View Poll Results: Do you agree with what Buzzy said about successful emigrants?
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll
Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
Mar 26th 2007, 3:33 pm
#31
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
I was asked if my house could be the site of the after-after-after high school graduation party. Given the number of "afters" I thought it'd be ok, small crowd probably stoned, no sweat. Ha! At about 2:00am many limos disgorged more people than I would have thought possible. At about 4:00 the massed crowd got into it with the local oiks. Loud music, streams of puke, brawling, it was just like home except that it was a Tuesday night. It was about a month later that the neighbour finally spoke to me.
Mar 26th 2007, 3:45 pm
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 86
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
Steve666:
I'd strongly advise against that business idea of yours.............
Why? Anyone who doesn't own their own ski equipment will simply rent it at the Ski club, along with paying for their lift ticket for the day. No one will want to make a side trip to a shop that isn't at the base of the hill, and of course, the ski hill operators won't let you on their property.
Boat rentals..........In the Barrie/Orilla/ Lake Chouch/Lake Simcoe area I can think of at least 25 rental marinas. The market is saturated with places that have been in business for 30 years or more. Same thing for personal water caft and snowmobiles in winter. You would need a large inventory of equipment in either business, and you would starve.
So what would work up there? A service business that provides specialised cleaning such as carpets and or upholstery, or a mobile car cleaning and waxing service. With low start up and running costs, and with a cell phone and a email address for contacts by customers, you could work from home, no need for a "store location".
Cottage security patrol by snowmobile in winter, with daily patrols of the isolated lakeside properties, with snow removal from the roofs as a added service and a summer garbage removal truck to the local dump, on 2 days of each week. You could also sell fire pumps and hoses to those that have a cottage on a island , or a isolated camp. Most cottage country townships do not have a fire service, or if they do it is "Volunteer " and takes a long time to respond. They also do not provide garbage removal, so cottage owners need to take it to the dump, in their car. I'd think that most people would pay around five dollars a week to have you do it. Get 100 customers at five dollars and now you are making 500 a week for two half days of work.
Use that dump truck as a way to deliver stones, sod, lumber and soil, to people who are doing cottage renovations during the summer. Take away, for a fee, old used appliances, and furniture, to the dump. Charge 30 percent more than the dumping fees at the dump cost you. Everybody is happy and you are making money. Keep your ears open for a chance to "reffer " a tradesman to a cottager, to do a job, that you will get a "kickback " on. Keep a list of guys that can do plumbing, carpentry, or roofing work.
There are hundreds of lakes in central Ontario that all have summer cottages on them. In some cases, the lake has a "Cottagers Association" that you could approach for a chance to address the association meeting about providing winter and summer services to the members. It is not unusual for a lake to have 200 to 400 cottages
Your comments?
Jim Bunting. Toronto.
Yes my family has been in Canada since 1801.
I'd strongly advise against that business idea of yours.............
Why? Anyone who doesn't own their own ski equipment will simply rent it at the Ski club, along with paying for their lift ticket for the day. No one will want to make a side trip to a shop that isn't at the base of the hill, and of course, the ski hill operators won't let you on their property.
Boat rentals..........In the Barrie/Orilla/ Lake Chouch/Lake Simcoe area I can think of at least 25 rental marinas. The market is saturated with places that have been in business for 30 years or more. Same thing for personal water caft and snowmobiles in winter. You would need a large inventory of equipment in either business, and you would starve.
So what would work up there? A service business that provides specialised cleaning such as carpets and or upholstery, or a mobile car cleaning and waxing service. With low start up and running costs, and with a cell phone and a email address for contacts by customers, you could work from home, no need for a "store location".
Cottage security patrol by snowmobile in winter, with daily patrols of the isolated lakeside properties, with snow removal from the roofs as a added service and a summer garbage removal truck to the local dump, on 2 days of each week. You could also sell fire pumps and hoses to those that have a cottage on a island , or a isolated camp. Most cottage country townships do not have a fire service, or if they do it is "Volunteer " and takes a long time to respond. They also do not provide garbage removal, so cottage owners need to take it to the dump, in their car. I'd think that most people would pay around five dollars a week to have you do it. Get 100 customers at five dollars and now you are making 500 a week for two half days of work.
Use that dump truck as a way to deliver stones, sod, lumber and soil, to people who are doing cottage renovations during the summer. Take away, for a fee, old used appliances, and furniture, to the dump. Charge 30 percent more than the dumping fees at the dump cost you. Everybody is happy and you are making money. Keep your ears open for a chance to "reffer " a tradesman to a cottager, to do a job, that you will get a "kickback " on. Keep a list of guys that can do plumbing, carpentry, or roofing work.
There are hundreds of lakes in central Ontario that all have summer cottages on them. In some cases, the lake has a "Cottagers Association" that you could approach for a chance to address the association meeting about providing winter and summer services to the members. It is not unusual for a lake to have 200 to 400 cottages
Your comments?
