Coworking in Toronto

This week, we’re coworking in Toronto. The first day I am near the old city hall — a striking romanesque, revival architecture building in the center of downtown. You know you’re central when the word TORONTO rests on the map directly above where you are at that moment.

The receptionist at Agile Offices greets me with wifi code in hand. She tours me through the space and directs me to a quiet, dedicated desk next to a handful of conference rooms. At lunch, I venture to Bannok for soft pita-esque pockets filled with salmon and take my shake back to enjoy over afternoon meetings.

A desk option in central Toronto at Agile Offices

After a busy day at Agile, I bid farewell to my venue host and head outside, deciding to brave local, public transport. It’s raining. Living in San Francisco, I sort of forget about rain. Completely unprepared — and now drenched — I board the streetcar, clenching my tiny TTC token. This little guy is soon to become a collector’s item as Toronto updates to Presto cards. My only conciliation is this snap of Toronto in the rain.

A couple in the rain enjoys the city views

The next day, I decide to book a desk at The Rostie Group which is located in a beautiful, full-service building just a block away from the water. The crowd is mostly tourists. I watch as the ferry takes passengers to Toronto Island, and a newly developed boardwalk offers plenty of strolling, biking and views. The venue is divided into separate areas for quiet work and for taking calls or socializing. Well appointed private offices and team spaces offer harbor views and tropical fish tanks in the kitchen and hallway, give guests a fun surprise. I don’t find interesting coffee or lunch spots in the area and decide to skip both. Later that evening, I made my way to Kensington where cafes, gelato, craft stores and casual food stops abound and relaxed over a crepe.

A desk option on the Harbourfront

Art, Cafes and Local Eats aplenty at Kensington

Local tips for digital nomads working from Toronto:

• Public transportation gets you virtually everywhere
• The PATH is a set of underground tunnels used to escape bad weather
• Some streetcar stops are underground
• Kensington is a fun locals’ spot for dining
• Pho, a Vietnamese broth, is quite popular (and tasty taboot!)
• A collection of work-ready spaces comes in handy