# Canada for a year: where to live? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 6, 2012, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935 "2012-02-06T04:31:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/21 "2012-02-06T15:52:30Z")
I wouldn’t recommend Montreal. It’s a great place to visit, and English is spoken by everyone, but if you’re showing up without a job I think the fact that you speak about as much French as I do will limit your employment opportunities. I can’t imagine any retail place hiring you without fluent French, but I’m willing to be proven wrong if anyone can dispute this. The winter might kill you, being from Ireland. Vancouver would probably be your best bet for weather you’re used to, but it can be expensive. Southern Ontario, as **elbows** mentions is nice. The winters aren’t too cold, but there can be plenty of snow in the London area. I just had a look at some apartment prices in Toronto: $700 a month for a one bedroom apartment? Is that correct? Because it seems awfully cheap to me. If that’s the case then Toronto would be a great deal for you. Tonnes to do and see, relatively mild weather, lower costs than Vancouver, and great transportation. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/22 "2012-02-06T15:56:18Z")
I’m just posting to put in a plug for Vancouver. We have palm trees, too! At least six. It’s a bit more difficult to get back and forth to Europe, but a great place to live. Much more Chinese influence than Toronto, and more rain than snow. (Okay, more rain than sun, more rain than anything, but you’re from Ireland: you can handle it.) For transit, check out [mapnificent.net](http://mapnificent.net); nice graphics of how far you can get on public transit in 1–180 minutes. I think they presume a bicycle, but it’s useful anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/23 "2012-02-06T15:59:52Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I’m not sure if OCAD (the Ontario College of Art and Design) would be suited to the OP though, as he stated that he’s an IT professional. Art students need MORE help with tech 😉 Actually OCAD might not be suitable more due to it’s size (only about 7k students total) than it’s direction. They actually have a pretty decent technology setup for staff and students and are looking for additonal innovations to allow them to maximize the usage of their very limited space. Being right downtown is great in some ways but bad for expansion. Also OP, if you decide on Toronto let us know - I think in my old folder of job hunting information I have a contact who does some staffing for Centennial. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/24 "2012-02-06T16:44:57Z")
If you want more opportunities to practice your French, Ottawa might be an option, but the transit system isn’t great from what I hear (at least, I’ve never used it, since my friends choose to live in suburbia). I don’t know what the employment situation is out there, but for IT the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph (Missisauga/Oakville/Hamilton) area is pretty good - there are _lots_ of companies out there. Guelph is a beautiful city with pretty good transit, given it’s size and layout. You can always try Montreal though I recommend getting a job lined up before coming here due to the language issues. It might be tough on whatever visa you can get - Québec might have some weird requirements attached to it. There’s a fair bit of IT and aviation technology out here, so those might be places to look for one-year contract work. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/25 "2012-02-06T17:22:47Z")
Ottawa’s transit system isn’t too bad. It’s all buses though, although there’s some light rail starting to be built. You pretty much need to be fluently bilingual to land a retail job in Ottawa too, since the city has adopted an official bilingual policy. It’s not as much of a showstopper as it would be in Montreal, but nonetheless it exists. Like Montreal though, the winter months can really wear you down. We’ve had so much freezing rain this winter that my front step in encased in an inch of impenetrable ice. It’s slightly above freezing today, so maybe I can chip away at it tonight. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/26 "2012-02-06T18:01:32Z")
Outside the big three, mentioned upthread, there are a handful of medium cities that don’t have as great transit, but are small enough to get around on bike or the bus. Ottawa, Halifax and Victoria are all vibrant, fun cities with decent weather. Ottawa probably has the harshest winters, but it doesn’t get crazy cold like the prairies or the north. There’s also smaller towns like Kingston, Quebec City, St. Johns, Saskatoon, Banff, Canmore, Revelstoke and Comox that have a ton of natural beauty, but would be harder find a job. (Saskatoon has a booming economy, but the harshest winters of the above). ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/27 "2012-02-06T18:53:59Z")
Actually the more that I think about it the more it makes sense to select a few suitable cities and do preliminary job hunting remotely to determine where you’ll end up. You’re looking for an IT job so most hiring managers will be capable of handling the technology to support that kind of an interview process although of course not all will be willing. That should at least narrow down for you what will be possible. Here are lists of Canadian [Universities](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Canada) and [Colleges](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_in_Canada) as a starting point. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/28 "2012-02-06T19:07:22Z")
