Toronto's Money Makers: A Thrift Shopper's Unfiltered Guide

okay so let's talk toronto's economy from the eyes of someone who spends more time in second-hand bins than boardrooms.

the city's got this vibe, right? it’s like a giant thrift store where you can find anything if you know where to look. but beyond the racks of 90s flannel and bell-bottoms, there’s a whole economic machine running.

first off, the rent here? i’m not gonna sugarcoat it. we’re looking at an average of $2,300 for a one-bedroom. and that’s if you’re lucky enough to not get into a bidding war. my friend just signed a lease for a shoebox in the annex for $2,500 and they call that a 'win'.

safety? it’s pretty safe overall, but then again, i spend my nights in alleyways looking for hidden gems, so maybe i’m not the best judge. the downtown core is lit up like a christmas tree at night, but i’ve heard whispers to avoid certain neighborhoods after dark.

weather update: today’s weather is doing that classic toronto thing where it’s 10 degrees and sunny when you leave the house, but then it starts hailing by lunch. unpredictable is the name of the game. good thing i’ve got a vintage trench coat to battle the elements.

and if you’re itching to get out of the city for a bit, hamilton’s just an hour drive away with more thrift stores than you can shake a stick at. or if you’re feeling fancy, new york city is a quick flight across the lake.

now, about those industries driving the economy. from where i stand, digging through the dust and the discarded, i see a few big players:

*tech is huge. like, massive. the tech scene here is booming, especially around the downtown core and in kensington market. i see all these kids in their twenties walking around with laptops and fancy coffee, probably coding the next big app. and the pay? reportedly top-notch. i overheard some guy at a coffee shop saying he makes six figures as a software dev.

finance is the old guard. the bay street folks. they’re the ones driving the luxury car market and keeping those vintage rolex watches in business. i’ve seen a few rolexes at the pawn shops downtown, but mostly they’re in the hands of the finance bros.

media and entertainment is another big one. toronto’s got the nickname ‘hollywood north’ for a reason. there are film sets popping up everywhere, and that means jobs for everyone from caterers to costume designers. me? i’ve got a side gig as an extra. once i was in a scene with a big actor, and i got paid $200 just to look like i was having a bad day in the background.

healthcare is a beast. toronto has some of the best hospitals in the country, and that means a ton of jobs. my sister’s a nurse at mount sinai, and she works 12-hour shifts, but the pay is solid and the benefits are good.

and of course, the creative economy*. that’s where i fit in. toronto’s got a thriving art scene, from street art to indie fashion. we’re talking about the artists, musicians, and yes, vintage pickers like me. we’re the ones making toronto weird and wonderful.

but here’s the thing, the city’s changing. and not all for the good. i’ve been here for five years, and i’ve seen so many of my favorite vintage shops close because the rent went up. the landlords would rather have a chain coffee shop than a place that sells 80s band tees.

> “heard from this dude at a bar last night that the city’s trying to push the artists out to the burbs. said his studio in parkdale got tripled in rent overnight. he’s moving to kitchener next month. toronto’s losing its soul, man.” - overheard at the gladstone hotel

another thing i’ve noticed is the cost of living. everything’s expensive, but especially housing. and it’s not just the rent. groceries? forget about it. a carton of eggs costs like $8.

> “my landlord told me he bought the building for a song in 2010 and now it’s worth a fortune. he said toronto’s economy is built on ‘speculation and desperation’. that’s a direct quote, by the way.” - something a local warned me about

but despite all that, toronto’s got something special. it’s a city of hustlers. whether you’re a coder, a nurse, or a vintage picker, you’re always grinding. and when the sun comes out (which is rare, by the way), it’s the most beautiful place on earth.

if you’re thinking of moving here, i’d say go for it. but be prepared to work hard. and maybe invest in a good raincoat.

and if you’re into thrifting, you gotta check out this place on queen street west. it’s called ‘value village’ but it’s more like a treasure trove. link to yelp review

for the real lowdown on toronto life, head over to r/toronto. link to r/toronto

and if you want to see the city from above, the cn tower is a must. link to tripadvisor

so that’s toronto’s economy in a nutshell. it’s messy, it’s expensive, but it’s got heart. and more importantly, it’s got style. now if you’ll excuse me, i’ve got a bin of 90s denim to dig through.

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