Growing up, I thought I’d find my forever home by the time I hit my mid-twenties. But here I am, 34, and if my life were a travel map, it’d look like a game of hopscotch. I spent my first 26 years in Calgary (minus that year-long detour in Turkey and a semester in Spain where I mostly ate my way through every tapas bar I could find), and now I’ve clocked seven years in Toronto. But honestly? I still haven’t found that elusive “forever” home.
Yet, what I have found is a deep love for both cities and an appreciation for the incredible humans I’ve met along the way—whether they were the kind to shovel snow off my car in Calgary or the kind to share a knowing nod when the Toronto subway is yet again delayed. So, let’s take a little stroll through my two homes, filled with all the quirks, love, and maybe a bit of homesickness, too.
Calgary: The Original Love Story Ah, Calgary. My first true love. Picture this: the majestic Rockies, a Stampede that’s 10% rodeo and 90% deep-fried everything, and winters that test your will to live. This city raised me, taught me how to survive a -30°C day (hint: it involves layers and sheer stubbornness), and gave me my first taste of freedom, driving down Deerfoot with the mountains in my rearview mirror.
But Calgary isn’t just about cowboy boots and chinooks (those warm winter winds that feel like a miracle). It’s the kind of place where you can leave your car running to warm up in winter and not worry that it’ll disappear. It’s where people smile at you on the street (even if you’re bundled up like a walking sleeping bag). It’s where I built friendships that go back decades and where people still ask, “You’re really living in Toronto now?” like I’ve joined the dark side.
Sure, sometimes I miss the mountain views and being able to see for miles without a skyscraper in sight. But there’s a certain charm in Calgary’s earnestness, the way everyone shows up for each other—even if it’s just to help push your car out of a snowbank.
That Year in Turkey and a Semester of Tapas: The Side Quests Before we get to my Toronto era, let’s take a quick detour. There was that year in Turkey where I learned how to bargain at the markets and ate baklava like it was a full-time job. And let’s not forget that semester in Spain, which was basically me “studying” Spanish culture through churros and tortilla Española. These side quests taught me that the best way to make friends is to share food—and that sometimes, you need to get a little lost to find yourself.
These adventures gave me a taste of life beyond Alberta, and while I didn’t come back with a forever home, I did return with a sense of wanderlust and the realization that the world is a lot bigger than my childhood cul-de-sac.
Toronto: The City That Stole My Heart (And My Rent Budget) And then, there’s Toronto. If Calgary is my hometown sweetheart, Toronto is the unpredictable fling that turned into something deeper. Sure, it’s got its flaws—like housing prices that make me question my life choices, and the traffic that has me considering a second career as a subway announcer (because, honestly, I think I could do a better job). But for every TTC delay, there’s a new restaurant to discover, a hidden park to explore, or a random street festival that I stumble upon on my way to grab groceries.
Toronto is where I learned how to parallel park without having a mild panic attack. It’s where I discovered that it’s totally normal to pay $7 for a latte, as long as it comes with oat milk and a sprinkle of artisanal foam. And it’s where I’ve met people from every corner of the world, each with their own stories and quirks that make this city feel like a constant adventure.
Toronto has a rhythm to it—a little chaotic, a little intense, but with moments of pure magic. It’s walking through Kensington Market on a Sunday afternoon, discovering the best dim sum in Chinatown, or getting lost in the endless shelves of a secondhand bookstore in the Annex. It’s a city that’s constantly evolving, and somehow, it’s made space for me, too.
Collecting People, One City at a Time The real reason I can’t choose between Calgary and Toronto? It’s the people. In Calgary, my friends have become like family—people who knew me back when I still thought side bangs were a good idea. They’re the ones who show up at my parents’ house for Thanksgiving, even when I’m not in town, and who still text me memes that only make sense if you’ve lived through a prairie winter.
In Toronto, I’ve found a new kind of tribe—people who share my love for urban hikes (a.k.a. wandering through alleys for the best street art), who will happily spend an afternoon café-hopping with me, and who understand the struggle of finding affordable rent in the city’s labyrinth of overpriced condos. It’s a place where I’ve built new traditions, like grabbing sushi takeout and watching the sunset at the waterfront or discovering which of my friends can survive the heat of the latest hipster hot sauce.
And sure, sometimes it’s hard not knowing where I’ll eventually settle down. But there’s a certain beauty in feeling at home wherever you are—in knowing that no matter which city I land in, I’ve got people who’ll make me feel like I belong.
Home Isn’t Just a Place—It’s a Feeling So, maybe I haven’t found my forever home yet. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe home isn’t just about where you live, but about the people who fill those places with meaning—the friends who become your chosen family, the barista who remembers your complicated coffee order, the neighbors who wave as you navigate Toronto’s street parking like a pro.
It’s about finding a little piece of home in every city you visit, whether it’s in the mountain air of Calgary or the eclectic buzz of Toronto. It’s knowing that while I might not have picked a place to plant my roots for good, I’ve created a life that feels full, connected, and a little bit like a cross-country adventure.
Calgary, Toronto, or wherever life takes me next—each place has left its mark on my heart (and probably on my Instagram feed, too). And while I might not know where I’ll end up, I do know that I’m grateful for every friendship, every city skyline, and every moment that’s made me feel at home, even if just for a little while.
Are you a fellow city-hopper or have you found your forever home? Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear where you’ve planted your roots (or where you’re still wandering)!
Dresses every damn day 