Moving to Toronto?

amster · 15-03-2013 9:43pm #1

Hey,

So I have my visa (thank god!) and am planning on moving to Toronto in September. From looking through different posts everyone else seems to be heading to Calgary, but is anyone moving to Toronto?

I'm heading over on my own and it would be good to kind of know others heading over there too......haha sound like a right miss no mates

flynnser19 · 17-03-2013 4:17am

yea im heading to toronto booked the lights for the 14th june cant wait

me and a friend are going together just the two of us!!you booked flights yet??

clodgh · 17-03-2013 4:05pm

Heading to Toronto on the 30th of April. Going by myself and don't know a soul over there but it'll be an adventure!!

COYVB · 17-03-2013 7:35pm

clodgh wrote: »

Heading to Toronto on the 30th of April. Going by myself and don't know a soul over there but it'll be an adventure!!

I did that 4 years ago and haven't looked back since. Best way to do it IMO

amster · 19-03-2013 3:11pm

flynnser19 wrote: »

yea im heading to toronto booked the lights for the 14th june cant wait me and a friend are going together just the two of us!!you booked flights yet??

hey! nope not yet i'm booking it next month! would love to be going earlier than sept but i've a few things here with work that i need to do first. i'm so excited!

amster · 19-03-2013 3:15pm

clodgh wrote: »

Heading to Toronto on the 30th of April. Going by myself and don't know a soul over there but it'll be an adventure!!

i'm the same, i figure there will be a few people in the same boat, but at the same time i'm kind of nervous! Good to know there's a few others heading to Toronto too!

amster · 19-03-2013 3:16pm

COYVB wrote: »

I did that 4 years ago and haven't looked back since. Best way to do it IMO

Did you decide to stay on in Canada? Any advice for us newbies when we first get to Toronto?

kupus · 19-03-2013 3:30pm

best thing you can do is join a gaa club, there is ladies and mens teams there. Doesnt matter if you never played before because there is where Irish people that have first hand knowledge of living and may have connections for jobs.

I think it is important to stick with the Irish scene for a bit, as it will deter homesickness if you get that of course. but to stay away from the drinking side of it.

Canadians like yanks are very friendly very open and very honest moreso than Irish people And any effort to be friendly with them will be returned ten fold.

amster · 19-03-2013 5:19pm

kupus wrote: »

best thing you can do is join a gaa club, there is ladies and mens teams there. Doesnt matter if you never played before because there is where Irish people that have first hand knowledge of living and may have connections for jobs.

I think it is important to stick with the Irish scene for a bit, as it will deter homesickness if you get that of course. but to stay away from the drinking side of it.

Canadians like yanks are very friendly very open and very honest moreso than Irish people And any effort to be friendly with them will be returned ten fold.

ye i'm def planning on staying away from the drinking side of it, don't get me wrong i love a session as much as anyone else but i want to get a proper job there and try make a life for myself. good idea about the GAA - not very sporty but def look in to it! i've heard lots of great stuff about canadians so hopefully meet a few good heads.

cooper41 · 19-03-2013 6:07pm

amster wrote: »

Hey,

So I have my visa (thank god!) and am planning on moving to Toronto in September. From looking through different posts everyone else seems to be heading to Calgary, but is anyone moving to Toronto?

I'm heading over on my own and it would be good to kind of know others heading over there too......haha sound like a right miss no mates

I will be going around that time too! Waiting on the official letter still but Toronto is definitely the place Im headed to...know what you mean, I wont know many people there either so be good to know someone going on the same adventure

COYVB · 19-03-2013 8:26pm

amster wrote: »

Did you decide to stay on in Canada? Any advice for us newbies when we first get to Toronto?

Yeah I'm here for the long haul now. My situation is slightly different to most in the way my employment is structured, and I brought a job with me rather than having to go looking, so I'm not sure I can offer too much sage advice unfortunately beyond the basics...

