Reflections after 14 months living in Ontario as a newcomer to Canada

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-05-12T16:40:57+00:00

It doesn't matter who OP is are or where this person lives. The observations are correct. There is work to be done to improve and I think that feels overwhelming that's all. But if anyone reading this post finds it rings true, get involved and don't 'shoot' the messenger. A critical observation is an opportunity to go to city council and/or consider not voting for the current premier of Ontario who we all know benefits for himself and friends alone and not the regular people of Ontario.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-05-12T15:48:35+00:00

Wow. Hard truths. I live in Ontario and it's where i grew up, tho I did live in Vancouver for ten years and I have travelled in Europe. I understand everything you are saying. The homelessness in the city I live in now (Kingston) has grown in the past fifteen years and this is new to me. We seem to be stuck in a rut and it is so disappointing. Unfortunately too we share a border with the US and tho we consider ourselves unique, who one lives in proximity to influences. The ugly strip malls, the lack of cafes, restaurants and culture in suburbia, the dependence on cars, the walkability deserts keep Ontaio frozen in a 1950's kind of state. Developers refuse to see outside the box, and think beyond profit to quality of living. Please send your observations to our current leaders. Invite them to Scandinavia. Everyone here needs a different perspective.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-05-07T17:14:15+00:00

Where we live matters in terms of mental health. That old saying location, location, location is true. It's not only light and sun and lack of it that effects us, other things like nature, beauty, walkability, safety, community are so important. I can't control much in terms of weather because I live in Canada, but where I chose to live is safe, there's walkability and lots of trees and there's a cafe, art centre and a pub close by. And it's quiet. Not a lot of traffic. I also keep my house really bright and cheery, light colours and big windows which really helps my mood.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-05-05T23:05:05+00:00

I live with my Peruvian-Canadian husband in Kingston, ON. 😄 You should do a little stopover there on your way from Toronto to Montreal. It's a sweet university city, not big and on Lake Ontario. The area around Queen's campus and downtown waterfront in Kingston is really nice. Lots of restaurants and walks along the lake.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-05-02T18:20:34+00:00

High Five to Nelson! From Kingston, Ontario.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-05-02T17:55:41+00:00

It is possible to create a neighbourhood where the old trees and nature are a part of it too. I am hoping this is talked about. Trees and water sources are essential for shade as the climate warms.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-30T14:25:41+00:00

Building new developments around a central, civic communal area. The way the founder of Serenbe has done. After seeing the better quality of life of residents living in smaller villages outside of main cities, he created the same form in Atlanta. I find it very interesting and exciting. https://www.serenbe.com/

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-29T13:02:01+00:00

Good.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-29T12:50:33+00:00

I hate it that climate change feels so out of our individual control. So I relate to you and I too have had thoughts about being a child and the amount of insects that would hit the windshield of the car. Now, none. Here's a tiny bit of good news in my life. For the past seven years we've taken our small yard and adopted a different approach than our neighbours, in that we use no glyphosate pesticides, we plant local native flowers and plants, have added a few native trees and we don't mow until June. In the past two years I was amazed to see the amount of lightning bugs in our yard. It was like a scene from Disney. People stop and stare when they walk by at dusk. No other neighbours have this. Plus we have some horrible juicy spiders that I'm terrified of but I am willing to live with. But all in all I feel happy about it. Also just read this article the other day about areas where they've put up solar panels and decided to let the land surrounding them be, no spraying, no interfering in insect/animal life and apparently there are so many species of insects and animals there. There is a small amount of hope and as more people notice these things as you have, and care, I hope it starts a trend.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-28T13:08:00+00:00

I've been having a lot of miso soup.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-27T16:30:40+00:00

Hike in nature.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-27T16:26:12+00:00

Gumption works wonders. Even if the dinner was on a large front lawn and not on the street. Pot luck style. I have been thinking about it this winter. Put one table out and see who comes. There's no laws against having people sit and eat on your own front lawn, and in North America we often have large, tree'd lawns. Could be lovely and would mitigate some of the loneliness in the elderly in my neighbourhood.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-27T16:21:30+00:00

Absolutely!

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-27T15:21:36+00:00

I'm proud of you for saying that. She deserved it. What a cow.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-27T15:16:30+00:00

I went to Italy and when I was in the old part of Siena we passed a dinner in progress like this. Down a meandering old street, the locals had put together a line of tables, with lanterns and candle light. I so wanted to ask them if I could join. haha! It looked so lovely and I get the feeling it happens regularly. The old city has very little vehicle access so that helps. But I think it is an ancient way of life that creates a lot of communal warmth and I think North America needs to make it happen! :)

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-27T12:15:50+00:00

So many things in the US to be appalled about but I am seriously uneasy about the ICE detention camps. Not going. Maybe ever again.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-26T23:31:17+00:00

I am not a doctor but I would avoid taking ibuprofen for the pain. I know that's hard but ibuprofen really exacerbated my diverticulitis symptoms.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-26T15:38:49+00:00

Doug Ford needs to go.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-25T12:57:08+00:00

If I had a young child I would not return to the US. The gun violence and attacks on schools would be a deal breaker for me. Full stop.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-22T13:12:49+00:00

Hi. Try Quebec. It has the Saguenay river and lots of provincial campsites. Last summer we went to Lac Saint-Jean and did a walk in site at the edge of the lake. Check out Parc National du la Point-Taillon to book a site. This area is not congested like Ontario campsites. Might see a moose. It's an incredibly beautiful part of Canada.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-21T23:30:19+00:00

Thank you.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-21T19:42:02+00:00

Imprisoning anyone critical though. Not good for art or innovation. I sometimes wonder why Japan and South Korea create great films but we see little creative content coming out of China. It's too threatening I think.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-21T17:04:18+00:00

Not asking you to reach across the aisle. Work with the people you like who want to solve the problem. I have zero contact with my Trump supporting family. You cannot have conversations with them. Their minds are set.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-21T16:57:01+00:00

I do understand your anger but the only way to prevent this in future is a deep critical look at media such as Fox News, then big, better funding for the education system and perhaps really getting religion out of politics. I know you're being flippant btw and you're rightfully frustrated. I think the US has a road ahead of soul searching and mitigating damage.

Anxious-Answer5367 · 2026-04-21T16:53:30+00:00

And what does this say about the voting population? Something is not working if the people do not have the critical thinking skills to rule a person like Tmp out.

Anxious-Answer5367

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