Should I Move to Canada? (real estate, car insurance, homes)

[Voltaire]

Hi,

I currently live in New York, and I'm thinking about becoming a pharmacist. There are a lot of great pharmacutical schools in Canada, and I'm considering a move north. Could some Canadians or Americans living in Canada tell me if it's a good idea. I have been exploring a bunch of different places, including the UK, but when I talk to British citizens they are always discouraging me from coming to England. Anyway, I would probably move to the Toronto area (where I have been many times) or Nova Scotia (where I've been once). Canada always seems like such a kind, peaceful country to me.

Thanks.

[cazelais]

I don't know about becoming a pharmacist in Canada, I am ignorant on that. I do know that students enjoy coming to Montreal to study. Universities downtown plus one campus in the west end of the city. Also Bishop's in the Eastern Townships, an hour and a half or so east of Montreal. Near the Vermont border. Also one that the name evades me right now. Grrr. The rents are not as cheap as they use to be. 500.00 dollar ones are around but getting harder to get. Students share big 61/2-71/2 apts. in areas like St. Henri, the Plateau area, and ? The transportation is good enough. Bus pass 65.00 buckeroos. There are many things going on in Montreal, strong music scene, some museums, great eats from all over the world, great ethnic diversity, pick up a little French, beautiful places to go not too far away. Plattsburgh N.Y. is one hour drive south if you get a little homesick for an American vibe. If you need to work you can work in a call center part-time. There are many here. Check out the Hour and the Mirror for a little info on Montreal. They are free papers that come out once per week. They are on-line as well. The Montreal Gazette is our English daily paper.

[ColdCanadian]

First, do some research to see if there are a lot of job openings in that area.

Second, unless you'd prefer to live without a car it would probably be cheaper and easier to live somewhere an hour or more outside the Toronto Area and visit Toronto for an afternoon, a daytrip over the weekend etc. than to live there full time. Car insurance prices are kinda crazy in Toronto as are real estate prices. Traffic is not good in rush hour and is only getting worse. The Toronto Area is expanding outward and that isn't helping traffic too.

If you don't want to own a car, Toronto (the city itself) would be a great place to live. Public Transit is quite reliable. Busses come every 5-15 minutes most of the time as do subways most hours of the day. You're also close to a major train station which has passenger service as well as Canada's largest international airport.

[Brother Darrell]

I hate Canada. Too many rules and regulations. I was born here and am trying to escape. Bring lots of money and you should be ok i guess.

[Buffygirl]

canada is beautiful. Especially if you like culture. The foods are amazing and you will never have a hard time finding things you love. It just depends if you can handle the cold winter. The winter in Ontario WILL freeze your nostrils. It also feels like your skin is burning. I was born in T.O. and lived there for 22 years of my life and did not get used to it. But since moving to the US I realize how amazing Canada, especially Ontario really is. Oh, and you will enjoy the chinese food, I so miss that! Now for business, because of the prices of meds in Canada they get a lof of US shoppers. I am not sure if I am in the right boat here but if I am, 5 gold stars for me. You just have to weigh the pros and cons. Read up on yahoo. Always best to do plenty of research first.