Hi Folks
My wife and I are just beginning to consider the move to Canada and have found the information on here very usefull. We are planning to fly over to to Ontario or Quebec later this summer as our first visit.
We want to make the most of our visit (10 days or so)to gather as much information as possible about living in Canada, rather than seeing what any other tourist will see. This is actually quite hard when you don't know where to start! It is so easy just to see the indside of hotels, shops and the car and not get answers to many of our questions.

So, can anyone help with:

Is it realistic to plan a camper van trip to see more, and if so can anyone reccomend any hire firms?

Has anyone got any accomodation to rent for a few days?? Or suggestions of how not to spend a fortune?

Would anyone consider meeting up with us over a beer when we get there to help us with our questions.

Any suggestions as to what we should do when we're out there?

We don't have a particular area in mind yet, but are looking at southern Ontario/Quebec
I know this is all a bit vague/naive but you gotta start somewhere!

Catherine and Adrian Eves

If you can get over to Mississauga (near toronto), i'd meet you for a beer or coffee. Drop me an email


Ray

Hi,

The camper van idea (called "rv's" here, recreational vehicles) may work, but you might spend more time travelling between places and looking for somewhere to camp overnight than seeing towns (although IIRC some Walmarts dont mind you camping in the parking lot, but obviously there are no "facilities"). Usually camper rentals are very restrictive on km per day before you have to start paying extra. Fuel economy isnt the best either. I think canadian affair has some links to rental companies if you want to pursue it, or see http://www.gorving.ca/rvrentals.asp

Probably more cost effective to rent a compact car, and stay in cheap motels / hotels, every city seems to have some kind of cheap place, in Belleville its the motel 5 and Avalon on the main drag, ~$65 per night.

I think its a good idea to see as wide a variety of places as you can , there is alot of variety in the areas you mentioned, from bussling metropolis through classy capital to rural tranquility and everything in between. You often dont have to travel far to go from one to the other. Remember though Canada is vast, Ontario on its own is bigger than France and Spain together, so dont bite off too much at once. I am sure if you post an ittinery here people will give you feedback about what it is realistic to try and do.

I'm not sure how much you can really get a feel for different places in 10 days, but it is good to at least try. Try and get the local realestate paper from the local newspaper or realtor, to give an idea of the property market. Try and check out the local job market, you need an idea of what your chosen job will likely pay here. Visit a few supermarkets to figure out likely grocery costs.

The most important thing for most people I suspect is to find out what you can realistically expect when you arrive in terms of work and housing, and try and at least narrow your search down to a general area, if not a town in particular.

But dont forget to have some fun too, no schedule should be so crowded as to miss the CN tower and Niagara Falls at least if you havent been before!

Good luck, and enjoy your trip

Iain

Thanks Ian for the advice, just the sort of info we needed, and thanks Ray, I'll drop you an e-mail.

If you are thinking of southern ontario and quebec, then your bearing seems about right. Say you end up east or west of Toronto, then all you have to do is just rent a car or RV as you say, but parking it can be a problem, so you are better off staying in a cheap hotel, all inclusive, and just drive around.

Montreal is not far at all, its a trip we have done so many times, and we were just there for the easter break, staying off st catherine street ( Novotel ), so much to do and see.

They usually have weekend deals called "sweet deal", its a package that includes everything, a suite with kitchenette, breakfast and stuff. Another pic from my album, my digital camera goes everywhere with me, even to work. I love photography, you never know when you are going to get that amazing shot.

Beautiful picture, I'm guessing Georgian Bay?

Iain

Thanks mickj, sounds like the motel thing will be the best plan. Your'e just teasing us with those pics now, where is it then?