08/11/2026
You can always tell who is new here
No judgment.
We’ve ALL done at least one of these.
But if you recently moved here from Toronto or Scarborough and you’re doing these things… congratulations.
You’ve officially outed yourself as new to Durham Region.
1. You think Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa are basically the same.
They’re beside each other.
That’s about where the similarities end. 😂
Give it a few months and you’ll have surprisingly strong opinions about which one is better.
2. You get on the 401 at the wrong time thinking, “It’ll be fine.”
It will not be fine.
Eventually, you start planning your entire day around when you’re willing to deal with the 401.
3. You still drive back to Scarborough or Toronto for everything.
Your barber.
Your favourite restaurant.
Your grocery spot.
Your friends.
Then you start finding your spots in Durham and suddenly driving 40 minutes for dinner doesn’t sound so appealing anymore.
4. You think Durham basically ends at Oshawa.
Then somebody mentions Brooklin, Courtice, Bowmanville, Uxbridge or Port Perry and you realize…
Wait Durham is HUGE and it goes all the way up to Brock and Newcastle
5. You keep telling everyone, “Toronto really isn’t that far.”
Until somebody invites you downtown at 5 p.m. on a Tuesday.
Suddenly Toronto feels like another province. 😂
The funny thing?
Give it enough time and YOU become the person telling your Toronto friends:
“Why don’t you guys just come out here?”
What would you add to the list? 👇
Thinking about moving from Toronto to Durham Region? Comment “DR” and I’ll send you my free Durham Region Relocation Guide to help you figure out which community fits your lifestyle.
