Living in Canada
Apr 24th 2010, 8:15 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5
Living in Canada
Hi Everyone,
This is my first post, we are looking at possibly moving to canada, at the minute my partner has been offered a couple of interviews for jobs in Toronto. I just want to get a general feel of how people find living in canada especially Toronto.
Financially I've had a quick look at rentals and it seems a 2 bed is around $1000, please correct me if I'm wrong?
If anybody can tell me their pet hates living there or loves that would be brilliant
Thanks
This is my first post, we are looking at possibly moving to canada, at the minute my partner has been offered a couple of interviews for jobs in Toronto. I just want to get a general feel of how people find living in canada especially Toronto.
Financially I've had a quick look at rentals and it seems a 2 bed is around $1000, please correct me if I'm wrong?
If anybody can tell me their pet hates living there or loves that would be brilliant
Thanks
Apr 24th 2010, 2:38 pm
#2
.
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 868
Re: Living in Canada
Hello there. Sorry but I don't really know anything about Toronto so hopefully someone who is living in that part of the country can probably advise you better. I actually live much further over in Alberta. If it's any consolation, just to say we love it loads and so do our pets!! We brought our dog and cat with us and have since acquired another dog too.
Anyway, best of luck, and, like I said, hopefully someone from the Toronto area will be able to advise you better with regard to that area.
Anyway, best of luck, and, like I said, hopefully someone from the Toronto area will be able to advise you better with regard to that area.
Hi Everyone,
This is my first post, we are looking at possibly moving to canada, at the minute my partner has been offered a couple of interviews for jobs in Toronto. I just want to get a general feel of how people find living in canada especially Toronto.
Financially I've had a quick look at rentals and it seems a 2 bed is around $1000, please correct me if I'm wrong?
If anybody can tell me their pet hates living there or loves that would be brilliant
Thanks
This is my first post, we are looking at possibly moving to canada, at the minute my partner has been offered a couple of interviews for jobs in Toronto. I just want to get a general feel of how people find living in canada especially Toronto.
Financially I've had a quick look at rentals and it seems a 2 bed is around $1000, please correct me if I'm wrong?
If anybody can tell me their pet hates living there or loves that would be brilliant
Thanks
Apr 24th 2010, 2:55 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 215
Re: Living in Canada
I"m not far away from Toronto and I have also lived in Alberta. I'm going home soon and I am soooooooooooooo happy about that.
What I hate about Canada
It's boring, every town and city looks just about the same. They have areas with big box stores all all laid out exactly the same.
The winters are long, cold and everything looks brown and sterile for months on end.
The TV is abysmal what Canadians find funny defeats me. Last year, I had a holiday in the UK and laughed so hard at at that mock the week show I had aching ribs. It's more than I have laughed at anything in all the years in Canada.
The food isn't great, mostly imported from the US. It's so mass produced that it loses flavour.
There are a lot of people who are really obsessed with ice hockey and country music.
The shopping is terrible, most small towns are selling 70's decor or clothing.
Canadians on the whole are passive agressive. I prefer people to say what they really think.
On the other hand, it's good for cheap holidays to the Carribean. It's a safe place to bring up kids.
If you come for a couple of years it will be alright,but my advice is not to think that you are making a permanant move.
What I hate about Canada
It's boring, every town and city looks just about the same. They have areas with big box stores all all laid out exactly the same.
The winters are long, cold and everything looks brown and sterile for months on end.
The TV is abysmal what Canadians find funny defeats me. Last year, I had a holiday in the UK and laughed so hard at at that mock the week show I had aching ribs. It's more than I have laughed at anything in all the years in Canada.
The food isn't great, mostly imported from the US. It's so mass produced that it loses flavour.
There are a lot of people who are really obsessed with ice hockey and country music.
The shopping is terrible, most small towns are selling 70's decor or clothing.
Canadians on the whole are passive agressive. I prefer people to say what they really think.
On the other hand, it's good for cheap holidays to the Carribean. It's a safe place to bring up kids.
