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My expriences so far ... first two days in Toronto!!!

CharlotteJ

Hero Member
Jul 31, 2009
319
41
Ok .. I did it, I made it to this wonderful lovely vast big country and am hard busy getting settled and know how things work.

I am sending family and friends "blog" like emails each day and post short messages on my Facebook page so everybody can follow me and see what I do and how I do which is quite fun too.

All I can say to all and everybody of you is that if you really want to make ' your move" work out well and be ending up living happily ever after, believe deeply in who you are, what you are and what you want and will like to achieve, because the sky is the limit here. Be aware that there are a lot of sad or somehow negative experiences and people who don't like you to come to Canada but it all depends on how you do react on such and just be who you are and stay the way you are.

I can assure you that in Canada, regardless of what you are, who you are or what you need, there is something for each and everybody to achieve and to find.

Just been here for less than 10 days and spent quite some dollars and not even settled fully to start looking for jobs and I receive job offers and people who want to help me one after each other. It all depends on the way your mindset is and if and how you do network.

Lesson 1. From the moment on that you check-in for your flight to Canada, put off your masker and all your judgements, prejudices and/or expectations aside and board your aircraft as a new born person, a baby who is interested in anything and everything that shall pass his/her path and embrace yourself and all that passes your path with a big wide smile.

Lesson 2. Don't put too much of effort in asking people or others what they think or they might find or what will be good for you, NO, ask yourself HOW you would like it all to WORK FOR YOU! Ask questions, be honest, tell them you are here to start afresh and be a better person and see how many positive reactions you will receive.

My most negative experience was with this real estate agent at Remax.

I asked them for help and I was asked to fill out a form indicating what I look and in what price range. I 've a pet, a small dog, price range between 800 and 1400 max and around downtown or near TTC or PATH in Toronto and clean, safe and with security etc. the woman, Barbara looked at me, stood up and left the room babbling and yelling like a mad that I am crazy and wasting my time. She came back and told me that I CAN NOT FIND ANY property anywhere in Toronto with those conditions and started to also downtalk on Indians, Koreans, Chinese, Pakistani's you name it and that I shall also not go and look East of Yonge etc. ... She did discourage me so much that I almost wanted to catch a flight back home to Europe.

To make this even worse, I go and buy a hot dog and the "Greek" guy selling the hotdogs, asked me where I do come from. I answered and told him why I am here too and what I just had been told. He went like mad too and started to downtalk on me either and really truly openly telling me to go back to Europe as it won't be fair to be here as a European while people from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Greece, Africa or South America or places of Conflict or war like Tamil should be here and be safe and happy. AS if it is my fault to be an European!

Anyways, I listened and didn't pay much attention to his words.

Now, here comes the fun part of my 3rd day in Toronto ... I stay at a 5 star hotel in Toronto, room large and comfy but noisy and bathroom so small I can hardly use it. No complaints, it won't take long to get out anyway although I don't know where to go and look for and what to do after having spoken to this lady, Barbara who I will refer to from now on as " Barbara Blabber Mouth"! ... Shall we adopt all those who are negative and try to discourage you as " Barbara Blabber Mouth" ? hahaha :p

Anyway, I went to Rogers, got me a pre-paid simcard for my iPhone, using " pay as you go" promotion, added 40$ to my account and had the guy take care of all and stuff, then went to my bank and asked for an advisor and had him opening my chequing account and changing branch and address etc and talking to him openly and such a gent to help me with great stuff, a Chinese/Canadian who really did care and is fun to meet and a treat to the eye! :-*

Then went back to hotel, took the ferry to the Center Island and went walking and enjoying the amazing skyline vista's! Having a piece of Pizza there and met this huge big mama black girl who did complain of having it quite cold and so I told her to go and hug her co-worker, a young man from Vietnam who looked at me in shock not knowing how to answer and guess what, yes she immediately jumped over him and started to hug him and gosh, we had fun and all started to laugh at loud and she was dancing for us and acting like one of those lovely funny black Hollywood movie stars and turned my day all to a fun positive day, not only I did reload my batteries but also they did! and many other people also enjoyed our conversations and had fun with us! Networking too and sharing information, where you come from, who does do what and where to get what the best and for the least etc. Really lovely!

