Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
Toronto ranks quite high on global lists of prospective destination cities in the country. It is an urban hub with a population of about 6 million and is Canada’s largest city. Relocating to this beautiful city is an extraordinary and beautiful adventure, full of potential and excitement.
Even though LGBT Toronto is far from perfect, its inhabitants have much to be grateful for, which is undoubtedly a large reason why it consistently ranks as one of the best cities in the world to live in. If you’re thinking about moving here, Ottawa has everything you could want, from a unique blend of urban and rural beauty, an LGBT-friendly business environment, year-round outdoor activities, shops and restaurants that cater to queer customers and lively neighborhoods that are easy to love.
Better yet? Toronto welcomes all those searching for a progressive, inclusive and liberal place for work, play, and family. You’d be joining millions of foreign workers, immigrants, and international students that have thrived in accepting Toronto over the years. Not to mention the vivacious queer community here…
Yes, just like in Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver and other fabulously gay Canda cities, there is an outsized and often overwhelming gay scene here. Thankfully, this is something a gay realtor in Toronto can help you navigate as you find your new perfect home here.
Gay Toronto is also one of the only cities in the world to have multiple gay districts and once here you’ll have the option of exploring the edgier Queer West Village, fuelled by happening restaurants and almost post-gay hipster bars, and Old Cabbagetown which is another up-and-coming gaybourhood.
Despite all these choices in LGBT Toronto, there’s no need to be intimidated by the prospect of making this big change in your life. Toronto has everything you could want from a metropolitan city and more, thanks to its LGBT-friendly business environment, nightlife, neighborhoods full of independent shops and restaurants that cater to queer customers … and a general atmosphere that it’s easy to love even if you’re not queer.
We’ll go over what you should expect when moving to LGBT Toronto, as well as how you can make the transition easier on yourself (or with your family) and make sure you’re prepared to enjoy every minute of your new life here! If you need a more nightlife and travel-focused guide detailing all the LGBT clubs, parties, and more, check out our Gay Toronto Travel Guide.
Moving to LGBT Toronto is not what you think it is, so leave all of your preconceived notions at the door…
In this article we will cover...
- Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Toronto
- Does Toronto Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
- Is Toronto An Expensive City to Move To?
- The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Toronto
- LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Toronto
- LGBTQ+ Community Events in Toronto
- LGBT-Owned Businesses In Toronto
- Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Toronto
- Finding Gay Realtors In Toronto
Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Toronto
It is no secret that LGBT Toronto is a glitzy city with a number of queer neighborhoods and one of the most vibrant LGBT nightlife scenes in the world. Love is love here, thus everyone is welcome here!
Some people might assume Toronto is just your average run-of-the-mill-big-stuffy city with all skyscrapers and no substance. Don’t listen to them. Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities on earth and has art, food, nightlife and attractions with roots across the globe. While foodies can rejoice in the trail-blazing fusion dining scene, the biggest draw for most gay people will be the famous Church Wellesley Gay Village with its epic nightlife, inclusive community center, and magnificent restaurants.
Toronto residents are well aware that their fabulous city is full of both tourist traps and hidden gems. Once you will live here, you will be able to connect with locals and spend your free time discovering that Toronto is still brimming with culture and captivating sights that visitors have yet to swarm for their Instagram feed.
Securing a relocation here will also allow you to meet others with similar interests, thanks to a quirky yet highly involved LGBT culture and many fabulous queer hot spots in the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects that make up this incredible city before we get into the details.
Toronto Is Big On Brunch
While Toronto is known for its love of most foods and its amazing cuisine, the city’s culinary scene is all about brunch. Prepare yourself for smashed avocado on toast and menus packed with a variety of egg dishes.
You are likely to spend mornings spent tightening your pants to make space for the countless variations of pancakes available with copious amounts of maple syrup.
Transport
Toronto’s public transportation system consists of buses, a subway, buses, and trams. Even though traffic jams and delays are rather regular in Toronto, whatever will get you from one place to the other is useful because of how huge the city is.
Buy tickets or a Presto Card that you can recharge for your travel. Cycling is another popular alternative, and once you move here, you can pick up a used affordable bike.
Get ready for snow
December through March are quite cool months, and from November to April, see the city covered in snow. You’ll be alright if you bring some reliable, waterproof winter shoes to manage ice walkways and loads of warm clothing. Compared to other of Canada’s northern cities, the cold here isn’t so much.
