My Canadian story - it's not all that bad after all!

[stevebbs]

What company is excellent to ship your goods from UK to Toronto-thanks

 

[sheray]

Encouraging ! Thanks allot !

 

[Shilpag]

I'm in Waterloo for two more weeks then heading back to Toronto. Waterloo is around 100km from Toronto city. Budget depends on your minimum living standards, some people are happy to live in a $1000 basement. Toronto city is generally more expensive and it gets cheaper the further away you go from downtown.

I can give you my rough monthly breakdown to give you an idea:
Rent + utilities - $1500
Car insurance - $200
Mobile phones - $70
Groceries - $400
Fuel - $100
Eat out -$100















Misc - $100

So around $2500 monthly budget. Now if you're willing to live in a $1000 basement, your budget will immediately drop to $2000. Similarly you might be able to save a bit on Groceries, mobile phones, fuel etc. At bare minimum you're looking at $2000 monthly expense in most Ontario cities.

Thanx Getafix.. Its of great help knowing abt this bifercation. Also tell me abt minimum wages per hour a person can get.Moreover, this is the rental value of two bhk aptt. I suppose ... what are the inclusions usually providedin the house rent. Please revert.

 

[sameerarena]

Hey guys,

I've been in Canada for a little over 2 months now, i landed at the start of November 2014. It was a long journey, i applied back in 2010 so it took over 4 years but that's not important. The reason i am posting this topic is to give you guys some encouragement and hope. Like all of you that are waiting right now, i didn't know what to expect and browsing forums was my only option. The more i read the more i got discouraged, to the extent that at one point i was seriously contemplating not going at all. I had a good life back home, i had a family business and some good investments so money was not a concern. The only reason for moving was to give my 3 year old son a better life.

Anyway, i kept on reading the usual stuff, it's impossible to get jobs, it's so expensive, you have to get survival jobs etc etc. What i experienced was completely different. Immigration was a breeze, i was out of the airport in 45 mins with my SIN numbers. Everyone was SUPER friendly and helpful, i was pleasantly surprised. I was lucky to go to my uncle's place in Oakville as soon as i landed, so i was home within 90 mins of landing. Oakville is beautiful, it's the best place to live in G.T.A, expensive but totally worth it.

So next day i went and got a phone, then went to open a bank account, everything was so easy and customer service was excellent. I went for my driving test and got the license on the first attempt. Started looking for a car, found a great deal, dealer got my plates, i got the insurance over the phone, everything was done in a day, i couldn't believe how easy it was.

Anyway so once i'd settled down after a couple of days i started applying for jobs. Within a week i had two interviews and two job offers. After weighing both options i decided to go for the one that offered a better career path. I started off as an Assistant Manager with a 40k salary (not great but certainly not bad for a new immigrant).

Because of my work i had to go to Waterloo for a month of training. I looked for a short term rental and found a beautiful furnished apartment on my first visit there. After a month they asked me to stay a bit longer so i had to look for a new place all over again. This time round i found an even better deal, a 3 bedroom furnished house for the same price.

Now i'm two months down in my job and super happy with how everything has worked out. So i thought i'd post here to give people some hope and tell them that it's not all that bad after all. I believe i have been blessed and must have done something right to deserve all of this. I might be in the minority but if you put your mind to it and believe in yourself you can achieve success here.

As far as negatives are concerned, the weather for one takes some getting used to. It's not that bad in Southern Ontario, anything above -10 is bearable. Sometimes it goes under which can get a little scary with windchill but as long as you're dressed correctly it's not an issue. You can go around in a t-shirt at home, they're so well insulated and heated.

Housing is a little expensive but groceries aren't as bad as i thought they would be. I'm paying 1500 all inclusive (cable, internet, utilities) for my place right now and total expense for last month was around $2200, including housing, car insurance, fuel, phone, groceries, occasional eating out, son's small expenses etc.


Anyway, I hope this post helps some of you out, i definitely could have used something like this before i was coming here. All the best for your Canadian adventure!

Its really motivating to hear about your journey so far and +1 for the positive support you'r giving to the people here. iam 2174 applicant, planning to land in Toronto in April. i hope to get hold of a decent job at the earliest. any help in the job search would really be appreciated.

All the best.

 

[MSDEETAN]

Hi,
I landed in August last year and I got job in September in my field (0631) and recently I changed to new company with salary around 50k. So far my experience I will say in food services industry job is always there.
I based in Ottawa, compare to other city it is cheap here. Ovarall it been very good migration for me and I wish best for the others.
Regards,
Biborno

Hi,

Is 50k Annual salary or monthly? What's your job?