If you come for a couple of years it will be alright,but my advice is not to think that you are making a permanant move.
Apr 24th 2010, 3:48 pm
#4
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Living in Canada
I disagree.
kate 17
What I hate about Canada
It's boring, every town and city looks just about the same. They have areas with big box stores all all laid out exactly the same.
Yes, there are "big box stores" but that is generally one area of each town. There are some beautiful and some not so beautiful towns. Some of them are like English villages, some are like US towns.. it depends on where you go. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
The winters are long, cold and everything looks brown and sterile for months on end.
Winters are cold - it's called Canada! As to sterile, snow scapes and icicles are beautiful.
The TV is abysmal what Canadians find funny defeats me. Last year, I had a holiday in the UK and laughed so hard at at that mock the week show I had aching ribs. It's more than I have laughed at anything in all the years in Canada.
Not all Canadian TV is terrible and you can access a lot of UK tv easily (BBC Canada etc).
The food isn't great, mostly imported from the US. It's so mass produced that it loses flavour.
It depends on where you eat and what you order - or where you shop. The only thing I really miss is English bacon - most other things are available.
There are a lot of people who are really obsessed with ice hockey and country music.
Yup, some of them are - but they like soccer too and a lot of different styles of music
The shopping is terrible, most small towns are selling 70's decor or clothing.
Most major cities (e.g. Toronto) are a lot more up to date. Smaller towns have smaller prices - it depends on your taste and price range.
Canadians on the whole are passive agressive. I prefer people to say what they really think.
Really? All the Canadians I have met are easy going, open minded and have no problem in saying what they mean. I guess I must have been lucky.
On the other hand, it's good for cheap holidays to the Carribean. It's a safe place to bring up kids.
If you come for a couple of years it will be alright,but my advice is not to think that you are making a permanant move.
I love it here - and cannot envisage leaving.
kate 17
What I hate about Canada
It's boring, every town and city looks just about the same. They have areas with big box stores all all laid out exactly the same.
Yes, there are "big box stores" but that is generally one area of each town. There are some beautiful and some not so beautiful towns. Some of them are like English villages, some are like US towns.. it depends on where you go. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
The winters are long, cold and everything looks brown and sterile for months on end.
Winters are cold - it's called Canada! As to sterile, snow scapes and icicles are beautiful.
The TV is abysmal what Canadians find funny defeats me. Last year, I had a holiday in the UK and laughed so hard at at that mock the week show I had aching ribs. It's more than I have laughed at anything in all the years in Canada.
Not all Canadian TV is terrible and you can access a lot of UK tv easily (BBC Canada etc).
The food isn't great, mostly imported from the US. It's so mass produced that it loses flavour.
It depends on where you eat and what you order - or where you shop. The only thing I really miss is English bacon - most other things are available.
There are a lot of people who are really obsessed with ice hockey and country music.
Yup, some of them are - but they like soccer too and a lot of different styles of music
The shopping is terrible, most small towns are selling 70's decor or clothing.
Most major cities (e.g. Toronto) are a lot more up to date. Smaller towns have smaller prices - it depends on your taste and price range.
Canadians on the whole are passive agressive. I prefer people to say what they really think.
Really? All the Canadians I have met are easy going, open minded and have no problem in saying what they mean. I guess I must have been lucky.
On the other hand, it's good for cheap holidays to the Carribean. It's a safe place to bring up kids.
If you come for a couple of years it will be alright,but my advice is not to think that you are making a permanant move.
I love it here - and cannot envisage leaving.
Apr 24th 2010, 4:02 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
Re: Living in Canada
I disagree.
kate 17
What I hate about Canada
It's boring, every town and city looks just about the same. They have areas with big box stores all all laid out exactly the same.
Yes, there are "big box stores" but that is generally one area of each town. There are some beautiful and some not so beautiful towns. Some of them are like English villages, some are like US towns.. it depends on where you go. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
The winters are long, cold and everything looks brown and sterile for months on end.