The Culture
The population of Toronto is incredibly diverse, and this diversity is reflected in its cultural offerings. Casa Loma, which is situated in Toronto, has been transformed into a theater and museum. People from all backgrounds enjoy visiting the Ontario Science Center, where they can explore the Bata Shoe Museum to learn more about how shoes are a part of various cultures throughout the world.
Toronto is a city with a lot to see or do and is constantly expanding. You can opt to live in the heart of downtown Toronto, where everything is happening, or you can go to a peaceful neighborhood in the outskirts, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Does Toronto Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
The rights of lesbians, gay men, lesbian women, and transgender people (LGBT) in Canada are among the most robust and comprehensive in the world. In 1969, same-sex relationships became legal throughout Canada, and later the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 1995 that sexual orientation is protected by the constitution.
Later, Canada became the first nation in the Americas and the fourth country overall to allow same-sex unions on a national level in 2005. According to polls, 76% of Canadians felt that same-sex couples are equally likely as other parents to raise children effectively, and 70% of the country thought that same-sex couples should have the same rights to adopt children as heterosexual couples have.
Similar surveys have revealed that 87.6% of respondents stated they would feel “comfortable” living next to a transgender person and that 91.8% of those asked in a survey commissioned by the Privy Council Office said they were “comfortable” living next door to someone how was gay, lesbian or bisexual.
Obviously, we would love to see all these numbers at 100%, but for now, they are some of the highest rates of acceptance in the world – making Canada an extremely gay-friendly place to live.
When it comes specifically to Canada’s largest city, Toronto extends the rainbow carpet to those seeking queer-friendly entertainment as the city with the greatest percentage of LGBTQ2-identifying residents in the nation. While the rest of Canada may certainly be described as a gay haven, LGBTQ Toronto is where the LGBT community is most vibrant.
Head over to The Gay Village at Church & Wellesley for queer-owned accommodations, bookstores, quirky gay bars, and queer theatre, bookstores, while the Queer West Village adds some extra sass with its edgy post-gay pubs and restaurants.
After Amsterdam and Madrid, a report named Toronto the third-best LGBTQ+ city. The vitality of the neighborhood’s gay alternative and dating nightlife, the population’s open-mindedness, and the prevalence of hate crimes served as the report’s criteria for evaluating each city.
The rights to marriage and adoption were also taken into account, as were other national legislation that applies to LGBTQ people. While other LGBTQ people around the globe may not be as fortunate, LGBTQ inhabitants of Toronto may, for the most part, live normal, full lives free from apparent prejudice, hostility, danger, and fear of violence and discrimination.
Is Toronto An Expensive City to Move To?
Toronto is one of Canada’s most costly places to live because it is home to many headquarters and high-paying office employment. Your biggest expenditure is housing; the median rent in the city is $2060 per month. The following rental prices apply depending on the size of the property:
- $1400 for a single-room apartment
- $2400 for a two-room apartment
- $2960 for a three-room apartment
- $4200 for a single-family detached home
Utilities, include power and communication services and are typically not part of the rent. They are an additional expense for dwelling. If 1000 KWH are utilized each month and power costs 13.3 cents/KWH, monthly electricity bills come to about $133.
Telecommunication services, such as phone bills and internet services, cost about $167 per month. All of these can result in a monthly housing expense of about $1600 for a single person living in a bachelor-style flat.
Having a car can be a more feasible means of transportation for people who live outside of the Greater Toronto Area. The average monthly cost of purchasing food ranges from $260 to $340 for an adult. In a city that is constantly in motion, this does not, however, convey the full picture.
The typical cost of a meal ranges from $10 or more for lunch to $25 or more for take-out or a cheap dinner. Toronto’s cost of food is slightly more than the median monthly cost in Ontario, which excludes restaurants, which was about $253 per person.
The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Toronto
There are thankfully many other places to reside for those who are looking for a calmer yet still LGBT-friendly environment as not all LGBT people want to be close to the relative chaos of downtown Toronto.
When moving to LGBTQ Toronto, bear in mind that some areas are more conveniently located for all the fun queer events and activities. By being aware of them in advance, you can arrive at your new residence in the gay-friendly neighborhood that best suits your needs.