- if you have a good phone, get it unlocked and bring it with you, then sign up with koodo for your mobile
- using your atm card to withdraw money from your Irish account usually yields better exchange rates than a foreign exchange place
- don't get cable
- sign up for your internet with teksavvy
- look at living outside Toronto, you'll get much better rental prices for bigger and nicer places (stick to the go train route though)
- car insurance is incredibly pricey
- with your irish license if you bring a letter from the issuing authority stating your driving experience, you'll be able to get an Ontario driving license pretty quickly. You have to first sit a theory test (it's easy), then you can immediately book your G test. I advise getting some lessons though, they do a lot of things differently to us
- shop at no frills for your groceries, or get a Costco card if there's one near where you're planning on living
- drink is incredibly expensive, even at the LCBO (the provincial offies, and the only place to buy non-wine drink), so look at giving it up aside from the occasional pint. falling around like we do back home isn't looked kindly upon
- shop at old navy for your day to day clothes, their prices are great and the quality of their clothes is just fine
- use the dollar store for smaller purchases if possible - you'd be amazed what you find in there

I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head

amster · 19-03-2013 9:39pm

cooper41 wrote: »

I will be going around that time too! Waiting on the official letter still but Toronto is definitely the place Im headed to...know what you mean, I wont know many people there either so be good to know someone going on the same adventure

When did you submit your app to CIC? Ye Toronto def is the place to go, loads of festivals and gigs so perfect for me!

Do you have an idea when in Sept you're thinking of going? I'm planning around mid/late Sep - the months will fly!

amster · 19-03-2013 9:44pm

COYVB wrote: »

Yeah I'm here for the long haul now. My situation is slightly different to most in the way my employment is structured, and I brought a job with me rather than having to go looking, so I'm not sure I can offer too much sage advice unfortunately beyond the basics...

- if you have a good phone, get it unlocked and bring it with you, then sign up with koodo for your mobile
- using your atm card to withdraw money from your Irish account usually yields better exchange rates than a foreign exchange place
- don't get cable
- sign up for your internet with teksavvy
- look at living outside Toronto, you'll get much better rental prices for bigger and nicer places (stick to the go train route though)
- car insurance is incredibly pricey
- with your irish license if you bring a letter from the issuing authority stating your driving experience, you'll be able to get an Ontario driving license pretty quickly. You have to first sit a theory test (it's easy), then you can immediately book your G test. I advise getting some lessons though, they do a lot of things differently to us
- shop at no frills for your groceries, or get a Costco card if there's one near where you're planning on living
- drink is incredibly expensive, even at the LCBO (the provincial offies, and the only place to buy non-wine drink), so look at giving it up aside from the occasional pint. falling around like we do back home isn't looked kindly upon
- shop at old navy for your day to day clothes, their prices are great and the quality of their clothes is just fine
- use the dollar store for smaller purchases if possible - you'd be amazed what you find in there

I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head

That's all great advice, thanks! Esp. about the phone and internet etc. Just out of curiosity, what area do you work in? A lot of people are talking about jobs in Canada within the construction industry but I'm just curious how other sectors seem to be doing in general over there.

COYVB · 19-03-2013 10:33pm

I'm in a pretty niche space in that I'm in the entertainment publishing industry, and even with that it's not a traditional thing we do

amster · 19-03-2013 10:47pm

ye I know what you mean, I'm in the music/live entertainment industry - specifically gigs and festivals. its a closed off industry anyway in that its all behind the scenes so it's always hard to get an overview of it when you don't have many contacts within a certain country.

kupus · 20-03-2013 12:59am

Theres your "in" straight away. A few local Irish bars in Toronto. Go to all of them and say you play music for free, for a night or two in return for working in a bar. Its a start, A guy I knew done this and from that, gigging and dj became his full time jobs within a year. All cash jobs he was illegal. BUt youre legal so you can try a lot of bars.