Winters are cold - it's called Canada! As to sterile, snow scapes and icicles are beautiful.
The TV is abysmal what Canadians find funny defeats me. Last year, I had a holiday in the UK and laughed so hard at at that mock the week show I had aching ribs. It's more than I have laughed at anything in all the years in Canada.
Not all Canadian TV is terrible and you can access a lot of UK tv easily (BBC Canada etc).
The food isn't great, mostly imported from the US. It's so mass produced that it loses flavour.
It depends on where you eat and what you order - or where you shop. The only thing I really miss is English bacon - most other things are available.
There are a lot of people who are really obsessed with ice hockey and country music.
Yup, some of them are - but they like soccer too and a lot of different styles of music
The shopping is terrible, most small towns are selling 70's decor or clothing.
Most major cities (e.g. Toronto) are a lot more up to date. Smaller towns have smaller prices - it depends on your taste and price range.
Canadians on the whole are passive agressive. I prefer people to say what they really think.
Really? All the Canadians I have met are easy going, open minded and have no problem in saying what they mean. I guess I must have been lucky.
On the other hand, it's good for cheap holidays to the Carribean. It's a safe place to bring up kids.
If you come for a couple of years it will be alright,but my advice is not to think that you are making a permanant move.
I love it here - and cannot envisage leaving.
kate 17
What I hate about Canada
It's boring, every town and city looks just about the same. They have areas with big box stores all all laid out exactly the same.
Yes, there are "big box stores" but that is generally one area of each town. There are some beautiful and some not so beautiful towns. Some of them are like English villages, some are like US towns.. it depends on where you go. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
The winters are long, cold and everything looks brown and sterile for months on end.
Winters are cold - it's called Canada! As to sterile, snow scapes and icicles are beautiful.
The TV is abysmal what Canadians find funny defeats me. Last year, I had a holiday in the UK and laughed so hard at at that mock the week show I had aching ribs. It's more than I have laughed at anything in all the years in Canada.
Not all Canadian TV is terrible and you can access a lot of UK tv easily (BBC Canada etc).
The food isn't great, mostly imported from the US. It's so mass produced that it loses flavour.
It depends on where you eat and what you order - or where you shop. The only thing I really miss is English bacon - most other things are available.
There are a lot of people who are really obsessed with ice hockey and country music.
Yup, some of them are - but they like soccer too and a lot of different styles of music
The shopping is terrible, most small towns are selling 70's decor or clothing.
Most major cities (e.g. Toronto) are a lot more up to date. Smaller towns have smaller prices - it depends on your taste and price range.
Canadians on the whole are passive agressive. I prefer people to say what they really think.
Really? All the Canadians I have met are easy going, open minded and have no problem in saying what they mean. I guess I must have been lucky.
On the other hand, it's good for cheap holidays to the Carribean. It's a safe place to bring up kids.
If you come for a couple of years it will be alright,but my advice is not to think that you are making a permanant move.
I love it here - and cannot envisage leaving.
I agree with both of you! I can identify with much of what kate says, but it doesn't bug me tooooo much - and siouxsie just gives an alternative viewpoint to the exact same circumstances.
We all see the same things in a different way and it will always suit some more than others. No right and no wrong. Find what suits YOU.
Apr 24th 2010, 4:57 pm
#6
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,986
Re: Living in Canada
I"m not far away from Toronto and I have also lived in Alberta. I'm going home soon and I am soooooooooooooo happy about that.
What I hate about Canada
It's boring, every town and city looks just about the same. They have areas with big box stores all all laid out exactly the same.
The winters are long, cold and everything looks brown and sterile for months on end.
The TV is abysmal what Canadians find funny defeats me. Last year, I had a holiday in the UK and laughed so hard at at that mock the week show I had aching ribs. It's more than I have laughed at anything in all the years in Canada.
The food isn't great, mostly imported from the US. It's so mass produced that it loses flavour.
