Replying to Toronto GTA area

I will be recently moving to new-market area for a job (fabricator/welder), and I was wondering if any of the locals have any advice they can give me on the driving. I have driven in the Toronto area once and it seems like you guys either go under 100 on the 404 or over 140, no happy medium. My main question is what is traffic like in the morning? Is it as bad as I hear with gridlock traffic and a 15 minute drive taking an hour? Also what are some cool things to do in Toronto that cost little to no money, as I will be making Mexican wages until I prove my self competent to my new employer. Last question is, does the GTA have any reserves so I can buy my cigarettes.