Fido/TK and all others,
I would relate my personal experiences. I came here with family for a month only in 2004 to return back to dubai. I knew somebody and he arranged my accomodation including family in a basement. It was in sept oct, cold compared to india, and this basement was not heated also. At night we were given portable room heater to manage.

We were not given access to the G.floor in their absence(the landlords were mostly out in day), and this was really uncomfortable in cold, particularly with small child of 11 months, who likes to have good vision to the outer world, which was not possible in the basement.

What I experienced is that people are very commercial minded there, I was given unfurnished basement for 750 dollars a month, without any internet connection, without full time telephone facilities, without television or dvd.

We did not have much facilities, as the land lords themselves had just moved in the new house,
At the time the feed back we received about canada from them was also negative.

Due to all the above and also due to circumstances, I did not move back to Canada, But what I feel is your first impression or experience has lot of impact about your making further settlement decisions in Canada. (no regrets, everything happens happens for the good)

My advise to all would be immigrants is that even if you know somebody, do your own research, do not depend on the ones you know, always be ready to pay little more and get good facilities initially, which helps you to set your positive mindset.

I was is Mississauga for that one month period, and Here I fully agree with Fido and Tk, that since Mississauga is 1.5 hours journey from downtown, it wastes a lot of time.

I do not know anybody personally, but through the past posts of Fido/Tk, it makes me feel, that they say straight what they have gone through without any fabrication, so everybody should take their posts in good spirits.

Thanks Jaidev ,

I ran into rough waters unnecassarily with that sonofagun Uncle Pritam ..... and hence I coined this thread ....

I agree 100% that basement is a mood dampener .... but if you are a small family and you get a well furnished basement or a suite for $1000 / mo .... I think thats reasonable ....

The reality is that such accomodations are available ... just need a little bit of searching around ...... Its better to stay in Toronto / Scarborough then in Mississauga for commute reasons ....

Always ask for a furnished independent room and a kitchen with cooking facilities ..... its better to heat and eat ready to eat meals rather than compromise on independent above ground rooms ..

Hope you come back again before 3 years and this time for good ... I m sure getting a citizenship should be a win win situation for you ... hopefully the economy would have recovered by then ....

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Fido.

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Originally posted by jaidev

I do not know anybody personally, but through the past posts of ****/**, it makes me feel, that they say straight what they have gone through without any fabrication, so everybody should take their posts in good spirits.

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

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Originally posted by tamilkuravan

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Originally posted by jaidev

I do not know anybody personally, but through the past posts of ****/**, it makes me feel, that they say straight what they have gone through without any fabrication, so everybody should take their posts in good spirits.

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Hi Jaidev,
Thanks for putting the reality in perspective. When I came to Toronto in 2002, Canadian people helping immgrants was not fully developed and we suffered a lot. At the airport, there was not a soul to help us and the immigrant assistance desk was empty (2:00 pm on a Sunday). It was such a peeve to see that a country which admits 220K Plus immigrants in to Canada with Pearson being the favourite destination for over 1/2 of them donot even have a desk to help newly landed immigrants. Though they might be having tons of food banks, settlement agencies, ERC etc... what is the use when no one is there to help you at the airport. This is what some crook immigrantion companies take advantage of and charge 1000 $ for 10 days accomodation (5-8 people in a small 3 bed apt. w/ one washroom).
I visited pearson again in 2009 June and it is still the same case. Fortunately now the internet so much developed and it is possible to do a complete research and book your apartment in advance these days. Still I find a few cases of immigrants being cheated by Canadian (fellow immigrants) even these days.
Research, Analysis and implementation is the best process these days.

Hope this helps.

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Indeed a very good post. It is very tough for new residents sometimes since getting a decent apt. without a job lined up is very tough.

Someone said above that since the first experience is very important, it is better to rent a furnished apt. This may not be affordable for all, though.