Things to know when immigrating to Canada

[jc94]

Bears aren't really a problem.

Yes, bears are present if you go out in the wilderness, but they really don't like humans. My wife and I were at a (fairly remote) park, and a driver down the road warned us there was a bear nearby. We saw him, he was 50 or so meters away. He saw us, he ran away.

In all of Vancouver, there are something like 12 bear attacks a year. You are far more likely to get attacked by an animal of the two legged variety than the four legged kind.

As for Vancouver, it's ridiculously expensive, so if you are looking to ever buy a house, I'd recommend pretty much anywhere else in Canada (except perhaps Toronto).

I know someone who lives on the outskirts of Vancouver, they had to call the rangers after a bear turned up for a 3rd time eating things on the patio.
Vancouver is the only place in Canada more expensive than Toronto. The issue with Toronto is that a lot of the outlying areas are now getting fairly expensive as well.

 

[benzylamine]

I know someone who lives on the outskirts of Vancouver, they had to call the rangers after a bear turned up for a 3rd time eating things on the patio.
Vancouver is the only place in Canada more expensive than Toronto. The issue with Toronto is that a lot of the outlying areas are now getting fairly expensive as well.

agreed, seems new immigrants are likely to go Toronto or Vancouver. ;D

 

[letstry]

Great input guys...Thank you so much!

 

[cyt0plas]

lol @ the youtube video and thanks for your reply do you know if the housing in Ottawa any better/cheaper?

Yes, it is. Housing is better in Quebec (which is really close), but the taxes are higher, too. If you make more than around $85,000 a year, the extra taxes are probably more than you would save on a house if you get a mortgage.

My wife and I are moving from Vancouver to Ottawa because of the price. We want to have a home when we add a new family member, and that's not happening in Vancouver.

 

[cyt0plas]

unless you have a solid skill and communication skill, it is hard to find a decent job(salary>$80k) ;D ;D ;D

Even then, it's pretty hard. As a developer (with lots of experience), I made $100,000+ in the states, and $150,000+ in NYC. Even as a native English speaker, wages here in Vancouver topped out around $85,000 for the type of development I do.

Ended up starting a company instead, and telecommuting to the US.

 

[benzylamine]

Even then, it's pretty hard. As a developer (with lots of experience), I made $100,000+ in the states, and $150,000+ in NYC. Even as a native English speaker, wages here in Vancouver topped out around $85,000 for the type of development I do.

Ended up starting a company instead, and telecommuting to the US.

agreed, as a recent graduate student with 2 years experience. I made$50K+ currently, hopefully, I can get my CPA designation this fall and try to find a good job in Vancouver. I think it is not important if you are native speaker or not, the most important factor is whether you can contribute equivalent value into your company or not. just my idea.

 

[Kumarp]

I belong to Computer Science field, so I can only talk about that. One cannot compare the pay you'll get in US or other European countries or any country for that matter with your pay here in Canada. I'd say 60K in Canada is more or less equal to 100K in US, with all the amazing health care benefits you get. Based on which province you live, your chosen field of work, additional health benefits you get from your employer, your life style and lots of other things.

Here is a good breakdown of salary expectations in 2016 jotted down by one of the biggest recruiters in Canada called Robert Half: https://www.roberthalf.ca/sites/roberthalf.ca/files/rht-pdfs/robert_half_technology_2016_salary_guide.pdf

Actually their website has the salary guide for many other fields and posts as well and very well reflect the current market. Take a look if you are interested. Go to their webpage and click on salary centres tab: https://www.roberthalf.ca/

 

[Aal_]

I belong to Computer Science field, so I can only talk about that. One cannot compare the pay you'll get in US or other European countries or any country for that matter with your pay here in Canada. I'd say 60K in Canada is more or less equal to 100K in US, with all the amazing health care benefits you get. Based on which province you live, your chosen field of work, additional health benefits you get from your employer, your life style and lots of other things.

Here is a good breakdown of salary expectations in 2016 jotted down by one of the biggest recruiters in Canada called Robert Half: https://www.roberthalf.ca/sites/roberthalf.ca/files/rht-pdfs/robert_half_technology_2016_salary_guide.pdf

Actually their website has the salary guide for many other fields and posts as well and very well reflect the current market. Take a look if you are interested. Go to their webpage and click on salary centres tab: https://www.roberthalf.ca/

Good document! Thanks.

I'm bookmarking this thread.

 

[canadadiaries]

I belong to Marketing / CPG Industry and I feel that there is a lot of competition so it would help to do some course in Canada maybe Brand Management or Digital Marketing as it will help you understand more about Canadian Market with helpful case studies. Also it would show on your resume that you are pro-active and are trying to learn more and more about Canadian market.

Software Industry : I know about this only thru the experiences of my husband. He is into Embedded Systems and he gets calls for jobs all the time and his conversion rate is way better than mine. It is slightly easier to get a job in software as it doesn't change with country and it is not dependent on demographics unlike marketing.

 

[canadadiaries]

Somebody asked me " Do Indian products work in Canada?"

I am assuming it is about Laptops, Phones, Ipads etc.

The answer is "Yes", they do work but you might have to buy a connector as the plugs and sockets are different in North America.

Also, if you wish to keep your Indian or European made Mobile phone, then don't use Wind Mobile as even though it is cheaper, it doesn't work on those phones.

I had to buy a new phone as I used Wind when I first moved here. But the service is not good and you will be charged roaming even within certain parts of Toronto (GTA). So I switched to Fido which is little expensive than Wind but works well and I can use my Indian phone again.

Feel free to ask me more questions.

Thanks

 

[jc94]

One of the things I brought over with me ... a 1 to 4 extension lead. One conversion plug into a socket gives me 4 UK power plugs.
Useful for legacy electronics that only have a UK plug (camera battery chargers for example). Especially good given a lot of adapters are so large they block a 2nd item being plugged in...

 

[miss_mp]

Thanks for this thread, its really useful to learn from everyone else who's taken the same steps on moving and getting tips.
I'm planning on landing in Toronto, as I got my nomination from Ontario. I was wondering if anyone can advise on good neighbourhoods to stay/rent in Ontario for new immigrants.

 

[futurecanadiannew123456]

hey guys thanks for a lot of input here really amazing to hear it from so many different people and experiences.


is any body here into noc 6221?

i am a sales engineer and been working in india and middle east now for a american company (Manufacturer or fittings and valves) does any one know how is the market in ontario and which city would be the best to land a job or where the industry is in ontario? as i have to live in ontario any input would be really appriciated.

thanks a lot