amster · 20-03-2013 2:07am

Thanks anyway but I'm in the other side of it - the production and promotion side - I've no musical talent at all lol! I'm going to offer my services as a freelance volunteer for different gigs when i get over there and network that way, whilst doing some other work during the day. Ideally I'll like to get something with a company, even a label, when I get there but realistically I'll prob have to just go the other route at the start.

amster · 20-03-2013 2:07am

also your location sounds fun!

flynnser19 · 20-03-2013 3:40am

amster wrote: »

Thanks anyway but I'm in the other side of it - the production and promotion side - I've no musical talent at all lol! I'm going to offer my services as a freelance volunteer for different gigs when i get over there and network that way, whilst doing some other work during the day. Ideally I'll like to get something with a company, even a label, when I get there but realistically I'll prob have to just go the other route at the start.

hey dunno if this is the kind thing youre looking for but i remember seeing this a while back and its been posted again but its an internship with a record label

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/med/3687378781.html

hope this is of some help!!!

COYVB · 20-03-2013 4:00am

amster wrote: »

Thanks anyway but I'm in the other side of it - the production and promotion side - I've no musical talent at all lol! I'm going to offer my services as a freelance volunteer for different gigs when i get over there and network that way, whilst doing some other work during the day. Ideally I'll like to get something with a company, even a label, when I get there but realistically I'll prob have to just go the other route at the start.

If you're in the live sound gig, then you might be able to get yourself something doing events. The musical side of it will be incredibly difficult for you to break into, but there are so many corporate events that literally require a little bit of quick and easy cabling and mixing that you might be able to get something in that neck of the woods. Qualified sound engineer myself, but haven't even so much as considered it as a gig over here

Eutow · 20-03-2013 4:11am

amster wrote: »

Hey,

So I have my visa (thank god!) and am planning on moving to Toronto in September. From looking through different posts everyone else seems to be heading to Calgary, but is anyone moving to Toronto?

I'm heading over on my own and it would be good to kind of know others heading over there too......haha sound like a right miss no mates

The best way to do it in my opinion. It forces you to go out and meet new people. I didn't know anybody when I came out here almost two years ago. If you stay at a hostel when you first get over here it's very easy to make new firends as a lot of people are in a similar position to yourself.

Weathering · 20-03-2013 4:50am

I'm heading over on my lonesome too,no date set as such but before summers end hopefully.
I didn't like to hear drink is really expensive,I'm not a p1sshead far from it but I love a good drink most weekends.

I've no qualifications whatsoever and not much experience at any particular job profile other than bits and bobs.
What work would be good to go for in my situation? Bar work pays well??

COYVB · 20-03-2013 5:11am

Weathering wrote: »

I didn't like to hear drink is really expensive,I'm not a p1sshead far from it but I love a good drink most weekends.

You're going to be very surprised at what will qualify you as a pisshead over here - I'm talking 3 pints...

Weathering · 20-03-2013 5:12am

COYVB wrote: »

You're going to be very surprised at what will qualify you as a pisshead over here - I'm talking 3 pints...

Are they human?
It sounds a bit hard to believe tbh

COYVB · 20-03-2013 5:13am

Weathering wrote: »

Are they human?

The society isn't centred on drinking like it is back home, and it's a lot better for it IMO

Weathering · 20-03-2013 5:15am

COYVB wrote: »

The society isn't centred on drinking like it is back home, and it's a lot better for it IMO

Yeah fair enough but 3pints is hardly a p1ss head or enough to cast judgement

COYVB · 20-03-2013 5:17am

Weathering wrote: »

Yeah fair enough but 3pints is hardly a p1ss head or enough to cast judgement

3 pints would be a session over here in a lot of eyes, as opposed to the warm up to the pre session like it would be in Ireland. From my experience they all like a drink, but it's usually a drink, or maybe two, but rarely more unless they're students. Even then their "hardcore" drinking would be a night at home with some cans watching the telly in Ireland

Weathering · 20-03-2013 5:22am

COYVB wrote: »

