Toronto - Good place to emigrate?

[middletoenail]

Hi all,

My girlfriend has been offered a promotion in Toronto and I'd like to know what it's like. If you have been there I would appreciate your opinion, especially if you have lived/live there.

For a bit of background, I currently live in Hong Kong and I'm very happy here, but this is a great opportunity for the other half.

Cheers!

 

[Guinness Boy]

Paging [MENTION=97]Toronto Seagull[/MENTION]

 

[Badger]

I hope so, I'm moving there myself in September

 

[Triggaaar]

Why are you in Hong Kong, and what will the move mean for your career?

 

[Simster]

Great city. Lived there for a year myself.

 

[The Oldman]

A truly great city. Only downside are the cold winters but dress appropriately and enjoy the snow and ice. The folk who live there are very welcoming too plus some of the best food I have ever eaten in North America.

 

[Gullflyinghigh]

I wish I was useful enough to be able to move there. Do it!

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Anything that gets you out of this country I would grab with BOTH hands.

 

[Badger]

A truly great city. Only downside are the cold winters but dress appropriately and enjoy the snow and ice. The folk who live there are very welcoming too plus some of the best food I have ever eaten in North America.

At least they're prepared for the cold winter. Everyone sticks winter tyres on their cars and you're only an hour away from some decent ski hills. You're right, Canadians are incredibly welcoming and most of the ones I've met seem to be genuinely happy and wanting to enjoy life.

 

[middletoenail]

Why are you in Hong Kong, and what will the move mean for your career?

This is one of my biggest concerns if I'm honest. My current employers were good enough to move me from Brighton to Hong Kong originally because of my girlfriend, asking again is going to be tough. I've had a look at current job availability out there and it doesn't look good, and if I had to leave my current employer/role it would involve a significant pay decrease given the package I'm currently in and the low taxes here.

 

[middletoenail]

Anything that gets you out of this country I would grab with BOTH hands.

I'm currently out of Brighton, living in Hong Kong ;-)

 

[StonehamPark]

I'm also hoping to head out to the Great White North later this year.
The two main factors here (aside from your partner) are Salary and Weather.

It sounds like you'll earn less, but what's the cost of living like in Hong Kong?
It'll be 'effing cold in Toronto 6 months out of the year. However, long weekends in Boston, NYC and Montreal.
I'd pick Toronto.

Tim Hortons = Win

 

[Badger]

Tim Hortons = Win

This is obviously the main reason to move there. Tim Horton's coffee with a box of Timbits

 

[jamie the seagull]

My wife's sister emigrated to Calgary 2 years ago and has never regretted it.
Despite the weather being cold for 6 months a year the country does not grind to a halt.
Went and stayed last year and would move at a drop of a hat given the chance....

Tim Hortons say no more....

 

[surrey jim]

This is one of my biggest concerns if I'm honest. My current employers were good enough to move me from Brighton to Hong Kong originally because of my girlfriend, asking again is going to be tough. I've had a look at current job availability out there and it doesn't look good, and if I had to leave my current employer/role it would involve a significant pay decrease given the package I'm currently in and the low taxes here.

Are you still with Amex? I know someone who recently relocated Brighton to Toronto, can PM you their details if you want.

 

[Triggaaar]

This is one of my biggest concerns if I'm honest. My current employers were good enough to move me from Brighton to Hong Kong originally because of my girlfriend, asking again is going to be tough. I've had a look at current job availability out there and it doesn't look good, and if I had to leave my current employer/role it would involve a significant pay decrease given the package I'm currently in and the low taxes here.

Very good of you to move to Hong Kong for her. If your current employers allow you to move again, I say go for it, it will be fun. But if not, you run the risk of moving to a foreign country and not having a job, and I don't think that's a good idea. If you can't get a job there, u could well be unhappy and it could ruin your relationship.

How long can they wait before they need an answer from your girlfriend? I know places would normally want a quick decision, but they must accept it's a big upheaval, and should give her a fair bit of time. Use that time to ask your employer, and see if there's anything else there.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

This is obviously the main reason to move there. Tim Horton's coffee with a box of Timbits

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DBpgcZ1zYJs

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I hope so, I'm moving there myself in September

Not sure whether to Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down this

 

[StonehamPark]

This is obviously the main reason to move there. Tim Horton's coffee with a box of Timbits

I had my first box of Timbits in March this year.

I'm considering heading to Canada for the bank holiday weekend just for a TH Binge..

 

[Badger]

Not sure whether to Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down this

Well obviously Toronto will be the destination for your next North American holiday.