Got back to hotel, the phone rang. Barbara Blabber Mouth telling me she didn't mean to discourage me and will set up a meeting with her co-worker Mrs. X to come and pick me up and show me a few properties so I get the feeling what I can expect.

Ok then ...deal! I was picked up in a sleak new Mercedes, went property watching! 5 of them, all located in and around Bloor str.

All oh so small, dirty, filthy, or still under construction, pets restricted, meaning: you may/can have one small pet if you discuss it with landlord etc. and unfurnished, one didnt' had sunlight and noisy Bloor street close to the window on 2d floor, other one located on 38th floor offering an 180 degree amazing downtown view but carpet full of stains and sigarette burning spots and really worn out bathroom and no washer or dryer and another one again right in front of the currently under construction Four Season's towers that will not only block the view, be bad for traffic but also oh so noisy that you hardly can hear yourself and a balcony that was walled by the neighbour of the building adjacent to it just because they didn't want to have that property's balcony blcok their view etc etc etc, all for at least 2200 dollars a month and unfurnished!

Totally discouraged, I came back to hotel to have friends telling me to come over to Montreal since they can help me find a place bigger and better and for less money in downtown Montreal and be close to them which all sounded so nice off course and I then went doing my research and yes, it is true, in Montreal, you will receive more value for the money if you go and rent and most homes are aloft like close to Old Montreal or downtown itself or even homes with a garden or a large balcony overlooking waterfront or the river or even skyline and for less money so I booked my room at a hotel in Montreal and made sure I could leave for MTL in 2 days and meet up with them.

Next morning:

I woke up, did my things and got ready to leave hotel room for some entertainment etc and keep me busy or meet up with friends I know through internet.

In the meantime, extended my internet connection and just to be busy, went looking on MLS.ca or Kijiji.Ca ... while checking on Kijiji.ca, I stumbled upon this property that was just put online by a landlord or real estate agent and that appeared to be all brand new and in a great neighbourhood, EAST of YONGE! ... The building is one of the latest gorgeous towers of the city and one that I , being a big fan of skyscrapers and architecture in general, been following for months ever since it was just 1 storey tall until now that is counts 44 storeys!!!! ... I was like " OH MY Gosh!!! is this really true what I see?" ... I called the landlord immediately. Voicemail. So, left a message behind and waited it out. 2x minutes later, landlord called me back. Lovely woman, an angel, she asked if I want to view it today? Oh sure, yes I do and pleazzzzzz!!!!! So, went viewing the property.

Standing in the lobby, so brand new you can still smell the paint and carpets and still workers putting finishing touch to the walls etc, there she is, a gorgeous lovely tall stylish woman, in designer clothing, coming to greet me and pick me up. There was a click immediately. Condo unit, one bedroom, larger than all that I 'd been shown the previous day and not only all brand new, offering ensuite washer and dryer, but also a large closet and all kitchen appliences brand new and not even used yet, a designer bathroom larger than the average I 'd seen so far and a view to kill plus a balcony that easily matches two chairs and a table and no noise at all and all that at the end of the corridor, a business center, swimming pool, sauna, gym, security all and all utilities except for hydro included " watch out if Electricity is included as during the winter, heating can be soon an expensive joke!" , ... anyway ... lovely converstation and landlord offered me some time to think about it and decide if I want it or not.

And guess what, all that for just 1400 a month! at a prime location, on Bloor street, close to Holt Refrew and Hudson Bay, all shops and exclusive stuff around it and in such brand new great condition and me becoming like the first tenant?!!!

I said yes and the next day signed the contract and am now going to happily ever after live in it for a year contract.

...
Now I am tired and go to bed, so, I shall contintue the rest of the story, tomorrow!

Good luck to you all ...

ME from one of the most beautiful places on Earth and in Canada! my, your, our new home! The more reasons to be a proud Canadian eh? ;D :D

peace, love, harmony and prosperity upon you all
 

priyapandya

Newbie
Jul 30, 2010
3
0
Great .......

The same feelings I had when I came to Canada 11 years before. I was in a safe friends company and guided by really professional who were angels....I am a Canadian..proudly Canadian.

