Comparing Toronto to Tokyo

An interesting discussion developed under one of my Facebook pictures regarding the comparison of Toronto vs. Tokyo. So I thought I would add my own thoughts on the subject. I really can't make a completely fair comparison. I spent ten years living in Toronto, and about two weeks living in Tokyo. I feel I need to live here at least one year before I can judge fairly. But my initial impression is that almost everything I like about Toronto, I get the same in Tokyo except many times over:

- I like Toronto because it has a subway system so it's easy to get around without a car. But Tokyo's train system is much, much better and can take me to many more places.
- I like Toronto because I can see lots of people and the streets are lively. But in Tokyo I can see many more people, and the streets are much more lively.
- I like Toronto because I can get interesting Japanese food at some grocery stores like ingredients for okonomiyaki, chirashizushi, etc. In Tokyo I have lots more selection and the price is much cheaper.
- I like Toronto because I can meet lots of people from other parts of the world. I especially like to make friends with Japanese so I can use my Japanese language. In Tokyo I have many more opportunities to meet and speak with Japanese people. I also have met people here from France, Hong Kong, England, Korea, etc.
- In Toronto I can see interesting concerts from artists I like such as Puffy AmiYumi and Shonen Knife. But in Tokyo I can also see concerts from Hamasaki Ayumi, Koda Kumi, and other favorites that would never make the journey to Toronto.
- In Toronto I can get a good job and make a decent salary. But in Tokyo it seems I can make a better salary even to start, and as my language skill improves I can make considerably more money.
- In Toronto I can live downtown so that it's convenient to walk to most places. From Christie I could walk to Dufferin Mall, the grocery store, many restaurants, etc. But in Kichijoji I can literally walk to almost anywhere that I would go in all of downtown Toronto.

I'm the first person to say that Tokyo is not for everybody. Even most Japanese seem to complain about Tokyo. They say it's too busy, and too crowded. And there are some things I will definitely miss about Toronto.

But for me, I prefer Tokyo. It's why I gave up almost everything I had, just to have a chance to roll the dice and see if I can make a life for myself here. It doesn't mean Toronto is "bad" per se, but given the choice, I prefer to live in a city that is well-suited for the kind of life I like to live. And Tokyo is exactly that city.