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Living overseas

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Canada nice?

16 replies

hugshugshugs · 27/02/2022 19:21

Hello, might have to move to Canada Toronto for work. Has anyone any experience of living there any tips? Is it like the uk? How is it for children education health etc?

OP posts:
knitnerd90 · 06/03/2022 00:46

I can't assist on specific neighbourhoods but some general information based on my extended family & friends there:

It's expensive, especially for housing. The average price of a detached house is almost $2M now in Toronto proper. As you go outside the city, be aware that newer neighbourhoods have very high densities and this translates to large homes packed onto small lots. Older homes have larger yards, if this is a concern for you.

Education is good but there is more emphasis on equality and fairness and less on setting, streaming, top academics. People used to very academic UK schools would find it an adjustment. French Immersion is an option and there are state funded Catholic schools, but other religious schools are private.

Health care is good quality but it can take some time to find a family doctor (GP) and you need a referral to access specialist services. Family doctors are not pushed to prevent referrals the way NHS GPs are though, generally it's easier to get one. Basic health care pays for hospital and medical bills, but you will want supplemental insurance through work to cover things like pharmacare, dental, physio, etc. You cannot pay to go private to jump the queue for the vast majority of things.

It's pretty good for kids, lots to do. Generally very safe. Transit is not bad, though not really as extensive as it needs to be; they've been arguing for years about expansion. I don't know that I'd call it a very British city, though there's a large layer of that in the history of it. Some things about it are quite American, but it isn't an American city either.

It's not as outdoorsy as Western Canada but people do love going up to cottage country by the lakes, and sports are popular.

Groceries are not cheap, but there's a big choice of restaurants of all types. There's so many immigrants in and around Toronto that you can find all sorts of food.

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 06/03/2022 01:01

Good summary knitnerd!

I’m from Montreal, which has a long rivalry with Toronto and tends to be very snobby about Toronto’s perceived lack of charm and it’s total business-focus.

HOWEVER, I’ve lived in Toronto now for a decade with my British DH (because he doesn’t speak French, which makes Montreal challenging), and we’ve both been pleasantly surprised to find that we love it here! We’ve had opportunities to move to Montreal or London since arriving here, and we have decided to stay put, with enthusiasm.

hugshugshugs · 10/03/2022 18:48

Thanks for such a nice summary. I haven't much choice in the move but it seems like we might be able to make it work. I suprised to hear houses and food is expensive I thought it was cheaper there!

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Soberfutures · 10/03/2022 19:19

Yes the GTA (greater Toronto area) is Very expensive. If you drive about an hour out there are some lovely suburbs. Ajax, pickering are lovely. Certain parts do have high crime and gangs. Not to put you off but it is a big reality in some of the areas so please do research. Public transport is definitely not like the UK. Buses are not easy to use for commute. There are trains but not sure of their links to places.
Most Canadians are friendly and will welcome you into their lives. Winters are cold so cars have snow tires and Toronto has an underground shopping centre.
They have good schools most universities base degrees on careers rather than subjects so I believe.
Overall I would love to go so as long as you know its expensive and love to drive then you will have a great time.

MrsTerryPratchett · 10/03/2022 19:22

Be very aware of the cold. Snow shoveling is mandatory and frequent. Driving in the snow, and public transport isn't as good, plus cars have issues with the cold and the salt. Canadians are amazing at dealing with it but it's still basically living somewhere unfit for human habitation!

Theyweretheworstoftimes · 10/03/2022 19:25

They have 4 seasons:

Winter, almost spring, construction season and almost winter.

Groceries are expensive. Milk especially.

Winters are long and cold.

Huge mix of people which is wonderful. Renting or buying is insanely expensive.

Traffic isn't great.

Apart from that it's great

hugshugshugs · 10/03/2022 20:27

Thanks for the replies so far all will be helpful. Does anyone who how Canada is for homeschooling?

