Seeking advice on relocation
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Hi New Immigrant,
I immigrated to Canada 1st time in 2009 and went back in 2009, came back in 2011 with a plan and now in Canada since past 4 years. I will share few things based on my experience and I have lot of friends who did MBA with me from queens university and other friends who have immigrated here. So I will share my experience and suggestions
I agree with Murali (TK) that if one is in IT or Finance i.e. professions such as Developer/Business Analysts/Project Managers etc it is definitely favourable for them else it is difficult for desis and Canada's job market is not that great. So unless you fall into the above category things are not favourable (I wouldnt use the word impossible). Another thing is I see no point in minimum wage job here which is basically 11*37.5*4= 1650 and 1500-2000$ per month,unless you have a solid plan ahead and you see something happening here. But I see lot of immigrants are ok with minimum wage jobs and they start with that and continue that for years.Here in Canada the monthly expenses with rent, car, etc will be at least 2500$-3000$ which means even for basic vacations you will have to think. So definitely come here with a plan and have plan B in place.
I know immigrants who came here in 2009 and are still struggling and most of these immigrants are the ones who came in there late 30s..early to late 40s. This age group are already in mid career, have kids and are bound by lot of other things. On the other hand the immigrants who succed are immigrants who are young, can educate themselves further. So I am not trying to be -ve here. Come here with an open mind. Try for a year or so, and have a good plan in place and also back up plan if your plan does not succeed.
The places where you should live should have TTC access. Etobicoke is a good area for sure for starters. North York is also a good option and it would be even more closer to downtown unless proximity to mississauga is your priority. Car insurance is higher in Mississauga than North York for new drivers.
Retail industry is going down like crazy here. There are so many shops/chains that have closed down. So be ready to work on your skills and try for alternative career options.
I dont know if I have been too negative here, the message I want to send across is come with an open mind, some plan /strategy and a fall back plan if things dont go as per your plan
Quote:
Originally posted by New immigrant
Dear Senior Desis and members,
I had sought your advice a few months ago when we (Family of 3) came to Toronto for our landing in October last year. All went well, and now we are winding up from Dubai, tying all loose ends and planning to migrate for good by end of August.
We have been doing our research on areas to live in, schooling, transport facilities etc but I would still appreciate if any one of you can help.
1. The last time, we lived in a furnished apartment in Mississauga, though it was very convenient, we found commuting to Downtown etc was very expensive / time consuming. Hence, we were advised by somebody we know to look at areas such as Etobicoke, York / Thornhill / Scarborough. Need advice on what would be the best option for a new comer.
2. My son is 5 and a half years old and has been schooling here in British Curriculum. Hence, please advise if it would be possible to get admissions even by September 1st week given the school boundary determined by where we choose to live.
3. We are looking at a monthly rent of CAD 1000 – 1200 including Hydro. We are ok even if it is an open basement. Have been going through Kijiji but I just want an honest opinion from you guys.
4. We are planning to bring sufficient funds to last us around 5-6 months and are coming with a very positive and open mind.
5. My husband is a Brand Manager – Retail currently in Dubai handing various sporting brands such as Reebok, Umbro, Speedo etc. He has about 12 years of experience. How is the market for his field?
6. I have worked in the capacity of an administrator in Media, Shipping & Aviation and roughly have about 10 years of experience. Where would I Stand in the job market?
7. We had written to one of our friends, and it was very disappointing that he literally shattered our dreams and totally discouraged us. However, I don’t want to go with what he said and I’m turning for help to you guys.
8. Will my son be eligible from CTB and what would be the approximate amount?
I know its gonna be a struggle but we are coming preparedto face the challenges. Hence, it’s a humble request if any of you can give us useful & honest feedback. I would be very grateful. Also, if any of you have an extra apartment or basement home that will be available by end of August, kindly let me know.
Thank you.
A very simple solution to your life:
Do what Tamilkuravan did: mobilize 500,000 dollars; spread it across Indian banks at 8.5% interest for 5-8 years. Move to India and learn to love the homeland (remember you were born there!). With at least 2 lacs a month in interest income, you both can look for fun things to do by way of work or career. And live happily ever after.
But what about our son and his education? Well, India is not Somalia; vast array of school choices. Indian education is good enough for ya to succeed. it would be good enough for your kid too. Your kid has an advantage: if you folks are from illiterate families, he has two educated parents! You could teach him, augment what he learns at formal school. You could teach him some skills, after all, it is those who focus on a set of skills and perfect them with dedication and commitment that really succeed!
I read this whole thread and very puzzled by the path you fellas are taking. I have no useful advice, however. I came to Canuckland due to work and became a citizen so never had to search for jobs, income etc. However, best of luck to you and your family!!
