Canadians: I Need Your Help!

[Vampyr]

Originally Posted by Bond

Any views on conducting business in Canada? Canadian business traditions?

I'll tell you what isn't one: profiting from health insurance.

*badum-pish*

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

I've never internationally travelled, but what Ive heard from those who have, is the reason we sew our flag on our bags is honestly not only pride - but so we don't get confused with Americans. It's much better to be a Canadian in Europe, than an American, or so I'm told.

I can totally corroborate that with my year abroad. The Canadians I knew did it as much for pride as for protection. Even some Americans contemplated doing it, though I don't know if anyone ever did.

[Bond]

Originally Posted by Vampyr

I'll tell you what isn't one: profiting from health insurance.

*badum-pish*

Har har. Universal health care is actually already in my presentation - from a very objective perspective, of course.

[Typhoid]

Will we get to see this presentation eventually?

[Bond]

Sure, I can upload the powerpoint when I'm done.

[Ric]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

1 It's much better to be a Canadian in Europe, than an American, or so I'm told.

2I like the fact we don't go to jail for smoking pot, not only because I smoke pot, but because I view pot less devastating than alcohol or kidnapping.

3and wouldn't trade it for a single thing.

1 Indeed it is in my experience, I have lived in France and Germany and travelled in Spain and I had that perception from what I experienced. The main reason, so a Canadian man in Munich told me, is because of a very strong mutural respect between Canada, England and France.

Canada were right there with us from day 1 in WW2 is a major reason

2 You lucky bastard, I am definately gonna spend a long time in Canada when I eventually come to that side of the world and work my way from Peru up It's gonna take a while.

3 What about 2 Canada's

[The Germanator]

It's weird, I feel like I was never quite looked down upon for being an American while in Europe. Maybe because we were playing music people assumed we weren't jerks. But even on my days off walking around I never quite got the vibe that people hated me. The only times I felt like a dick was when I couldn't speak German or French to people when I needed to buy something. Luckily, many more Europeans speak English and most were pretty nice about it.

[Zen]

So in a serious note, Ive been thinking of going to canada for a while, like actuallt moving there, there's a few things holding me back but that is not important or relevant.

How expensive is rent?
Could a foreigner with absolutely no friends who actually live there make it?
How easy is it to get a job?
Will this job be enough to cover for rent?

Im sure more questions will come up as I get answers for these, I dont care about big city life as long as I dont get like a bear on my ass as soon as i walk the door or something. (and that I have internet access :P)

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by The Germanator

It's weird, I feel like I was never quite looked down upon for being an American while in Europe. Maybe because we were playing music people assumed we weren't jerks. But even on my days off walking around I never quite got the vibe that people hated me. The only times I felt like a dick was when I couldn't speak German or French to people when I needed to buy something. Luckily, many more Europeans speak English and most were pretty nice about it.

The "Europeans hate America" thing was definitely overblown in my experience, too. Even in Egypt and Tunisia, most people you run into don't give a shit. In fact, at all the markets they're happy to see you, because they know you have money. Even talking to one Egyptian working at a booth in a market, he said he envied us because we have the freedom to speak as we wish and he does not. (Of course, I doubt that sentiment is universal.) And I agree, the only time I hated myself was when I was trying to buy something and couldn't speak the language or, worse, just butchered it.

One time in Sicily, I asked a hotel worker whether he would like some of the orange I just bought. Then he all of a sudden took it from my hand, pulled out a knife, and started peeling it for me. I was utterly confused, but I figured, "wow, what a nice guy!" Then when he was done peeling it he handed it back, and I gestured to him offering him some. He shook his head and then left, leaving me even more confused. What I had said was the closest word I knew to "would you like some." I said "Vorrei?" -- literally "I would like?" He must have thought I was demanding him to peel my orange for me since I was a hotel guest and he worked there. I still feel like a jerk for that.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Zen

So in a serious note, Ive been thinking of going to canada for a while, like actuallt moving there, there's a few things holding me back but that is not important or relevant.

How expensive is rent?
Could a foreigner with absolutely no friends who actually live there make it?
How easy is it to get a job?
Will this job be enough to cover for rent?

Im sure more questions will come up as I get answers for these, I dont care about big city life as long as I dont get like a bear on my ass as soon as i walk the door or something. (and that I have internet access :P)

Why Canada? DR seems like such a lovely place.

Anyhow, I believe like all things, it varies. You may find some places that are really expensive to live, and others that are probably fairly cheap (granted its also all relative).

As for friends, I don't know I would imagine a big move is difficult for anyone, but you may start to make friends if you have a job and hang out with co-workers afterwards or join something.

[Zen]

I dunno I'm still undecided, I have no problems being here and god knows I would miss the beach more than anything, I kind of get tired... I dunno.

[Typhoid]

Originally Posted by Zen

How expensive is rent?
Could a foreigner with absolutely no friends who actually live there make it?
How easy is it to get a job?
Will this job be enough to cover for rent?

Hahahahaha.
"How expensive is rent".
Because clearly Canada has a nation-wide equal economy. We're afterall, a tiny country. Wait...

If you want cheap Canadian rent, move to crappy cities. Basically anywhere in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or the Maritimes.
Rent in cities like Vancouver and Toronto are stupidly inflated. I was renting a 2 room basement suite (A tiny, tiny piece of crap) in the suburbs, about 40 minutes from the downtown core, and that was 1300 bucks a month.

You can make it anywhere without friends. All you need is the internet.

Is it easy to get a job? Sure. We have McDonald's/Starbucks.Subway.Supermarkets here, too you know.
No, those will 100% not pay your rent.

You'll miss the beach?
Learn Canadian geography.
Vancouver is lined with beaches, as is all of Vancouver Island.

[Teuthida]

I have a more general question in terms of moving to another country. Can you live in another country when your income would still be coming from your original country? Usually need a work visa to stay don't you?

[Dylflon]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

Hahahahaha.
"How expensive is rent".
Because clearly Canada has a nation-wide equal economy. We're afterall, a tiny country. Wait...

If you want cheap Canadian rent, move to crappy cities. Basically anywhere in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or the Maritimes.
Rent in cities like Vancouver and Toronto are stupidly inflated. I was renting a 2 room basement suite (A tiny, tiny piece of crap) in the suburbs, about 40 minutes from the downtown core, and that was 1300 bucks a month.

You can make it anywhere without friends. All you need is the internet.

Is it easy to get a job? Sure. We have McDonald's/Starbucks.Subway.Supermarkets here, too you know.
No, those will 100% not pay your rent.

You'll miss the beach?
Learn Canadian geography.
Vancouver is lined with beaches, as is all of Vancouver Island.

This post comes off as somewhat abrasive. That's not the Canadian spirit at all!


Vancouver are does have pretty ridiculous rent. And as for jobs, it really depends on your skill set. A lot of companies are on hiring freezes right now due to the suffering economy.

As for landscape, what you lose in beaches, will be made up for by lakes and national parks (both of which we have many). Making friends up here seems easy if you're a naturally social person.

One trouble spot will be adjusting to the climate here. A lot of areas in Canada are horrendously cold for long portions of the year.

[KillerGremlin]

BreakABone secretly loves Canada. But he also secretly loves men.

Anyway, Canada in a nutshell: