Ray of Hope - 70th Draw!

[trumprefugee]

That's great, thanks for info! It seems you are 100% ready for Canada, you did your research! Update us more please, when you can.

I certainly will. Only you guys can relate to what I'm going through with this immigration process and how much I want Canada to be my future home. Even some of my friends think I'm crazy, although with the latest events in the US, they are thinking I'm less crazy.

Also, I have heard that Canada has good resources for working parents, including generous maternity leave policies. I don't know any of the details as I am not planning to have kids (I think I will still be a kid myself even when I am 80+ years old!) and haven't researched, but from what I have heard, it's at least much better than what we have here in the US, where many working parents struggle to balance work and family. So that could be another benefit to all you parents out there who want to try something new and would like more flexibility.

 

[shaun75]

Sorry was talking about work/life balance

No need to be sorry. You made a good point.

Regarding work life balance, a lot has got to do with the person and not just the job. I intend to make significant changes to my balance. For instance I currently travel 2 hours a day for work. I work in the office about 10 hours and most holidays I'm on line working. That will change with a new start. Balancing is for me to do and my responsibility.

 

[canuck78]

Yes parental benefits are better in Canada than in the US but far from a Nordic country. Quebec is very generous when it comes to daycare costs but I have many friends paying $1500-1800/month for daycare in Toronto for one child.

 

[trumprefugee]

Not sure why people think Canada is much different especially in the larger cities although NYC/Greater SF win hands down but the compensation is so much better so it probably evens out. Don't want people to think Canada is some sort of magical place.

Thanks for the heads up, @canuck78. Could you tell us more about the work life balance you have been having in Canada and also where you were from before? Given my industry and line of work, I am prepared to have to work long hours at least in the beginning when I am getting myself established in Canada. However, from previous visits to Ontario and limited interaction with Canadians, I feel the pace is more relaxed and people are more friendly overall. Especially in New York, everyone is always in a hurry and people tend not to be friendly, as they are all working long hours and tired and fighting to get ahead. I have also lived on the west coast of the US where the pace is also more relaxed and people are friendlier. However, the worst here is what Americans often refer to as "golden handcuffs" - you feel trapped working at demanding jobs in big companies that pay well and provide nice benefits like health insurance, etc., because if you want to strike out on your own or take a break, you lose all the benefits and health insurance is exorbitantly expensive here in the US if you're trying to buy it on your own.

 

[trumprefugee]

No need to be sorry. You made a good point.

Regarding work life balance, a lot has got to do with the person and not just the job. I intend to make significant changes to my balance. For instance I currently travel 2 hours a day for work. I work in the office about 10 hours and most holidays I'm on line working. That will change with a new start. Balancing is for me to do and my responsibility.

From what I have heard, people don't do long commutes in Canada. A couple months ago I watched this webinar featuring job search advice from an immigrant from Barbados who said that many employers won't even consider you if you live more than a hour or so away because people in Canada value work life balance and won't put up with 2 hour commutes.
http://jobcentre.accesemployment.org/youtube-all-videos/webinar-job-search-advice-for-it-professionals

 

[trumprefugee]

I know what you mean, but I think Northern Ireland pays lower than the U.K. average. So hopefully I can find something comparable. I also see housing prices in Canada as sky high. Living costs in other areas are okay, but housing really scares me and is a real stumbling block. We have a lovely house here and a comparable in Canada would be silly money. Another bridge to cross when we get there I guess because, as you say, it's quality of life that counts, not money.

Mm you might be able to find a comparable paying job in Toronto. I really only know about London in the UK because that's where I was job hunting and have a few friends (who also make a lot of money but have very stressful and demanding jobs), so you can make your calculations from that reference point. I actually was chatting with one of them after the most recent terrorist attack in London, and he was saying he was considering moving away. So I said hey, maybe you could join me in Canada! Immediately he said "the pay is shit." So obviously he wasn't serious, but I thought it was hilarious how he talked about moving away but was so quick to comment on the low pay. Of course there are many sacrifices we all have to make when we immigrate to a new country, and to many people, it's not worth it.

Also, I think there are real estate deals to be found in Canada. You just have to do your homework and treat house hunting as a job. One reason real estate prices have been so high in the bigger cities like Toronto and Vancouver is because a lot of Chinese investors bought a lot of property in prior years, until the federal government got rid of the investor class stream of immigration in late 2014 or early 2015. Prices are softening now. I need to do a lot more research closer to my move date, but I think there are deals to be found, just as there are over here in New York. Real estate is notoriously expensive here, but I have found affordable deals here.

 

[shaun75]

Mm you might be able to find a comparable paying job in Toronto. I really only know about London in the UK because that's where I was job hunting and have a few friends (who also make a lot of money but have very stressful and demanding jobs), so you can make your calculations from that reference point. I actually was chatting with one of them after the most recent terrorist attack in London, and he was saying he was considering moving away. So I said hey, maybe you could join me in Canada! Immediately he said "the pay is shit." So obviously he wasn't serious, but I thought it was hilarious how he talked about moving away but was so quick to comment on the low pay. Of course there are many sacrifices we all have to make when we immigrate to a new country, and to many people, it's not worth it.

