All the latest about Toronto this week
July 12, 2023

In today’s edition of This City: a Richmond Hill family on the benefits of decamping from the core. Plus, councillor James Pasternak on his opposition to the Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program, what to watch this week and more. Visit torontolife.com for all our coverage on the city.

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Urbs vs. Burbs: “Daycare is half the price of downtown”

Philipp and Leila Parkhomenko were living with their one-year-old son in a 650-square-foot condo in the Annex for $3,354 a month in mortgage payments and condo fees. They liked the idea of their son going to a diverse downtown school, but living space was tight, and they couldn’t find a daycare spot. So, in 2022, they decamped for a three-bedroom townhouse in Richmond Hill—and they haven’t looked back.

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“We need to take a sober second look”

After years of waffling, Toronto city council is considering a pilot program that would allow drinkers of age to sip responsibly in over 20 parks from August 2 to October 9. But the proposal still needs to survive a vote at council’s July 19 to 21 session, and one councillor, James Pasternak, has vowed to oppose it. We asked him what he’s got against one of the city’s favourite pastimes.

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What to Watch This Week

First up is season two of laugh-out-loud whodunit The Afterparty, which takes place at a wedding where the groom is murdered. There’s also Full Circle, a Steven Soderbergh–directed miniseries about a botched kidnapping, and the second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, an endearing YA dramedy from To All the Boys scribe Jenny Han. Here’s our complete guide.

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What to read, watch and listen to in July

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A beloved street festival hits the pavement

Bloordale’s yearly car-free summer festival is back. Now in its 16th year, the BIG on Bloor festival spotlights the area’s local artists and small businesses with a weekend­-long pedestrian takeover that has been known to draw upward of 100,000 visitors. Concerts, art workshops, outdoor murals and public installations will abound. July 15 to 16, Bloordale

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Our current issue

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July 2023: Who Broke the TTC?

Toronto used to have one of the best transit systems in North America. Now it’s crowded, unreliable, underfunded and dangerous. In our July issue, the inside story of what went wrong and who’s to blame. Also in this issue: Shania Twain’s Toronto years, essential stuff for the pampered pooch, the summer’s best street food, and more. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.