[caya]

I live in a suburb called Thornhill, just north of the Toronto city boundary lines. It's true that the transit system in the burbs isn't as good as in the city itself, but things are improving.

I have been very happy with the care I have received since I had my dx. in Oct. 2006. I found out on a Thursday afternoon, my GP had my DH and I in her office the next afternoon, and she already had referred me to 2 doctors downtown - my breast surgeon at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), which is a world reknowned cancer hospital, probably in the top 5 in the world, and my oncologist, at Mount Sinai Hospital, right next door to PMH. I chose to be treated at these hospitals, no insurance company or HMO dictates which dr. I saw and at which hospital. I saw both of these specialists within 10 days. Despite alot of the bad press you hear in the States, the wait times for certain procedures are exaggerated and the exception, not the rule.

My oncologist and I determine the drugs/protocol I receive, I do not have to answer to any insurance company. I have had MRIs and CT scans when my drs. and I felt it necessary, with no worries about payment or filling out forms. The drs. and the chemo nurses are top notch, but again Toronto is generally equated as being the "New York City" of Canada, so you will be getting the "best of the best" here.

Our system is not perfect, and we do pay higher taxes here, but everyone is covered at all times. You do not have to worry that if you lose your job, you will lose your health care - this can NEVER happen here. So all in all, I think most Canadians will tell you that our universal health care system is something we appreciate, would never give up, and would willingly pay higher taxes for.

The city itself is very multicultural, with lots of culture, dining, etc. It's a great place to live. But check out the status of the drugs you need to get and all the ramifications involved, this will definitely have an impact on your decision.

all the best
caya