I moved to Canada for a 'utopia.' But the reality is it only offers half of what New York City does.

Tue, 12/19/2023 - 07:13

Stephen Clarke and his daughter Stevie Nia pose in front of a tree — Music producer Steve Clarke was ecstatic to send his daughter, Stevie Nia, to summer camp at affordable prices in Toronto.
Courtesy of Stephen Clarke

Music producer Steve Clarke, 47, moved with his daughter to Toronto in April.
Certain daily expenses are cheaper, like groceries and sending his daughter to summer camp.
But housing is just as out of reach in a city that he said has only "half of what New York has to offer."

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Steve Clarke, 47, a music producer who moved from the US to Canada earlier this year. The essay, which also incorporates quotes from emails between Clarke and BI, has been edited for length and clarity.