I left Toronto for a small city and missed it terribly. Now I’m back for good

You may remember me. In 2020 I left Toronto to buy a home in Grand Bend.Toronto was under lockdown at the time. I had just been fired from my start-up job and was living alone, in a Leslieville condominium that felt like a small fishbowl.

I loved Toronto but Covid had exacerbated big-city frustrations: the cost of living, endless construction, noise and pollution—without any of the entertainment, dining or sports. Toronto was without its cool. It was awful. I wanted to start anew as a middle-aged single woman without children. Post Malone my dog and I went out on a recon mission to find a new home.

On a weekend in May we visited friends in Grand Bend. Grand Bend is a town with 3,000 residents located on the southern shores Lake Huron. Even the two-hour drive was serene, and I instantly fell in love with the region’s beaches. I have always felt calmer when I am near water. In the middle a pandemic I felt like I was vacationing. By the weekend’s end, I had everything I wanted. I sold my Leslieville condominium for $1.1 million, and bought a post-war bungalow for $645,000. 

Most people in my life thought I’d miss Toronto, that I’d soon be back with my tail between my legs. And they were right—sort of.

Related: We moved to Italy from Toronto to renovate an old farmhouse dating back to the 1700s

I felt a sense of calmness in my first days in Grand Bend. I could have easily mistaken the lake for my own private sea, as there were so few people in the area. My life was enhanced. I missed some of my friends in the city, but I could still FaceTime them, and it wasn’t as though we’d be seeing one another in person any time soon. The beauty of nature reminded me to enjoy my time alone. I also had a few updates done to my house: exterior painting and a new deck in the backyard, as well as a kitchen renovation.

But a part of me missed Toronto. I lusted for late-night takeout only to discover that none of Grand Bend’s restaurants were open after dinner time. Most importantly, I started to feel like I didn’t quite fit in. I was the only single woman for miles, and I’m sure my neighbours thought I was crazy for moving to the country alone. There were no singles in the area to meet. From beach days to dinner parties, I was always the third wheel. My friends would meet new friends through other couples and their kids’ sports and school programs. I was walking my dog and the loneliness started to weigh on me. 

Looking back, I didn’t have much in common with the rural demographic. While I was waiting for the one sushi restaurant in town to open, the locals went snowmobiling and hunting. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that lifestyle, but the community hardly reflected the Hallmark movie of rural life playing in my head. Where were the hot lawyers from the big cities visiting their families during the holidays?

Then Christmas came. I missed the holiday sparkle in Yorkville and Sherway Gardens. If I wanted an in-person shopping experience, I’d have to trek to London in blizzard-like conditions, and the risk wouldn’t be worth a mid-tier mall.

In spring 2021, Toronto was opening. It was my cue to visit—a concert here, a sporting event there. Then my visits became more frequent, and I realized that Toronto’s big-city energy had returned. Maybe I could stay at Grand Bend and satisfy my need for culture with a few visits to the city each month? I was stuck in a four hour traffic jam one weekend after watching a Leafs match. My mind was racing. I was thinking about something at that time. “All I want is to stay in Toronto.”The universe appeared to agree. 

In March 2022 I accepted a job from a downtown advertising agency. I was able to work remotely initially, but had to return to Toronto in January 2023. It was a great surprise. I’d already been fantasizing about what life back in the city would be like. A few days before my new job was to begin, the company abruptly shut down due to losing its client. I was angry, but I already made my decision: it was time for me to move back to Toronto. I listed my Grand Bend property and began to prepare to move.

I wasn’t embarrassed by my reversal; I was relieved. I tried something new, and enjoyed it for a little while. But coming back to Toronto meant a long-term happy life. And the timing was perfect because it was a seller’s market: I sold my bungalow for more than $1 million. It ended up being the most lucrative investment of my life—money in the bank for my future in a city that is getting more expensive every day. 

I resolved to be as close to Toronto’s beaches as possible. Unfortunately, the housing prices have risen dramatically while I was away. Post Malone, my friend, and I eventually settled into a temporary home located between Leslieville Beaches. Then in November 2022 we moved to a brand-new unit in the Wonder Condos at Logan Avenue. I’m paying more than $4,000 in rent (a lot), but I want to ride out the current climate of increased property taxes and interest rates before buying.

I absolutely love being where I am right now. I love my east end sunrises as much I used to love being surrounded by the nature. To those who said I’d be back, you were right. And I’m happier than ever.

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