currently in GTA
Dec 4th 2013, 9:07 am
#1
The Dude Abides
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: London
Posts: 168
currently in GTA
Hello, it's been a while since I posted on here, life has been pretty hectic these last few years. I moved to London and got a job I enjoy that pays well enough for me to save up to finally move out to Canada.
Initially I was looking at Vancouver as my destination of choice but since I started working as an AV technician I've realised that Toronto is where the work is and so I've been out here on a recce. I love the place!
It's a big city with a mellow vibe. I came out in the winter (not the proper winter, mind you, i need to work up to that!) figuring if I could fall for a city in the cold and the grey of December when the beautiful people are covered up and the sun is a distant memory I knew I could be happy here. I was right.
I've spent the last couple of days walking around different neighbourhoods and quarters of the city and just getting a feel for the place. I think the only way to really get a sense of a place is to get on your feet and walking about until you're shattered!
Now comes the next, hardest bit: actually pooling my resources and moving.
It's just me moving, no kids, no wife, minimal baggage (literal and figurative) and so on arrival I'll only need a room to stay in rather than having to find a house or apartment which should save time and more importantly money. I've managed to line up a few companies that are interested in interviewing me when I come out again so that's great news (one of them is the main company I wanted to work for so double bonus points!
).
With work paying me enough money to get by in the UK and tuck away money for the move I've been doing some sums:
Room: $500CAD/pm
Travel $120CAD/pm
Food + extra stuff: $100CAD
(I don't smoke, drink or drive so my outgoings are pretty low)
Rounding up, call it $750CAD/pm to live, $4,500CAD - $5,000CAD is a good sized amount to cover my ass for 5 or 6 months of living and job hunting. (that's £2,857 in old money, a total that should be pretty easy to collect over the next 3 or 4 months based on my current earnings and outgoings).
So I guess it's on! I've got a few more places to send my resume to in advance of arriving and setting up interviews.
A good feeling friends.
Just thought I'd share my thoughts and how things are going.
Cheerio!
Initially I was looking at Vancouver as my destination of choice but since I started working as an AV technician I've realised that Toronto is where the work is and so I've been out here on a recce. I love the place!
It's a big city with a mellow vibe. I came out in the winter (not the proper winter, mind you, i need to work up to that!) figuring if I could fall for a city in the cold and the grey of December when the beautiful people are covered up and the sun is a distant memory I knew I could be happy here. I was right.
I've spent the last couple of days walking around different neighbourhoods and quarters of the city and just getting a feel for the place. I think the only way to really get a sense of a place is to get on your feet and walking about until you're shattered!
Now comes the next, hardest bit: actually pooling my resources and moving.
It's just me moving, no kids, no wife, minimal baggage (literal and figurative) and so on arrival I'll only need a room to stay in rather than having to find a house or apartment which should save time and more importantly money. I've managed to line up a few companies that are interested in interviewing me when I come out again so that's great news (one of them is the main company I wanted to work for so double bonus points!
).With work paying me enough money to get by in the UK and tuck away money for the move I've been doing some sums:
Room: $500CAD/pm
Travel $120CAD/pm
Food + extra stuff: $100CAD
(I don't smoke, drink or drive so my outgoings are pretty low)
Rounding up, call it $750CAD/pm to live, $4,500CAD - $5,000CAD is a good sized amount to cover my ass for 5 or 6 months of living and job hunting. (that's £2,857 in old money, a total that should be pretty easy to collect over the next 3 or 4 months based on my current earnings and outgoings).
So I guess it's on!
I've got a few more places to send my resume to in advance of arriving and setting up interviews. A good feeling friends.
Just thought I'd share my thoughts and how things are going.
Cheerio!
Dec 4th 2013, 12:03 pm
#2
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,987
Re: currently in GTA
Hello, it's been a while since I posted on here, life has been pretty hectic these last few years. I moved to London and got a job I enjoy that pays well enough for me to save up to finally move out to Canada.
Initially I was looking at Vancouver as my destination of choice but since I started working as an AV technician I've realised that Toronto is where the work is and so I've been out here on a recce. I love the place!
It's a big city with a mellow vibe. I came out in the winter (not the proper winter, mind you, i need to work up to that!) figuring if I could fall for a city in the cold and the grey of December when the beautiful people are covered up and the sun is a distant memory I knew I could be happy here. I was right.
