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| Subject: Two week report |
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So we ´ve been in Canada for two weeks now, although it seems much longer. Here are a few general observations so far:
* I know we read it time and time again, but it´s true. Things are expensive here compared to the US. Groceries, gas, clothing, coffee...it seems most things are a good 50% more expensive, so we´re not sure how that will work out for us, especially given the hit in income. At $11.99 for a 6 pack of decent beer, I guess we´ll be giving up the pleasure effective immediately.
* I feel like I´m in a time warp. I mean no offense here whatsoever, but I keep having flashbacks to my childhood. Banking, bottle deposit depositories, Sunday hours...it feels like 1980 to me. This is not all bad. The driving here is generally courteous and most people actually follow the speed limit (note: no, I am NOT in Toronto, where this is obviously not the case). It´s safe where we are too; a lot of people don´t lock their doors.
* Customer service is perhaps not on the same playing level as in the US.
* The accents are wonderful, the air is clean, and the scenery beautiful.
Time will tell if we fit in here, but my guess is that we won´t be severing ties with the US any time soon. Overall not a bad start, but perhaps not the start I envisioned.
[19-08-2008,19:56]
[***.166.78.243]
wannabecanadian |
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(in reply to: Two week report)
Wannabe,
I (must be all from the US) also felt that all of a sudden life became very expensive in Canada.
But this should´ve been included in your calculation I believe.
Here is a little tip from my side. That is the same old proverb, time will heal everything. You´ll get used to with it. When I first came to know that I had to pay parking to visit my friends/relatives in some apartments it was simply unbelievable. I was also outrageous at the first few months, then kind a settled down with time, as I´ve no control over consumer price by any way and just had to control my expenses and always be on look out for the deals in the area, locate cheaper grocerry..
"Customer service is perhaps not on the same playing level as in the US"
This was another top reason apart of the job problem that depressed me a whole lot. Again, no control over it. You have to be patient and don´t let everything on others. You alsways have to be persuasive.
Driving like you said can be anything. Most likely your are in a less ppopualted area so not not facing the much problem. Toronto wasn´t great true, but not so bad also. I felt rather than bad driving, regular congestion on the freeways/collectors/arterial is the major challenge there. In winter, it is fueled by snow and in summer by the construction works (provided only few months for construction/mainteance to finish). However, in the east coast the worse driving expereicne may be observed in Montreal. Toronto is nothing to that.
Anyway, wish you even better.
[19-08-2008,20:54]
[**.207.127.42]
DC |
(in reply to: Two week report)
thanks for the report!
Yes things are more expensive here, after 4 months here I am still adjusting to this. DC said it right, you get used to it.
Things get better with time.
Keep in touch
[19-08-2008,21:56]
[**.146.39.116]
CBV333 |
(in reply to: Two week report)
High cost of everything made quite an impression on us during our time there. I knew we could adjust, but what struck me was the impact over a lifetime of working and saving. How would retirement ultimately look with what´s left over after life-long costly mortgage, utilities, taxes, groceries, auto insurance, gasoline, etc.? I´m not wanting to whine, but this was an issue for us to consider. I had the impression many in the area where we were located lived paycheck to paycheck.
But then what do I know? I want and like universal health care and good social services, yet whine about the cost of everything. Go figure.
Alternatively, reasonable and affordable house prices could easily offset much of these costs of the long term, along with free (practically) and guaranteed health care.
Not sure why DC and/or others didn´t like Toronto, but we loved it. I guess to each his own. Eclectic, diverse, vibrant, lowest crime rate of any major North American city, and beautiful areas and neighborhoods. But then, DC loved London (yeech) and dislikes any big "mega" city :).
[19-08-2008,23:03]
[**.47.173.225]
Richard |
(in reply to: Two week report)
for what its worth - I could not adjust to living there either. :) Way too rural for me.
[19-08-2008,23:05]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Two week report)
You are correct Richard, I typically do not like mega city life at all; nothing absolutely particular aganist Toronto. I can´t think myself settled in NY or LA for the same reason. Of course I wouldn´t mind living in Albany or Santa Ana.
Irony is, to me what particularly aganist Toronto is what you like it most; the diversity. I like diversity and also believe it also must have a limit. Tornto diversity was way too much for me and I don´t want to say why & color myself as "racist", especially that would sound funny considering myself also an colored immigrant. Toronto gave me a good lesson though, for what I feel grateful to Toronto otherwise probably I would live my entire life in a fantasy world dreaming for a colorful multicultural city.
It is good that some folks are like me, some are like you and Sharon; othrwise all would fight with each other in the same place.
[19-08-2008,23:38]
[**.207.127.42]
DC |
(in reply to: Two week report)
The funny thing, DC, is that though you prefer to live in a less-diverse North American city, by living there you make it instantly more diverse. (just in good fun)
[20-08-2008,00:24]
[**.47.173.225]
Richard |
(in reply to: Two week report)
some of our higher Canadian costs are a direct result of our socialist type socieity. You need money for universal health care and welfare and training programs and low income guarantees. It´s a trade off and sometimes a shock to those who want those things but have no idea what the price tag is.
Personally, I would rather pay my taxes for child care than a military.
[20-08-2008,00:49]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Two week report)
LOL
Richard, that was the fun part, for what I don´t want to express my feeling. Who wants to be a joker?
Practically you are correct, now I settled in a city where almost half of the population is minority (not immigrant though).
[20-08-2008,00:54]
[**.207.127.42]
DC |
(in reply to: Two week report)
there is Immigration Discussion site where you can post your timeline or read others..
http://www.e-ordi.com/id373.html
[20-08-2008,02:33]
[**.54.164.175]
Anonymous |
(in reply to: Two week report)
Wannabe
Yes in your area a car will stop and let a person cross the street just because their standing on the shoulder. I remember those days fondly. lol
There was an announcement yesterday that school supplies are 10% higher in Canada and our stronger dollar could not quickly enough adjust to the price difference. Now our dollar is not worth as much as it was two or three months ago or now actually 10% less so it all works out.
For some who are anti Toronto because of its diversity we choose to live just outside of Toronto and then go into Toronto to enjoy that diversity when we want to. Can´t wait to hop knob with the rich and famous during the Toronto Film Festival in early September so come for a visit.
I also did enjoy filling up a whole case of wine bottles at the NS liquor store for a lot cheaper then I can get the same stuff here.
Talk to the locals about simple things and you will find a different way of thinking and soon you will be one with everyone else.
Have a great life.
Roy
www.cvimmigration.com
[20-08-2008,08:40]
[**.52.219.184]
Roy |
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