Best online or local services: Toronto edition
December 31, 2014 8:48 AM   Subscribe

I saw the question "Best online or local services for an easier life" earlier on Ask MetaFilter. It's focused on Houston and the U.S. Can you recommend some services that can make my life easier or eliminate time-consuming tasks or hassles in Toronto?
posted by grouse to Grab Bag (6 answers total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
If you happen to live downtown, a bike and a backpack are two very useful tools for doing all sorts of chores. Great for grocery shopping, or doing multiple chores that require going to multiple locations. Eliminates the hassle of TTC or finding parking.
posted by spacediver at 9:23 AM on December 31, 2014 [2 favorites]


I have two transportation-related suggestions:

1a. Membership to Bike Share Toronto. Useful if you live and/or work downtown (I do both). If need to run an errand at lunch, say, I can get on a bike and go. I don't have to worry about locking up my own bike, repairs or anything. I don't have to plan in the morning to take my own bike with me so I can do errand x and then remember to bring my bike home.

1b. Get the spotcycle app to locate bikeshare stations and how many bikes/free spots are at those stations.

2. TTC app (e.g. transitnowtoronto, see also this). I love this app! You can save your regular streetcar/bus stop and when you leave home/work/wherever determine when the next vehicle is coming. Or look up whatever stop you're at. No more guessing games in determining when the next vehicle is coming. App says next bus is in 10 mins? Great, I have enough time to get a snack.
posted by foxjacket at 9:42 AM on December 31, 2014


well.ca is a useful Canadian source for some of the more boring things one has to shop for at pharmacies or grocery stores. Generally I prefer to shop locally, but most of the things I get from well.ca I would be buying at a Pharmaprix (aka Shoppers Drug Mart) or big grocery store anyway. A typical order – dish and laundry detergent, Brita filters, toothpaste, garbage bags, shampoo. Only catch is you need to be home for delivery. (I have no connection with well.ca)
posted by zadcat at 10:15 AM on December 31, 2014


If money's not an object, grocerygateway.com is wonderful, at least for basic/prepackaged stuff. Not so good for fresh fruit & veg.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:37 AM on December 31, 2014 [1 favorite]


Hurrier has been a really handy thing to have around when you need something (usually food) delivered. Not cheap enough to use everyday, but it's a service I'm glad is there when needed.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 3:59 PM on December 31, 2014




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