Observations so far.........
 

Hello all,
This forum was of great use in the process of spousal immigration (me being the spouse, partner being the Canadian), so I thought I'd post on the site to give something back if you will. Hope it's of some use. If not, er....., sorry.....

Been in T.O (splat bang downtown) for 4 months now. I'm a musician by profession, all my life. In fact I've done this for so long I truly have no employable skills other that being able to play guitar. I'm aware my story may be slightly different to most and not of much practical use, but what the hell....

The way to get work in my game is by going to gigs, jam sessions and anything you can find and meeting others in the game, which translates to spending huge amounts of time in bars and clubs drinking beer and talking to people.
We saved a load of cash before we moved and my better half was fully aware of the fact it would/will take a while to get established, so far so good, started working etc....

Anyways, immigration? Greatest thing I've done on a personal level since I realized wrestling was fake when I was 8. I can't over-state what a positive process it's been so far . Yes it's a stress, yes you have a bad day or 2, but you learn so much about yourself by doing it, and what an adventure to say the least.....

You get out what you put in...
So many posts seem to obsess about what is different or not as good, but surely the whole point is the difference??? If you put the energy into meeting people and hanging out, immersing yourself in the surroundings, it does pay dividends, quicker than you think. Downtown T.O is a welcoming place-if you put yourself out there. If you're shy, reserved or snobby, tbh, people won't be interested in getting to know you.

The inevitable British moan......

Of course there is stuff to moan about, but it ain't a deal breaker....

1) Canada Post. They are the worst company I've ever dealt with. To date, in 4 months, they have lost my PR card, lost the declaration form to say the card had never arrived, lost 2 packages that they tried to deliver and took back to the warehouse.

2) Technology is 5 yrs behind...
Not the Tech, but the infra-structure supporting it. Mobiles (Bell and Rogers are monopolizing cretins, i could start 10 posts on the vitriol and scorn i feel toward them) On-Demand TV services, On-line shopping etc are so behind the curve you won't believe it. The difference in Amazon alone is incredible. Knowing how easy on-line services are in the UK, you will be annoyed by the back step.

3) Customer Service,
I was always told tales of the miraculous steps customers service representatives took to please customers in this part of the world, while not naming companies and individually griping about them, i have to say: CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SH*TE.
Now, I'm aware this is a personal experience. I know I could have had the worst luck in the world, but I've had so many problems with employees not caring at all. I walk into a store trying to drop a thousand dollars (Snow Tires, a Bed, Insurance, Mobile Phone contracts to name a few), and no one seems to care, or give a sh*t. After-sales is even worse, it's a string of people trying to keep their own backside's out the firing line.

The Suburbs Aint for Me....

Personal i know, but you really don't realise how cut off the suburbs are till you get here. You can't do anything without a car. I live Downtown, and honestly, short of a disaster, I won't move. The suburbs seems a giant sprawl of apartment blocks and shopping malls. Many posts talk about the idea of more space etc, but you truly don't realise how isolated you can be COMPARED TO THE UK, just getting groceries if you don't have a car is a mission outside of downtown..., personal I know, but worth a shout...


Things to love about Canada....


1) The weather, i dont care how cold it gets, it's f@$k'in well dry. Thank the lord. I'll take -10 and dry above 3 degree and slight drizzle. I really didn't think I'd care about the weather, but it makes a huge amount of difference to my outlook.

2) This is specific to downtown T.O, but the diversity of shopping/food markets/bars/restaurants is great. So many great places to go.

3) YOU DID IT. You can write pages on what annoys you (see above), but like I started, it's the best adventure you'll ever have, and honestly, if i ever got unhappy, I'd move somewhere new, not back home.

I could fill 30 posts on what I like, or what I've learned, but they're all so personal they won't be of interest.

It ain't gonna be the same, you'll have bad days, you'll hate the most trivial things, but roll the dice and go for it......

Finally, you know you're turning Torontonian when....

you laugh at people going to the wrong exits on the subway...

you begin to hate Tim Horton's because the coffee tastes like boiled Yak's p*ss.

you think -2 is t-shirt weather

you f**kin hate slow walking tourists, who seem to want the whole sidewalk to themselves and their oxygen thieving offspring.....

you think Poutine is fundamentally wrong on all levels...

You realise you're one of the people who won't ever move from Downtown because of all the reasons above....


thanks people, hope it wasn't all bad.
let the cyber blood-letting begin.............

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Thank you for the post! Interesting observations, and I completely agree with your statement about excitement and enriching experience of immigration - I've done it once already - 15 years in the UK and we're planning to move again despite being generally happy here. Although there are some important reasons at the bottom of our decision to immigrate again, some of it, I am sure, is a slight addiction to the thrill of moving to a different land, all the challenges involved, the sense of achievement and abundance of new experiences. Good luck with your new life!