I've spent the last couple of days walking around different neighbourhoods and quarters of the city and just getting a feel for the place. I think the only way to really get a sense of a place is to get on your feet and walking about until you're shattered!ï
Now comes the next, hardest bit: actually pooling my resources and moving.
It's just me moving, no kids, no wife, minimal baggage (literal and figurative) and so on arrival I'll only need a room to stay in rather than having to find a house or apartment which should save time and more importantly money. I've managed to line up a few companies that are interested in interviewing me when I come out again so that's great news (one of them is the main company I wanted to work for so double bonus points! ).
With work paying me enough money to get by in the UK and tuck away money for the move I've been doing some sums:
Room: $500CAD/pm
Travel $120CAD/pm
Food + extra stuff: $100CAD
(I don't smoke, drink or drive so my outgoings are pretty low)
Rounding up, call it $750CAD/pm to live, $4,500CAD - $5,000CAD is a good sized amount to cover my ass for 5 or 6 months of living and job hunting. (that's £2,857 in old money, a total that should be pretty easy to collect over the next 3 or 4 months based on my current earnings and outgoings).
So I guess it's on! I've got a few more places to send my resume to in advance of arriving and setting up interviews.
A good feeling friends.
Just thought I'd share my thoughts and how things are going.
Cheerio!
Initially I was looking at Vancouver as my destination of choice but since I started working as an AV technician I've realised that Toronto is where the work is and so I've been out here on a recce. I love the place!
It's a big city with a mellow vibe. I came out in the winter (not the proper winter, mind you, i need to work up to that!) figuring if I could fall for a city in the cold and the grey of December when the beautiful people are covered up and the sun is a distant memory I knew I could be happy here. I was right.
I've spent the last couple of days walking around different neighbourhoods and quarters of the city and just getting a feel for the place. I think the only way to really get a sense of a place is to get on your feet and walking about until you're shattered!ï
Now comes the next, hardest bit: actually pooling my resources and moving.
It's just me moving, no kids, no wife, minimal baggage (literal and figurative) and so on arrival I'll only need a room to stay in rather than having to find a house or apartment which should save time and more importantly money. I've managed to line up a few companies that are interested in interviewing me when I come out again so that's great news (one of them is the main company I wanted to work for so double bonus points!
).With work paying me enough money to get by in the UK and tuck away money for the move I've been doing some sums:
Room: $500CAD/pm
Travel $120CAD/pm
Food + extra stuff: $100CAD
(I don't smoke, drink or drive so my outgoings are pretty low)
Rounding up, call it $750CAD/pm to live, $4,500CAD - $5,000CAD is a good sized amount to cover my ass for 5 or 6 months of living and job hunting. (that's £2,857 in old money, a total that should be pretty easy to collect over the next 3 or 4 months based on my current earnings and outgoings).
So I guess it's on!
I've got a few more places to send my resume to in advance of arriving and setting up interviews. A good feeling friends.
Just thought I'd share my thoughts and how things are going.
Cheerio!
Dec 5th 2013, 12:30 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: St Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Posts: 361
Re: currently in GTA
It is only my wife and I here, but our food bill is $100+ a week, and we are by no means extravagant.
We usually get what we need once a week, and eat out at least once at the weekend ( which isn't included in that figure) so $100 a month is very optimistic. Also, we are in Alberta, so only pay 5% GST, so I am guessing Toronto will be even more expensive.
We usually get what we need once a week, and eat out at least once at the weekend ( which isn't included in that figure) so $100 a month is very optimistic. Also, we are in Alberta, so only pay 5% GST, so I am guessing Toronto will be even more expensive.
Dec 5th 2013, 3:15 am
#4
The Dude Abides
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: London
Posts: 168
Re: currently in GTA
I don't eat extravagantly as a general rule but once I'm working out here and working I'll have more money to live on and spend on better quality food than beans and noodles!
Dec 5th 2013, 5:40 am
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: currently in GTA
Good luck. I think your estimates on living expenses are low - especially the one on food. You're going to eat on a little over $3 a day?
You'll have a 3 month wait for OHIP (health insurance) coverage. Are you going to purchase some private health insurance to fill the gap? Also remember that OHIP doesn't over things like dental and prescription drugs.
Does your room rental estimate cover utilities? It's cold in winter but hot in summer. You can spend as much or more money on staying cool in summer.
