One year ago today I shipped myself off from N.Ireland to Toronto. I think it has all gone rather well.

Places to live - I found a shared house on the internet and booked a room for the first month. This was a gamble, the location was far from ideal but I was broke and it was cheap. This would have worked ok had the rest of the tenants not been lunatics. An apartment downtown followed. Couldn't ask for more. Reasonable rent, great people, awesome location.

Jobs - I got a job after 4 weeks of searching. Some time later, another job opportunity randomly presented itself so I took it. That was an ill-fated decision, so after a short period of time I job searched some more and landed the position I have now. I enjoy my job and hope to be there for the foreseeable future. I take two things from that experience. 1. It is possible to turn up, as an immigrant, and find work at short notice. 2. It is perfectly possible to live, in downtown Toronto, on $10 an hour. I did it, I'm glad it's done now, but it is do-able.

Fun & friends- I have had so much fun and made some great friends. Actual friends, not just the acquaintences I expected. I forced myself to be more outgoing here and it has paid off, I have found people generally friendly and I have got away with plenty due to my accent. I love this city. Plenty to do outside of it too, with random trips to the country a definate pleasure.

I expect any pangs of missing home and the people there will be relieved by a trip back over Christmas. All in all, this has been a great move. I am relieved to have got PR and am looking forward to whatever is next.

Well done. It sounds like you have achieved quite a lot in your year.
Alovely positive post
Tina

i2c, I think moving like that was a ballsy thing to do and I'm bloody glad you done it.

Make sure that this gal is around for Yarding in early March.

I don't have shackles, I can only invite.

We will be along after a couple of introductory tequilas.

Now, to be honest that suprises me and Im not entirely sure I believe you

Congrats i2c, heres to many more!

I meant metaphorical shackles, the literal ones are in the Beetle.

Triffic! It doesn't have to be the Yard, of course. I'm just being lazy.

I'm as happy to go to one his favourite places on Church.

Come to think of it, though, given his apparent fondness for shackles, maybe I'm not.

May as well tempt fate and do the Yard, now we are back in their good graces.
I wouldn't knock the shackles, they do extend further than Church.

Congrats & great post to share!

Best wishes on your 1st Canniversary and thanks for sharing
your experience.
Yoong

Congrats on your first year!

Of course it is possible, you made it possible! Well done. Wishing you many more successful years in Canada!

- formerly known as oceanblue.

Many congrats to you - sounds like you've done well for yourself. Here's a few more then, eh?