Jim Bunting. Toronto.
Yes my family has been in Canada since 1801.
Mar 26th 2007, 3:55 pm
#33
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
Steve666:
I'd strongly advise against that business idea of yours.............
Why? Anyone who doesn't own their own ski equipment will simply rent it at the Ski club, along with paying for their lift ticket for the day. No one will want to make a side trip to a shop that isn't at the base of the hill, and of course, the ski hill operators won't let you on their property.
Boat rentals..........In the Barrie/Orilla/ Lake Chouch/Lake Simcoe area I can think of at least 25 rental marinas. The market is saturated with places that have been in business for 30 years or more. Same thing for personal water caft and snowmobiles in winter. You would need a large inventory of equipment in either business, and you would starve.
So what would work up there? A service business that provides specialised cleaning such as carpets and or upholstery, or a mobile car cleaning and waxing service. With low start up and running costs, and with a cell phone and a email address for contacts by customers, you could work from home, no need for a "store location".
Cottage security patrol by snowmobile in winter, with daily patrols of the isolated lakeside properties, with snow removal from the roofs as a added service and a summer garbage removal truck to the local dump, on 2 days of each week. You could also sell fire pumps and hoses to those that have a cottage on a island , or a isolated camp. Most cottage country townships do not have a fire service, or if they do it is "Volunteer " and takes a long time to respond. They also do not provide garbage removal, so cottage owners need to take it to the dump, in their car. I'd think that most people would pay around five dollars a week to have you do it. Get 100 customers at five dollars and now you are making 500 a week for two half days of work.
Use that dump truck as a way to deliver stones, sod, lumber and soil, to people who are doing cottage renovations during the summer. Take away, for a fee, old used appliances, and furniture, to the dump. Charge 30 percent more than the dumping fees at the dump cost you. Everybody is happy and you are making money. Keep your ears open for a chance to "reffer " a tradesman to a cottager, to do a job, that you will get a "kickback " on. Keep a list of guys that can do plumbing, carpentry, or roofing work.
There are hundreds of lakes in central Ontario that all have summer cottages on them. In some cases, the lake has a "Cottagers Association" that you could approach for a chance to address the association meeting about providing winter and summer services to the members. It is not unusual for a lake to have 200 to 400 cottages
Your comments?
Jim Bunting. Toronto.
Yes my family has been in Canada since 1801.
I'd strongly advise against that business idea of yours.............
Why? Anyone who doesn't own their own ski equipment will simply rent it at the Ski club, along with paying for their lift ticket for the day. No one will want to make a side trip to a shop that isn't at the base of the hill, and of course, the ski hill operators won't let you on their property.
Boat rentals..........In the Barrie/Orilla/ Lake Chouch/Lake Simcoe area I can think of at least 25 rental marinas. The market is saturated with places that have been in business for 30 years or more. Same thing for personal water caft and snowmobiles in winter. You would need a large inventory of equipment in either business, and you would starve.
So what would work up there? A service business that provides specialised cleaning such as carpets and or upholstery, or a mobile car cleaning and waxing service. With low start up and running costs, and with a cell phone and a email address for contacts by customers, you could work from home, no need for a "store location".
Cottage security patrol by snowmobile in winter, with daily patrols of the isolated lakeside properties, with snow removal from the roofs as a added service and a summer garbage removal truck to the local dump, on 2 days of each week. You could also sell fire pumps and hoses to those that have a cottage on a island , or a isolated camp. Most cottage country townships do not have a fire service, or if they do it is "Volunteer " and takes a long time to respond. They also do not provide garbage removal, so cottage owners need to take it to the dump, in their car. I'd think that most people would pay around five dollars a week to have you do it. Get 100 customers at five dollars and now you are making 500 a week for two half days of work.
Use that dump truck as a way to deliver stones, sod, lumber and soil, to people who are doing cottage renovations during the summer. Take away, for a fee, old used appliances, and furniture, to the dump. Charge 30 percent more than the dumping fees at the dump cost you. Everybody is happy and you are making money. Keep your ears open for a chance to "reffer " a tradesman to a cottager, to do a job, that you will get a "kickback " on. Keep a list of guys that can do plumbing, carpentry, or roofing work.
There are hundreds of lakes in central Ontario that all have summer cottages on them. In some cases, the lake has a "Cottagers Association" that you could approach for a chance to address the association meeting about providing winter and summer services to the members. It is not unusual for a lake to have 200 to 400 cottages
Your comments?
Jim Bunting. Toronto.
Yes my family has been in Canada since 1801.
Mar 26th 2007, 4:32 pm
#34
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 86
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
I'd have to disagree, as those companies want the indivudual customer to FILL the bin ,then they take it away. My idea is a weekly/twice weekly cottage pick up service. Most people would be willing /want to pay a small amount to get out of having to drive to the dump themselves, with the chance of a flat tire, or a "bear encounter ".