3 pints would be a session over here in a lot of eyes, as opposed to the warm up to the pre session like it would be in Ireland. From my experience they all like a drink, but it's usually a drink, or maybe two, but rarely more unless they're students. Even then their "hardcore" drinking would be a night at home with some cans watching the telly in Ireland

I can see the benefits of this but in all honesty it sounds like hell to me, a half bottle before I go to the pub they'd think I'm an alco when it's the norm here. The cringe factor would be a lot worse the next day too when they'd remember everything while I'd be having occasional cringe-backs throughout the day

COYVB · 20-03-2013 5:25am

You only think that. Give it a few months and you'll be wondering WTF is wrong with Irish people and their obsession with getting sh1tfaced twice a weekend - when you step away from it you realise it's genuinely bizarre behaviour, and really quite pathetic

retalivity · 20-03-2013 12:58pm

it is strange going into the lcbo and seeing people buy 2 cans and that's it.
its not everyone though...you'l still have plenty of people out and about on fri & sat nights. but $100 wont get you too far all things considered

amster · 20-03-2013 3:12pm

flynnser19 wrote: »

hey dunno if this is the kind thing youre looking for but i remember seeing this a while back and its been posted again but its an internship with a record label

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/med/3687378781.html

hope this is of some help!!!

thanks a mil - i'll have a look in to it!

amster · 20-03-2013 3:19pm

COYVB wrote: »

If you're in the live sound gig, then you might be able to get yourself something doing events. The musical side of it will be incredibly difficult for you to break into, but there are so many corporate events that literally require a little bit of quick and easy cabling and mixing that you might be able to get something in that neck of the woods. Qualified sound engineer myself, but haven't even so much as considered it as a gig over here

Yeah I was looking at doing some things with event management companies - I have project director experience, on the festival side, and will be doing that up until just before I go to Canada. I am going to volunteer with various festivals just to get some Canadian festival experience and at least I will meet new people if nothing else. I am def not going over with the view that I can just walk in to what I have over here in Ireland - I know I will have to start from the bottom and work my way up. It will be worth it though!

amster · 20-03-2013 3:24pm

Eutow wrote: »

The best way to do it in my opinion. It forces you to go out and meet new people. I didn't know anybody when I came out here almost two years ago. If you stay at a hostel when you first get over here it's very easy to make new firends as a lot of people are in a similar position to yourself.

Yeah I am planning on staying in a hostel for exactly that reason! I am going to houseshare aswel rather than get a place on my own. Any suggestions for good hostels to stay in?

COYVB · 20-03-2013 3:29pm

amster wrote: »

Yeah I was looking at doing some things with event management companies - I have project director experience, on the festival side, and will be doing that up until just before I go to Canada. I am going to volunteer with various festivals just to get some Canadian festival experience and at least I will meet new people if nothing else. I am def not going over with the view that I can just walk in to what I have over here in Ireland - I know I will have to start from the bottom and work my way up. It will be worth it though!

Look into Osheaga festival in Montreal in August. It's really the only festival I'm aware of it that compares to anything like Ireland

amster · 20-03-2013 11:22pm

COYVB wrote: »

Look into Osheaga festival in Montreal in August. It's really the only festival I'm aware of it that compares to anything like Ireland

Thanks! I have work that runs until the start of Sept so I will miss it but I will def look in to the company behind it and the 2014 one. Thanks again for all the info, much appreciated!

ledge87 · 21-03-2013 4:12pm

Im hoping to move to Toronto in late may early June (nothing booked yet).
Iv got work and accommodation for the first few weeks sorted.
I wouldn't be to worried moving on your own as most people are in the same situation an its easy to make friends and meet people. My advice would be to join as many clubs as they are a great way to meet people and make friends.
The GAA scene seems strong in Toronto even if you never played or cant play, id advise you to join as its a great place to meet people an chat about home etc it helps with home sickness even if you think you will never be home sick it does happen.

amster · 22-03-2013 1:53am

ledge87 wrote: »

Im hoping to move to Toronto in late may early June (nothing booked yet).
Iv got work and accommodation for the first few weeks sorted.
I wouldn't be to worried moving on your own as most people are in the same situation an its easy to make friends and meet people. My advice would be to join as many clubs as they are a great way to meet people and make friends.
The GAA scene seems strong in Toronto even if you never played or cant play, id advise you to join as its a great place to meet people an chat about home etc it helps with home sickness even if you think you will never be home sick it does happen.

