dbd33

OK, the references to the 401 and to Thunder Bay (a place I picked at random as representing "the north") were hyperbole. Nonetheless, great parts of southern Ontario, for example, most parts of Dufferin County, Grey County and Bruce County have no broadband. Cell phone reception is inconsistent. Sirius reaches most, but not all, locations so long as the receiver is stationary. In terms of reception commuting across Dufferin County was like driving in rural Utah but without the scenery.

I don't believe there's better internet provision in northern Ontario, say past North Bay, as there's less population, but it's hard to check because whatever location you put into Bell's website it responds that there's wonderful service.

The idea that there's a TV cable going to properties outside housing projects is whimsical. I assume "Everywhere I've been in Alberta and BC" is Burnaby and one of those awful bits of Calgary named after nice bits of Europe; Tuscany or Cape Ferat or Banlieue.

curleytops

Yeah I hear you. There are still big holes in coverage in a lot of places and then seemingly decent coverage where you'd least expect it.

iaink

$60 a month minimum, and doesnt work at my place

Freddy_uk

Calm down jeez, and if you struggle that much with cell phone service their are such things as passive antennas for your cell phone or mi-fi unit ti improve reception.

Last time i visited canada i stayed in banff and visited jasper, they both had good service on rogers. In Waterton national park i can get HSDPA+, 2yrs ago you couldnt get service at all nevermind mobile broadband so shows upgrades are going on in some locations.

I appreciate when travelling far beyond city limits service will be sketchy, but personally when I've been travelling between southern alberta and vancouver I've never not had service when i really needed it.

Freddy_uk

You make many assumptions about the places i have visited in the last 6yrs of going to canada, and thats least one or twice a yr. Not sure why everyone seems to be getting their backs up here and going on the attack.

iaink

Ill take the experience of people living in out of town areas over those of visitors passing though.

Some days my phone works fine, 2 or more signal bars. Sadly they are few and far between. My neighbour has an antenna, his experience is similar. Hit and Miss.

iaink

This is not true, the Bell map has me down in a poor reception area, and is remarkably accurate about where my signal will get better.

Im 25km out of town and do have the option of cable TV, we just dont bother with it. We are too far out for cable internet though.

Freddy_uk

Thats fine but my experiences are still just that and not limited to major cities. Some of the posts are quite aggressive, and we're only talking about broadband!!

iaink

Its a touchy topic for those that either cant get it, or pay through the nose for it

Oink

Because its naffing frustrating living rather than just visiting, in such a backward and expensive place where the inhabitants have delusions of grandeur.

Freddy_uk

No need to use me as a vent though. Yes i visit, but i have family split across three provinces and its only one relative in saskatchewan that has dial-up and the another in del-bonita with a population of about 30; so I hardly expect anything better.

If all i had was dial-up I'd be pretty pissed too.

saz1983

You won't find a letting agency because you don't get them here. For a rental property you can go to real estate agent or go through Kijiji/craigs list/ local newspaper. The concept of a letting agency is non-existant in Canada.

lynsey4321

saz1983 - THANK YOU! I thought I was just being completely incapable!

So it's pretty much a case of looking online to craigs list etc and try and arrange appointments with different folk for the scouting trip? Was hoping for an easier way...like a nice website that offered to do it all for me wishful thinking huh

saz1983

You can get an agent to look up rentals for you and make appointments etc but they can only get you rentals that are on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service - google it) and lots of landlords don't put their places on the MLS to avoid paying fees to agents. The best places to look for rentals are viewit, craigs list, kijiji and scouring the local paper. Be aware that rentals can be gone in a day. If you are just going on a scouting trip then spend that time finding the best area to live in for your needs and then find an available rental on the means above. There's no point going to view places all over the place because they won't be there anymore once you are ready to move.

iaink

Thats odd, there are certainly companies where I live which exist solely to look after the rental market

Look under "Real Estate management" in the yellow pages...