Etienne wrote:Ok, so after a bit more noodling around and sniffing the air, Toronto is also a possibility... Looking at the thermo maps I have, it seems as though it's a good 10degC colder on average than Vancouver. What's it like to live there? Cheaper, more expensive? Predominant language? Small city or sprawling metropolis?
Toronto is Canada's largest city by far. It is a huge spralling city. Home prices are through the roof. The suburbs are no different. Some things about Toronto they never put in the tourist books. Canadians love to hate it. It's the most multi-ethnic population in the world.
Canada is a Confederation not a Federation. What that means is each of the 10 provinces is like a country unto itself. Canadians love to hate each others provinces and cities. Toronto being the largest is branded the worst. The only thing we have in common is we all spend the same coloured bits of paper and we like hockey. You won't like hockey because you won't understand it but your kids will take up the sport if they are young enough when you come.
Ontario is divided unoffically into two main areas Southern Ontario where all the political power resides and the larger area called Northern Ontario where all the have-nots reside.
North Eastern Ontario is divided along three cultural lines. English, French, and Natives or Metis. North Western Ontario is mainly English, Native Ojibway , Cree or Ojicree.
Northern Ontario sends raw materials from mines and forest to southern Ontario to be manufactured into something. Southern Ontario is the industrial engine for much of Canada.
Northern Ontario is going through some very lean times because most of the towns are one industry pulp and paper based and all the mills are closing down. Unemployment is high property prices are low so are opportunities for most.
Southern Ontario is also an agriculural area with lots of varied farming and farm towns. It like South Afria has a wine making region south and south west of Hamilton (Ontario's second largest city nic name Steel Town)
Farm produces prices are very good now and the area is doing very well. It has a large fruit growing areas too. Apples from Collingwood and Owen Sound area to the north of Toronto and peaches to the west and south to the American border. In fact Ontario is the only place in the world that can lay claim to having peaches and polar bears within it's geographical boundries. Housing prices drop dramtically the farther you get from Toronto. Winters are chilly summers are hot and muggy over much of the southern areas of the province. Fall and spring are beautiful.
Vancouver and the south western BC area is very wet in the winter. It's not unsual to get 40 days of rain, at least you don't have to shovel snow but man that can be very depressing. Southern BC's Okanogan valley has without a doubt the best weather in the country. Housing prices reflect this too. Most Canadians embrace winter, they get out and enjoy it. If you move here that's what your going to have to do or you will be miserable for much of the time.
For the record, I don't favour one area of Canada over another. Each province and city brings a uniqueness to the cultural mosaic that is Canada.
The predominate geographical feature of Canada is the precambrian shield. We call it the Canadian Shield. That's rocks, trees and lakes to you and me. It starts about 120 km north of Toronto and extends 1800 km in Ontario to the Manitoba boundry. From there it goes northwestward to take in northern Manitoba, Nunivut, Northwest Territories. It takes in most of northern Quebec also. We have a saying in Kenora the last city before Manitoba. It goes like this. By the time you hit Kenora you don't want to see no more a, Rocks and Trees, Trees and Rocks.
One step at a time.
) then the priority for me will be on where my better half gets accepted, otherwise I spend a whole bunch of time travelling!