Goodluck to you :)
 

ovsaha

Member
Sep 11, 2010
14
1
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Do keep us posted.... I was able to pick up lots of positive notes from this. thanx!!
 

ovsaha

Member
Sep 11, 2010
14
1
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Did they require you to provide (like some kind of guarantee) before signing a lease? alot of places ask for employment letter or/and credit history.
 

qorax

VIP Member
Nov 21, 2009
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Brampton, Canada
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ovsaha said:
Did they require you to provide (like some kind of guarantee) before signing a lease? alot of places ask for employment letter or/and credit history.
Not necessarily*, most landlords will do with 2 advance chqs (current & last month's). While some may insist for another chq (1 month's) as a "refundable" Security Deposit. Besides, a copy of your Cr. Card (Canadian or Overseas') is also accepted as a guarantee.

*Every newcomer doesn't have a friend/relative/ready-job upon landing. And they do get to lease a home - evryone of them.

Qorax
 

CharlotteJ

Hero Member
Jul 31, 2009
319
41
Thank you guys and gals for all your support and having fun reading my experiences so far.

There is a lot left to talk about and/or to write about my exceptionally funny experiences so far and am sure as soon as I write more many of you will learn a bit more about things that might come to occur while looking for a home or a place to stay and/or disappointments and how to cope with them.

Just regarding staying at hotels, I can teach people here a lot more than they can have ever imagined of in order to get the best deals for the least and stay in posh and beauty too. I now write this short note from a one bedroom large suite with fireplace in Mont Tremblant, Québec, a 5 star resort that doesn't cost me even half of what I did pay for an entire week stay at luxuary hotel in Toronto + a lot of deals and free tickets that I was provided and atop of that, the people who are all so kind, so nice and tremendously friendly here in Québec, even in busy Montréal and all who have been really helpful etc.

Just believe in your own cause and go get on with it, have people help you and make friends and do not forget, we are all in this together.

In my case, my future landlord already is offering me a job through her friends! A friend in Montréal has a job for me and another friend of her friend again has another job for me, if they had told me earlier I could start working as of next Monday here in Québec, I wouldn't have even signed the leasing contract in Toronto and be settled in in Montréal. They wanted to have it as a surprise for me when I visit them for dinner not knowing I was already signing a contract before I left Toronto!

...

Regarding leasing contract:

I signed a ONE year leasing contract which can easily be extended with more months/years or upgraded to a bigger unit, a 2x bedroom one with a huge discount in near future, landlord wanted to see a copy of job allocation letter AND/OR the letter of permanent job contract back at home plus copies of both passport and PR card. She required us to pay the FIRST + the last TWO months all in advance and an extra of 250$ as deposit in case I leave it behind in ruin! which won't be the case of course. That was all about it and so was the deal settled.

Don't forget to first take your time to think about the deal or the property, check all kitchen appliances if they work properly, even the exhaust fan and/or dryer and washer, check if the filter is clean and safe, check whether there is no damage to walls, to floors, especially if it concerns hard wooden floors, in my case it is a beautifully laid out Maple Leaf wooden floor and vernished and I 've to be careful there are no scratches etc on them before moving in and luckily all appliences are just installed and brand new.

Anyway so far so good and I can tell that as long as your attitude it positive and you put up your big wide smile and embrace all and everything as a game or a true adventure and try not to get distressed or force anything and GO WITH THE FLOW, you will be just fine. :D

to be continued ... am going fly fishing now :p
 

qorax

VIP Member
Nov 21, 2009
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@Charlotte

Just be careful@the Casino de Mont-Tremblant, though it's quite tempting while@Fairmont. Your funds could run-out sooner than u'd say Billy Joe!

Besides taking the Gondola to the top & delighting on the entire terrain (including Lac Superior), if u r mobile - take a trip along Rue Labelle to the Cayenne Grill@Chemin du Village. Their Gyros r awesome.

On the same track, u'd find the twin lakes - Lac Oumiet & Lac Mercier. Oumiet is aside the Golf Course (offering some spiritual virgin sights), while Mercier is located along Mont Tremblant Village - there was a live repertoire performing both French & English numbers, uhh we spent hours there.

