Originally Posted by dbd33

Where are you Grumpy? It's nothing like that here.

Originally Posted by iaink

He could be just around the corner from me. Its pretty much like that here. I lock my car when in the city lots, and canadian politics amuses me, but thats about it.

Originally Posted by Souvenir

I'd agree with most of his "likes". Perhaps not the architecture one. I agree, also with most of his "dislikes", although some are baselessly stereotypical.

Originally Posted by dbd33

my God, Vaughan, Markham, Mississauga, those non-places between here and there are depressing.

Originally Posted by grumpy

I did say the architecture was different where I live, and I stand by that; I've seen the new subdivisions going up in Kitchener, Toronto, Pickering, Stoufville, Whitby etc etc - army barracks springs to mind. And yes, I know some of my dislikes are stereotypical, but hey, there ya go....this is what I've found in my own personal experience.....

Originally Posted by Souvenir

I've lived in army housing

I'm with you on most of your observations, so please don't take offense.

Originally Posted by grumpy

LIKE
* Open space and big skies
* The most amazing sunsets
* Huge crashing thunderstorms
* Watching the wildlife that ventures into my garden
* Clean sidewalks - no litter, dog dirt, graffiti, broken glass or drunks
* Well-behaved, polite children - most of 'em are around here - it's school hoildays but you wouldn't know it....no gangs loitering on street corners
* Architectural syle of houses -no two alike where I live in a rural area.
* Room to move in the supermarkets without being rammed by someone else's shopping cart.
* Not being rushed through the supermarket checkout
* Having my shopping bagged for me and being made to feel my custom is not only welcome, but valued.
* Sense of community - people who wave and smile as you pass.
* Driving on long, straight, wide roads.
* Turning right on a red light
* It's safe to cycle, even at night
* I can leave all my stuff out on the porch or in the garden without fear of it disappearing
* I can leave my car unlocked with windows open, even on the busiest car park - sorry - parking lot
* The general feeling of safety
* The differences in our cultures and language - fascinating.

DISLIKE
* Bumper huggers who will not pass even on those long, straight, wide roads
* Prices don't include tax - a real bummer cos everything seems so cheap til you add it on.
* Snow and the shovelling that goes with it, and the real bitter cold
* Biting insects
* Humidity that saps you energy
* Canadian bread - it's rubbish
* TV - it's rubbish
* Canadian humour - it lacks the bite and irony we Brits do so well
* Tacky strip malls
* Huntin', shootin' mentality of so many Canadians
* Lack of charcters and personality from those who govern the country - say what you will, at least those at Downing Street always provide amusement, scandal and provoke real emotion - usually anger. The Canadian lot are soooo bland


I'm sure there's some more for both lists, but that's all I can think of for now

Originally Posted by taradem

Hi,
Sorry to hear you sound so disheartenned with the forum. I'm not part of the old guard and have only been here for 6 weeks so can't be as informative and detailed as dbd but I'm happy to share my snapshot!

Likes
*Weather (we live in Mississauga at the moment)
*Lake and abundance of outdoor space - parks, pools, b-b-q's
*Lots to do (may be because we came during the summer) but been to RibFests, Midnight Madness, Grand Prix, off to see Bob the Builder later!!
*Very positive work/life balance attitude. This is obviously only our experience but my husband works for a Pharmaceutical company and he gets every other Friday afternoon off during the summer, we have a family picnic to go to next weekend and no-one is in the office past 6pm (unheard of in the same company in the UK!)
*Very friendly people and a really diverse mix of nationalities
*24hr convenience - some people may not like it but I have a toddler and a baby on the way so convenience is key. There is not much you can't get here and at most times of the day / night.
*Driving an SUV without a second mortgage
*The fact that I don't have to work and we can still have a better house than in the UK in a nice area (Very truman show but heh I have kids!!)
*Great houses - sold a 3 bed semi in Cambridgeshire just bought a 4 bed, dbl garage for the same money.
*Lots of provision for small children .......... certainly here there are lots of indoor playgrounds and state organised play centres with free classes etc.
*Healthcare. Okay so at the moment we don't have our OHIP so we are paying for it but in 3 months time we won't be. My daughter has a paediatrician who saw her within 2 weeks of being here, I have a Dr & an OB, both of whom I can get an appt with whilst I am still ill!
*Haven't really noticed much litter, grafitti etc
*Its school holidays but haven't been intimidated by groups of teenagers hanging around the parks


Dislikes
*Lack of credit - its like you have never existed anywhere else in the world
*VVVVV expensive car insurance. 2 companies quoted $11,000 for 2 cars, eventually got it down to $4000. Happy to share the details if you decide to come.
*The fact that all prices are quoted without tax - if you're not concentrating things can appear really cheap!
*Missing family and friends - you can feel really alone!
*Chain restaurants - Outback, Kelso's etc nice as far as they go but would like a bit of individuality
*Staple foods can seem expensive, milk, chicken etc. Although I like the fact that the farmers are being protected.
*Traffic on the highways - same as the UK really!
*V. impatient drivers who expect you to cross a 3 lane road on a red light!
*We get Toronto news and far from being crime free we read about shootings almost every weekend!
*V. expensive flights

As you can see - I've struggled a bit with my dislikes and to be fair most would be to do with our situation. Ie living in a rented appartment whilst waiting for our stuff to arrive from the UK. The working culture here seems to be very different from the UK - and thats not good or bad just different.
On balance - we think we will really enjoy living here. As someone else said it depends on what you are looking for. For us it was about us having the time to enjoy our young family.
Good luck in whatever you decide and I hope this helps!
Kind Regards
Tara

Originally Posted by howardk

hi,very interested in how you got such a good car insurance deal....any chance of letting me have contact details...many thanks,howard

Originally Posted by taradem

Hi Howard,
We have a broker - Cathy Pedro. [email protected]
She was fantastic so give her a try.
Good Luck!
tara