 

[Dasa12345]

Hey guys,

I've been in Canada for a little over 2 months now, i landed at the start of November 2014. It was a long journey, i applied back in 2010 so it took over 4 years but that's not important. The reason i am posting this topic is to give you guys some encouragement and hope. Like all of you that are waiting right now, i didn't know what to expect and browsing forums was my only option. The more i read the more i got discouraged, to the extent that at one point i was seriously contemplating not going at all. I had a good life back home, i had a family business and some good investments so money was not a concern. The only reason for moving was to give my 3 year old son a better life.

Anyway, i kept on reading the usual stuff, it's impossible to get jobs, it's so expensive, you have to get survival jobs etc etc. What i experienced was completely different. Immigration was a breeze, i was out of the airport in 45 mins with my SIN numbers. Everyone was SUPER friendly and helpful, i was pleasantly surprised. I was lucky to go to my uncle's place in Oakville as soon as i landed, so i was home within 90 mins of landing. Oakville is beautiful, it's the best place to live in G.T.A, expensive but totally worth it.

So next day i went and got a phone, then went to open a bank account, everything was so easy and customer service was excellent. I went for my driving test and got the license on the first attempt. Started looking for a car, found a great deal, dealer got my plates, i got the insurance over the phone, everything was done in a day, i couldn't believe how easy it was.

Anyway so once i'd settled down after a couple of days i started applying for jobs. Within a week i had two interviews and two job offers. After weighing both options i decided to go for the one that offered a better career path. I started off as an Assistant Manager with a 40k salary (not great but certainly not bad for a new immigrant).

Because of my work i had to go to Waterloo for a month of training. I looked for a short term rental and found a beautiful furnished apartment on my first visit there. After a month they asked me to stay a bit longer so i had to look for a new place all over again. This time round i found an even better deal, a 3 bedroom furnished house for the same price.

Now i'm two months down in my job and super happy with how everything has worked out. So i thought i'd post here to give people some hope and tell them that it's not all that bad after all. I believe i have been blessed and must have done something right to deserve all of this. I might be in the minority but if you put your mind to it and believe in yourself you can achieve success here.

As far as negatives are concerned, the weather for one takes some getting used to. It's not that bad in Southern Ontario, anything above -10 is bearable. Sometimes it goes under which can get a little scary with windchill but as long as you're dressed correctly it's not an issue. You can go around in a t-shirt at home, they're so well insulated and heated.

Housing is a little expensive but groceries aren't as bad as i thought they would be. I'm paying 1500 all inclusive (cable, internet, utilities) for my place right now and total expense for last month was around $2200, including housing, car insurance, fuel, phone, groceries, occasional eating out, son's small expenses etc.


Anyway, I hope this post helps some of you out, i definitely could have used something like this before i was coming here. All the best for your Canadian adventure!

Thnx for sharing. Its encouraging for us. I assume u moved alone without family. Is it so?

 

[raja053]

Thanks for the sharing .. till the time i have joined forum .. it was the first encouraging or motivating story i have read.. thanks for your sharing..
May ALLAH bless u lot and give u more success.

Regards

 

[Getafix]

Thanks Getafix. I was also thinking of a lower position as a better option that settling for survival job.
I'm looking at financial analyst or any other role in financial services industry. So for a lower position will employers still insist on Canadian experience? Please clarify.

I'm not sure of the current market scenario for a F.A but all i can tell you is that if you do get a job you're going to make a lot of money!

They are one of the highest paid jobs here. Do some research on whether you need to get accredited as i'm not 100% sure. There is another forum which i am on which is a great resource for money/financial related stuff. You can post a topic there:

http://www.canadianmoneyforum.com/

 

[Getafix]

Thanx Getafix.. Its of great help knowing abt this bifercation. Also tell me abt minimum wages per hour a person can get.Moreover, this is the rental value of two bhk aptt. I suppose ... what are the inclusions usually providedin the house rent. Please revert.

Minimum wage in Ontario is $11/hr. Inclusions vary, some people offer all inclusive, some places have extra charges for heat, electricity etc. A 2 bed unfurnished apartment will usually start at $1200 and can go all the way up to $2000 depending on location.

 

[Getafix]

I'm glad it's inspiring some of you as this was something sorely lacking on this forum when i used to browse it for advice. Just remember that it's the internet after all. If someone has a bad experience they will post it for sure but not many people post about a positive experience.

 

[polara69]

Hi,

Is 50k Annual salary or monthly? What's your job?

You serious? 50k a month are $600'000 a year, that is more than the Prime Minister of Canada gets and he is on $354'000..