Discover your delightfully ideal new home in one of these prominent gay and LGBT-friendly communities in Toronto. Each one has its own distinct personality, a friendly neighborhood, and facilities you’ll love.
Give yourself lots of time to get to know the many different and diverse areas of Toronto, and bare in mind that this city has plenty to offer everyone – queer or otherwise!
Now let’s take a look at where the handful of marvelous gay areas in Toronto and talk about the Toronto gayborhood where you might feel most at home! Or speak to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today.
The Village
The Village, in the center of the city, is home to one of the most well-known LGBTQ+ communities in both Toronto and the entire world. The Village, which is open to everyone, is the country’s largest gay community.
Bars, restaurants, cafes, clubs, and businesses catering to LGBTQ customers may be found in the neighborhood, which is centered at the junction of Church and Wellesley Streets. The “The Gay Village” is the center of Pride Month, and is one of the world’s biggest events that attract more than a million people each June.
It makes sense that so many individuals find Toronto’s rainbow so alluring and want to call it home. The Verve located at 120 Homewood Avenue holds the unofficial status of being the most well-known gay-friendly condominium in Toronto. This 44-story condominium building is at a short distance from Church-Wellesley Village.
The Village is a popular tourist destination in the city with access to public transportation, companies, and activities that are at the heart of city development and urban life. The community’s way of life is heavily influenced by culture and art, which includes theater, galleries, and art installations.
The variety of our nightlife, which includes music, dancing, and performances, draws tourists from all walks of life. The LGBTQ community of Toronto has historically resided in The Village. The neighborhood has a long history of serving as a hub for many cultures, and it continues to be a popular destination for tourists and LGBTQ residents relocating to the city.
East End
The east end has recently gained prominence due to its reputation for having more reasonably priced properties for sale. Between Yonge Street and Carlaw Avenue, there’s a popular well-liked gay-friendly community, including Riverside, Cabbagetown, and Leslieville, that has drawn many Toronto homebuyers, particularly members of the LGBTQ community.
Those who want to purchase a semi or detached property within their price range will find gold in the east end. LGBTQ buyers are savvy when it comes to real estate purchases and recognize promise in properties that may need a little TLC. The LGBTQ+ community is proud of their homes and devotes their time and keen eyes to improving their homes, benefiting the community around them.
The LGBT population has gravitated to these neighborhoods, which will undoubtedly increase property values in the next few years. Most people who want to purchase real estate in this neighborhood are seeking a relaxed way of life.
The local neighborhoods are tree-lined and have calm streets, charming shops, and modest stores. Although it is tranquil and secluded, the bustle and nightlife of the Village are still within easy reach. It’s difficult to match the feeling of community here.
Downtown
Those looking for a more upscale lifestyle might check out the downtown condos located on Queen and King West’s central sections. Any local who lives here appreciate the work/life balance provided by the city’s entertainment district. Although you need a little more money to own real estate in this neighborhood, it is the ideal area for people who often splurge on life’s better pleasures.
Most people who choose to purchase property here do so because they want that glitzy lifestyle. King West is the neighborhood for those who want immersive experiences, those who would like to stand out, and those who enjoy meeting new people.
Queen West offers excellent dining, a wide selection of live music venues, fantastic shopping, and numerous art and design studios set against the landscape of historical structures. As you stroll around the streets, you’ll come across undiscovered art spaces like “Graffiti Alley,” a center for street art that can provide the ideal backdrop for your upcoming profile picture.
West End
West-end communities like Roncesvalles, Parkdale, and Junction are becoming more popular with people seeking a less central location. These gay-friendly neighborhoods have a slightly more homey atmosphere. It’s difficult to find a place in Toronto that isn’t LGBT-friendly, even though the concentration of gay pubs simply doesn’t match that of the Village.
For those looking for a neighborhood that is distinct from the Gay Village ambiance, the west end, which is known for being home to a hipster demographic, is a fantastic alternative. These more westernized neighborhoods are becoming popular with those seeking a substitute for the Gay Village atmosphere.
These west-end neighborhoods have a lot of condominiums and lofts available for folks looking for a home in areas with a high influx of LGBTQ people.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Toronto
To progress the LGBTQ agenda, the queer community commonly has to rely on donor organizations or non-profits.
Wherever you live, it is imperative that you assist such organizations in any manner you can in order for them to reach out and aid others in the neighborhood. These Toronto LGBT community organizations are some of the best.