Also, I think there are real estate deals to be found in Canada. You just have to do your homework and treat house hunting as a job. One reason real estate prices have been so high in the bigger cities like Toronto and Vancouver is because a lot of Chinese investors bought a lot of property in prior years, until the federal government got rid of the investor class stream of immigration in late 2014 or early 2015. Prices are softening now. I need to do a lot more research closer to my move date, but I think there are deals to be found, just as there are over here in New York. Real estate is notoriously expensive here, but I have found affordable deals here.

I agree, moving will involve some level of pain. Comparing London to Northern Ireland, we are about 70% of the salaries there. Having done some research and worked in Toronto I think the salaries I can get are comparable to Northern Ireland. However my target city is Waterloo and it's cheaper than Toronto with good IT job prospects.

Thanks for the advice on real estate. I hope you are right or it will be a big drop in disposable income.

But eyes open is good advice.

 

[canuck78]

I'm not a great example because I currently have a degenerative muscle disorder but was a pharmacist. Am Canadian. Work life balance is better than in NYC for sure but as I said we are not dealing with the same level of compensation. There is an expectation of longer hours/work at home when in middle/upper level jobs. The work/life balance is the worst in the larger cities partially due to commute times and presence of private companies vs government jobs and cost of living. Compensation is often better at some of the larger private companies or highly specialized professional companies who often provide good benefits including maternity top-up packages, some form of retirement contributions, pensions, generous health benefits. Many people will feel reluctant to branch out or take a risk especially if they have a family. Many government jobs do/used to provide a generous pension which give employees peace of mind and often better work/life balance. Toronto, KW and Vancouver have only had a decent start-up community for 5+ years where the hours are long but may be more exciting and challenging. These companies are mostly small and pre/just post cash injection so compensation is smaller and but the eventual return may be bigger. People are definitely friendlier, violent crime is much lower and there is less inequality than in the US which probably makes for a happier population. Also a more welcoming when it comes to diversity although we have our problems. Think I answered your question but in the end it is dependent on the job. More compensation usually leads to less work life/balance but also to a better quality of life!

 

[shaun75]

I'm not a great example because I currently have a degenerative muscle disorder but was a pharmacist. Am Canadian. Work life balance is better than in NYC for sure but as I said we are not dealing with the same level of compensation. There is an expectation of longer hours/work at home when in middle/upper level jobs. The work/life balance is the worst in the larger cities partially due to commute times and presence of private companies vs government jobs and cost of living. Compensation is often better at some of the larger private companies or highly specialized professional companies who often provide good benefits including maternity top-up packages, some form of retirement contributions, pensions, generous health benefits. Many people will feel reluctant to branch out or take a risk especially if they have a family. Many government jobs do/used to provide a generous pension which give employees peace of mind and often better work/life balance. Toronto, KW and Vancouver have only had a decent start-up community for 5+ years where the hours are long but may be more exciting and challenging. These companies are mostly small and pre/just post cash injection so compensation is smaller and but the eventual return may be bigger. People are definitely friendlier, violent crime is much lower and there is less inequality than in the US which probably makes for a happier population. Also a more welcoming when it comes to diversity although we have our problems. Think I answered your question but in the end it is dependent on the job. More compensation usually leads to less work life/balance but also to a better quality of life!

Thanks @canuck78. It's really useful getting a Canadian's view. Can I ask what a Canadian is doing on an immigration forum?

 

[canuck78]

I usually am not on this part of the forum but since I spend many days on the couch or in bed figured it would be good to be useful and answer some general question. Also I used to travel a lot so I find this interesting

Should mention that it is not uncommon for many Canadian lawyers, financial services professionals, others prof. to move to NYC or other other large US cities work very hard and make good money but then return to Canada when they have kids and want a larger house and good public elementary schooling. Even if they go for private schooling they have a decent nest egg, more reasonable housing costs and better work/life balance in their late 30s/40s.

 

[shaun75]

I usually am not on this part of the forum but since I spend many days on the couch or in bed figured it would be good to be useful and answer some general question. Also I used to travel a lot so I find this interesting

Should mention that it is not uncommon for many Canadian lawyers, financial services professionals, others prof. to move to NYC or other other large US cities work very hard and make good money but then return to Canada when they have kids and want a larger house and good public elementary schooling. Even if they go for private schooling they have a decent nest egg, more reasonable housing costs and better work/life balance in their late 30s/40s.

Well, welcome to this part of the forum. It's good to have some home grown positive perspective. Glad to have you on board.

 

[trumprefugee]

I usually am not on this part of the forum but since I spend many days on the couch or in bed figured it would be good to be useful and answer some general question. Also I used to travel a lot so I find this interesting

Should mention that it is not uncommon for many Canadian lawyers, financial services professionals, others prof. to move to NYC or other other large US cities work very hard and make good money but then return to Canada when they have kids and want a larger house and good public elementary schooling. Even if they go for private schooling they have a decent nest egg, more reasonable housing costs and better work/life balance in their late 30s/40s.

Thanks for your feedback. Please keep sharing more. It's great to have a Canadian here to give us an insider's perspective on life in Canada.

 

[PixelDust]

Guess who's back, back again
Wednesday's back, tell a friend

 

[shettyskumar]

Welcome to the thread.
You are now on the most positive and vibrant thread of the forum.
Ask anything you feel like and be prepared to answer too.
Here people are kind enough to help everyone.
They are also cool enough to guide you.
All the best.

thank you so much .

Santhosh

 

[sundar17feb99]

407 with me, 408 with you. Who's got 409? Anybody?

Not 409, but if you are looking for 406, well, HERE I AM