 

[Biborno]

Hi,

Is 50k Annual salary or monthly? What's your job?

Hi,
It is Annual salary, I am working as Restaurant General Manager at Burger King Canada.
Regards,
Biborno

 

[blacky]

50k is really a good start.
Wondering what the pay will b for someone into home building construction and health safety personal

 

[emamabd]

Hey guys,

I've been in Canada for a little over 2 months now, i landed at the start of November 2014. It was a long journey, i applied back in 2010 so it took over 4 years but that's not important. The reason i am posting this topic is to give you guys some encouragement and hope. Like all of you that are waiting right now, i didn't know what to expect and browsing forums was my only option. The more i read the more i got discouraged, to the extent that at one point i was seriously contemplating not going at all. I had a good life back home, i had a family business and some good investments so money was not a concern. The only reason for moving was to give my 3 year old son a better life.

Anyway, i kept on reading the usual stuff, it's impossible to get jobs, it's so expensive, you have to get survival jobs etc etc. What i experienced was completely different. Immigration was a breeze, i was out of the airport in 45 mins with my SIN numbers. Everyone was SUPER friendly and helpful, i was pleasantly surprised. I was lucky to go to my uncle's place in Oakville as soon as i landed, so i was home within 90 mins of landing. Oakville is beautiful, it's the best place to live in G.T.A, expensive but totally worth it.

So next day i went and got a phone, then went to open a bank account, everything was so easy and customer service was excellent. I went for my driving test and got the license on the first attempt. Started looking for a car, found a great deal, dealer got my plates, i got the insurance over the phone, everything was done in a day, i couldn't believe how easy it was.

Anyway so once i'd settled down after a couple of days i started applying for jobs. Within a week i had two interviews and two job offers. After weighing both options i decided to go for the one that offered a better career path. I started off as an Assistant Manager with a 40k salary (not great but certainly not bad for a new immigrant).

Because of my work i had to go to Waterloo for a month of training. I looked for a short term rental and found a beautiful furnished apartment on my first visit there. After a month they asked me to stay a bit longer so i had to look for a new place all over again. This time round i found an even better deal, a 3 bedroom furnished house for the same price.

Now i'm two months down in my job and super happy with how everything has worked out. So i thought i'd post here to give people some hope and tell them that it's not all that bad after all. I believe i have been blessed and must have done something right to deserve all of this. I might be in the minority but if you put your mind to it and believe in yourself you can achieve success here.

As far as negatives are concerned, the weather for one takes some getting used to. It's not that bad in Southern Ontario, anything above -10 is bearable. Sometimes it goes under which can get a little scary with windchill but as long as you're dressed correctly it's not an issue. You can go around in a t-shirt at home, they're so well insulated and heated.

Housing is a little expensive but groceries aren't as bad as i thought they would be. I'm paying 1500 all inclusive (cable, internet, utilities) for my place right now and total expense for last month was around $2200, including housing, car insurance, fuel, phone, groceries, occasional eating out, son's small expenses etc.


Anyway, I hope this post helps some of you out, i definitely could have used something like this before i was coming here. All the best for your Canadian adventure!

Good luck Getafix, i'm glad to hear you are enjoying life here! Its good that you found your first job in a very short time, that will keep your morale high and things can only get better moving on wards. Its important for newcomers to be realistic, as long as the first job is in your professional field and covers the minimum living expenses then that's definitely the right path, upon gaining Canadian experience, having local references and expanding the professional network the next step would be to target higher paying jobs.

 

[abdoulome]

How would you compare B.C to Ontario? When it gets really cold, living in Greater Vancouver Area seems really tempting! Why did you decide to leave vancouver?

Hey Getafix,
sorry for the late reply! My story is that I landed in Montreal (QC) from NYC . Looked for a job in my field but d summer is not d best to look for a job in QC. As I am bilingual, I got a job offer with a company called Sage in BC. D company is huge in England and in Canada but the salary wasn't enough to survive in BC (Vancouver) and it wasn't in my field. BC is amazing guys, just to throw it out there, if you are single , it's hard to think of owning a house or apartment , you need to be with your partner/wife who works and you can both invest into something; after a month, I got another job offer in Ontario (Kingston) , better salary so I sacrificed d BC's good weather for d experience I am hoping to gain in Ontario for at least a couple months. what you guys need to know is that once ya'all will land here, if you get a job in your field, take d job and keep until you are satisfied with d experience n work references. from there, move where you get more money or you feel like. The hardest part is getting a job in your fields as Canadians are pretty conservative with their experience, so be clever and learn how to convince them you will be a good asset for them!my point of view loll....good luck ya 'all