From Toronto to Greenfield Băneasa: What returning home looks like for a young family

For many Romanians leaving the country, returning is not part of the plan. Most of the time, leaving comes with the idea of a definitive new beginning.

And for Mihaela Zaharia and her husband, moving to Canada in 2017 meant exactly that. Toronto was the place where they would build their lives further. Except, sometimes, plans change faster than you expect.

„A few months after emigrating, we realized that financially, we could have a good life back home with our jobs.”

It wasn't an impulsive decision, but one that settled in gradually. Longing for family weighed more and more, and the pandemic period accelerated everything.

„We were losing relatives, friends, and we wanted to be with our loved ones as quickly and as close as possible.”

Return: a few things, a new beginning

In the summer of 2020, they returned to Romania. Not with much luggage, but with a clear idea of what they wanted.

„I only had two or three suitcases of clothes and memories, and I started a new life here.”

They had established a few simple criteria: the northern area of Bucharest, proximity to nature, and a well-defined budget. In this context, Greenfield Băneasa quickly became a serious option — all the more so as Mihaela's sister already lived there and confirmed it was a suitable place for a family.

The apartment The one they chose was, in many ways, the practical solution they needed at that moment: it fit the budget and was already furnished.

But beyond that, it was the beginning of a completely new phase.

The first months: time, discoveries, and adaptation

The adaptation was not abrupt, but rather natural.

In the first few months, working on Canadian time, Mihaela had her mornings free—a detail that turned into an unexpected advantage.

The time spent with her granddaughter became a daily routine, and the neighborhood was discovered step by step:

„We were looking for «treasures» in the forest, building bunkers out of branches, playing in the parks with other children, and constantly interacting with neighbors.”

Even though the neighborhood didn't have all the amenities it has today back then, the direct experience was enough to shape one essential thing: what childhood could look like in such a place.

Community: the difference that isn't seen in pictures

The years spent in Canada offered them a clear point of comparison.

„Canadians are extremely polite, but it was hard to make true friends.”

Relationships were more formal, more planned, more distant.

„We didn't schedule meetings weeks in advance, and personal space was extremely well respected.”

In Greenfield, things have been different from the very beginning—not through anything spectacular, but through small, repetitive gestures that build over time.

„We became friends with our neighbors, we help each other with various things, with food, with a warm soup when the child is sick.”

This is the type of community where you don't feel like you're bothering anyone if you ask for help, and where relationships don't need to be scheduled into a calendar.

Between city and nature: a recognized balance

One of the things they liked about Toronto was the combination of urban infrastructure and access to nature.

The surprise was to find a similar balance in Bucharest, in a different context.

Meanwhile, the neighborhood has developed considerably: commercial spaces, restaurants, cafes, services, and a wellness center.

„We enjoy going out to restaurants in Greenfield Plaza, where we can expect impeccable service and a varied menu, or at coffee shops with single-origin coffee.”

For Mihaela, even the small details matter:

„I really like the shop with plants and items made by Romanian artisans—it's a place where you feel like staying and discovering stories.”

Daily rhythm: simpler, more present

One of the most visible changes is how an ordinary day looks.

„Mornings start with a walk in the park or in the forest, especially if the weather is nice.”

Time spent outside is no longer an exception or a planned activity, but a natural part of the routine.

Afternoons bring meetings with other parents and children, and evenings often end up outside again with a short walk.

„Having nature just steps away helps us to be more relaxed and present in our family life.”

Life with a child: real support, not just amenities

After becoming parents, many things that seemed like „nice-to-haves” became essential.

The community was one of them.

„I feel amazing having other moms around me – we help and support each other.”

At the same time, the neighborhood's amenities contributed to daily comfort.

„The Wellness club pool is another tremendous benefit. I had the most beautiful summer with my son, at the pool and in the forest.”

The experience was so relaxing that many of my friends who visited said the same thing:

that life here is like that of a resort.

The small moments that say the most

Sometimes, what defines a place isn't the big things, but the seemingly insignificant moments.

After a heavy snowfall, the children went out to play, they made sledding hills, laughed, and ran all over.

„A mom went out with warm donuts and shared them with the children.”

For Mihaela, that moment had a strong personal resonance:

„I remembered my childhood, in the countryside, the games in the street.”

A type of experience that seems increasingly rare in the city, but still exists in communities where people are connected to each other.

The homecoming that redefined „home”

For Mihaela and her family, returning to Romania was not just a change of country.

It was a choice that redefined what „home” means: proximity to family, access to nature, a quieter pace, and a community where relationships naturally develop.

Sometimes, the place you return to ends up being the place where you truly begin.

Part of the series „Greenfield Băneasa. Real Life, Day by Day.” 

#GreenfieldZiDeZi