Toronto !urgent advice needed!

[scoutliam]

Dh has been offered a 6 month move to Toronto and we've decided to go for it, however we need to leave in two weeks!
I know nobody over there and while looking forward to it am a bit anxious about the details so looking for help from the lovely mn's.
Dd is 3 months old do we need to find a paediatrician or gp? She is very well but for vaccinations and anything that crops up.Also is there a "mother and baby scene" which i have up to now avoided like the plague but in a new city might be a way of meeting people.
Where in toronto is nice/safe to live? The company will fund an apartment or house but we obviously have no idea of good areas. I don't drive and don't want to get stuck in a suburb with neighbours a half mile away.
Any info appreciated, sorry it's so long.
Thanks in advance.

Don't panic! Be happy....

I lived in Toronto for about 3 years and LOVED it - it's a fab, safe, family-friendly city with lots to do, and Canadians were all very friendly.

I should say however that I was single when I was there, but still have lots of friends who have raised their children in the city or in the nearby suburbs.

Does your DH's company not offer some sort of relocation advice/ contact - ask for this, it's pretty standard with most big companies. They would be able to help you out with questions about GPs/ health system etc (I seem to recall it's more insurance based than the UK, so you will probably need some kind of medical cover).

Re Areas - the Toronto Transit system (their underground/tube) is very efficient, and it means that even in the suburbs you can get into the city and round and about very quickly.

Good areas to look at are:

Rosedale (for the wealthy, rich & famous etc)
Yonge St is the main North/south street and many of the areas going North out of the city off Yonge Street are nice - leafy & full of families
e.g. Yonge/Eglington
Yonge/St Clair

If you fancy something a bit more Boho, then the 'Beaches' area down on the Lakeshore is fun, with lots of artists and musicians and interesting shops and cafes.

Seriously though, I am very - you will have a GREAT time!!

Whippet thanks for replying,
I am looking forward to it honest! I loved travelling before dd and can't wait really.
Dh's company don't have a relocation service unfortunately as it's quite small and specialised.
Will definitely ask him to suggest the beaches area as it sounds great, Rosedale is probably unlikely to be a go.

Hey, congrats on the move to my home town! It's a city of neighbourhoods and parks, all different in their own way, pretty unique for such a sizeable city.

Agree Beaches is nifty but can feel a bit isolated in the colder months - it's deffo fab in the summer!

I'm a West-end girl myself. I'd suggest you have a look round Bloor West Village, the High Park area and in the Roncesvales area, too - lots of young families doing up the big old houses round there.

The health system is similar to the NHS - but I'm pretty sure that you'll need medical cover if you're not a resident. I agree with whippet - I'd be surprised if the Company don't sort you something.

No probs if you don't drive - the TTC (public transit) system is one of the reasons I never learned!

Seriously. Jealous.

Gdizz , West village and other areas being added to list as we speak.
Does anyone know if it's travel or health insurance we need and if health any company recommendations?
Like I say dh is with a small company and although I'm sure we'll get advice from colleagues' when we get there, unlike the old days when I NEVER got insurance can't play that game with the little one.

gdizz - oh yes! Sorry I forgot the whole Bloor West area!
Gawd - I must have spent a fortune in the shops in the Bloor Village area, and in fact, DH & I took the kids back to Toronto last summer, and there is a FANTASTIC deli store in the little shopping complex there - seriously yummy!

Scoutliam - I'm pretty sure I had sort of 'Pay as You Go' health cover - i.e. I just paid when I needed it - found a GP easily when I got there though.

Have you thought about contacting the Canadian Embassy or Tourist Board etc - I'm sure there must be advice on the web about expats/long term visitors etc. I'm afraid it was in the early 90s that I was there so I am rather out of date.
Definitely lots to do for Mums & Babies though - I'd imagine there will be leaflets in the local libraries/ supermarkets etc.