Just over a month ago I asked this question of the forum, having been rocked to my foundations, as my husband was approached to go and work in Canada.

I spent hours trawling this web site trying to answer questions and get a feel for Canada. I was faced with such a life changing move.

I have just returned from a five day trip to Toronto and feel I need to let everyone or anyone who is interested, know my opinion of the Greater Toronto area.

WOW... You are such lovely people in Canada.

I spent several days alone, visiting areas within Toronto, driving around, looking at houses and trying to get a feel for the place. I walked into a realtors office one day and within 3 hours was out viewing houses and being shown good and bad areas to move to. ( like this would happen in England)

I was invited into someone's home by simply talking to them on the street, to view their home!!!!

The City was so clean. Yes, there were beggers but aren't they everywhere. ( An elderly Canadian relative tried to dissuade us from moving to Canada for this reason!) Everyone was so friendly I just felt like I belonged.

I love England and never had any intention of leaving but now if I have to move my family to Toronto, I will go very happily!!

Its going to be easy for my family - we will have a job to go to but its still a hugh step.( Still selling up and moving lock stock and barrel if we go!!!) I just felt as though I was visiting the kind of place where I grew up, 20 years ago.

Canada is lovely - even in the snow!

Bombards

Im so happy for you. I remeber visiting family over in ontario and one of them was buying a house but had forgotten some sort of document while they were meeting with someone at the bank that was lending them the money. The person at the bank said it was ok and that as she was living close to them why not just bring it over to her house so she could photocopy it. Imagine a bank employee inviting you round to their home. From then on i knew Canadians were amongst the nices people going.

good luck with your future

Canada is lovely you are right!! It just gets better every day for me. I've been here for 4 months and I just love it too!

Our thoughts exactly after our first visit to Ontario.

Thank the Gods. A positive post on this little grey, depressing and generally miserable forum.

With your attitude, anything is possible. My fiancee and I intend to move at the end of this year. Thanks for reminding me why I'm doing this.

Sounds like our first visit in June 2003. Hope all goes well.

Hi Madmac

Where in Ontario are you planning on moving to?

Sorry if you have answered that already?

We are from glasgow and we moved here 5.5 years ago. Would be glad to share any info with you.



I note that you are a Lecturer, what does your fiance do?

Oh, and yes, we both have decent jobs. Took a little while, but got there.

Yes after reading all the depressing posts, it makes me wonder if I am in a small minority of people who love Canada. I can not wait till I move! Happy Day
AC

Hi ramac

Goodness knows at the moment but I'm open to suggestions. We have looked at some smaller cities/towns such as Oshawa? but as you already know, it depends entirely where either of us can land a job flipping burgers.

Great to know that someone else from the central belt has moved and settled in well. It would be very nice if you could share you're experiences with us as I'm a little bit despondent after looking through this site. Seems that every silver lining has a cloud here and that we'll be heading back to Scotland after a brief stop over

I'd appreciate any advice/reassurance that you could give so drop me a line on the private messages anytime.

My Fiancee is a finance officer with South Lanarkshire council though she is an honours level educated, part-qualified chartered accountant. She'll probably get a job before me

Happy days

Are you planning to move to Canada with a work permit? If so, you need to be aware of the risks, especially if your husband's job does not work out.

I would suggest you think about applying for Canadian permanent residence immediately.

The bottom line is that you won't be able to call Canada 'home' until you've got permanent residence, or better still Canadian citizenship (but you need PR before you can even think about that).

Jeremy

So have just caught up with the thread and I must say that I am glad to know other people think we are of the right mind-set.

It is such a hard decision to make, I have had my mother in law crying this evening, at the thought of us taking her grandchildren away, but you know what- life is what you make it, so if we can make a go of this experience, we will...


I look forward to the next few weeks and the decisions we have to make and if all goes to plan, I will keep you all posted of our imminent departure to Toronto..


Wish us luck....

Bombards

Why Toronto? Go to Calgary.

Why Calgary?

i need a drink

I was a victim of the 'work permit' route.

If I had to do it all over again, it would have been via PR rather than a work visa.

And to really find out how wonderful people are - get lost and ask someone for directions, or trip in the street and fend off the offers of help ... !! Or try to open a door whilst lugging a baby car seat (people change directions to open doors for you!)

thanks for the reminder about one of the reasons I like it so much here!

Clare



OH and anotehr thing, disabled parking spaces are sacroscant here - makes a nice change!