12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
Jun 26th 2012, 4:00 am
#1
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 9
12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
So it's now a whole year in Toronto... with mixed feelings.
The biggest success is being able to explore different places in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. I've met a couple of really cool people and even managed to get a job in my field of study! The great thing about Toronto is the sheer number of things to do, and how generally positive people are about life. Certainly I can see it being a major major city of the world like new york.
Of course, not without some reservations! I haven't made as many friends as I'd like; it's quite a change given I had loads in the UK. Humour makes up most of my friendships, however mine is very gritty, it's been a learning curve holding a conversation without jokes. I do wonder whether I might be more in tune with the Quebecois or other places like Alberta.
The biggest success is being able to explore different places in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. I've met a couple of really cool people and even managed to get a job in my field of study! The great thing about Toronto is the sheer number of things to do, and how generally positive people are about life. Certainly I can see it being a major major city of the world like new york.
Of course, not without some reservations! I haven't made as many friends as I'd like; it's quite a change given I had loads in the UK. Humour makes up most of my friendships, however mine is very gritty, it's been a learning curve holding a conversation without jokes. I do wonder whether I might be more in tune with the Quebecois or other places like Alberta.
Jun 27th 2012, 7:56 pm
#2
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
Excellent! 
So you say you've been visiting the Carribean? Where exactly did you go and how long was the flight time?
Shorter flights to the Carribean sounds
like a big bonus to me...
So you say you've been visiting the Carribean? Where exactly did you go and how long was the flight time?
Shorter flights to the Carribean sounds
like a big bonus to me...
Jun 27th 2012, 11:18 pm
#3
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: GTA
Posts: 301
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
Hi,
Congratulations on your first year
It can be hard to make friends in a big city and it takes time to get to a level of ease and comfort.
Hope you find some company that appreciates your humour soon.
Congratulations on your first year
It can be hard to make friends in a big city and it takes time to get to a level of ease and comfort.
Hope you find some company that appreciates your humour soon.
Jun 28th 2012, 9:51 pm
#4
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Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 348
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
Congrats on the 12months.
I was in the same place when I was 12months in Canada. I did not make as many friends. But I visited home every year & I slowly realised Canada was a much better place. Stick it out..it gets better.
I was in the same place when I was 12months in Canada. I did not make as many friends. But I visited home every year & I slowly realised Canada was a much better place. Stick it out..it gets better.
Jul 5th 2012, 3:08 pm
#5
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Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
What about arranging to meet up with people from here? About half the friends I have over here are from expats.com
Jul 11th 2012, 1:58 pm
#6
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Posts: 415
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
I'm with Geordie Lass! A meet up would be good! I miss people being able to understand my accent!
Jul 14th 2012, 3:01 pm
#8
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Location: the GTA
Posts: 3,824
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
Jul 15th 2012, 7:56 pm
#9
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 1,371
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
Making loads of friends doesn't happen overnight wherever you are, especially in large cities. It takes time. Your network of friends at home didn't happen overnight, remember. Just keep at it and it'll come with time.
Jul 16th 2012, 12:20 pm
#10
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Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
I sound more like a Frankie Boyle than anything else... :O
I am in Guelph!
I am in Guelph!
Jul 26th 2012, 3:38 pm
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 136
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
Now I've been in Toronto just over 3 years and feel I am making friends - my best buddies are all expats and colleagues.
Keep throwing yourself out there and drop in to the Brit Expat meet-ups to get your dash of humour once a month.
Keep throwing yourself out there and drop in to the Brit Expat meet-ups to get your dash of humour once a month.
Jul 28th 2012, 5:06 am
#12
Banned
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,300
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
So it's now a whole year in Toronto... with mixed feelings.
The biggest success is being able to explore different places in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. I've met a couple of really cool people and even managed to get a job in my field of study! The great thing about Toronto is the sheer number of things to do, and how generally positive people are about life. Certainly I can see it being a major major city of the world like new york.
Of course, not without some reservations! I haven't made as many friends as I'd like; it's quite a change given I had loads in the UK. Humour makes up most of my friendships, however mine is very gritty, it's been a learning curve holding a conversation without jokes. I do wonder whether I might be more in tune with the Quebecois or other places like Alberta.
The biggest success is being able to explore different places in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. I've met a couple of really cool people and even managed to get a job in my field of study! The great thing about Toronto is the sheer number of things to do, and how generally positive people are about life. Certainly I can see it being a major major city of the world like new york.
Of course, not without some reservations! I haven't made as many friends as I'd like; it's quite a change given I had loads in the UK. Humour makes up most of my friendships, however mine is very gritty, it's been a learning curve holding a conversation without jokes. I do wonder whether I might be more in tune with the Quebecois or other places like Alberta.
Aug 3rd 2012, 7:36 pm
#14
Island life at last
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: BC
Posts: 2,715
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
So it's now a whole year in Toronto... with mixed feelings.
The biggest success is being able to explore different places in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. I've met a couple of really cool people and even managed to get a job in my field of study! The great thing about Toronto is the sheer number of things to do, and how generally positive people are about life. Certainly I can see it being a major major city of the world like new york.
Of course, not without some reservations! I haven't made as many friends as I'd like; it's quite a change given I had loads in the UK. Humour makes up most of my friendships, however mine is very gritty, it's been a learning curve holding a conversation without jokes. I do wonder whether I might be more in tune with the Quebecois or other places like Alberta.
The biggest success is being able to explore different places in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. I've met a couple of really cool people and even managed to get a job in my field of study! The great thing about Toronto is the sheer number of things to do, and how generally positive people are about life. Certainly I can see it being a major major city of the world like new york.
Of course, not without some reservations! I haven't made as many friends as I'd like; it's quite a change given I had loads in the UK. Humour makes up most of my friendships, however mine is very gritty, it's been a learning curve holding a conversation without jokes. I do wonder whether I might be more in tune with the Quebecois or other places like Alberta.
When people ask me whether I like Canada, I apologise and say I am not being rude but I have mixed feelings. It is still early days for me and I still miss a lot about England - friends, pastimes, just being unfamiliar with daily life is still unsettling.
I also have to say that we seem to have come up against a few bad sorts here (including our former landlord who is currently making bizarre and untrue allegations of "sabotage" on our rental after saying at the end-of-tenancy walkthrough all was fine and who is now trying to withold our damage deposit
!)That sort of encounter has soured our view of Canada at times but I try to think that it is just because back in the UK our circle of friends and contacts had already weeded out the bad types a long time ago.
I miss knowing who to trust, who to ask about things for an honest reply and good advice or which tradesmen to call
.I miss not knowing things - basic things
.But I am trying to be philosophical about it all.
A year certainly isn't enough to rebuild a whole life, friendships and career, so IMHO, we "newbies" shouldn't feel too bad about admitting to ourselves or anyone who asks that the jury is still out.
Aug 3rd 2012, 7:41 pm
#15
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Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,851
Re: 12 months in Toronto - mixed feelings
Wouldnt the same be true for Canadians who have moved to the UK.
Imagine a bunch of Pikeys turning up on their doorstep and offering to do their driveway or roof for a reasonable rate
They even have series on HGTV on cowboy type tradespeople in both countries.
BTW if interested I have some property for sale in Florida
Imagine a bunch of Pikeys turning up on their doorstep and offering to do their driveway or roof for a reasonable rate
They even have series on HGTV on cowboy type tradespeople in both countries.
BTW if interested I have some property for sale in Florida