupont. Every major store along it has a begger who waits near the entrances. By the way, did anyone go to see the New Years fireworks at Nathan Phillips? Can someone explain what the hell that was - 30 seconds of fireworks?!

Welcome to Toronto btw lol......alot of people who have never been here or haven't been here in a few years have a different idea of what the city is than what is actually is....I didn't expect many of the problems to be THIS bad, but this city really has depleted over the years.

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-.mK. - DONE UNIVERSITY weeeeeeeeee! says:
RITA MCNEIL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL MON @8, CTV

quote:
Originally posted by Misanthrope
your naive attitude is what shocks me.

quote:

Originally posted by zokissima Explain that one a little further plz...

I think Misanthrope is saying I'm naive for thinking Canada is free of social problems. Forgive me for thinking that, but the impression I had before I got here was quite different. The point of my comment was to explain that what I've experienced so far (of Toronto) was not what I expected. I'm really in no position to judge the city - I'm just making observations - and hell I'm not comparing it to Australia. I will say tho. that I have been physically attacked by homeless dudes whilst working street promos.

What does make this city great though, are the people. So many different walks of life - and extreme tolerance.

On the dance scene - I've seen Armin + Tiesto here. Great venues and crowds - it just seems that the clubs cram way too many ppl in. There was a stampede at the Labour of Love from the drink to the main floor. I was crushed, lifted and moved about 5 metres along a wall. Not sure if that is the norm here - still had a blast!

I'm still waiting to see snow... (I've never seen it before) Can't wait to build my first snowman!

quote:

Originally posted by b9productions gimme a break. toronto is still one of the finest cities to live in in the world despite our problems, quirks, eccentricities. believe it. do yur share to contribute to Toronto the good and we'll all be better off! d

Seriously. Toronto is a very safe city considering its size. I will admit that there have been a few more violent incidents that have made front page news over the past few years but compared to many of the worlds other large urban destinations, Toronto is a wonderful place to live and visit. Problem is that most Torontonians don’t believe it and are too quick to say otherwise which is why things like The Toronto Star’s “Acts of Kindness” content get bumped from front page news for something more tragic.

In 2006 Mercer Human Resources Consulting ranked the Top 50 cities to live in. Criterion included crime, economy, censorship, health care, pollution, education, recreation, housing, climate, food, political instability, and transportation, among others.
Toronto did well scoring #15…only slightly below Sydney (holding 10th spot). Based solely on the factor of saftey, the Canadian cities share joint 25th position. Not a city worth a "this city isa piece of shit" thread IMO.

Also interesting in today’s local Australian news...

…in Melbourne area news from THE AGE today:
ONE teenager died, five other people were taken to hospital with stab wounds, and more than 700 people were arrested during Australia's New Year's Eve celebrations. But the seamier side of celebrations cost a teenager his life in country NSW, and there were stabbings in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney.

Sydney Area news from the Daily Telegraph - The horrific murder of 17-year-old Andrew Farrugia, who was brutally attacked while waiting for a taxi after NYE celebrations, points to crime in the country becoming just as serious – perhaps more so – as crime in the city itself

The difference here is that these Australian newspapers chose to lead their front page news with non tragic stories even though there were many violent crimes committed against many innocent people. Perception is everything. I tend to rely on more than just the media for gather my perceptions of a city.

North American media wants to give us something to talk about on boards like this because we love to talk tragedy and it means we will pick up the paper again tomorrow for another daily fix. For every shitty thing that has happened to me or to those I know in this city I have dozens of wonderful stories I could share...about act of kindness from strangers, neighbours etc. However, my coworkers at the watercooler only seem to be interested in the story if there is something tragic involved.

I agree with b9productions here. If Torontonians spent more time contributing and less time bitching we'd all benefit so would this city.

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Last edited by angelgirl on Jan-02-2007 at 20:34

quote:

Originally posted by angelgirl Also interesting in today’s local Australian news...

LOL Did you read what I posted? I wasn't comparing - I was explaining my expecations were vastly different to what I have experienced.

If you want to start comparing Melbourne, lets roll!

This is truly sad news, I was shocked to see how many shootings there have been in just 2 freakin' days!

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Last edited by dallastar on Jan-02-2007 at 21:07

quote:

Originally posted by walter78 LOL Did you read what I posted? I wasn't comparing - I was explaining my expecations were vastly different to what I have experienced. If you want to start comparing Melbourne, lets roll!

I did read your reply. I included the aussie news stories more so because I found it interesting that even though their stories were just as violent they chose not to lead with them as front page news in most publications.It wasn't meant as a stab..just an observation. I think NA media could learn a thing or two from international media local regarding news stories. They do a better job of showcasing the good and allowing their residents to celebrate the place in which they live. It is front page worthy to have pride in your city... not so much here these days. After living in Toronto you feel it is much less safe than what you expected...that is a problem. Not your problem but a problem Toronto faces more and more based on the fact that our local media only seems to care about the shit that happens here. I fear that we feed the media's desire to drag this city down if we only continue to talk about the crap..that's all.

I loved that your perceptions of the city were good to start... that means internatinally we are doing a fairly decent job letting the world know that Toronto has potential and can be great. It is disappointing though to hear that the city didn't deliver on that promise once you got here. That has to change.

re: your new years eve festival comment...i am not even going to argue that our world class city could do with more world class events and festivals. The city knows there is work to be done in this area. However, Torontonians don't seem to have as much pride in their city and don't put the value on local events that other cities do. Could be why investment levels in new event programs have dwindled. We need everyone to become Toronto Ambassadors if we ever hope to improve things in this city.

I don't think we should ignore the tragic stories or the fact that the city is slightly less safe than it was a few years ago but I support giving the good that this city has to offer the opportunity to get noticed rather than reserving it to the back page or section XYZ of the local paper.

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fuck me I was on that street that night. crazy stuff

quote:

Originally posted by angelgirl If Torontonians spent more time contributing and less time bitching we'd all benefit so would this city.

amen!

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-.mK. - DONE UNIVERSITY weeeeeeeeee! says:
RITA MCNEIL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL MON @8, CTV

quote:

Originally posted by angelgirl I agree with b9productions here. If Torontonians spent more time contributing and less time bitching we'd all benefit so would this city.

but bitching is so much easier!

DigiGRrr..

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Palm Trees > Pine Trees , Sand > Snow