7 things I desperately miss about Ontario life now that I moved away to BC

The friendliness

Ontarians are open to meeting new people and trying new experiences — something I've found can be a little harder to come by in B.C., especially in Vancouver.

I miss being around people who were excited to expand their social circles and who were genuinely keen to try new things with new people. I miss not feeling like I was intruding on someone else's established group or stepping onto someone else's turf.

There's an inclusiveness in Ontario that feels unique. Trust me, I've lived on the West Coast and in the Maritimes, and this is something I've genuinely noticed.

The four seasons

Ontario actually has four seasons. Vancouver has rain, more rain, a little bit of sun, and then more rain.

I miss the crispness and colours of fall. I miss snow — well, not a lot of snow, but I miss having the option of waking up to a snowfall or watching the world get covered in it for a little while. I miss the way each season felt distinct and brought its own memories and adventures.

I miss seeing the year change with the seasons rather than measuring time by raindrops.

The cottage culture

"I'm coming to the cottage."

This isn't just something that happens on Heated Rivalry — it's a rite of passage for Ontarians. From Muskoka to Haliburton to the Kawarthas to Prince Edward County, cottage culture is deeply woven into life in Ontario.

It's something I've realized BC is missing. There's just nothing quite like grabbing snacks from the gas station, hopping onto the 400, and knowing you're officially leaving the city behind for a weekend away.

The mountains are incredible, but they're a completely different experience from Ontario's cottage country and the Great Lakes. There's something special about a lake, a dock, a campfire, and the feeling that you've escaped the city without having to go too far.

The choice of food

Yes, there's multicultural food in Vancouver, but it just doesn't hit the same way as Ontario — especially Toronto.

Vancouver might have the upper hand when it comes to sushi, but Toronto and the GTA have such a wide range of cuisines that it feels like you're constantly discovering something new. It's not just a few standalone restaurants here and there — entire neighbourhoods, plazas, and communities are built around different cultures and their food.

One of the things I love about Ontario, especially Toronto, is how multiculturalism is such an everyday part of life. You don't just experience different cultures at festivals or special events; you see it in the restaurants, grocery stores, neighbourhoods, and the people around you.

The proximity to other provinces and states

There's something to be said about not living on a coast. Ontario is just so conveniently located that you can hop in the car and, within a few hours, be somewhere completely different.

From the GTA, Montreal is only about a five-hour drive away, and Buffalo is basically a quick trip over the border. You can drive to places like New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania without it feeling like a huge undertaking. Even getting out to the East Coast provinces is possible if you're up for a proper road trip.

That's something I've noticed living in B.C. — everything just feels a little farther away. Yes, you can pop down to Seattle and Portland if you live in the Lower Mainland — and depending on where you live in the Interior, Idaho, Montana, and Alberta aren't too far — but it's just not the same.

Sure, the Rockies are beautiful, but they also create this natural barrier where getting to another province isn't as simple as jumping on the highway and going straight through.

I miss being somewhere where a weekend road trip could mean a completely different province, a different country, or a whole new landscape without needing a major travel plan.

The thunderstorms

When Vancouver gets a thunderstorm, it's a thing. People notice it, talk about it, and it feels like a whole event.

Growing up in Ontario, thunderstorms were just normal. They were part of summer. While Vancouver definitely gets its fair share of rain, there's something special about an Ontario thunderstorm that I oddly miss — the bang of thunder, the crack of lightning, the way the sky would suddenly turn dark, and the feeling that a storm was rolling in.

It's such a small thing, but it's one of those little pieces of Ontario life I didn't realize I'd miss until I left.

The fact there's always something big happening

Sure, B.C. — and Vancouver, where I live — have events happening all the time, but it just doesn't feel the same as in Ontario, especially Toronto. I miss the big events that roll into town.

The concerts, the theatre shows, the comedy shows. There was always something happening, and there was always something to look forward to. I miss being able to go to a Toronto Blue Jays game or a Toronto Raptors game, catch a major concert, see a Broadway touring production, or go to TIFF.

Vancouver has a lot to offer, but I do miss the sheer amount of choice Toronto provides. I miss living somewhere where it felt like there was always a new show coming through, or some random event happening that gave you a reason to leave the house. Toronto has this energy where it feels like every major tour, show, or event eventually makes its way there.