Re: Observations so far.........
 

A great post - nice to see a well balanced account, written with a sense of humour.

Thanks and all the best for the future!

Re: Observations so far.........
 

+1

Re: Observations so far.........
 

I love it, not sure about the comment on the oxygen thieving offspring of the tourists though... take it you dont have children then

Re: Observations so far.........
 

I would guess the OP's comment is meant to be tongue in cheek :)

Re: Observations so far.........
 

I couldn't agree more with your post...a very well-balanced view IMHO! Nothing wrong with stating a few of the more negative aspects of being here - we'd all be lying if we said there was nothing we didn't like (ahem, see Negative Thread)

Despite hiccups and the odd bad day, it's been the best thing we've ever done too. Long may that continue for you (and for us too) :thumbsup:

Re: Observations so far.........
 

The 'oxygen thieving offspring' was meant to be a joke, and yeah, I don't have kids. It was more about people not sharing the sidewalk, even when they can see you coming, and make no effort to create space. Simple things eh?

As a follow up, I have already caught myself TWICE saying 'Eh' at the end of a sentence without a hint of sarcasm.

Worrying times.

Also Sarcasm is a no here. Although people claim to understand and enjoy sarcastic humour, they really don't.
It's interesting comparing Facebook. I put up a comment or photo. Canadian friends: positive, encouraging. British Friends: Take the P@ss on a Chronic level. Viscously attack, the way i always would. It's a generalization, but you get the idea....

Re: Observations so far.........
 

I wish you would fill 30 posts - most enjoyable and informative. Apart from the fact that I am tone deaf, I'm quite jealous I'm not a musician - I can think of worse ways of integrating into my new community than propping up the bar with a beer!

Are you starting to get work now?

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Yeah things are starting to move a little work wise. Jan/Feb is 'off season' so just waiting for the scene to fire up again. Thanks for asking!!

So much to love and hate in equal measures you kinda got have a sense of humour about it all, or at least try.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

These two things also apply if you are an immigrant to BC, as far as I am concerned anyway!

Gigs, jam sessions and open mikes etc are how I am meeting Canadians as well.
It is an experience, you are right there but whether the type of person we are meeting at these events is typical of the majority is up for debate:blink:.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

i agree, it is a select group of people we are meeting. Musical/Art types are never representative of the general population, but I've always made my living from Music, so I guess these are the people I'll be hanging out with anyways................

Re: Observations so far.........
 

What a wonderful post, although we are not Suburb people i can fully relate to everything.
Another pet hate perhaps?? when you're in a store and you hear some whining Brit you try not to sound British in case you get associated with them....I actually pretended to be French when some whine bag from Leeds started moaning about Canadian way of life in a store!!

Anyway good luck! We're approaching a year on the 17th....:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Keith.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

You made me blush with that one! I have that particular tee shirt in every colour combination

No, Helcat surely the Tim Horton's horrors and the dread of Poutine MUST be universal?....aren't they..

Re: Observations so far.........
 

I actually pretended to be French when some whine bag from Leeds started moaning about Canadian way of life in a store!!

From Yorkshire did you expect anything less :rofl: Was he complaining that there was no place to leave his whippet or greyhound?

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Good old Yorkshire.... I miss the 'you're not from round these parts' stares you'd get anywhere outside of Leeds. It's still weird walking into a shop/bar/anywhere, and the staff are friendly and talkative. They even mean sometimes. I thought they were being sarcastic.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

A well balanced view of what it's as a newcomer living in Toronto.

I'm in my forth condo since moving here in 08' - Ronces, St-Clair, Front and now Carlton-Jarvis and by far the current location has been the best. It's great being able to walk everywhere.

Regarding getting by and meeting people; I do agree that one has to put themselves out there and meet and mingle with as many locals - that goes for both the work and social enviros... I've had many challenges on this front but learning to adapt quickly has helped and I find that in my 4th year of Toronto life I have changed for the better - for instance I'm way more likely to start a conversation with something then before and I don't hold back on opportunities like I used to in London.

The art/cultural scene is very good here in Toronto. I really enjoy Queen West area and King East. I'm got so many favourite bars and restaurants and I enjoy exploring the neighbourhoods - to the detriment of my wallet - I go out here way more than back in London.

Weather is a big plus here. You've been relatively lucky with the very mild winter - it can get a bit much but the summers really make up for it.

It seems you've got the right attitude to make Toronto a successful move. You'll be seeing 4 years soon enough by the sounds of how well your enjoying things.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

I'd agree with you there - I got a major shock when I signed up for my first 3 year mobile contract with Rogers and had to pay for all the things that once used to be included like call-id, voicemail etc.