I just want to point out that Calgary is the only city that has offered you good beer so far (we’ll even buy the first round!). 🙂 You also need to be aware that if you live in Toronto, Vancouver, or Victoria, you will not fulfill your requirement for a real Canadian winter. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/29 "2012-02-06T19:09:48Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I just want to point out that Calgary is the only city that has offered you good beer so far (we’ll even buy the first round!). 🙂 > > You also need to be aware that if you live in Toronto, Vancouver, or Victoria, you will not fulfill your requirement for a real Canadian winter. 😃 I beg your pardon. You can see winter quite easily from Vancouver. Just because we’re sensible enough to keep it in the mountains where it belongs… ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/30 "2012-02-06T19:30:19Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I just want to point out that Calgary is the only city that has offered you good beer so far (we’ll even buy the first round!). 🙂 > > You also need to be aware that if you live in Toronto, Vancouver, or Victoria, you will not fulfill your requirement for a real Canadian winter. 😃 Mmmmmmm… beer. With the economy stalled a bit in some places, a place like Calgary or Saskatoon might be best suited to you from an employability standpoint, although transportation can be tricky if you’re not right on the main lines. But there’s also the snow and cold. Although we’ve gotten off very easily so far this winter, with something like 20 or 21 days with highs below freezing, which is remarkably mild. Of course, if you want the true Canada experience, as **Cat Whisperer** notes, you have to get through all that. Plus, it makes you tougher. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/31 "2012-02-06T20:07:22Z")
In my experience, Edmonton’s bus service is sorta crummy, but the LRT (light rail) is okay. The LRT line runs right under the University of Alberta campus, with one station near the middle and another near the edge. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/32 "2012-02-06T21:10:01Z")
Yeah, I hear the job situation is better out west. If you find one, could you pick up another for me? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/33 "2012-02-06T21:11:25Z")
Ah snow and cold doesn’t bother me much. Maybe I could get a job as a samsquanch. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/34 "2012-02-06T21:14:35Z")
If he gets there before the snow flies, And if things are going good, You could meet him if he sends you down the fare. But if you wait until it’s winter, It will be no good 'Cause that wind sure can blow way out there ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/35 "2012-02-06T21:15:34Z")
“Sasquatch”. 🙂 They’re more of a west coast rainforest beastie, though; I’ve never heard of them in relation to cold. Speaking of which, when my mom was a kid, Saskatchewan used to get -40C regularly. Are you sure you want to move there? : ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/36 "2012-02-06T21:17:54Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > “Sasquatch”. 🙂 They’re more of a west coast rainforest beastie, though; I’ve never heard of them in relation to cold. It’s a reference to Trailer Park Boys. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/37 "2012-02-06T21:19:46Z")
All I know about Canada I learned from this [film](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLBXb1kgMo). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/38 "2012-02-06T21:26:10Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > All I know about Canada I learned from this [film](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLBXb1kgMo). Don’t go to northern Ontario. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/39 "2012-02-06T22:02:46Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > Yeah, it’s pretty hard to beat Vancouver Island. The southern part of the island has the same climate as the Mediterranean, particularly Sidney, where I’m from. Southern California’s climate is considered Mediterranean (_Csa_ under [Köppen classification](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification#GROUP_C:_Temperate.2Fmesothermal_climates)), rather than (_Csb/Cfb_ classification for the Pacific Northwest) [Vancouver Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver#Climate). > [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I’m just posting to put in a plug for Vancouver. We have palm trees, too! At least six. It’s a bit more difficult to get back and forth to Europe, but a great place to live. Much more Chinese influence than Toronto, and more rain than snow. (Okay, more rain than sun, more rain than anything, but you’re from Ireland: you can handle it.) Very much like the southwestern tip of England, from the way it sounds. I remember a tour guide for Buchart Gardens (about 15 miles north of Victoria) boasted of a growing season very comparable to southwestern England, and how rose bushes thrived the best in that type of climate. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I just want to point out that Calgary is the only city that has offered you good beer so far (we’ll even buy the first round!). 🙂 > > You also need to be aware that if you live in Toronto, Vancouver, or Victoria, you will not fulfill your requirement for a real Canadian winter. 😃 And if you spend a winter in Winnipeg, that counts for double! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935/40 "2012-02-07T05:21:38Z")
> [@Yeticus\_Rex](#): > > \ > And if you spend a winter in Winnipeg, that counts for double! Jesus, no wonder I’m wanting to snowbird - I’ve spent 44 winters in Winnipeg-like winters on the prairies - that’s 88 winters by your reckoning! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-for-a-year-where-to-live/611935.md?page=3)