Hey folks, I've read posts on this forum for the past year -- I landed in Canada two months ago, and moved here permanently last week (Victoria). I'm just writing to say that though there are many small irritations with things like opening a bank account, getting a driving license, getting a SIN number, waiting for the Permanent Resident card, and especially finding a place to live (I've chosen Victoria to try and set up my new life), none of them are really that bad, and having Permanent Resident status really does make things pretty simple. I've found everyone here to be polite and helpful, and when it comes to opening up a bank account or getting a library card before you have a fixed address, people are quite accommodating (just keep your passport and your confirmation of permanent residence receipt) -- for me the most useful thing has been a vest that has zipped pockets on it, that is absolutely essential for stumping around town with documents that Must Not Be Lost.
The other thing is that you have to remember the difference between the immediate term, the short term, and the long term. Things that are important in the long term -- like finding a good job -- will depress you if you let yourself worry about them in the short term. For myself, I divided them up like this:
Immediate term (first week): find a decent place to live for two weeks or a month, where I can relax, keep myself clean, and feel secure. Youth hostels are NOT good for more than a night or two. Also, find and apply for short-term survival jobs -- these are important to keep busy, and to limit how much one spends one's savings.
Short term (one week to three months): have interviews at short-term survival jobs, and eventually begin one. These aren't fun -- but their point is to let you keep the main part of your money in the bank. Also, three months might be a little arbitrary, I guess that's the point where I will start to worry if I'm not having any luck at all finding something better.
Long term: place to live that you want to stay in permanently, decent job.
Listen, it's easy to get very stressed, right away, if you think too much about the long term goals. Tell yourself, over and over -- "I've been in Canada for three days. I've been in Canada for three days. Just get a bank account opened, that's enough right now. Just find a place to live for the next three weeks. Just send in the application."
And it's funny, how once you land here, all the worry and stress of applying vanishes from your mind, and is replaced by the worry and stress of fitting in to a new, foreign home. Remind yourself once in a while how happy you are that you're not sitting around waiting for your visa -- it really is better, wearing out your shoes looking for work, and it's important to remember that.
So good luck, folks -- it's worth the wait.
The other thing is that you have to remember the difference between the immediate term, the short term, and the long term. Things that are important in the long term -- like finding a good job -- will depress you if you let yourself worry about them in the short term. For myself, I divided them up like this:
Immediate term (first week): find a decent place to live for two weeks or a month, where I can relax, keep myself clean, and feel secure. Youth hostels are NOT good for more than a night or two. Also, find and apply for short-term survival jobs -- these are important to keep busy, and to limit how much one spends one's savings.
Short term (one week to three months): have interviews at short-term survival jobs, and eventually begin one. These aren't fun -- but their point is to let you keep the main part of your money in the bank. Also, three months might be a little arbitrary, I guess that's the point where I will start to worry if I'm not having any luck at all finding something better.
Long term: place to live that you want to stay in permanently, decent job.
Listen, it's easy to get very stressed, right away, if you think too much about the long term goals. Tell yourself, over and over -- "I've been in Canada for three days. I've been in Canada for three days. Just get a bank account opened, that's enough right now. Just find a place to live for the next three weeks. Just send in the application."
And it's funny, how once you land here, all the worry and stress of applying vanishes from your mind, and is replaced by the worry and stress of fitting in to a new, foreign home. Remind yourself once in a while how happy you are that you're not sitting around waiting for your visa -- it really is better, wearing out your shoes looking for work, and it's important to remember that.
So good luck, folks -- it's worth the wait.
hoping and praying that we will have the same attitude as yours.... anyway, when you say victoria, is it victoria bc? is it a nice place for growing kids? (mine are 5 and 2 yrs old, both boys) i would really appreciate it if you could share anything about the place and the chances of me and my husband to find work there (i'm a nurse and my hubby was a cook in a cruise ship) thanks.... ;D