We were@Le Grand Lodge, Rue Labelle, Mont-Tremblant, a few weeks back & had a ball of our time. I'm sure u r doing it too!

Qorax
 

CharlotteJ

Hero Member
Jul 31, 2009
319
41
;) Thank you Qorax, the Mont Tremblant Experience became a kind of boring one anyway.

Raining all day during my stay, cold and I stayed in and relaxed so to feel better and go out for a walk and come back with a soar throat and yuppers, caught cold and fever and ended up sick in bed!

When feeling better, immediately checked-out and headed for Toronto, back to " the world" and getting started with life. Much better choice btw.

I 've been so busy with all and everything that can hardly keep up with it and find time to post it all in here.

I came back, still pretty sick, went to a 5 star hotel that could offer me a good nightly rate and one of which it's program is among the best and has made me a platinum member and close to a Service Canada Center, so I could immediately go and apply for my SIN. it was busy there, had to wait for about an hour, but it was worth it, I was asked to show my PR card and was given a number and when at the counter, the employee registered my PR card in a system and then handed me a copy of my SIN and told me that the cards will be sent to my address per mail. I then went to the bank and provided them with my SIN and ordered cheques that are necessary to have when paying rent and/or other cheques.

It is good to order your cheques using no address and/or phone number and only your name. In case you lose a cheque and somebody else finds it, they can easily go and use yours and have you pay for their "goods" or " services". Or locate you and do more harm.

Then had a meeting with my landlord and got the keys and started to measure the rooms etc and right now, busy finding stuff and having them delivered etc which is by far the most fun but also the most exhausting part of the whole move. Especially when you 've to buy all from A to Z! I don't know where to start and just bought a mattress.

Landlord gave me a good address to buy a mattress and this morning found out that the owner produces and makes the fabrics and mattresses himself, a lovely Italian/Canadian and you can buy a high quality extra ordinary mattress for half the price you pay anywhere else! I mean really a bargain and only locals know such and now I know where the heavenly beds do originate from. ;D

Went to Crate & Barrel, you can order anything you want, no shipping fees or charges and have them being delivered at your address if you shop online and mention the Toronto based Yorkdale shop. Also Bombay is a good place to find good quality, lovely stuff fairly priced and so I am busy get integrated and familiar with all that is available and compare prices etc.

Bad experiences too ...

Went to Rogers to get me a cell phone with a contract, it appeared to be a very expensive joke, so I skipped that. Went to Apple and they told me that I could have a 3x year contract and a new iphone and it was fairly cheap and so I agreed with the proceeding, the sales person, wanted me to show him a picture ID and/or driving license and a credit card, I told him I don't have a Canadian cc yet, so he said that it won't be a problem and kept on proceeding, registered my European passport number along with my SIN and my European CC information and then voilà!!! he told me that he faces either identity theft or some mistakes with my SIN as it appears not to belong to me or perhaps the CC not belongs to me and looking at me like I was a criminal!

I manned up and told him that it can't be true and I know that everything is just fine etc etc but all to no avail, so I left.

At this Persian restaurant tonight, I was told that either he didn't want to sell you one and just ignore you this way or didn't know how to do it as normally, they don't need to ask for all these information at once. Either only a SIN or your PR card and/or a driving license will suffice or just a Canadian CC will be good to have you on board as client.

So, I was told to go to " Block Buster" inside which there is a special unit where one can buy a " Wind" simcard for just about 60$ and have 200minutes or even more of calling and no need to pay fees for incoming calls but also the availibility to check mails and internet AS LONG AS I stay in Toronto. Leaving Toronto and you 'd lose all your credit and options will be set off.

A much better choice indeed.

Fido and Rogers appear to be the same and Apple not that cheap. So, if you can have your current cell phone simlock free and bring it with you, it can be a good option to have a prepaid simcard and use it while you are looking for a job and/or getting around until you really decide or need to have a phone with contract.

