Canada
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- breadlegz
I was toying with the idea of moving to another country because the house prices are stupid in England and its becoming a shit heap anyway.
I love canada (i realise its too big to summarise). Are any of you canadian designers that can tell me of your experiences there?
- continuedove0
I am about to move to Vancouver. I also used to live/work in the UK but had the same feelings about it as you so I came to LA. I am now moving to back to Canada after 22 years away! And before anyone asks, no I don't have a job lined up, but then, I don't have one in LA either! Just looking fowards to the adventure and being with my family for a bit!
- mr_pants0
I think the whole planet is going in the shitter. It's just happening a little slower here in Canada. We got a lot going for us up here besides house prices. Spend some time travelling around if you can. As for design.... I think it's the same all over really. Everyone's just trying to do what they love in a place they like for a decent buck.
If you're ever out west give me a shout and I'll give you the lay of the land. (as it were...)
- ankixa0
toronto has been very good to me.
have been here for about 8 years now - and still love it.
the housing is a bit pricey - but not too pricey to purchase.
and i am completely swamped witth work/offers.
[as a freelance designer]
- chinaman0
i moved here to vancouver around 2yrs ago from sunny southend(essex), its really nice here, not sure about the job market yet coz i graduate mid oct, but i try to keep optimistic. i miss family and friends but don't miss the old blighty otherwise.
- sephil0
Vancouver & Toronto are nice place but if you feel exotic Montreal can be sweet. rent are cheap, night club full of lady and its nice place to leave. Speaking french will help you but you can manage without at least for a while.
- MrDinky0
if ya wanna work, just say no to vancouver
- oeuf0
Its great.
- jox0
is nobody born in Canada anymore???
"i move here X years ago...."
- jevad0
noone is ever actually born in canada dude - they jsut all emmigrate there!
I hear what you're saying though dude - england is a joke for first time buying - esp in london...but I will really miss my friends and where I live when I move to denver...just not the weather or horrible british attitude to things...
- mitsurugi0
I was born in Toronto and spent most of my childhood there. I eventually moved to Vancouver and never thought i'd leave. I ended up getting a cool gig in NYC but someday i'll be back. You have everything you need there (although i hear design work is slim pickens): a beautiful clean city, mountains, beaches, snowboarding, surfing in tofino, play with dolphins, bike around the wall at stanley park and pick up little hotties, fishing, tons of cafe's and restaurants, beautiful asian women everywhere (my favorite), the list is endless. A little pricey but if, you're thinking of Canada, it's the place to be. It was also rated the most desireable city to live in the world -or something like that... Do some research and go!
- lazyazzz0
mitsurugi makes Vancouver look amazing !! as for Montreal and design...I don't know any good deisgner without a job or enough freelance to live...rent was cheap, still can find good deal but the abuse as started. Very distinct culture but you can live here without knowing about it. A window on the world (we are very aware of the rest of the world but the rest of the world know shit about us). It's all good here if you don't mind -30 celsius in long winters and living in a french speaking country.
- nosaj0
Here's a summary of my experience living in some of the major cities in Canada:
Halifax Nova Scotia:
the Best secret in the Country
Tons of Artists and Musicians
Reasonable living costs
by the Ocean
decent weather (can get rainy though)
Lots of students
Tons of Heritage Homes that have been kept up
Most bars per capita in the country
Awesome Nightlife
Great Schools
Really friendly peopleVancouver BC:
Most stunning looking city in the country
Can live in the city and walk to the beach.
Never gets cold (but also gets rainy)
Great laid back people
Gorgeous Mountains nearby
Great place if you like outdoor activities over nightlife
everyone smokes pot
Close to Seattle - get good music acts coming there
Alot of people move here from other parts of CanadaToronto Ontario:
The only real big city
Get the feeling that things are happing
The Toronto Maple Leafs
Close drive t other major cities (Ottawa and Montreal)
Can get really hot and really coldOttawa Ontario:
The Capital
Very government/ business feel
Great Market
also close to major cities
Can get really hot and really coldCalgary Alberta:
Cowboys
Oil Money
Dry and Cold (got frost bite walking to school once)
Calgary Stampede
Wrestling
- missy0
I recently (as in yesterday) moved from ottawa to vancouver...i drove and it was amazing...this country is full of beautiful sceanery and beautiful people!!
i recommend canada to anybody...but mind you i'm partial...haha
hey mr pants!! willing to give me a little tour?? i don't know a soul here!!! thanx!
- motokiss0
Well Canada is a beautiful place to live the night life in Toronto is great. Really consider moving here but like everyone else says travel first and then come and relax trust me its beautiful here.
- 0711830
Okay, I might be the only naysayer on this thread.
I've lived in Toronto all my life, and my experience with design firms have been less than sensational.
For example, earlier this year, a firm was happy to hire me, and sent me a contract. After signing it, and faxing it back to them, I never received any replies from them again. They didn't even send back a signed copy of a contract. Heck, I had to HOUND them just to talk to the person who hired me. Very unprofessional. I would have rather have them straight off tell me that they don't need me than make me run around in circles.
Then, just a month ago, I was hired as a temp at a major design firm (I'm sure everyone has heard of them). After a solid session with them, the HR guy asked me to come in for an interview on Wednesday for a part-time job. I came in on that Wednesday only to hear the HR guy tell me: "Sorry, the guy that needs to test you is in NY. I'll call you sometime this week to reschedule." And the icing on the cake? He never called back. In fact, my friends friend who works there told me they hired someone else. Great! Thanks for wasting my time! Oh yes, and to add a cherry to the icing: they haven't paid me for my temp stint. My friend told me I have to hound them to pay me. Oh yes, highly professional indeed.
Sorry bud, but I can't recommend Toronto to you. Rising property prices, decrease of education and health quality, and my recent crap from design firms makes me very reluctant to recommend fine designers (especially from a different country) to these sadistic companies.
- monNom0
well that just goes to show you that dead-beat employers are a universal phenomenon.
Canada is a great place to live, and vancouver (or british columbia in general) definitely has a more than equal share of scenic beauty and outdoorsy activities. However, the economy in BC has been in a down-swing for more than a decade, and it shows, it's tough to find a decent job in vancouver, and even tougher in some of the smaller cities... this is compounded by the fact that everybody and their dog (literally) moves, or would like to move there.
But if you're confident in your skills, I'd say go for it... nothing ventured nothing gained right?
getting citizenship might be a bit difficult though...
Your best bet is to move to some place with a solid economy (especialy in design related feilds... toronto is your best choice) and find a job ASAP... then you've got a good chance for citizenship... no country wants an unemployed foreigner.
- chug0
Born and raised in Toronto, living in Montreal now ... Canada is THE PLACE TO BE!!!
Travelled lots, love Europe, but nothing makes me feel at home like a warm beaver tail, a tall Molson Canadian, and a hot french chick beside me.
VIVE LA DIFFERENCE!
- moth0
I visited Toronto a few weeks back. I have to say I liked it a lot. Not sure about the winter months though....
Liked the Bovine ;)