There are a lot of people who are really obsessed with ice hockey and country music.
The shopping is terrible, most small towns are selling 70's decor or clothing.
Canadians on the whole are passive agressive. I prefer people to say what they really think.
On the other hand, it's good for cheap holidays to the Carribean. It's a safe place to bring up kids.
If you come for a couple of years it will be alright,but my advice is not to think that you are making a permanant move.
What I hate about Canada
It's boring, every town and city looks just about the same. They have areas with big box stores all all laid out exactly the same.
The winters are long, cold and everything looks brown and sterile for months on end.
The TV is abysmal what Canadians find funny defeats me. Last year, I had a holiday in the UK and laughed so hard at at that mock the week show I had aching ribs. It's more than I have laughed at anything in all the years in Canada.
The food isn't great, mostly imported from the US. It's so mass produced that it loses flavour.
There are a lot of people who are really obsessed with ice hockey and country music.
The shopping is terrible, most small towns are selling 70's decor or clothing.
Canadians on the whole are passive agressive. I prefer people to say what they really think.
On the other hand, it's good for cheap holidays to the Carribean. It's a safe place to bring up kids.
If you come for a couple of years it will be alright,but my advice is not to think that you are making a permanant move.
http://www.torontolife.com/daily/sty...leasant-strip/
http://www.thebutchersorganic.com/index2.html
http://www.culinarium.ca/
http://www.torontolife.com/guide/foo.../la-salumeria/
Even Sobeys is ok for some stuff.
Plenty of good shopping in Toronto, and lots of high end fashion if you want etc. Radio and TV aren't great, but there is enough to get by.
I think Toronto is a very liveable city and still relatively affordable. I think however that $1000 for a nice 2 bed apartment in a decent area is unrealistic.
Apr 24th 2010, 7:41 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 215
Re: Living in Canada
Hmmmmmm What to say here!
Well I agree living in Canada is subjective depending on what you want out of life.
I love art, architecture and music and Canada doesn't measure up. It's a relatively young country and I find it empty and like I said boring. There is some nice scenery,but to me it doesn't compare to Europe.
The food is tasteless compared to Britain, France, Italy and Spain and compared with London what passes for good shopping in Toronto is laughable. Not that shopping is that important to me, but we have been renovating our house and finding nice stuff, has been a problem.
There isn't a single Canadian town that can be remotely compared to an English village.
I do feel a bit guilty about saying the people are passive aggressive. There are some very nice people here, but there are those that are nice to your face then stab you in the back. That's the same the world over though.
I get upset about Canadian nastiness like residential schools and the seal hunt and then there was that poor Polish man killed at Vancouver airport.
Yet, the image Canadians want to portray is of kind, peace loving tree huggers. A lot of Canadian men love hunting, blasting away at Bambi in the autumn or shooting beautiful ducks. It's bloody babaric!!!
I do think that anyone who lives in a Northern industrial town in Britain would enjoy life better here. When we visit rellies in one of those said towns we can't wait to leave and know that what we have here is a vast improvement.
However, if you live some where nice in the UK the quality of life there would be infinitely better than here. I wish we had never emigrated. We did live in a gorgeous Yorkshire village before moving to Edmonton.
It's interesting to read the views of others though. Everyone has to make up their own mind. My kids have done well here, both went to uni and have great jobs. They never had to worry about being beaten up by drunken yobs in a city center. Most of my nieces and nephews have had trouble like that in the Uk.
Well I agree living in Canada is subjective depending on what you want out of life.
I love art, architecture and music and Canada doesn't measure up. It's a relatively young country and I find it empty and like I said boring. There is some nice scenery,but to me it doesn't compare to Europe.
The food is tasteless compared to Britain, France, Italy and Spain and compared with London what passes for good shopping in Toronto is laughable. Not that shopping is that important to me, but we have been renovating our house and finding nice stuff, has been a problem.
There isn't a single Canadian town that can be remotely compared to an English village.