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MrsTerryPratchett · 10/03/2022 20:41

@hugshugshugs

Thanks for the replies so far all will be helpful. Does anyone who how Canada is for homeschooling?
Speaking as someone who moved countries as a child, being in school to make friends and very quickly learn the culture was absolutely essential to me.
knitnerd90 · 11/03/2022 02:28

Toronto winters are cold for someone coming from the UK but they are really not that bad. The way the winds go across Lake Ontario, the New York side of the lake actually gets more snow.

@UpToMyElbowsInDiapers, my aunt and uncle moved to Toronto in the 1970s and it really was dull then. The migration from Montreal to Toronto after Bill 101, and then the rise in immigration, changed the city so much.

Homeschooling is doable in Canada, but I do think kids would adjust better and make friends going to school in a new country.

Gelasia · 13/04/2022 14:41

Speaking as someone who moved countries as a child, being in school to make friends and very quickly learn the culture was absolutely essential to me.

Canada is a good place to home educate l (my SIL home educated her kids.) Homed educated children do socialise with each other, you know, they don't just sit in their living rooms doing maths. Home ed communities are often great and very welcoming. But people will say school is vital because that's what they know.

TeaAddict235 · 02/05/2022 18:02

Does anyone know much about Vancouver? What is it like for a family with under 10s? Are schools any good? Is life possible on foot/bike, or all car?

Is Vancouver generally safe? Coming from London, and having lived in Lyon and various German cities for comparison, is life quite restrictive like in Germany, or free and anonymous like in the UK? Will ID be asked for regularly?

Would love to know as much about real life as possible please?

Youhaveyourhandsfull · 26/05/2022 02:33

@TeaAddict235 let me know if you’re still thinking about this. We HE in Vancouver.

TeaAddict235 · 26/05/2022 18:32

Ooh yes please @Youhaveyourhandsfull . I'd love to know your opinion and experience in comparison to the UK.

Thank you so much

Youhaveyourhandsfull · 26/05/2022 19:44

Lots to say for sure! Can’t comment much on schools as only our son has ever been here (he’s 16). There’s no exams at 16, you go straight through to 18 when you get your diploma. It’s easier than other qualifications, I would say. University is cheaper than UK and lots of good ones around.

Vancouver has a lot of people with drug problems and some areas are a few steps beyond edgy. In particular the downtown Eastside (DTES) is the centre of that community and there’s a large population of homeless addicts there. This is common in spots in East Vancouver also but plenty of that area is very gentrified and expensive to live (2m plus housing)

generally though I’ve been in all these areas and had no problems and I’ve felt safe.

not quite sure what you mean regarding restrictions… no you don’t need to show ID anywhere now post COVID.

re transit, depends where you live. We live more in the suburbs and are entirely dependent on our car and drive a lot- coupled with high gas prices right now we spend 400 dollars a month just on gas. In the UK (from London) we bought one tank every 6 weeks or so. You can bike to a lot of places (and it’s common) but you need to research areas. Bus/train transit is ok getting into Vancouver but awful getting around locally.

HE is common and there are lots of things on, but have found quite different vibes with different HE groups. Some very activity/un school focused and some more academic. Flex schooling is common also (have two daughters starting this in Sept) where they do two days a week in school and three at home. While school does this not just our kids.

cost of living is high. Quite a lot higher than London- on a recent trip back I was very happy paying M and S prices for food. Rent is also high and unfortunately has increased a lot lately. It used to be cheaper further from Vancouver but not really anymore.

if you have any other questions feel free to PM or ask here.

Rocy · 28/11/2022 07:32

Check this out

TeaAddict235 · 28/11/2022 20:54

Yeah cheers @Rocy . That video is a bit of scaremongering isn't it? You could pop in the title Frankfurt, Berlin, Bristol, Paris, London, Jo'burg and it would all still apply. Downtown isn't our aim at all, but I'll keep my eyes peeled, coming from London i know what to look for and DH having grown up in LA (el Segundo) also is street and city wise. But cheers!

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