Every LGBT person has benefited from their tireless labor to secure the advancement and rights we enjoy now being aware of them is good whether you need their help now or potentially in the future.
These are wonderful places to start if you’re looking for LGBTQ groups to join, seek support from, meet new people with or volunteer for a cause you care about.
Friends of Ruby is committed to advancing social services, and housing needs, and enhancing the mental health of 2SLGBQTIA+ youth.
Regardless of where your personal journey takes you, their strategy is all-encompassing and involves your body, mind, and community. Their aim is to create a society where young people who identify as 2LGBTQI feel accepted, empowered, and involved to live healthy lives.
Central Toronto Youth Services
Many of the city’s most at-risk youth are treated at Central Toronto Youth Services, an accredited, community-based, children’s mental health center. They support empowering, courteous, and engaging strategies for enhancing young people’s resilience and strength.
2-Spirited People Of The 1st Nations
This organization is located in Toronto, where you hardly see any HIV infections and where 2-Spirit residents take pleasure in their native background. The organization oversees a vibrant, robust, and autonomous 2-Spirit community.
The organization offer2-Spirit individuals living with or at risk for HIV and linked infections, including Metis, First Nations, and Inuit people and offer preventative education and assistance. Their efforts are based on traditional conceptions of holistic health and well-being.
LGBTQ+ Community Events in Toronto
After moving to a new city, you will likely want to create new connections, meet new people, and network. Thankfully, LGBT Toronto plays host to a variety of annual events for lesbians, transgender persons, gays, and anyone else who wants to have a good time.
While there are many queer events in the city, the ones listed here are the largest and greatest and are all worth marking in your calendar as you won’t want to miss them.
Fringe Festival Toronto
Made popular in Edinburgh but has since spawned off-shoots spread around the world, this annual theatre festival, features un-juried plays by unknown or well-known artists and focuses the spotlight on under-represented voices from the margins of the performing arts world. Held annually in July.
This queer cultural festival is held annually in June. Starting ten years ago, Green Space has grown into a full-fledged, multi-day music festival, featuring world-class DJs, electronic and house legends, drag queen royalty and more. Volunteers, donors, partners, performers and thousands of festival-goers come together every year to celebrate both the diversity of the Toronto gay community and the love that brings us together.
100% of all proceeds generated from the Green Space Festival are directed into funding the essential programs and services of The 519, the most prominent LGBTQ+ community center in Toronto.
One of North America’s largest gay circuit music festivals with six events held in late June in conjunction with Toronto Pride. Every year thousands of gay party revelers from around the globe attend Prism Festival making it one of the crown jewels of Toronto Pride. A world-class weekend of international DJs, Toronto’s best venues and major production provide one of the most talked-about and loved events of the summer. Join thousands of the hottest men from around the globe for a weekend that you won’t soon forget! Prism also organizes gay parties and queer club take-over throughout the year around once a month.
Church Street’s Halloween Night Party
Canada’s biggest and best Halloween block party held in late October. Watch as the gay village transforms into Toronto’s most wicked street party on Halloween night and a pedestrian-only boulevard opens up for a wave of Halloween-dressed revelers. Expect thousands of people filling up six blocks along Church – so grab your costume and grab a spot amidst all the naughty action! The Village’s shops, cafés, and bars will be bumping all night long, and you can be sure all the gay bars have special plans to tempt you into wicked sin long into the night.
Inside Out Film and Video Festival
For more than two decades, Inside Out has brought Toronto’s LGBT community together in celebration of the best queer film from Canada and around the world. Dedicated exclusively to screening gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer films Inside Out is one of the most critical North American forums of international LGBT film/video and if your dates coincide if a way to experience a more sophisticated level of gay life in Canada. Taking place in late May, but if you can’t attend there are plenty of other international LGBT film festivals to consider.
Uniting and empowering people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, the annual Pride Toronto festival in June has become a major Canadian arts and cultural event and one of the largest gay pride festivals in the world. Here, Pride showcases Toronto on the world stage with diversity, inclusion and vibrant creativity.
Hundreds of events (both official and unofficial) are planned throughout Pride Month, but the highlights include several stages with live performers and DJs, a large Dyke March, a Trans March and the Pride Parade. Today it is mostly about celebrating everything queer and fabulous but of course still much needs to be done to achieve total equality and there is a strong focus on the political roots of Toronto Pride.
