Hi all! Just signed up like 10 minutes ago. Haven't read the rules yet, but I will. Just thought I should introduce myself first.

I'm from the Philippines and my parents and I just got our visas approved after 6 years of applying for a Canadian immigrant status. We are planning on staying either in Toronto or in Vancouver. We really don't have any relatives there or any friends to help us with stuff. Just a friend of a friend. So we don't have any idea what to expect. We don't have jobs and even a place to stay!

Anyway, I scoured the net for any information that might help us and luckily I stumbled into this forum. Hopefully I'll get some useful info here and maybe some friends.

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

So, how will you decide between Vancouver and Toronto? Flip a coin? They are both really great cities - and very different, one from the other.

Oh, and congratulations on the visas! As you will see, we have lots of folks here who are just starting the process. You can definitely help show them that, while it takes time and persistence, it is, indeed, possible.
Cheers,
Bev

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Don't forget to post on the Canadian country forum, where you will get a lot more response. What made you choose Canada? Are you prepared for the change of temperature?

Michelle

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www.mar-del-plata-argentina.net

A wonderful place to live

Lol I will probably flip a coin. Seriously, our first choice is really Vancouver but we already told the Canadian embassy that we're planning to live in Toronto because some agency advised us to land there. I'm not sure if the embassy will grant us entry only in Toronto when we land or anywhere in Canada.

Thanks Michelle, I'm definitely planning to.

During the time we applied, about 2002, it was easier to get visas and jobs in the I.T. field in Canada than in the U.S. We heard a lot about the weather there so we're buying thick coats here since it's cheaper. We're trying to prepare ourselves, but I don't think we'll be prepared enough until we personally experience it since we never even seen snow. Our bodies are used to tropical weather. lol Hopefully we'll breeze through the adjustment period. *crosses fingers*

Be wary of buying winter coats in places where the winter is milder. When I moved from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, the winter coat I had worn in the Pennsylvania mountains really wasn´t warm enough. Whatever you buy will probably be good for fall, though.

Welcome Kabayan!

Congratulations.. you finally got your visas after 6 years!

Well, its just a matter of choice. They are both very nice city! Vancouver is much closer to the Phils. lol. They don't get that much snow like Toronto. Brrrgh!!! Cold!!! But, I heard that the houses in Vancouver are very expensive.

In terms of job opportunities... well, depending on what type of job you and your family are going to be looking for.

We also have a huge filipino community here in Toronto so, you won't feel very homesick.

Keep in touch!