Need some answers from knowledgable Canadians or American ex-pats

[Further North]

It's probably a similar situation in Chicago. I am actually trying to relocate from Chicago to Toronto at this time. A basic 1 bedroom condo within the city itself will run you from $160K - $180K and that could also be in an "up and coming" (i.e. slowly gentrifying but still rough around the edges) neighborhood. To put it in perspective. My friend's house in one of the NW suburbs of Chicago in a fairly quiet and decent neighborhood was on the market for $300K. It was 1,200 sq. feet, small yard and a garage, recently remodeled, and had 2 bd rooms and a finished basement. If you looked in some of the neighorhoods out in the suburbs and on the "fringe of O'hare" or on the South Side of Chicago in places like Bridgeview, Burr Ridge, Orland, etc. you probably could find a decent 3 bdrm home for the $200K range. Again, education may be a bigger issue, but crime not as much of a problem as you may precieve it to be in some neighborhoods.

As for Toronto, I can't tell you anything there LOL! I am a big discouraged myself to hear that the housing market is no better, if not worse, then Chicago though. I don't NEED to own a house or condo since I'm only 27 and I'm single, but I would really LIKE to own one within the next 5 years. Doesn't look like it would be in the cards for me though in Toronto unless I wanted to tolerate a ridiculous commute. I don't want to lose an extra 3-4 hours of MY DAY just getting to and from work.

[5e2canada]

Why are you trying to leave Chicago? I don't mind a longer commute if I can give up the annoyance of driving. As I said , also, I may not even work in the city. If a there is a good restaurant or hotel nearer to where I end up living, then I may get to avoid the commute all together.

Here's another question to anyone from Toronto reading this: What are your major cell phone service providers, and who would you say is the best in your opinion? I am currently an 8 year customer of Sprint, but they do not have native service in Canada, just roaming.

[LeafsFan85]

Roger and Bell are the two bigggest
Rogers.com-Wireless, Digital Cable, Hi-Speed Internet, Bundles

Wireless- bell.ca

You can bundle Cable,cell and internet with Roger or you can bundle Satellite,Cell and internet with bell.

[KBilly]

5e2Canada... although they use credit agencies with the same names, they are in 2 different countries. So, it's difficult and time consuming for credit checks to go cross border.

I urge you to get an American Express card before you move. Amex will pull your file from their US operations in a heartbeat and get you a card. Then you can go from there.

[5e2canada]

KBilly, are you saying that my score won't be available to Canadian mortgage holders, or that it will just take a long time?

[KBilly]

It will take a long time. You will need to specifically tell them that they must request it from the U.S. Also, keep in mind that in Canada there is not the "mortgage broker industry" that you are familiar with in the US, where you go to a 3rd party who shops you around. The majority of mortgages in Canada are filled via banks.

And the great thing is that there is no "title insurance racket" up there, where you get raped for thousands of dollars on the buyer and seller side. Thing is, once a title up there is registered, it's registered for good everywhere. No "title rape dollars" allowed... ;-)

[yardie1011]

You seem so knowledgeable about the area you live in. I am new to this forum and I have questions about moving to Canada. I am a Jamaican I dont have a family just yet. It would be just my fiance and myself. I have a degree in Management and he has been a chauffeur for years. I know I want to settle where there is a concentration of caribbean folks. What are some of the best areas to live where property rental is not on the high side. We would be looking at spending anywhere from 700-1000 for rent. I hope I am making sense... I think with your knowledge you would be able to help with some advice........I also welcome input from anyone else who has suggestions or questions.

Thank you all

[Cornerguy1]

You do of course realize that you and your fiance will have to apply through Citizenship and Immigration Canada as seperate applications when seeking legal status. Neither of you will be permitted to legally work without some sort of legal status.

For all immigration requirements and forms please see: Welcome Page | Page d'accueil


Your preference to live in an area with a signifigant Caribbean population restricts your choices to major cities. Toronto has a large mixed Caribbean population, while Montreal seems to have a lot of immigrants originating in Haiti.

To view property prices in various locations, try mls.ca - Welcome