Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

I understand the logic of testing the waters first. Its sound advice. I just dont see a viable life (financially) in the UK. In the South, houses cost ave of £200,000 for a standard property. The North is not worth living in!

My desire to move is largely driven by financial practicalities.

Also, it need not be Toronto, Vancouver gets rave reviews and I am also pondering Ottawa.

Its best if I can land a short contract after I graduate with the MA to test the viability of such a move.

ps: Dont worry abt the language.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

If you are able to secure a good job in Toronto then ya financially you will be much stable than UK. But after living in Toronto for almost two years I found it monotonic and preferred to move back to Europe.

I find Europe much diverse, but again I have different priorities in my life. So move to Toronto, set a probation period for yourself including one winter and if u find it OK, ya why not make it home.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

Yaar what is a realistic monthly sum for living costs in Toronto?

Say a apartment is a nice area (1 or 2 bed, 1-1.5 bath), food, bills, entertainment...

$C 2500? More, less?

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

And secondly, whats a good salary for one person in Toronto and (b) in Canada in general.

$C 50,000?

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

When I lived in a 1-bedroom condo in downtown Toronto, the rent alone was $2500/month.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

So, what, $C 5000/month?

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

Just one person died in that incident in Montreal. I'm sure more people got murdered on your street just last night.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

So, cost of living...

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

You dont want to live in Downtown TO. The reasonable rent is between $800 to $1100 for one bed room in some decent area. Around 100$ for bus pass (Metro area) or 200 if u want additional Mississauga area covered too (2 separate bus passes). Food is cheap, all is GM so its filthy cheap, anything organic or Non-GM expect to pay three times (or more) price.

So if you are making $3000 a month u can live pretty comfortable life. Even $2000 will be enough as a start. If you have good experience (around 7 or 8 years) and u have DBA / Unix skills you may be able to get a job landing you between $75K to $120K.

Good luck.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

& ya if u every go to krispy kreme :) do eat few donuts for me too :)

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

So a couple of K is a decent monthly wage. What if someone wants to live close to the CBD, say within a mile of 2 of it at furthest. Rents can be what?

As soon as my MA is over, I hope to try and find work in Canada.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

my reference of brampton to down town was with consideration of how dense and spread out GTA is.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

On a personal level, is Toronto a fun place? I mean big cities have an energy, a vibe, but is there something uniquely "Torontonian" about the place, which I wont experience in London.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

basically all big cities are mostly known for their casinos/restaurants/sports. and i guess for toronto its the sports that takes it over. During NHL season , specialy when the team is in playoffs, you can see the buz around the city, baseball and basketball isnt getting the crowd to excited as team isnt getting into the post season.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

And if one doesnt care for Hockey? My only sporting likes are cricket, tennis and boxing...in that order.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies


Actually no. Your "sure" is quite wrong. San Jose had a grand total of 26 homicides in the entire 2005 calendar year, thus is considered the safest big city in the United States. However, in this thread you guys are limited to the great country of Canada, so please carry on. Cheers!!

Re: Questions for North American based Guppies

Agreed. I can walk around any time of night and not worry about a thing in Montreal. I love it here, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

Not true Faisal bhai. I have no problems with considering the US as a location, I just think at this time Canada is more sensible a choice for a brown skinned, Muslim named guy looking to “make it” in NA.

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

Missisauga is beautiful and nice and all, but not exactly so safe.....
my cousins recently had someone break & enter their home and steal a whole mess of stuff. It was shadi days in the family..and I guess maybe someone was aware that there was a shadi going on...so in a pretty good neighborhood.....some thief broke into the house(they thought they had a good alarm)....and took all their valuables...including important documents.....so sad

Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies

Thats terrible...