A growing number of families are packing their bags and leaving Toronto, driven out by a punishing combination of unaffordable housing and mounting concerns over public safety, including open drug use.
The Financial Trap: Six-Figure Incomes No Longer Enough
The dream of homeownership in Canada's largest city is evaporating even for those on substantial incomes. Andrea Griffith, 43, shared her shock with CTV News upon discovering that her family's $200,000 annual income was insufficient to buy a modest home in Toronto without plunging into significant debt.
Despite qualifying for a $750,000 mortgage, Griffith deemed it an unreasonable financial burden. "I knew we would be house-poor," she stated. After being forced from a rental in Scarborough shortly after her daughter's birth, the family faced a stark choice: remain in the city under severe financial strain or seek a new life elsewhere.
"We made the decision that we no longer wanted to be living according to someone else's needs," Griffith explained. They relocated nearly 200 miles to Chatham, Ontario, where they now own a detached home. While financially more stable, the move came at an emotional cost, with Griffith lamenting the struggle to build a new community for her young daughter.
Safety Fears Compound the Affordability Crisis
For many, the exodus is not solely about money. Dustin Titus, 43, cited major safety concerns as a primary reason for leaving South Etobicoke with his young son. He described frequent encounters with open drug use and felt increasingly unprotected in the city's bustling environment.
A pivotal moment came when his son veered towards traffic on his bike. "That moment really shook me," Titus recalled. His family now lives in Horseshoe Valley, where a welcoming community atmosphere provided immediate contrast to their Toronto experience.
These safety worries are amplified by challenges within Toronto's supervised drug consumption services. Following several site closures, the Toronto Drop-In Network reported a near 300 percent increase in overdoses at some locations. Residents in areas like Parkdale have complained that security measures are failing to curb public disorder linked to drug use.
A Perfect Storm: Stalled Development and Schooling Woes
The housing market itself presents a bleak picture. After peaking at an average of $1.27 million in 2022, prices have only retreated to around $1 million this year—a drop that fails to restore affordability for most. This decline, coupled with government costs and restrictions, has made developers cautious about building much-needed new homes.
For some families, frustrations extend to the education system. Morley Abbott, 39, found his family questioning their future in Toronto after a sudden change to a local school's catchment area meant his daughter could no longer attend the prestigious school opposite their condo.
"It feels like the school system just doesn't care for families like ours," Abbott told CTV News. This catalyst has prompted plans to move to London, Ontario, so their daughter can attend school with cousins.
In response to the crisis, Mayor Olivia Chow's office stated the city is acting to increase housing supply, cut costs for families, and strengthen renter protections. A spokesperson emphasised the Mayor's belief that those who work in Toronto should be able to afford to live there, highlighting 25,000 new homes slated for construction this year and next.
However, for families like the Griffiths, Titus, and Abbotts, the promise of future action comes too late. They have already voted with their feet, seeking affordability, safety, and community far beyond Toronto's city limits.
