What are your top tips for a new PR migrant, who hasn't lived in Canada before and doesn't have any relatives there, but does has knowledge of the climate and culture and is a native English speaker? I've lived across the world but have always had a relative to help pave the way. It would be helpful if you can put this into context for someone who has mostly lived in the UK. Destination not yet selected, but it's definitely one of the less populated provinces (Newfoundland/sasketchewan) in the long-term and perhaps BC or Nova Scotia in the short-term, depending on where the jobs turn out to be. I have no intention of living in an urban ghetto/immigrant squalor.
1. Would one stay in a hotel until they can find suitable accommodation? Do leases tend to be long-term and exploitative of newcomers (given that they can't wait for something better to come along)? Is it better to take a short-term lease in case I have to relocate because of a job in a different area (or even province)? Is it advisable to arrange for accommodation before-hand through a personal classified ad and what are some websites for this? What is a reasonable price range for a room in a shared apartment in a small and large city?
2. Do employers tend to interview in person or telephone/skype and if long-distance travel and overnight accommodation is required, do they generally reimburse you for this?
3. What is the public transport system like for travel between provinces. How popular, reliable and affordable is Via Rail for long-distance travel (assuming one has the time)?
4. What's there to know about opening bank accounts as a new migrant? Do banks charge fees for accounts, withdrawals, cards etc? Are debit cards universally accepted?
5. What is the best place to obtain fresh, organic fruit and veg, as well as wholesale supplies (like a 10kg sack of brown rice or lentils for example)? I prefer to obtain things wholesale and loose rather than packaged in cancer-causing plastics- any such quaint wholesalers or perhaps Asian/restaurant industry suppliers? Are there any specific stores or farmers markets (in any province) that you recommend? This for me is probably the most important question!
Please help me out.
1. Would one stay in a hotel until they can find suitable accommodation? Do leases tend to be long-term and exploitative of newcomers (given that they can't wait for something better to come along)? Is it better to take a short-term lease in case I have to relocate because of a job in a different area (or even province)? Is it advisable to arrange for accommodation before-hand through a personal classified ad and what are some websites for this? What is a reasonable price range for a room in a shared apartment in a small and large city?
2. Do employers tend to interview in person or telephone/skype and if long-distance travel and overnight accommodation is required, do they generally reimburse you for this?
3. What is the public transport system like for travel between provinces. How popular, reliable and affordable is Via Rail for long-distance travel (assuming one has the time)?
4. What's there to know about opening bank accounts as a new migrant? Do banks charge fees for accounts, withdrawals, cards etc? Are debit cards universally accepted?
5. What is the best place to obtain fresh, organic fruit and veg, as well as wholesale supplies (like a 10kg sack of brown rice or lentils for example)? I prefer to obtain things wholesale and loose rather than packaged in cancer-causing plastics- any such quaint wholesalers or perhaps Asian/restaurant industry suppliers? Are there any specific stores or farmers markets (in any province) that you recommend? This for me is probably the most important question!
Please help me out.