I do feel a bit guilty about saying the people are passive aggressive. There are some very nice people here, but there are those that are nice to your face then stab you in the back. That's the same the world over though.
I get upset about Canadian nastiness like residential schools and the seal hunt and then there was that poor Polish man killed at Vancouver airport.
Yet, the image Canadians want to portray is of kind, peace loving tree huggers. A lot of Canadian men love hunting, blasting away at Bambi in the autumn or shooting beautiful ducks. It's bloody babaric!!!
I do think that anyone who lives in a Northern industrial town in Britain would enjoy life better here. When we visit rellies in one of those said towns we can't wait to leave and know that what we have here is a vast improvement.
However, if you live some where nice in the UK the quality of life there would be infinitely better than here. I wish we had never emigrated. We did live in a gorgeous Yorkshire village before moving to Edmonton.
It's interesting to read the views of others though. Everyone has to make up their own mind. My kids have done well here, both went to uni and have great jobs. They never had to worry about being beaten up by drunken yobs in a city center. Most of my nieces and nephews have had trouble like that in the Uk.
Apr 24th 2010, 7:43 pm
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,374
Re: Living in Canada
I really hope you still feel this way once the honeymoon period passes.
When I first came over, I loved the "friendliness" of Canadians. Now I really miss the "honesty" of Brits.
Having said that, I still prefer it here, otherwise I wouldn't be here.
Like Ann M has stated, there are pros and cons to living in each country - horses for courses and all that
When I first came over, I loved the "friendliness" of Canadians. Now I really miss the "honesty" of Brits.
Having said that, I still prefer it here, otherwise I wouldn't be here.
Like Ann M has stated, there are pros and cons to living in each country - horses for courses and all that
Apr 24th 2010, 7:52 pm
#9
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Living in Canada
Cannot give a hoot about shopping, I can buy what I need locally, or ship it in from overseas. Right now I am buying some kit out of the UK and enjoying the 30% discount to a few years back and some other stuff out of Australia.
A Town is a town, a place to live. The scenery spectacular, whenever I fly up through the mountains it makes me appreciate the country even more.
I don't find Canadians any different to Brits, different way of doing things maybe, but then one adapts to where one lives. Every time I went to Britain, I was always glad to leave, four days was plenty. I have come across many obnoxious Brits in Canada and down right rude ones in the UK. I don't undertand the North American sense of humour, but then looking at some of what passes as comedy out of the UK these days is not up to much.
It's horses for courses, what suits one may not suit another. Personally I think it is also about attitude and deciding to adapt or not.
Apr 24th 2010, 8:35 pm
#11
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,986
Re: Living in Canada
I really don't find it that different. Living in Toronto, for me, is pretty much like living in the UK. Differences of course, but nothing radical. I find there is more stuff here than there was in Norwich (kind of obviously) and less than London (but that's a demanding comparison). I do take the point about the art and music etc and do miss some of things we did in London. However, seeing bands in Toronto is pretty good - I've been to a few great gigs since being here (strangely this was also the case in Vancouver at the Commodore). We also spend quite a bit of time in Mexico so we like being nearer to there.
Apr 24th 2010, 9:15 pm
#12
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,649
Re: Living in Canada
I felt some Canadian nastiness last week! I bought what was advertised as a "Cornish Pasty" from the Delhi counter at Loblaws. When I got home and ate it- it was like some one kicking me in the head. How could they pass of that monstrosity as a cornish pasty!!!!!
Having recently moved back to Toronto from London the only things I miss are UK supermarket's and a proper breakfast fry up on my weekends although "The Lumberjack" at Sunset Grill is an impressive meal.
I am not earning quite what I earned in the UK but this has not compromised me doing much as yet.
Having recently moved back to Toronto from London the only things I miss are UK supermarket's and a proper breakfast fry up on my weekends although "The Lumberjack" at Sunset Grill is an impressive meal.
I am not earning quite what I earned in the UK but this has not compromised me doing much as yet.