Thanks for the advice

It's great to see so many going over on their own aswel! Yeah a lot of people have said about the GAA - I don't and have never played, and will be awful, but I am def going to look in to it. I saw on a few dif forums there are some teams that are mostly all beginners so be grand! That's great that you have work and accomm sorted for the first while, gives you a few weeks to get yourself settled in nicely.

cooper41 · 22-03-2013 12:11pm

I got all the docs into VisaFirst on the 29th Jan and still anxiously waiting on the letter of introduction...Anyone else use a third party to apply for the IEC? Wish I had done the application myself now as you're unable to check your status through Kompass account! Hopefully off early to mid Sept depending on how the finances are! Will you be heading to a hostel first or house share? Everyone's saying the craic is better had at the hostels...know someone who spent 5 months in one best time of her life!

amster · 22-03-2013 2:13pm

cooper41 wrote: »

I got all the docs into VisaFirst on the 29th Jan and still anxiously waiting on the letter of introduction...Anyone else use a third party to apply for the IEC? Wish I had done the application myself now as you're unable to check your status through Kompass account! Hopefully off early to mid Sept depending on how the finances are! Will you be heading to a hostel first or house share? Everyone's saying the craic is better had at the hostels...know someone who spent 5 months in one best time of her life!

I did it myself but I've read a few times that people who have used them are waiting too so I'd imagine they are taking their time sending them to the CIC. Have you gotten on to them about it? It's a joke that they don't give you your login details! From as far as I can see, and myself included, the Kompass account status has stayed on Pending for the final two stages for everyone despite having the LOI.

I'll be going mid- Sept and will be staying in a hostel for the first bit. I've heard the Canadiana is a good one. Def think its the way to go, esp when going over on your own! Awh I'd say she had some laugh alrite, some stories!

howlermonkey · 23-03-2013 11:33pm

I'm going to Toronto at the end of May with 3 of my friends

cianjg · 31-03-2013 1:35pm

Booked my flight for Toronto for 28th December. Can't feckin wait to get over! Got it through budgetair for a feckin steal !

Weathering · 31-03-2013 8:59pm

cianjg wrote: »

Booked my flight for Toronto for 28th December. Can't feckin wait to get over! Got it through budgetair for a feckin steal !

Risky date you'll still be hanging ha. Best time to go after xmas is dead

itsshowtime · 01-04-2013 12:38pm

hey guys,

I said id pop into this tread as like most of you guys im heading for Canada. I am flying into Toronto on the 27th May and as excited I am abou the move I am also a wee bit apprehensive as I am going alone. I dont have any friends out there as most of them are here and settled down. I guess its called fear of the unknown but i need the fear factor to get me up. Anyway im 33 from Meath and i consider myself to be pretty sound. If there is anyone who is in a similar position who needs a wingman you can give me a shout. Alternatively if there is a community reading this who are already there, has accomodation and could do with a guy to split the rent gimme a shout at your convenience. Good luck and God Speed.

itsshowtime.

clodgh · 01-04-2013 7:52pm

itsshowtime wrote: »

hey guys,

I said id pop into this tread as like most of you guys im heading for Canada. I am flying into Toronto on the 27th May and as excited I am abou the move I am also a wee bit apprehensive as I am going alone. I dont have any friends out there as most of them are here and settled down. I guess its called fear of the unknown but i need the fear factor to get me up. Anyway im 33 from Meath and i consider myself to be pretty sound. If there is anyone who is in a similar position who needs a wingman you can give me a shout. Alternatively if there is a community reading this who are already there, has accomodation and could do with a guy to split the rent gimme a shout at your convenience. Good luck and God Speed.

itsshowtime.

