Toronto

Umeboshi–beurre blanc veggies, vinyl nights, canoe excursions.

long considered the center of Canada’s self-contained universe, Toronto has seen considerable growth, culturally and commercially, over the past decade. Or, to quote hometown hero

Drake, “Shit is hot up in the 6 right now.” And not just because of the Raptors’ recent NBA championship or the Museum of Contemporary Art’s multimillion-dollar makeover. Researchers at Ryerson University declared Toronto the continent’s fastest-growing city earlier this summer, with newarrival numbers (around 77,000 people last year) far outpacing those of Phoenix, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Seattle. But much like North America’s other top-ten cities in terms of population totals and pressing redevelopment plans (Houston, L.A., New York), Ontario’s capital is often caught between its steadfast ambition and looming concerns over affordability and sustainability. That doesn’t seem to be deterring residents from riding out the rising costs and extortionate real estate. Torontonians are very passionate about being Torontonians. A lot of that has to do with the city’s diversity; as of the last census, more than half of its 2.73 million people identified as “visible minorities,” and 46.1 percent fell under “foreign born.” Couple that with the sheer density and scale of Toronto’s 140 official neighborhoods and you’re left with a detailed snapshot of Canada itself. The fall, when the air is crisp and comforting (and before things get dreary), is the ideal time to explore its extremely accessible green spaces, eclectic food scene, and back-alley clothing boutiques.