Just pushing this thread to top!

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A Proud Indian Canadian

I think our friend PDPatel has very nicely put in a nutshell how the cash flow works.I want to merely add a few pointers (from my own experience):

1. Initially CAD 8 dollars should be expected. This is useful for worst case scenario planning. In reality, depending upon your skills, English language ability(especially spoken) and ability to drive(forklifts not cars) and lifting ability,you may be able to earn at least $ 11 per hour. As a matter of fact, Honda Factory in Alliston pays general labour $ 18 per hour + piece rated bonus. The rate becomes at least $ 24 per hour on confirmation, depending on the department you are allocated to.So your income level is slightly higher than projected.Again, to be taken with a pinch of salt until it actually comes into your bank account.Alliston is 45 minutes West of Barrie on the 400NW(from Toronto)/89W(from Barrie)

In general again, try to join the Local Union.This should be done in the event you feel you are likely to be working on the shopfloor for quite some time. Unionised jobs pay at least double the wage rate.They are tough to get;and long waiting times exist;but it is definitely worth a try depending on your situation.

2.GTA is generally expensive. I have lived away from GTA as well-inCollingwood and Barrie in the North West, and in Peterborough in the East.Cost of Living is definitely cheaper by half;as are rents.Rents for a one bedroom apartment in Barrie is in the region of about $ 600 to $ 800.If you are extremely lucky, you may even get a nice house(semi detached or even independant) for rental at slightly more than the amount. Commuting times from Barrie to Toronto is about an hour on the HWY 400; and Peterborough is about an hour and a half on the 401.So if you have a car, you can think about living at these places. You also get the added bonus of enjoying the scenic and beautiful countryside in all seasons (especially summer and fall).Winter season enables you to enjoy skiing and winter sports.The disadvantage is that you may not find as many Indians as in Toronto.But white people there are generally a lot more friendlier and hospitable than in Toronto.Here I find it is all totally business like attitude and no one bothers. You will not find that attitude out in the countryside.I have also heard that Hull/Ottawa are also inexpensive compared to GTA. Schools are also generally good and one should not have problems. There are also good colleges for older kids-Georgian College in Barrie and Trent Univeersity in Peterborough.Kingston is also not far.So your options expand.Chances of gaining part time jobs at Zellers, Gas stations, etc for the wives and kids are generally much better and easier in these places. My own experience has been that the agency called me after a day to secure me some factory job when I got laid off last year. So fortunately I had continuity of income.These are what you could consider while planning location of work/residence.

Hope that helps!

Sathish

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Sathish Subramanian
Email:

Thanks Guys.

All your replies really gives a true picture of situation out there.

Thanks a ton

Vivek

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Vivek

Why this thread is in "Education" forum.

GG, Why don't you move this post to "Jobs" forum?

Is it true that you cannot work for about one month after landing in Canada becuase no one will give you job without SIN card?

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Give free food http://www.thehungersite.com ||

Since I am in Montreal and have quite a few friends in the academic( Mcgill/Concordia) circles here, let me give you some info on the expenses related to living in Montreal.
1) Rent: Its cheaper than in Toronto and you should be able to find decent living space with 2 bedrooms for about 800$( some landlords even throw in the heating/elec costs for that price). Actually if you are planning to buy then Montreal is cheaper compared to TO too
2) Childcare: The govt has a 5 $/day scheme which is really cheap when you take into account the expenses in other provinces. Note: there may be a waiting list depending on your location within Montreal. Since your kids are 5 and 6 they will be going to school.
3) French education: In my view this is an advantage atleast in the initial stages. I have a 5 yr girl who started school about a month ago and I am amazed at the amount of French she has already picked up. She did not know a word of French before she joined. Her teachers mentioned that they have had students who came in knowing only Urdu and left speaking French and English too. This at the kindergarten level ! The younger your kids the better. I am planning to move my daughter to English private school after about 5 yrs. Bilingualism is Highly desirable in the canadian Job market.
4) French and employment: This is a major factor for desis. Most desis, including myself, came here after being hired by companies/colleges located here. None of the people..me included, speak much French even after half a decade and more of living here. All accompanying spouses have managed to find jobs(not labor) too. So I think that if you are highly educated(phd) and either your wife or you have a job here already then it is worth the move. As a matter of fact I did not know as many desis holding such good jobs( academic/aeronautic/sw) the two years I lived and worked in TO as I do in Montreal.
5) Climate: Its much colder here. Period!

Dont want to piss off the TO folks here but TO pales in comparision to Montreal. Its a much more vibrant and colorful society here. This from someone who initially landed in TO and used to miss TO for a cpl of years till I gave Montreal a chance. C'est la vie!

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forgot to mention..
6)Transportation costs: Bus+Train monthly pass within the main island=50$. 65$ if you are in west island. THe metro system has better service than TO. A grid of 4 lines compared to 2 in TO. Much more efficient
7)Car: the same as TO...insurance is lower than in TO
8)Groceries: about the same as TO...but you can buy beer/wine at most convenience stores any time of the day/night :-)
9) People: From my family's experience...much friendlier than TO inspite of the language barrier. The women are prettier here too (though none of the people from here or outside know why that is)
10) Roads: the roads here are bad.Period!
11) Taxes: we have much higher taxes than TO :-)!!

There you go...the good and the bad

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