Should I settle in Canada? Is it worth it?

[mahi2020]

not necessarily, i've been here just a year. both my husband and i work with good jobs, we eat three meals a day, go out every weekend, live on the 17th floor in downtown vancouver. and no we're not from a first world country, our diplomas are not from canada and english is both our third language and we don't have western names.

good for you. you are in top 1% of population.

I guess your next step would be doing loads of charity work.

 

[hamgha]

good for you. you are in top 1% of population.

I guess your next step would be doing loads of charity work.

Not even close. We have really average incomes. Like I said earlier, people should be aware and realistic but shouldn't be demoralized.

 

[torontosm]

good for you. you are in top 1% of population.

I guess your next step would be doing loads of charity work.

The experience in Canada will be different for every immigrant. Vilifying those who have succeeded is the absolute wrong approach.

As I've said before, Canada is one of those countries who has tremendous opportunities for those that are willing to work for them. If you are entitled, used to a very cushy life or believe yourself to be superior to others, then this is not the place for you. But if you believe in meritocracies, are willing to put in some hard work in the beginning and are are not expecting handouts, then you will do well here.

At the end of the day, every potential immigrant needs to think long and hard about why they are moving, and then determine whether Canada holistically makes sense for them.

 

[mahi2020]

Ah forum experts living in their own cocoon and commenting like life coaches.

Scores n scores of new immigrants are working 2 jobs ... "willing to work for tremendous opportunities"....still ending up in basements for 3-5yrs, hoping for light at the end of tunnel.

Now these cocooned experts will say research before moving/go back/etc etc. Well be my guest/ meet those ppl/ and impart your free advice to them possibly using a PA system from your condo. LOLz.

Visit Brampton/Scarborough basements and distribute your knowledge there.

 

[hamgha]

I'll tell you about my knowledge since you insist. My salary now (after a year) is still less than 60 k and so is my spouse's. (we're in vancouver, so that's not much) We're both not working in our fields and we were both unemployed for four months after we landed. We then took basic office admin jobs as well as working as temps to fill the time and get extra money. We bought used furniture off of facebook marketplace and craigslist. The first month we only had the bed in our apartment and for the first few months only had one phone plan for both. We only got our second phone+Data plan two months ago. We didn't spend out entire money on electronics and clothes and really stuck to the basics. We still carefully budget every cent and only spend money that we have. We don't have a fully furnished house or even a TV but we don't care because those aren't our priorities.
Also and more importantly, a lot of Canadians themselves are working two jobs and living in basements, still sharing apartments with roommates. This is not just an immigrant thing, this is a global thing.

 

[hamgha]

Just my two cents, every country has its pros and cons and every immigrant's story is different. However for potential newcomers, it's important to be realistic about where you're going to without letting it demoralize you.

I'll just reemphasize my initial point before this discussion. Every experience will be different (we know people who didn't work for a full year and ended up cleaning houses and others who had a 80+ paying job within the first two months after they landed) I come from a comfortable background but was prepared for the worst when I moved. I knew I had to make a few lifestyle sacrifices during the first few months. If you're not ready for that then you may be shocked.
Also the ego I see on the platform here sometimes like "How was my university not recognized, it's top 5 in my country!" if you're coming with that mentality already thinking you're special and the best you will be shocked.
HOWEVER, this should not be demoralizing. If you're prepared mentally for it you will not be shocked and depressed but accept the phase as it comes and unless you're a refugee or come from a war torn country, you still have the luxury of going back to your home country if shit hits the fan.

 

[canuck78]

I'll just reemphasize my initial point before this discussion. Every experience will be different (we know people who didn't work for a full year and ended up cleaning houses and others who had a 80+ paying job within the first two months after they landed) I come from a comfortable background but was prepared for the worst when I moved. I knew I had to make a few lifestyle sacrifices during the first few months. If you're not ready for that then you may be shocked.
Also the ego I see on the platform here sometimes like "How was my university not recognized, it's top 5 in my country!" if you're coming with that mentality already thinking you're special and the best you will be shocked.
HOWEVER, this should not be demoralizing. If you're prepared mentally for it you will not be shocked and depressed but accept the phase as it comes and unless you're a refugee or come from a war torn country, you still have the luxury of going back to your home country if shit hits the fan.

Keep emphasizing that immigration may no longer make sense for many people. It may have made sense 15-20 years ago but salaries have gone up in many countries as well as opportunities. I see many on this forum who have not actually done the research about what they can expect if they move to Canada. Immigrating seems to have been pushed on them from a young age from family or community members. Think extended families and communities in home countries need to also be re-educated about whether immigration is still the best option. As you mentioned people need to arrive with more savings than required if possible and not expect to land a job right away. It often takes Canadians many months to secure a job as well. Many have not ever had to do their own cooking, cleaning, home repairs and yard work. Men may never have had to take care of children, change diapers, etc. Most Canadian families have 2 working parents because they need the income and the only free time they have is on the weekend. It all comes back to realistic expectations. Moving into an apartment and basically camping in there until you get jobs and slowly buy things to furnish your apartment is the way to go. I see many families arrive with the wife already pregnant because they are only factoring in the cost of delivery and focused on CCB. Couples should also get established in jobs, slowly get a home set up and save. Then they can consider having children.

