Toronto owned the No. 1 ranking among U-Haul Top 10 Canadian Destination Cities for 2002-2011 and again for 2013, but Ontario’s capital slid three positions this time around.
Claiming No. 4 on the Canadian Destinations list for 2014, Toronto maintained its longstanding status among the top five and continues to be an attractive choice among U-Haul movers. These rankings reflect the top destinations of one-way U-Haul truck rentals for the past calendar year.
While migration trends don’t correlate directly to a city’s population or economic growth, they are a strong gauge as to how well cities are attracting new residents.
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Stationed on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto’s downtown area has reached the point of being landlocked, according to U-Haul Company of Eastern Ontario marketing company president Antony Grocott.
“The downtown area is pretty much grown out, so now it’s just growing up,” Grocott said. “The growth here in Toronto can be seen everywhere.”
Toronto has almost tripled its number of skyscrapers in the last 10 years. Emporis, a global provider of building information, states Toronto has 112 buildings under construction and 179 planned. That’s roughly on par with New York City, which has 154 buildings under construction and 175 planned.
Insider Advice: Living in Toronto
Toronto is taking after New York City in more ways than one. The Big Apple claims an all-time high foreign-born population of 36 per cent. But Toronto’s numbers are bigger as one of North America’s premier immigration destinations, claiming 47 per cent of residents are born outside of Canada.
“With nearly half of our population foreign born, the Toronto region is one of the most diverse city-regions in the world,” said Jan De Silva, president & CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade. “This tremendous diversity is what makes Toronto a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and raise a family. It is reflected throughout our neighbourhoods, at our street festivals and restaurants, and in our business community.”
The diversity in Toronto will be at an all time high this summer as it hosts thousands of people from all over the world in the XVII Pan American Games.
Royal Ontario Museum (Credit: City of Toronto)
“The Toronto region is the economic heart of Canada; home to 40 per cent of the country’s corporate head offices and drives 20 per cent of the national GDP,” De Silva explained. “This summer we’re excited to welcome the Americas to our region at the 2015 Pan Am & Parapan Am Games and showcase what makes Toronto a leading global city-region.”
As tourists flock to see the Games, they will witness why Toronto is a top Canadian destination. There are numerous reasons, from thriving businesses and ample outdoor activities to a plethora of professional sports teams and nightlife options.
“In recent years, Toronto has emerged as a global centre for business, finance, film and television, technology and culture,” said Michael H. Williams, general manager of the City of Toronto’s economic development and culture division.
“Global studies have ranked Toronto as the world’s most liveable city. Toronto is globally competitive in almost every major business sector and it is our multi-sector strength that is driving our continued growth, and innovation. Our depth of talent in all of these sectors is also a key factor in the successful long-term growth of the city.”
Toronto is the last of five Ontario cities in the U-Haul Top 10 Canadian Destinations. Continue to visit myuhaulstory.com as U-Haul counts down to the No. 1 destination.
Toronto residents are invited to become U-Haul Famous. Take your picture in front of a U-Haul product, send it in and your face could land on the side of a U-Haul truck. Upload your photo through Instagram using #uhaulfamous, or go to uhaulfamous.com to submit photos and learn more.
Additional photo credits: Toronto skyline (featured image) and City Hall (thumbnail) by City of Toronto.
Canadian Destination Cities
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