What makes Toronto a great place to live?

A few weeks ago, we went to a concert put on by a young Canadian artist who won the Canadian Idol Contest last year. I know - you're thinking - really???? But this young lady - Eva Avila is an amazing artist. Vocally she has great pipes and really knows how to interpret a song.
Reminds of Celine Dion before she went off the deep end!

Getting back to the point.

The concert took place at the Music Hall on the Danforth. This concert hall has gone through a revival recently when an entrepreneur bought the theatre and starting improving it. We had gone a number of years ago to see a show at the Music Hall and we were amazed at how run down it had become. It has improved a lot but still needs work.

So in the heart of Toronto, is this great old theatre in the middle of a very residential neighbourhood - Riverdale. And I think what keeps Toronto vibrant is that it is not a city where people work downtown and live in the suburbs. Downtown Toronto, especially with the development of so many condominiums has become more and more the place to be.

Queen West - with the advent of the Drake Hotel and the Gladstone Hotel - keeps developing further and further west - and soon enough this will have an impact on Parkdale.

Queen East - Leslieville - has really developed into a great area to live. When we lived there about 15 years ago - we kept hoping that it would become what it has become today. Lots of cool shopping and wonderful restaurants. Starbucks even decided to open shop here - and you know they don't open locations lightly!

This is what makes Toronto a great place to live - people out on the street - walking safely - sitting in cafes - going about their lives - an amazing place to live!