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Tips for someone who's about to move to Canada (lemmy.ca)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/canada@lemmy.ca
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Any tips for a Ukrainian who is planning to move to Canada? Maybe cultural differences, food, weather, etc.

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[–] [S] 5 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Thanks for the response. I've heard about the negatives that you're talking about, as those seem to be all over internet. To be honest it does scare me a bit. I'm not sure on where I'd like to go. I'd love to go somewhere like Vancouver or Toronto, so my Chinese wife can have easier time in the foreign country, but the prices do scare me. I'd be happy to hear any recommendations. Thanks again

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  • [–] 7 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Avoid those two cities.

    For a Chinese wife, the west coast is going to be better due to a higher Asian population. More exposure tends to mean better acceptance.

    Somewhere on Vancouver island that's not in or near Victoria may work. Consider Nanaimo, Courtenay, Campbell River, or smaller places like Port Alberni or Ladysmith maybe. They're not cheap, but they're still cheaper than the two big cities and there are still many normal jobs depending on your skills.

    Good luck and welcome to Canada.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    The thing with Vancouver and Toronto is that everyone wants to live there for some reason so it's super expensive.
    Personally, I'd rather live in a smaller town where I can afford a better quality of life for a smaller cost.

    Does your wife speak English?

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  • [–] [S] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I gree with you, but my wife's English isn't great. She can get by, but I think she might have problems finding a job.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Yea, that's not an easy choice to make for sure.

    Thing is... Toronto is expensive enough that living on a dual income in Toronto might actually be worse off than a single salary in a cheaper city.

    Rent in Toronto is on average 43% higher than Calgary, 64% higher than Montréal, 125% more expensive than Gatineau or Québec city, 190% more than Sherbrooke.
    Vancouver is even worse.

    Not all places are fun or even interesting, and your own job options will be vastly different in different cities too, so it's much more complicated than just those numbers.

    There's also way more to this than just the money.
    Yours and your wife's social circle, professional opportunities, or simply just doing something fulfilling is certainly important.

    All I'm saying is if you can work half as much between the two of you for a similar standard of living, that's also something to think about.
    If you have to work 3-4 jobs between the two of you, would you even have the time or energy to enjoy anything Vancouver or Toronto has to offer?

    I don't wanna be a party pooper here, my own bias is showing, and plenty of people do make it in more expensive places too, so it's not like it's impossible. I just think they're way over-rated for the price.

    Whatever you choose, good luck and safe travels.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 2 years ago

    Rent in Toronto is on average 43% higher than Calgary, 64% higher than Montréal, 125% more expensive than Gatineau or Québec city, 190% more than Sherbrooke. Vancouver is even worse. I definitely need to research more about that. In the end I just want to find a few locations that we think will fit us, and when the time comes I'll go there first to see which one I like more

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Calgary is worth looking at. We have a rather large Chinese population (not as big as Vancouver obviously) and fairly large Ukrainian population as well. Cost of living is going up here but wages are good and jobs are available. What is your trade / education in?

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 2 years ago

    I majored in Chinese/English translation. Had Chinese-English, English-Chinese translation job for a few years, a few gigs here and there translating and interpreting between Chinese, English, Ukrainian and Russian. Currently teaching ESL/EFL... I feel like I'm all over the place without a proper career path

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