As my old Mum used to say.......where there is muck, there is money to be made.
Jim B. Toronto.
As my old Mum used to say.......where there is muck, there is money to be made.
Jim B. Toronto.
Mar 26th 2007, 6:51 pm
#35
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
That's not so. We had 1/8 of a truck's worth of junk removed from the old house. Loads less than a truck are their exact niche. Still, I don't know what they charge in the boonies and they are making a bundle in Toronto.
Mar 26th 2007, 6:55 pm
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island, BC
Posts: 1,464
Mar 26th 2007, 7:23 pm
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,842
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
My business here in the UK is computers and stuff of that ilk, I want to get out of it really, too much hassle at my age, 86 (not really). I just want out of the town, city, business,travelling malarkey when I get over there because I DESERVE IT! However (why DOES that word exist) my kids come first as that's the reason we're coming to see you's all. So I take the back seat for a few years THEN I go and live with DBD, he has the lifestyle that I'd prefer, without the travelling that is. Is that ok DB?
So, it looks like Oakville after all...
Mar 26th 2007, 7:36 pm
#38
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
Didn't think I'd get a reply from this one!! I was kiddin actually, I know nothing about skiing or boating, put them both together and I know even less.
My business here in the UK is computers and stuff of that ilk, I want to get out of it really, too much hassle at my age, 86 (not really). I just want out of the town, city, business,travelling malarkey when I get over there because I DESERVE IT! However (why DOES that word exist) my kids come first as that's the reason we're coming to see you's all. So I take the back seat for a few years THEN I go and live with DBD, he has the lifestyle that I'd prefer, without the travelling that is. Is that ok DB?
So, it looks like Oakville after all...
My business here in the UK is computers and stuff of that ilk, I want to get out of it really, too much hassle at my age, 86 (not really). I just want out of the town, city, business,travelling malarkey when I get over there because I DESERVE IT! However (why DOES that word exist) my kids come first as that's the reason we're coming to see you's all. So I take the back seat for a few years THEN I go and live with DBD, he has the lifestyle that I'd prefer, without the travelling that is. Is that ok DB?
So, it looks like Oakville after all...
I haven't travelled much on business lately but, oh my, I've done my bit, 240 nights in hotels in one year, five states left I haven't worked in, sales pitches all over Asia, Europe, Australia. I currently have about 600,000 Amex points, all accumulated by charging and reclaiming travel expenses. It's true that I mostly VPN into remote systems now but I had to go and bang on all those doors, I've seen Tulsa, Omaha and Laramie; I deserve to stay on the farm now.
Mar 26th 2007, 7:56 pm
#39
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,842
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
You're certainly welcome to come and try my commute into Toronto, that's a lifestyle in itself.
I haven't travelled much on business lately but, oh my, I've done my bit, 240 nights in hotels in one year, five states left I haven't worked in, sales pitches all over Asia, Europe, Australia. I currently have about 600,000 Amex points, all accumulated by charging and reclaiming travel expenses. It's true that I mostly VPN into remote systems now but I had to go and bang on all those doors, I've seen Tulsa, Omaha and Laramie; I deserve to stay on the farm now.
I haven't travelled much on business lately but, oh my, I've done my bit, 240 nights in hotels in one year, five states left I haven't worked in, sales pitches all over Asia, Europe, Australia. I currently have about 600,000 Amex points, all accumulated by charging and reclaiming travel expenses. It's true that I mostly VPN into remote systems now but I had to go and bang on all those doors, I've seen Tulsa, Omaha and Laramie; I deserve to stay on the farm now.
I won't get in the way, honest 
Mar 26th 2007, 8:09 pm
#40
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
You're more travelled than me, the main systems I got involved in were in government installations, but then started my own software/hardware support business and have had it for the last 5 years. The business is now all but dead because of this move and the thought of starting it all up from scratch again in another country does not appeal to me one iota. I just want to retire to the woods and the snow and the hills and the lakes...
Be careful what you ask for, trash has to go ten miles over bewildering unsurfaced roads that all look the same. We always get lost and end up on some road too rough for the Element. If the ancient Land Cruiser weren't coming we'd have a case for an F150 just to go to the dump.
Apr 19th 2007, 11:12 am
#42
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta
Posts: 681
Apr 19th 2007, 4:59 pm
#43
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2006
Location: M'cr-Red Deer-M'cr-??
Posts: 1,309
Re: Here's my theory about what makes migration more likely to be successful....
I hated my lifestyle in the UK, we were always skint and depressed with our surroundings (because we couldn't afford to move anywhere decent)....I love my life here in Red Deer - I loved it in Ontario too. All four of us have definitely improved our outlook on life. Yes we were moaners about life in the UK but we're not moaners here and so far, touch wood, it's been our best success these past 2 years.
Jaycee
Jaycee
