So I am lucky enough to have an IEC VISA which I applied for exactly a year ago today. At the time my reasons for going were to be with my lady of 4 years, and 9 days before I'm due to book my flight she cheated on me and I didn't go in the end. It's taken a long time to get over all of that, and I thought I wasn't going to use the VISA until yesterday a few of my friends woke me up and made me see how much of a waste it would be.

I can activate it before the 21st of March, I have money and have been offered help if I need more so money isn't really an option. However, I have no idea what to do there other than arrive and spend the first couple of weeks in hostels until trying to sort myself out something more permanent. I can start looking for work right now and see if that leads to anything but I'm scared at the thought of not going to anything solid.

Can anyone recommend me accommodation types? I know it's short notice and I;m really prepared but it's not impossible. I'm just going to need a head start on some advice!

Please help, I've been a bit of a mess not knowing what the hell I'm doing with my life until now. So I'm going to make this happen. Any help would be gratefully received.

Hi, congrats on making that decision and not letting heartbreak get in the way. Where are you heading to?

Toronto, I have very close friends in the area. I can't stay with them right now though, so I'll need to look into other accommodation.

Good decision, don't let her screw up two things in your life, go do this and enjoy.

Good Luck

Good for you, but exactly what help do you need?

"Can anyone recommend me accommodation types"

Try airbnb for alternatives to hostels.

For hostels, have a read about accommodation on trip advisor http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotels-g15...io-Hotels.html .

Well done for not letting the break up stop you from getting on with your life. Just remember, what ever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I feel like I need more of a solid plan while I'm there. Just arriving in Toronto and staying in some hostels doesn't sound much of a plan though this may be how people go about this?

I'm a little excited about being thrown in the deep end. Can people suggest things to consider and things I must take and things to look for? Maybe even suggest plans I could make. I've no idea what to do, open to any and all suggestions.

The approach to working holiday visas seems to be very different from when I had several for various countries 25+ years ago. Finding long term accommodation wasn't a consideration at all - it was about the adventure, travel, experiencing cultures and places, not about knuckling down to work in an anonymous city for 12 months.

What kind of job are you looking to do on this visa? Is it a career path you are going down and want an "in" in your field in Toronto or are you looking for anything that pays the bills?

+1 to this,

and to this.

My local HI hostel (not in Ontario) is currently offering jobs, & internships (room, board & allowance). Hostel living has its pros & cons; but can be very useful for finding out about, and getting contacts for, local jobs (usually seasonal/survival ones but useful for a foot in the door)

Second the Airbnb recommendation.

More info on the job question quoted above would help us to help you more

I applaud & encourage your decision to "just go for it". I positively hated some of my "working holiday" experiences in various places, but have never regretted them!

SB

OK my advice would be

1) get there
2) go to a hostel or wherever
3) asap sort out a bank account (any of the big 5? RBC, CIBC, BMO, Scotia, TD) and social insurance number - should be lots of offices in Toronto that do this near where you'll be (you'll need these if you want to be paid any wages)
4) hang out with your buds for a week or so to get acclimatised
5) Pound the pavement with your resume and go job hunting