I'm in the same boat. Heading out on the 30th April alone and knowing nobody over there. I'm 21 and also from Meath. There seems to be loads of groups you can organize meetups with to make a few friends and staying if you're staying in a hostel for a few days when you arrive you're sure to meet some people!!

Heres a couple of links I found online:
http://www.torontofriends.org/
http://www.meetup.com/irish-society-toronto/

cianjg · 02-04-2013 12:10am

Weathering wrote: »

Risky date you'll still be hanging ha. Best time to go after xmas is dead

Ah I know but sure few alka-seltzer and I'll be fine ha !

itsshowtime · 07-04-2013 12:55pm

Hi Clodgh,

Thanks a million for your reply. its good to know that there are people in the same boat. ill defo have a look at the links that you sent and do a wee bit of research. what part of meath are you from? Ger

itsshowtime · 07-04-2013 10:20pm

hey guys,

I said id pop into this tread as like most of you guys im heading for Canada. I am flying into Toronto on the 27th May and as excited I am abou the move I am also a wee bit apprehensive as I am going alone. I dont have any friends out there as most of them are here and settled down. I guess its called fear of the unknown but i need the fear factor to get me up. Anyway im 33 from Meath and i consider myself to be pretty sound. If there is anyone who is in a similar position who needs a wingman you can give me a shout. Alternatively if there is a community reading this who are already there, has accomodation and could do with a guy to split the rent gimme a shout at your convenience. Good luck and God Speed.

itsshowtime.

chips365 · 22-05-2013 5:45pm

hey folks,

Thinking of making the move myself in September on my own. I'm a nurse (psych) and there seems to be a lot of jobs there but its a small fortune to get set up and registered over there. Whats the job scene like? I'd be looking at getting some bar work or something until I get a date for my registration exam? Been looking at places to live in Toronto but not getting much in the line of apartments. Any recommended sites would be appreciated.

cooper41 · 22-05-2013 8:50pm

itsshowtime wrote: »

hey guys,

I said id pop into this tread as like most of you guys im heading for Canada. I am flying into Toronto on the 27th May and as excited I am abou the move I am also a wee bit apprehensive as I am going alone. I dont have any friends out there as most of them are here and settled down. I guess its called fear of the unknown but i need the fear factor to get me up. Anyway im 33 from Meath and i consider myself to be pretty sound. If there is anyone who is in a similar position who needs a wingman you can give me a shout. Alternatively if there is a community reading this who are already there, has accomodation and could do with a guy to split the rent gimme a shout at your convenience. Good luck and God Speed.

itsshowtime.

Heya potential wingman,
Im headed over on the 9th July, a bit like yourself a bit nervous as headed on my own. Will be looking for accommodation as well (the roomshare websites are feckin dreadfull or is it just me?? not like our oul daft...) but sure when Im there you'll have definitely got a feel for the place. Anyway be nice to know someone in the same boat and hear about your adventures.

Obro · 22-05-2013 9:01pm

My friend moved back to Toronto last week for good. He had worked there before and only came back to Ireland for the birth of his child. He will have a 40ft high cube container leaving the midlands (Ireland) next month with his belongings and he doubths it will be full if anyone needs anything brought out then it may be possible for a small charge. if interested just pm me.

itsshowtime · 22-05-2013 10:11pm

hey cooper,

thanks for the reply. on one hand im excited about the trip and on the other im a bit apprehensive. im gonna treat it as a holiday for a couple of week and ill know after that how im feeling. id prefer go, fall on my face and come back. rather than wonder what might have been. i agree with you re the accomodation sites. its so hard to tell what a place is like until you actually see it and then you have to find a suitable area thats not a ghetto for local gangs. i guess its all part of the adventure. anyway stay in touch mate and maybe we get to blow the froath of a couple of beers at some point. itsshowtime

Moving to Toronto?

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