Anyways. ... so far so good ... people still really kind and helpful, sometimes a bit odd or distantive, especially the Asians, but not so the South Asians like those from India and/or Pakistan, Sri Lanka etc. They are in fact kind and loving people and you only need to know how to approach them and don't fool them because they are no fools at all and so proud of their rich past and culture. Chinese and other Asians are just business people making money and not much care who you are and what you are or what you want or do, they can be funny but not more than that. Don't expect too much of them and think you are gonna be friends big time, NO, just approach them in a more formal and business way and you ll be surprised how good they can inform and provide valuable information but also be careful they won't make fool of you and get your money! :p

They are all very clever people actually. Canadians are cool too. They love you when you praise the same values but I should admit that there are Canadians and Canadians!

I 've been talking to those who lack proper education and/or come from poor neighbourhoods and are kind of scruffy, no good at all and kind of scooby doo-ish acting, but those who are educated, sophisticated, really born and bred in real Canadian families of some proud Irish or Scottish heritage, are the most precious ones and good friends to have around.

The rest, " Europeans" mostly, are just like everybody else, all living in harmony and peace and want you to be one of them, one of us here and forget all the bad and negative about your own country and embrace this country and this culture as they did it too some 20 or 30 years ago same way and same attitude.

You will be fine ...

To be continued ... :)
 

CharlotteJ

Hero Member
Jul 31, 2009
319
41
Got me a cell phone contract today.

At Rogers, their headquarters, I told them I was using a prepaid card and got me that on the day of my arrival having no address yet let alone a SIN etc, so the sales person had to come up with a fictive address and stuff to get it all through and proceeded, they then asked me for two pieces of ID and I handed in my PR card and my SIN (they are sure and legally allowed to ask for your SIN, no big deal, since it won't hurt anybody and is meant to track and trace or avoid fraudulent costumers) and I was able to buy me a month to month contract with useful options such as unlimited text messaging all across Canada, 500 Mega Bites of Internet access which is a lot, Voice mail and Call Display (which is all included and all taken for granted in most other countries but not in here!) and 200 minutes call a month etc and am happy now and all set.

Went to home to check on some stuff and there was this card of a guy who gives free advise on window treatments, helps to install shutters, curtains, blinds etc in all sorts and shapes etc for a fair price and all within 3 days! I called him immediately and he was there in half an hour!

He did measure the windows himself, within an hour he drilled holes in the ceiling and will install the rails and curtains in both living room and bedroom on Friday and so I 'd be able to move in! Might sound expensive, but believe me, most other shops or private businesses ask for MUCH higher prices and are not as this fast and I needed this knowing I am right downtown and a few office buildings look right into my condo and I needed to block out the views.

Am so glad !!!!

Lovely guy and did reason with me and really is helping me out now.
 

Honolulu

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Jan 14, 2009
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Enjoying reading your experiences.
Canadians come across as excellent people.
I am charged!
 

jeanne

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Sep 23, 2010
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Charlotte, we quite enjoy your postings, please keep it up! Furthermore, we were under the impression that one won't easily find a job in Quebec if you aren't (almost) fluent in French? From the sound of your name, I therefore presume that your are French? ;)

And the whole immigration process for Quebec is a different one isn't it? In other words, you can't immigrate to Canada the "normal" route and then decide to stay in Quebec.
 

toby

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CharlotteJ said:
Got me a cell phone contract today.

At Rogers, their headquarters, I told them I was using a prepaid card and got me that on the day of my arrival having no address yet let alone a SIN etc, so the sales person had to come up with a fictive address and stuff to get it all through and proceeded, they then asked me for two pieces of ID and I handed in my PR card and my SIN (they are sure and legally allowed to ask for your SIN, no big deal, since it won't hurt anybody and is mean

Hi Charlotte:

Interesting reading, your adventures in Canada. Thanks for taking the time.

You make several comments on cultural differences, and I recall well your views of Holland. If it is not too personal a question, would you tell us what is your birth country?

You mention that several companies asked for your PR card. But you just landed a few weeks ago, right? So how did you get the PR card so quickly?

You also mentioned that Rogers insisted on knowing your SIN number. But you told them you didn't yet have a SIN.

I recall others advising that giving out a SIN number greatly increases the chances of identity theft. Apparently there are only a few companies legally entitled to insist on seeing one's SIN number: for example a bank must know your SIN where it will be sending tax slips to CRA for interest paid to you. But Rogers? I doubt it.

So, did Rogers offer any proof other than saying they had this right?