What is the travel expense? TTC? A monthly Metropass is $128.50. If you decided to pay cash, $120 is probably about right based on 20 round trips @ $6 a day ($3 per trip x 2). So the Metropass is a much better deal as travel is unlimited 7 days per week (with an extra fare required for downtown express routes).
You'll have a 3 month wait for OHIP (health insurance) coverage. Are you going to purchase some private health insurance to fill the gap? Also remember that OHIP doesn't over things like dental and prescription drugs.
Does your room rental estimate cover utilities? It's cold in winter but hot in summer. You can spend as much or more money on staying cool in summer.
What is the travel expense? TTC? A monthly Metropass is $128.50. If you decided to pay cash, $120 is probably about right based on 20 round trips @ $6 a day ($3 per trip x 2). So the Metropass is a much better deal as travel is unlimited 7 days per week (with an extra fare required for downtown express routes).
Last edited by MarylandNed; Dec 5th 2013 at 5:44 am.
Dec 5th 2013, 7:52 am
#6
Banned
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Durham Region Extension
Posts: 3,342
Re: currently in GTA
OP....
Don't know where you are pulling those numbers from, and yes you might have a contingency plan in place to fall back on "your student days ways", I still think your budget is out to lunch (no pun intended)
Even with a strict coupon regime, 100 dollars / pm is a pie in the sky thought, and $500/pm for a room? And then you worke up
Don't know where you are pulling those numbers from, and yes you might have a contingency plan in place to fall back on "your student days ways", I still think your budget is out to lunch (no pun intended)
Even with a strict coupon regime, 100 dollars / pm is a pie in the sky thought, and $500/pm for a room? And then you worke up
Dec 5th 2013, 9:56 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: St Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Posts: 361
Re: currently in GTA
OP....
Don't know where you are pulling those numbers from, and yes you might have a contingency plan in place to fall back on "your student days ways", I still think your budget is out to lunch (no pun intended)
Even with a strict coupon regime, 100 dollars / pm is a pie in the sky thought, and $500/pm for a room? And then you worke up
Don't know where you are pulling those numbers from, and yes you might have a contingency plan in place to fall back on "your student days ways", I still think your budget is out to lunch (no pun intended)
Even with a strict coupon regime, 100 dollars / pm is a pie in the sky thought, and $500/pm for a room? And then you worke up
Dec 5th 2013, 2:24 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Waterloo
Posts: 38
Re: currently in GTA
Hey,
So I thought I'd check your numbers out - been in TO 18 months.
Room: $500CAD/pm - doable within the TTC zone - check padmapper.com and show more filters in the search. select room only. Remember they may ask for 1st and last months rent.
Travel $120CAD/pm - doable - TTC is $3 a journey and you can transfer between bus, subway, and streetcar
Food + extra stuff: $100CAD - This is where you'll run in to trouble. Maybe up it to $300
A mobile phone might be good for setting up interviews etc - Wind are currently doing a good deal for $39/mth
So I thought I'd check your numbers out - been in TO 18 months.
Room: $500CAD/pm - doable within the TTC zone - check padmapper.com and show more filters in the search. select room only. Remember they may ask for 1st and last months rent.
Travel $120CAD/pm - doable - TTC is $3 a journey and you can transfer between bus, subway, and streetcar
Food + extra stuff: $100CAD - This is where you'll run in to trouble. Maybe up it to $300
A mobile phone might be good for setting up interviews etc - Wind are currently doing a good deal for $39/mth
Dec 6th 2013, 3:58 am
#9
Banned
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Durham Region Extension
Posts: 3,342
Re: currently in GTA
Wind are currently doing a good deal for $39/mth
Dec 6th 2013, 5:58 am
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,034
Re: currently in GTA
The potential problem with Wind is that their network is really small. Its fine if you never travel out of their area but if you do you can be paying a lot more or have no service.
Dec 6th 2013, 6:23 am
#11
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,023
Re: currently in GTA
I dropped into the Wind shop in Guelph. The man behind the counter showed me his phone, it was with Bell. "I come out here" he said, "Wind would be ok in Toronto".
Dec 6th 2013, 9:28 am
#13
The Dude Abides
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: London
Posts: 168
Re: currently in GTA
someone had to...
I'll be looking for a room that includes bills so that covers internet, phone, utilities, and the essential heating/ac. it won't be a palace that's for sure but I've lived in some sh*tholes in the UK so I'm pretty ready for a rough start.