LGBT-Owned Businesses In Toronto
Wherever you go in Toronto, there’s bound to be an LGBTQ+ business you can support. Here are a few of our favorites that you can support during and beyond Pride.
After moving to LGBT Toronto, it’s only natural to want to support queer businesses. One strategy for establishing a safer and more inclusive society is to create a secure environment where people may rest, buy, dine, and connect without fear, and this is exactly what LGBT companies should strive for.
To safeguard the queer community’s survival and success, it is critical to support these initiatives wherever you are. When you shop locally, you put in a personal investment in your city and community. Here’s a short list of LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Toronto you can invest in with your pink dollars…
The perfect spot to hang out with friends, enjoy a craft beer or delicious cocktail and have a fabulous time in the heart of Toronto’s bustling Gay Village. Serving homemade breakfast, lunch, and dinner using only the freshest ingredients made in-house. There is also a fun $5 Mimosas special Every Day from 11 am-2:30 pm! Check their website for upcoming events like Drag Bingo, Trivia, Retro Dance and Ladies’ nights on Sunday.
An LGBT restaurant in the gay village is open for all meals. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events, but we love stopping by for a late evening bite, enjoying the frequent drag shows and perhaps a bit of karaoke.
A three-story ‘gay department store’ – the only one in Canada – located in the heart of Toronto’s Church/Wellesley Village. Clothing, sex toys, pride jewelry or more…They have you covered!
The place to go to fulfill all your gay leather fetish fantasies in Toronto. If you can imagine it, we are sure they have something for you! From harnesses to jockstraps, NorthBound will have the premium goods you desire to take your kink play to the next level…
Glad Day Bookshop was established in 1970 and is the country’s first queer bookshop. The managers are aware of how vital representation is and that seeing oneself represented in the rest of the globe genuinely saves lives.
The bookshop has worked to make sure LGBT people can also enjoy this. You are welcome to attend events, discover the newest books, and shop for goods that go beyond heteronormative thinking at this place, which is really more of a community center.
Toronto’s most popular Drag Bar is found in the heart of the Church-Wellesley Gay Village. A staple of the LGBT community staple and a fabulous party destination offering a revelry-fuelled atmosphere and main stage drag performance every night of the week! Take your favorite drag merch to show the girls… Hip, camp and fun, things get especially wild on the weekend when the two dance floors are opened up and get absolutely packed.
This Toronto classic, which has branches all over the city, has a well-established reputation. Proprietor Craig developed his skills in baking with his mother in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and his enthusiasm for baking is still evident today. Craig’s cookies are flavorful but also fascinating, filled with childhood favorites like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Mini Eggs.
Queeriosity is a Black and Proud trans-founded, operated, and owned card game company with headquarters in Toronto. Two friends Eli and Kai took things into their hands after noting the lack of availability of LGBTQ+ representation in a variety of party games.
Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Toronto
Torontonians live an active, exciting life. You can be sure that Toronto will have all you want, from delicious local cuisine to adventure, and a community that values and honors who you are. If you’re still thinking about the move, don’t, start packing your bags right away!
Remember that life is what you make it, and wherever (or if ever) you decide to start your new chapter in LGBT Toronto, we wish you the freedom and security you deserve. Living in a gay-friendly area, visiting nearby LGBT businesses and events, and joining queer community groups and sports teams are always the best methods to discover more about LGBT Toronto.
We guarantee that if you follow these recommendations, moving to LGBT Toronto will be less difficult for you and that you’ll quickly find like-minded individuals with whom to establish your newly chosen family.
Finding Gay Realtors In Toronto
When searching for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are numerous reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Toronto is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when undertaking one of life’s most important transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes.
Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) continue to believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often express feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt.
Everyone deserves a gratifying, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being sufficiently represented, and this is why we feel you should engage a gay realtor to help you in finding your perfect future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be knowledgeable about the diverse communities in their area and understand which ones may be best suited to you when searching for a home. That’s not to say heterosexual realtors are not competent, but they’ve probably never had to handle many of the issues LGBT people face.
Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors perform extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to uncover professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Toronto – and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral.
Thankfully, you no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Toronto to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradesmen, and more.
Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then select the one who is right for you. It’s essential that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exhilarating occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
