Things the City has taught me

It has been 6 months since I started commuting “by-city” between New York and Toronto. And yes, New Yorkers, Toronto is the third largest city in North America. So what have I learned in my short/feels more like long time here? Here are my top 10 things to know — outside of the tech world — in the city.

1. Sex in the City lied, heels are impossible

I love my heels. LOVE. Last I counted, before moving in with my man and our limited closet space, I owned over 50 pairs. The higher and more colorful, the better. And then I moved to NYC. Ladies, Carrie lied. Wearing heels in this city is next to impossible (see #2). That’s not to say that I don’t have a few pairs in my closet here, but I am sad to say they are gathering dust. Sigh.

2. Speaking of heels, a 20 block walk is nothing

Walk, walk, walk. My fantasies of hailing cabs (in heels) like they do in the movies were quickly squashed. I tried to take cabs to meetings. And every time I experienced traffic hell. If it is under 30 blocks, walking it is. If not, subway baby — which unlike Toronto has more than two lines.

3. Classpass!

My co-founders Josh and Tom are going to kill me for this one since they hear it ALL the time, but man do I love Classpass. So many great classes to take, so little time. And FYI to my fellow Canadians, these aren’t Goodlife classes; they take fitness serious. I am happy to provide recommendations.

4. It’s like they forgot grocery stores

I am not sure what is going on in the grocery world in NYC, but it took me until last week to find one that (a) had great food, (b) had fresh produce, (c) didn’t cost me a fortune. Yes, I know to be a true New Yorker I should be ordering everything to my home (literally EVERYTHING can be delivered), but I actually like to cook. And yes, I walk 20 blocks to get to my new found store.

5. I no longer walk at a regular pace

GET OUT OF MY WAY. Serious. Why do all people walk so slow? And why are they always in front of me when I am running late? Pick it up people!

6. Every other city seems dead

I see more people on my street corner in the morning then I will the whole day on King West (Toronto). I had heard this was the case but didn’t truly believe it. At my alma matter, Western’s, AGM in London, Ontario (Go Mustangs!), I had to call Josh I was so freaked out at the end of the night — there was not one person on the street. It didn’t seem right.

7. Go to the Lower East Side

If you haven’t been, go. A little Queen West and Ossington mixed into one. When I used to come visit the city with my girls we never left Meatpacking. But since #1, I feel much more at ease in this hood. And you can brunch, bottomless.

8. 10 pm is way too late to meet you for dinner if you are visiting

Yes, yes, I know… when I used to visit that is the time I made reso’s. To be honest, I am not sure this is a symptom of me living here, me getting old, or me co-founding a startup, but 10 pm is way too late people. Or meet me for brunch (see #7).

9. Yellow cabs, not ubers

It is next to impossible for the uber driver to get the corner, direction, or area you are in, right. And you don’t want to have to dodge traffic to find them. Somehow the GPS never seems to work. Regardless, yellow cabs are super cheap if you are going to take one (see #2).

10. Going outside my neighborhood is an excursion

Tom told me this tid bit when we got here. I thought I would explore more. But much like living in Toronto, your world becomes very insular. And, at the end of a long day, sometimes the best medicine is Netflix and chill (wow, please see #8). But if you visit, I will clean myself up and get out! So please do!

I can’t wait to see what I learn in the next 6-months. This city excites and surprises me almost every day, and truly inspires as we work towards bringing Hyr to life.

Until next time,

Erika