Thank you Adam & Vivek .
Now that we have got some facts, could you all please suggest the names of elementary schools for my son as it is just so confusing when I look at Fraser rankings. I feel its just getting too complicated to do online research on school, housing etc.
I'd really appreciate if any of you can recommend good elementary schools in around Etobicoke / York / Thornhill / Scarborough.
This will really narrow down our search and I can start doing some reading about the neighborhoods.
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 17-05-15 15:44:38
New Immigrant,
Donot go soley go by Fraser rankings.
I will tell you the practical problem. As you may Canada is a land of refugees as well as immigrants. Canada lets in a lot of refugees to do hard work of the country and as a commitment to UN for getting immigrants. Now many of these immigrants turn to drugs / drinks and donot work. Daily there will be a fight between husband and wife and many children get affected. These children spread violence in their neighbourhood. You would not want to live in these neighbourhoods.
In Canada, children of a particular area (boundary) are expected to go to one school. For the kind of rent that you are looking for ($ 1000 range), there will be a lot of low cost housing where these refugee's stay. So your son may be exposed to violence.
A rule of thumb is to stay at places where while people stay (and where low cost apartments are not there). Such places are pockets in Royal York, Old Dundas road etc.. Your catch 22 situation is that you will have to rent at a place where job prospects are there as well as good schools.
I was once in Webb Drive of Mississauga and my cousins were this able to attend a good school (I think fairview) where majority were software engineers and Rich middle eastern people. My brother paid $ 1600 for the condo then (2009-2011).
As per my experience, I would recommend Old Dundas Road, Islingtom Subway station, Kipling subway station. May be other will recommend other good areas.
If you go to areas such as Englington and Mavis, you will not get apartments but you will get house basements. These areas will have majority of Desi population whose parents are either software engineers, or labourers who have settled to Labour work. Adam can explain better.
One of my friend is living at Maglaughlin and Eglington (i hope) and it was an upcoming area (no aprtments here though). He said students were punjus mostly but much better than people from Carribien /.africa.
Murali
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
Quote:
Originally posted by New immigrant
Thank you Adam & Vivek .
Now that we have got some facts, could you all please suggest the names of elementary schools for my son as it is just so confusing when I look at Fraser rankings. I feel its just getting too complicated to do online research on school, housing etc.
I'd really appreciate if any of you can recommend good elementary schools in around Etobicoke / York / Thornhill / Scarborough.
This will really narrow down our search and I can start doing some reading about the neighborhoods.
The public schools go by postal code. you can't pick and choose the school you want to send your kid too, the gov. And public school board decide that.
So if you live in a certain area ..depending on the postal code, you HAVE to send your kid to the designated school in that area..maybe you will have a choice of a couple schools..but NOT more than that.
Sometimes people live in a certain area and the school in that area might be bad..so they give a fake address of a friend or relative saying that they live there, so they have better access to schools in that area and better schools. If you get caught you might be in trouble.
I wouldn't worry too much about elementary schools..almost all the schools are good and on the same level. Even middle school I wouldn't be too concerned.
The problem usually starts in High School..where the kids get into drugs, violence etc and get spoiled..it depends more on the students and the crowd in certain localities.
Some parents are more comfortable with other desi kids , desi teachers , desi parents and desi principals..while some are more comfortable with multicultural kids, teachers and parents..white, chinese, black, brown ..hindu, muslim, christian, jews ..you name it !
Quote:
Originally posted by tamilkuravan
As you may Canada is a land of refugees as well as immigrants. Canada lets in a lot of refugees to do hard work of the country and as a commitment to UN for getting immigrants. Now many of these immigrants turn to drugs / drinks and donot work. Daily there will be a fight between husband and wife and many children get affected. These children spread violence in the neighbourhood.
Murali
Who is responsible for this? I blame System and Govt for this. Whn people are capable of working hard, thy are given motivation in the form of social assistance, CCTB, disability, HST etc and encouraged to sit idle. Idle mind devil's workshop. Everywhre parents feed the children but here children feed the parents. Irony of the situation is that the parents are enjoying in the name of innocent children and children are suffering coz of the parents esp Somalians, Africans and pakistanis who are working, getting cash as well as benefits. There's no end to such injustice whreby children are alone at home and parents are working or enjoying outside. God save such small children.
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Revenge can be bitter sweet, but if u sit back and watch, KARMA can be pure entertainment.
Thanks for the insight dear members.
Also, we are looking at any good insurance providers until we get our OHIP. Any feedback on that and also is it better to get one from Dubai or after we are in Toronto?
