Does anyone live in NY (?Niagara Co.) and work in Ontario? What is that like? (Buffalo: appointed) - City-Data Forum

PennySzymanski · 01-03-2011, 11:28 AM

Just curious what is the commute like if you work in ONtario and live in NY. Which part of NY do you live and what is the commute like? Thanks :-)

Port North · 01-05-2011, 05:31 AM

I would love to know too. I've been trying to get back to WNY for years but the job market has not been cooporative. I would like to expand my search to Southern Ontario but I'm unsure if commuting to Canada while living in WNY is even possible legally.

PennySzymanski · 01-05-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Port North

I would love to know too. I've been trying to get back to WNY for years but the job market has not been cooporative. I would like to expand my search to Southern Ontario but I'm unsure if commuting to Canada while living in WNY is even possible legally.

That is also a good point--to see if it is legal? I think looking into Ontario is a good idea, that is what we are doing. This is kind of our "last stitch effort". We have taken a break for a while looking for jobs in the WNY area as it seemed like there really wasn't anything (especially since the overall country's economy isn't that great). But there really are good opportunities in Toronto and Niagara Ontario. I am sure it is not that bad of a commute to live somewhere near a bridge to Canada (Youngstown or Lewiston?) but for some reason mapquest has it as "50 minutes or more" to travel just 8 or 9 miles from the Niagara County region (Lewiston) to Canada. So I am wondering from someone who actually does it if it really is a horrible commute. We would be coming from the DC region and believe me do not want to deal with too much traffic. I remember a while back an acquaintance worked at the Bflo Museum of Science but lived in St Catherines. Not sure what his situation was in terms of legality or commute (this was 20 years ago_). Well, Port North good luck to you in your job search. What industry are you in?

jblake78728 · 01-05-2011, 08:20 AM

I know its possible to live in the US & work in Canada but its not as easy as finding a job & going to work. I hear it can be quite the pain in the a@#. This website should give you info regarding the legality & what you would need to do.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp

I can't really help with commute times, sorry.

Port North · 01-05-2011, 09:32 AM

I know the Whirlpool Bridge is for NEXUS pass holders so if you are a regular traveler between the two countries you literally have a bridge to yourself! Travel time if you use that bridge is much much lower than if you use the Rainbow or Lewiston-Queenston Bridges.

I'm in a transportation related industry and was just rejected for a very lucrative opportunity with a public authority in the area. Very dissappointed because I really thought I had a chance! From my past experiences I should have known better than to think that you actually can get such a position in WNY without the right political connections!

To be honest though I'm just happy I have a job, so many people I know are out of work. Yes, I'm stuck in a place I hate with an astronomical cost of living and a school district that is making my life a living hell, but all in all I have a lot to be thankful for

PennySzymanski · 01-05-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Port North

I know the Whirlpool Bridge is for NEXUS pass holders so if you are a regular traveler between the two countries you literally have a bridge to yourself! Travel time if you use that bridge is much much lower than if you use the Rainbow or Lewiston-Queenston Bridges.

I'm in a transportation related industry and was just rejected for a very lucrative opportunity with a public authority in the area. Very dissappointed because I really thought I had a chance! From my past experiences I should have known better than to think that you actually can get such a position in WNY without the right political connections!

To be honest though I'm just happy I have a job, so many people I know are out of work. Yes, I'm stuck in a place I hate with an astronomical cost of living and a school district that is making my life a living hell, but all in all I have a lot to be thankful for

I hear you! That is so true about being grateful to at least have a job. It is so sad and scarey the amount of people I know that have been laid off. I do think how much I miss Buffalo ("home") but am grateful for what we do have in our life here. And as for having to have a connection, we have found that one to be true as well. I think for jobs being so scarce in the WNY area they probably are more inclined to go to those already living there. But, we recently searched and something did come up in Ontario (close to the border) which is why Iam curious about commute times etc... Good luck to you!

Port North · 01-06-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennySzymanski

. And as for having to have a connection, we have found that one to be true as well. I think for jobs being so scarce in the WNY area they probably are more inclined to go to those already living there.

Not only do you have to have connections but you have to have better connections than all of the other applicants! If you don't have connections you won't even get an interview for local, county government or Public Authority jobs in WNY, that is a given.

That is even true for many non-profits or quasi public entities in the area also. I remember interviewing for a job at an unnamed High profile Not-for profit organization in the area. I knew 2 people on their board real well, but the other person knew 3. Same credentials. Guess who got the job?

Another time I scored #1 on a Civil Service test for a position in a Town government. I went for the interview and the first question is "Who do you know that should make me want to offer you this job?". The person who got the job only scored a 70 on the test but knew the right people.

The only chance in WNY is in the private sector, and as we all know they pay well below the national average in WNY. So those of us want to come home can't beacuse of this insanity that goes on here in the public sector.

Remember connections are not enough, I have plenty of them; you need the right connections and in great quantity if you want well paying employment in WNY.

marc3565 · 01-06-2011, 10:37 AM

I am not trying to discourage pursuing the option but one thing should be clear. You cannot just move near the border and get a canadian job. You need to work out the legalities of working in Canada as a non-citizen. The website for information was linked by jblake. They do allow people to immigrate for certain jobs but to just work there without moving there likely needs a work visa and the employer has to participate in that process. Some employers are ok with that and others are not. If the employer has a lot of Canadian candidates for the job they might not want to deal with the visa paperwork. jblake's link should have information on work visas as well.

But to answer the direct question about the commute. The traffic in the region is really not that significant compared to other areas. If you live and work near a bridge crossing though the crossing itself depends on how busy the crossing is. It might take 5 minutes or it might take quite a bit longer. They do adjust staffing levels at the crossings but at times they can be quite backed up. If you get a nexus pass (need pre-screening from both countries) you get special lanes and the whirlpool bridge which can make it faster.

Jonnno · 01-07-2011, 06:54 PM

I don't mean to discourage anyone, but unless you have a very specialized skill, and the employer cannot find a Canadian citizen or legal immigrant with that skill to fill an opening, your chances of working in Canada are virtually nil. The only exception to this would be if you are willing to start up a business in Canada that would employ people there. I know the job market in WNY is grim but have you considered expanding your search to include more of upstate. You might have some better luck and at least you could get home more often.