I am planning to migrate to Canada, I would really appreciate some feedback from people already settled there.

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whiteknuckleit

Hi,

Canada varies on price depending on the province. Vancouver is the most expensive apartment with a one bedroom apartment around $800 while other smaller cities can be only $500.Toronto is very big and there is a lot to do.

It has a lot of gang violence, though. It has the biggest gang problem in all of Canada. There is a lot of crime, so of course I wouldn't recommend leaving children/teenagers alone downtown and in the seedy neighborhoods. Some cities in Canada are much better when it comes to crime. The crime in downtown even in the daytime is very viewable, whereas smaller cities do not have as much 'hard' crime. Oh, and there has been a lot in the news about the guns in Toronto. I have heard it called Canada's Detroit.

People in Canada are nice, but you have to understand there are a lot of people who aren't born Canadians living in Canada; escpecially Toronto. Not everybody will be nice to you but in the smaller cities people are much more friendlier and it is easier to get to know your community better. You should look into other cities besides Toronto, but if you are already used to the big city life maybe you won't have a problem. You need money to live in Toronto or else you will end up in a gang ridden neighborhood which isn't, in my opinion, safe for children.

Every city has it's problems and personaly, I did not like Toronto. Too much crime and the people were very standoffish and fast paced. But maybe it would be different if I ever went back. There must be a niche for everybody, and like I said, if you have the money it could be very comfortable. Plenty of nice neighborhoods to raise children.

Andrew

there are two seasons summer and winter. Bring thermal wear and arctic clothing for the winter - bring skimpy stuff for the summer. In toronto it is multicultural - multinational so you will make lots of friends. In the smaller cities and towns people are rednecks and ignorant to foreigners - whats the word ? xenophobia. I live in Oshawa and have seen alot of racism - as much as the u.s. Move to Toronto or Vancouver - you will be welcomed there and make lots of friends. Don't move to anywhere in Quebec unless you know french - not parisian - the one that they speak here. Don't move to the East Coast - pretty but dirt poor. Toronto is a great place for immigrants as is Vancouver. You will like the weather in Vancouver the most as you can just bring what you have and wont need to buy a new wardrobe. Oh .. British Columbia - where Vancouver is - that is exempted from the 2 seasons - they get all 4 . Gorgeous -- I've been there - looks much better than here in Ontario.

redmouse

First of all, just prepare yourself with lots of money, because everything that you need cost you so much. Car insurance especially. No matter where you live, just to start until you find yourself a job or two (which you need to survive) then bring as much money as you can. Canada is a very pretty country but can't really offer a lot in terms of jobs. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of jobs, but they only pay so little that you can barely survive not having 2 jobs. It's very hard to get rich in Canada since you are paying taxes so much.
Don't mean to bring you down, but you need to know and gather all the fact before you move.

Good luck to you

fatsausage

Avoid Toronto.

Mightymo

The taxes here are atrocious, living expenses are ridiculously high, Toronto thinks it's the center of the universe, they're whiners , complainers and demanding. I live outside in a small town and I go maybe three times a year to TO. Generally in the smaller cities and towns the people are much friendlier and there's not as much crime. TO crime rate is really bad for the past two years and the traffic is unbelievable. Think hard before you come here. It's not the way it used to be.

queenbee

I live in Toronto and I love it. I am a mother of 2 boys {14 and 9} and there is alot to do in Toronto and the surrounding areas. Yes we have a Zoo and parks and there are a lot of ice rink, it is Canada and we play hockey here. Living expenses depend on what area you are planning to move to, if you are buying or renting. I rent and and pay about $1,200.00/mth for a 3 bedroom townhouse all utilities included. I just pay for phone and cable on top of that. Phone is about $40 - $50/mth and cable is $80 -$90/mth. I can feed a family of 4 on about $150/week. Gas and car insurance is crazy no matter where you go. I hope this helped and good luck.

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