As for food it was a baseline estimate. I don't eat a particularly fancy diet and I'm not renowned for cooking so as long as I have access to a microwave, bread, peanut butter and a hob for the occasional tin of something I'll be fine. It's pretty much how I live now and I only spend more day to day on food cos I have a job. reigning myself in isn't a big deal food-wise.
I'll be looking into the best phone deals. I only really use my data allowance to check my email or find out where the chuff I am on the maps and then I turn it off so I don't really need a big package (quiet you...)
It's going to be a struggle but I have no intention of getting off the plane and hoping that things will come together. I'm going to spend the next few months planning it thoroughly so I don't encounter any surprises when I arrive. I have a few interviews pencilled in for my arrival so I just need to add more to that over the coming months.
Many thanks for the input though guys, it's all valuable feedback
I'll be looking for a room that includes bills so that covers internet, phone, utilities, and the essential heating/ac. it won't be a palace that's for sure but I've lived in some sh*tholes in the UK so I'm pretty ready for a rough start.
As for food it was a baseline estimate. I don't eat a particularly fancy diet and I'm not renowned for cooking so as long as I have access to a microwave, bread, peanut butter and a hob for the occasional tin of something I'll be fine. It's pretty much how I live now and I only spend more day to day on food cos I have a job. reigning myself in isn't a big deal food-wise.
I'll be looking into the best phone deals. I only really use my data allowance to check my email or find out where the chuff I am on the maps and then I turn it off so I don't really need a big package (quiet you...)
It's going to be a struggle but I have no intention of getting off the plane and hoping that things will come together. I'm going to spend the next few months planning it thoroughly so I don't encounter any surprises when I arrive. I have a few interviews pencilled in for my arrival so I just need to add more to that over the coming months.
Many thanks for the input though guys, it's all valuable feedback
Dec 6th 2013, 2:08 pm
#14
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: currently in GTA
someone had to...
I'll be looking for a room that includes bills so that covers internet, phone, utilities, and the essential heating/ac. it won't be a palace that's for sure but I've lived in some sh*tholes in the UK so I'm pretty ready for a rough start.
As for food it was a baseline estimate. I don't eat a particularly fancy diet and I'm not renowned for cooking so as long as I have access to a microwave, bread, peanut butter and a hob for the occasional tin of something I'll be fine. It's pretty much how I live now and I only spend more day to day on food cos I have a job. reigning myself in isn't a big deal food-wise.
I'll be looking into the best phone deals. I only really use my data allowance to check my email or find out where the chuff I am on the maps and then I turn it off so I don't really need a big package (quiet you...)
It's going to be a struggle but I have no intention of getting off the plane and hoping that things will come together. I'm going to spend the next few months planning it thoroughly so I don't encounter any surprises when I arrive. I have a few interviews pencilled in for my arrival so I just need to add more to that over the coming months.
Many thanks for the input though guys, it's all valuable feedback
I'll be looking for a room that includes bills so that covers internet, phone, utilities, and the essential heating/ac. it won't be a palace that's for sure but I've lived in some sh*tholes in the UK so I'm pretty ready for a rough start.
As for food it was a baseline estimate. I don't eat a particularly fancy diet and I'm not renowned for cooking so as long as I have access to a microwave, bread, peanut butter and a hob for the occasional tin of something I'll be fine. It's pretty much how I live now and I only spend more day to day on food cos I have a job. reigning myself in isn't a big deal food-wise.
I'll be looking into the best phone deals. I only really use my data allowance to check my email or find out where the chuff I am on the maps and then I turn it off so I don't really need a big package (quiet you...)
It's going to be a struggle but I have no intention of getting off the plane and hoping that things will come together. I'm going to spend the next few months planning it thoroughly so I don't encounter any surprises when I arrive. I have a few interviews pencilled in for my arrival so I just need to add more to that over the coming months.
Many thanks for the input though guys, it's all valuable feedback
The power of Wind.
Wind: Don’t cut your conversations short
Wind: Canadians have a voice that can be heard.
Wind. Going, going gone.
Dec 8th 2013, 3:25 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Waterloo
Posts: 38
Re: currently in GTA
Unlimited data, full details here http://www.redflagdeals.com/deal/cel...rgains20131203
Coverage map is on this page as well