 

[hamgha]

Keep emphasizing that immigration may no longer make sense for many people. It may have made sense 15-20 years ago but salaries have gone up in many countries as well as opportunities. I see many on this forum who have not actually done the research about what they can expect if they move to Canada. Immigrating seems to have been pushed on them from a young age from family or community members. Think extended families and communities in home countries need to also be re-educated about whether immigration is still the best option. As you mentioned people need to arrive with more savings than required if possible and not expect to land a job right away. It often takes Canadians many months to secure a job as well. Many have not ever had to do their own cooking, cleaning, home repairs and yard work. Men may never have had to take care of children, change diapers, etc. Most Canadian families have 2 working parents because they need the income and the only free time they have is on the weekend. It all comes back to realistic expectations. Moving into an apartment and basically camping in there until you get jobs and slowly buy things to furnish your apartment is the way to go. I see many families arrive with the wife already pregnant because they are only factoring in the cost of delivery and focused on CCB. Couples should also get established in jobs, slowly get a home set up and save. Then they can consider having children.

100% why we postponed starting a family. As much as we wanted to, moving across the ocean pregnant or with a child would have added a whole new dimension to all of this.

 

[torontosm]

Ah forum experts living in their own cocoon and commenting like life coaches.

Scores n scores of new immigrants are working 2 jobs ... "willing to work for tremendous opportunities"....still ending up in basements for 3-5yrs, hoping for light at the end of tunnel.

Now these cocooned experts will say research before moving/go back/etc etc. Well be my guest/ meet those ppl/ and impart your free advice to them possibly using a PA system from your condo. LOLz.

Visit Brampton/Scarborough basements and distribute your knowledge there.

The "cocooned experts" that you are looking down on are most likely immigrants themselves...I know I was, and that's where I learned about the immigration system.

We came to Canada, managed to settle down and are obviously happy here. So, the immigration journey isn't all about Brampton/Scarborough basement apartments.

Of course, there will always be haters like you, who believe that the system is geared against them, or feel that everyone should suffer becuase you went through some tough times. i have no time for people with such negativity, and don't see what you add with your constant whining and scare tactics.

 

[torontosm]

Keep emphasizing that immigration may no longer make sense for many people. It may have made sense 15-20 years ago but salaries have gone up in many countries as well as opportunities. I see many on this forum who have not actually done the research about what they can expect if they move to Canada. Immigrating seems to have been pushed on them from a young age from family or community members. Think extended families and communities in home countries need to also be re-educated about whether immigration is still the best option. As you mentioned people need to arrive with more savings than required if possible and not expect to land a job right away. It often takes Canadians many months to secure a job as well. Many have not ever had to do their own cooking, cleaning, home repairs and yard work. Men may never have had to take care of children, change diapers, etc. Most Canadian families have 2 working parents because they need the income and the only free time they have is on the weekend. It all comes back to realistic expectations. Moving into an apartment and basically camping in there until you get jobs and slowly buy things to furnish your apartment is the way to go. I see many families arrive with the wife already pregnant because they are only factoring in the cost of delivery and focused on CCB. Couples should also get established in jobs, slowly get a home set up and save. Then they can consider having children.

This can not be emphasized enough, and is extremely wise advice. Do you research and try to get as thorough an understanding of what life will be like before moving. Immigration to Canada is not the Holy Grail that will solve all of your problems, and as such, is not for everyone. Be prepared.

 

[mahi2020]

The "cocooned experts" that you are looking down on are most likely immigrants themselves...I know I was, and that's where I learned about the immigration system.

We came to Canada, managed to settle down and are obviously happy here. So, the immigration journey isn't all about Brampton/Scarborough basement apartments.

Of course, there will always be haters like you, who believe that the system is geared against them, or feel that everyone should suffer becuase you went through some tough times. i have no time for people with such negativity, and don't see what you add with your constant whining and scare tactics.

Oh My God, didnt know scores of immigrants have decided to move back because of 2 posts of mine in an obscure thread.
But didnt move forward because of motivating posts of Hamgha's.


Losers like you should stay away from these threads, who dont add any value to the discussion nor present any facts or figures.
Keep your generic "tremendous opportunities" to yourself and continue to be a keyboard warrior.

Btw there are lot of vacancies for life coaches. Go and preach there.

 

[navinball]

unless you have a 100K lying around to burn through 3 yrs of unemployment, dont come to canada. there is nothing here for an average person other than cashier jobs and uber.

 

[canuck78]

unless you have a 100K lying around to burn through 3 yrs of unemployment, dont come to canada. there is nothing here for an average person other than cashier jobs and uber.

Nobody forced you to come to Canada. Seems like you were working in IT in the US. Perhaps your expectations were unrealistic.

 

[navinball]

Nobody forced you to come to Canada. Seems like you were working in IT in the US. Perhaps your expectations were unrealistic.

I'm working in IT in canada as well. Talking about average folks.

 

[despacito2017]

Lots of negativity in these posts, which is not the ideal attitude to have if you plan on immigrating to any new country.

if you come here with unrealistic expectations that everything will work out then maybe immigrating anywhere is not for you.

Remember that you are in a new country, often without a network, no local qualifications, and at a significant disadvantage to native job seekers. This is the case anywhere you migrate.

If you are prepared to work hard for many years, you will have plenty of opportunities and the next generation will be the true benefactors of your sacrifices. Just look at the second and third generation immigrants in Canada, they are doing extremely well on average.

Also, sulking only amongst your own community members and criticizing the flaws of the country will achieve nothing, instead channel your energy to something positive even if it’s just volunteering in local organizations.