I canned all Rogers servies including Cable and switched to Wind Mobile which include unlimited everything for 30CAD a month - I've not had any problems and get very good reception in the downtown area... Also switched to Bell Fibe for internet and TV which has all the PVR /multimedia extras you'd ever want.

As far as the actual tech product offering goes it's been very good good but I completely understand with regards to the customer service/infrastructure element - I have yet to fully comprehend my Bell bill after the 3rd month of service. I hope it's right but I've got so many service deducts/promotions/bundles etc attached to the bill that even Bell don't know what sort of contract I'm on... most of it just looks like nonsense.

Very recently I have saw a marked difference in the availability of on-line shopping both from Canadian retailers as well as American/UK. A lot of sites now include CAD prices with duty etc included... shipping can still be prohibitive but I have noticed a few stores have free Shipping within USA/Canada. I find most of what I need in stores downtown.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Whining Brits! But the reverse is also true. There is a Canadian poster on here ( can't remember her name) living in London, and she whines like hell about all things English. :)

Re: Observations so far.........
 

And there is a Swedish poster on here (waves) who has lived in UK and hates the place. Spent much more time in Canada than a normal "I want to emmigrate to Canada and plan a reccie trip" immigrants and LOVE IT!

And I LOVE Tim Hortons. Good coffee at a very affordable price. As in UK the coffees available were horrendous, it was either make my own and bring or live off starbucks which is stupidly expensive.

And poutine is quite OK. It's one of those you either like or don't. British cooking probably has the worst reputation in the world, bland, greasy, loaded with fat. Not many people like that. Strangely, I liked the British cuisine.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

I find it odd that people scoff at poutine, yet they'll gladly devour greasy plates of potatoes and instant gravy and cheese.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

HELLO people... have you tried Smoke's Poutine http://smokespoutinerie.com/ (Dundas-Jarvis) if heaven was chips, gravy and cheese...

It's my Kebab (kebob) at 2am... let me have it.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Chips and gravy???

Is that a Northern thing??:p

Why spoil Bisto eh? :rofl:

Re: Observations so far.........
 

We had poutine at Swiss Chalet when we first arrived here. It is not that bad but very filling, so I wouldn't eat too much of it... I can really recommend the ribs at Swiss Chalet they were yummie!
I have been in Mississauga for a month now, really liking it so far.
There is a lot more choice in Canada for relatively healthy take away and restaurant food when compared to England. I love it how people make casual conversation, it is such a relaxed atmosphere and much easier to connect with people. Things are not as rushed especially at work.
I have not visited down town Toronto yet, maybe I will go there this weekend. Can you recommend anything in particular?
Is it best to use public transport from Mississauga to go down town or should I go by car and park somewhere? Thanks for your help :)

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Given your location meeting people should be easy. Borrow a dog, walk to Allen Gardens, set it to romping, chat.

Recently there a cradle (a cradle in Toronto, honest!) detecting my accent launched into the history of all the football matches he had attended. The saga ended with him exposing his tattoo, of a cockerel. The area is, of course, known for incidents of that general nature.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Drive. Where to park depends on where you're going but driving is much the easiest.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Well, there is the GO bus from Square One, 40 mins (if memory serves) in to Union. But if you have a car you might as well drive. Drive as much as you can to get used to the Toronto traffic and find your way around. My two most recent trips I had rentals and at this last one I found that I was relying less and less on the GPS. Taking different routes than my usuals just because.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Now Swiss Chalet i like.....Apparently there is a Nando's on Eglington.......Any recomendation for good Chicken Houses? or West Indian places...missing my Goat curry......

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Could not agree more, I thought I was just being anti British but thats the way some Brits here make me feel. We were out with Canadian friends for a drink just before Christmas when I saw the first brawl outside a bar since leaving UK, funnily enough they were a group of p***** up Brits brawling, gobbing off, breaking a glass partition. I was so ashamed to be British at that moment.
There is also a large partion of Brits who work for a trucking company here. Whilst there are a few of them who we love, most of them just really p*** me off with their attitude, all they do is slag the place off, moaning about Canadians in general, openly mocking them to their faces and about the fact that football here sucks and British football is the only one. Our football is called soccer here, just accept it for christs sake, does it really matter. These are the guys that complained about immigrants in Britain not integrating and they do exactly the same here.
I make a point of making sure people here know that I am not working for this trucking company when they hear my accent, its amazing their attitude changes remarkably for the better when they know, right or wrong thats just the rep that has been formed here.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

You are spot on here.

Re: Observations so far.........
 

Poutine is fab:thumbsup: