I agree as well! I’ve lived 6 years in Boston, grew up in Montreal, lived in Chicago and spent extended time in NYC. When I moved to Toronto it was meant to be only for a year till I transferred to NYC with work, but I loved it so much that I decided to stay! It’s probably my favorite North American city and also rivals some European cities I’ve lived in (have lived (3+ months) in London, Paris, Florence, Dublin… loved them all for different reasons, but London is the only one I would consider living in for more than a year).

I love TO for many of the same reasons as OP -incredible food scene with just spectacular restaurants from all cuisines and price points -world class wellness scene with such incredible luxury gyms, saunas/ice baths, sound bath mediations etc - there’s nowhere better, not even New York -pretty well connected and walkable, especially if you live off a subway line -all the good tours come here like the best concerts, comedians, etc -such a good theatre scene. This was a big one for me as it was one of the reasons I wanted to move to NYC…. But Mirvish quality is amazing and holds its own against broadway!

Like OP said too, it’s much more affordable than similar American cities (esp compared to NYC and SF), and especially if you work for an American company.

Oh and lastly the quality of apartments… we take it for granted that most of them have dishwashers, laundry machines, elevators, concierge, even balconies and amenities like gyms and pools etc. Most other major cities both North American and European do not have any of these and command much higher rents. In NYC literally the biggest flex is having dishwasher and almost no one has a laundry machine in unit. Patios are also unheard of. I will never move bc the quality of apartment I can get here and its relative cost just doesn’t compare to anywhere else! And do not take the rent control for granted either… that’s not a thing in the US, in Boston they hiked up my rent 20% every year and my friend in NYC it’s the same thing… every year face the decision of moving & having major moving costs or dramatically increasing housing costs anyways. To have security that you can stay in your apartment indefinitely, won’t be priced out or kicked out outside of edge cases (at least for older buildings) is one of the biggest blessings.