Apr 24th 2010, 9:21 pm
#13
Happy in NB
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Island View, New Brunswick
Posts: 2,020
Re: Living in Canada
I think some people look at the UK through rose tinted spectacles and ignoring the things that happen there.
UK shipped children to Canada and Australia pretending they were orphans until the late 60's.
In the UK hunting for ducks and pheasants goes on in the UK in a much more organize way than in Canada. I have seen a line of guns (10-15 shooters) waiting for the birds to be driven towards them by beaters and then birds fly into a hail of buckshot. You are probably completely unaware of this because hunters in the UK tend to have to be rich. Like skiers, boat owners, salmon fisherman etc....
We lived in both Northern Industrial towns (how awful for us) and southern commuter villages (very pretty, lots of old buildings but shame about the density of people and the bloody awful commute). I can honestly say were I live now provides us with a much improved way of life. short commute, and space to life.
I see more artisans and musicians than I ever saw in the UK, free live music in the pub most Friday nights, through-out the summer the city puts on free concerts in the downtown area, free classic films in the open air, free plays in the park and there are numerous music, singing and food festivals. I didnt see much of these in Woking or Mansfield? But the houses looked pretty in Horsell (our village just outside Woking).
Canada isnt uptopia (far from it) but I much prefer to live here.
UK shipped children to Canada and Australia pretending they were orphans until the late 60's.
In the UK hunting for ducks and pheasants goes on in the UK in a much more organize way than in Canada. I have seen a line of guns (10-15 shooters) waiting for the birds to be driven towards them by beaters and then birds fly into a hail of buckshot. You are probably completely unaware of this because hunters in the UK tend to have to be rich. Like skiers, boat owners, salmon fisherman etc....
We lived in both Northern Industrial towns (how awful for us) and southern commuter villages (very pretty, lots of old buildings but shame about the density of people and the bloody awful commute). I can honestly say were I live now provides us with a much improved way of life. short commute, and space to life.
I see more artisans and musicians than I ever saw in the UK, free live music in the pub most Friday nights, through-out the summer the city puts on free concerts in the downtown area, free classic films in the open air, free plays in the park and there are numerous music, singing and food festivals. I didnt see much of these in Woking or Mansfield? But the houses looked pretty in Horsell (our village just outside Woking).
Canada isnt uptopia (far from it) but I much prefer to live here.
Apr 24th 2010, 10:04 pm
#14
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Living in Canada
I really hope you still feel this way once the honeymoon period passes.
When I first came over, I loved the "friendliness" of Canadians. Now I really miss the "honesty" of Brits.
Having said that, I still prefer it here, otherwise I wouldn't be here.
Like Ann M has stated, there are pros and cons to living in each country - horses for courses and all that
When I first came over, I loved the "friendliness" of Canadians. Now I really miss the "honesty" of Brits.
Having said that, I still prefer it here, otherwise I wouldn't be here.
Like Ann M has stated, there are pros and cons to living in each country - horses for courses and all that
There ARE things I miss about the UK, don't get me wrong! Overall though, I would rather be here than there
Apr 24th 2010, 10:15 pm
#15
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Living in Canada
I get upset about Canadian nastiness like residential schools and the seal hunt and then there was that poor Polish man killed at Vancouver airport.
Yet, the image Canadians want to portray is of kind, peace loving tree huggers. A lot of Canadian men love hunting, blasting away at Bambi in the autumn or shooting beautiful ducks. It's bloody babaric!!!
Yet, the image Canadians want to portray is of kind, peace loving tree huggers. A lot of Canadian men love hunting, blasting away at Bambi in the autumn or shooting beautiful ducks. It's bloody babaric!!!
This one of the most mature comments I've seen about Canada. And while your jaded and serious attitude belies your age, you make some excellent points about the wanton hypocrisy that exists in Canada. These are some serious issues that Canadians need to come to terms with. If they just bury their heads in the sand they may end up as pariah nation. Just look at the good will they lost as peacekeepers by being in Afghanistan.