Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
Each situation is different, so most definitely you should decide whats best for you. I have never lived in Canada, but have visited it a couple of times and many of my friends live there. I am sure Canada has a lot to offer its residents and is a wonderful country.
However, on almost all levels of things that are important to me, personally, (and everyone has different things that are important to them) US is a far better place to live compared to Canada, except one. The only thing that I believe is better in Canada is their health care plan. This is not an issue in the US if you are a well-employed professional, however this is an issue if you want your parents to live with you. In US, insurance premiums for aged parents are prohibitively expensive, while in Canada, if you get them immigration, costs will be much less, I presume. Other than that, no contest. Simple!
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
if you are a tourist...it sucks to be in GTA. there really isn't anything much to see. but as a resident, it does have that vibe of something's always happening. summer is a big season for fairs and festivals. basically outdoorsy stuff. winters every one kinda hibernates, but still there are events that are happening around the city. concerts still happen. there's the film festival.
all i know about cricket is that there are local teams that play. universities have their own teams. tennis, usually august time there in a cup that happens here. not too sure about boxing.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
Each person has their preference on where to live. However, it’s no secret that Canada wins hands down, according to the UN human development index. How many years has Canada been listed as the best country in the world to live in? At least 7 or 8 years in a row. Recently, I think Vancouver was listed one of the best cities in the world to live in. Has the US even made it close to the top in the overall country standpoint? Inner cities in the US are slums compared to Canada. Canada doesn’t have the third world style segregatted ghettos like in the major US cities. Canada wins hands down in crime rate as well as multi-culturalism.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
Homicide rates (per every 100,000 people) from stats collected in 2004:
Toronto: 1.8
Montreal: 1.7
San Jose: 2.6
Not saying that this proves San Jose is suddenly a crime ridden neighbourhood. You probably won't be mistaking it for Detroit any time soon. But I'm just proving the point that Toronto, Montreal and many other major Canadian cities are still far more safer to live than the majority of American cities.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
My parents arent planning on moving with me. It would be a solo mission. Is it easy for a guy with a UK MA (I start in 10 hours!) to get a job in the US?
Kool,
Interesting stats. Canada’s great appeal is its safety record.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
I am not about to argue about where you guys live. As I said before everyone has their own priorities in life and good for you that you are perfectly happy in Montreal. UN human development indices and other publications mean pretty much jack, when you make your decision on where to live. Are you seriously telling me that if tomorrow the UN report says that Geneva is better to live than Montreal then you pack your bags and catch the first Swiss Air flight? No, you won't. Because there are things in Montreal that are important to you, may be starting from family.
Similarly, for me, Northern California wins hands down in my personal assessment. Great weather, enormous professional opportunities, stream-lined city procedures, fantastic infrastructure, wonderful and diverse community and a wonderful landscape that allows all kinds of exciting activities - be it skiing, beaches, cricket, tennis, mountain climbing, boating, off-roading etc. Ofcourse there are downsides too, including a very high cost of living and real estate, but selecting any place to live means evauating pros and cons and living where you enjoy. If you can afford to live here, its a great place to be.
I'm Kool, for a city of 910,000 people, 26 homicides in one year is pretty darn low. Its about one murder every 14th day. And this was in response to your statement that "I'm sure more people got murdered on your street just last night." No comparisons with other cities were either made or needed. So no need to get so defensive about Toronto. I am sure you enjoy living there. Good for you.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
Ofcourse, for the person who is murdered the statistic is suddenly 100%, though largely irrelevant, since he is then in communication with Mssrs Munkar and Nakiyar for his retirement plan. :)
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
[QUOTE]
UN human development indices and other publications mean pretty much jack, when you make your decision on where to live. Are you seriously telling me that if tomorrow the UN report says that Geneva is better to live than Montreal then you pack your bags and catch the first Swiss Air flight? No, you won't. Because there are things in Montreal that are important to you, may be starting from family.
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Right, there are things in every city that are important to an individual. So why make a statement such as "US wins hands down compared to the US", when facts clearly show otherwise. The UN Human development index does not mean jack. It's judgement is based on a lot of factors, and sums up the quality of life based on those factors. If tomorrow the UN index states that Geneva is better to live in (and it is in terms of quality of life), I will accept it. Saying the UN Human development index is jack is the same as denouncing a surgeon's report on a given surgery.
[quote]
I'm Kool, for a city of 910,000 people, 26 homicides in one year is pretty darn low.
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That's nothing to brag about. For example, Montreal is a city of 3.5 million people, and has had 59 homicides in 2004. I belive it's lower now.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
Hahaha, what a circular (mis-)quote!!!
If you are trying to quote me, then at least do it right. I said "Similarly, for me, Northern California wins hands down in my personal assessment." I am talking about myself and my personal assessment. Things that are important to me, not to some statistician in United Nations.
Secondly you seem to quote half sentences and jump to conclusions. I had said "UN human development indices and other publications mean pretty much jack, when you make your decision on where to live". Most people live where they live based on many factors, including where they are born, where they (or their dad) got the job, and where rest of their family lives. May be you moved to Montreal after reading the UN development index - in which case, good for you and by the way, may be you should have moved to Vancouver. Otherwise, these indices are just another tool to make you feel good.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
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Secondly you seem to quote half sentences and jump to conclusions. I had said "UN human development indices and other publications mean pretty much jack, when you make your decision on where to live"
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Exactly what I'm saying as well, however it doesn't change the fact that one place has a better quality of life than the other. For example. If today, someone decides to move back to Afghanistan because of various reasons, it doesn't change the fact that the quality of life (currently) in Afghanistan is not at the same level as a city in North America. So you deciding that San Jose is best for you, doesn't change the fact that Canada is still a better place to live according to studies and facts. ;)
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May be you moved to Montreal after reading the UN development index - in which case, good for you and by the way, may be you should have moved to Vancouver. Otherwise, these indices are just another tool to make you feel good.
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Just stating facts. Besides, I've been in Montreal my whole life. I've lived in a few other US cities for a while as well, and I can clearly understand why the US has never topped the list.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
Rent: 1 bedroom brand new apartment, in a suburb on a subway line connected to downtown, C $1250 incuding electricity and heating (no gas appliances in the apartment). Living costs are much less than London, food is cheap. I eat like a cheapskate, but i get by on about $150 of food a month. Telephone, cable TV and broadband = $160 (I get all the cable TV channels).
Cinema ticket is about $13 on average, etc.
Frankly your main problem coming here is going to be the time it takes to get immigration (4-5 years), unless you cut corners like me and get a company to transfer you on a work permit. After that, you get bumped up the priority list and in theory get immigration in up to 2 years since you’re already settled int he country.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
I'm Kool, for a city of 910,000 people, 26 homicides in one year is pretty darn low. Its about one murder every 14th day. And this was in response to your statement that "I'm sure more people got murdered on your street just last night." No comparisons with other cities were either made or needed. So no need to get so defensive about Toronto. I am sure you enjoy living there. Good for you.
Well, I just showed to you the stats which clearly prove that Toronto and Montreal are safer places to live compared to San Jose. You felt it necessary to bring up the recent incident at Dawson College in Montreal even though we all know that even with that incident, Montreal is still a far safer place to live. After looking at those stats, if you still think that Montreal isn't a safe place to live than you must not consider your hometown San Jose safe either. And no, I'm not defending anything. Just bringing up the facts to set the record straight.
Re: Question for North America/ Toronto-based Guppies
i suggest u move to london ontario....its a two hour drive from toronto...but its a great place to b living in...n its not over crowded as toronto is..
snooty: