From There to Here: Alberto and Mira When Alberto Anabalon and Mira Grkavoic made the decision to leave Toronto behind, it wasn’t just about moving cities; it was about redefining their lifestyle: the pandemic changed everything. “We used to live in Midtown Toronto,” Mira recalls. “And then COVID hit, and Alberto wanted a house, but we couldn’t afford a $1.6 million home in Toronto.” A Toronto Life magazine article introduced her to the idea of St. Thomas. “I’d never heard of it before, but we thought, let’s check this place out.” Their first visit was in February. “We walked around downtown, had lunch at a fast-food chain,” Mira says. “People were lovely. Even the police were kind when we asked about crime rates.” The couple kept returning every weekend, exploring neighbourhoods and viewing homes. Alberto, originally from Chile, moved to Canada in 2008 and describes this new move as a shared adventure. “When I left Chile, it was my first time away from my parents. Mira had lived in Japan for three years. So for us, coming to a city we’d never heard of before was exciting. It felt like we were doing this big thing together.” As a real estate agent, Alberto used his access to MLS listings to their advantage. While affordability drove their search, St. Thomas stood out. “We liked that for our budget, we were looking at nicer neighbourhoods than in other places we considered,” he says. “We wanted a home that needed a bit of work, like painting, drywall -- stuff we could do ourselves.” The couple now lives in a mature neighbourhood with plenty of trees and character homes. They’ve embraced renovation projects and continue improving their home. Their two COVID- era adopted kittens also enjoy the space, which was another deciding factor in their move. But it wasn’t just real estate that won them over -- it was the people. “I found the people here a lot friendlier, kinder, more receptive,” says Mira. “In Toronto, people are busy and keep walking. Here, when something happened to my car, three neighbours came over to help.”
Since settling in, they’ve fully immersed themselves in the community. Mira joined the board of the St. Thomas Public Library and the Elgin County Business Resource Centre. “I don’t think I would’ve done that in Toronto. Now, I feel like I belong. I want to be involved and to advocate for St. Thomas.” Alberto agrees although it took him a little longer to adjust. “I had a harder time falling in love with the city at first. But now I really appreciate the rhythm and pace of life here. It’s slower but in a good way. I feel more productive and focused.” They’ve found their go-to spots, too: Legends, Taco House, and Plaza Sushi. “We love showing off the city when our Toronto friends visit,” Mira adds. “We take them biking through downtown and Pinafore Park. The architecture here is beautiful.” For Alberto and Mira, St. Thomas isn’t just a new place to live; it’s home.
Page 4 Hometown St. Thomas • July-August 2025
To advertise here contact Geoff@VillagerPublications.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs