Immigration to Canada: How to build your network in new country

When we came to Canada six years ago we didn't know many people here. In fact we knew only one family who lived here already and whom were kind enough to meet us at the airport after landing along with our friend from New York who came to Toronto to meet us and our realtor who was helping us to find a place to live. The family we knew introduced us to another family and we became a good friends but that was it. That was the only network we had in Toronto at that time.

We can describe ourself as very friendly people so with no plan and I would say subconsciously we've started to build our network here. After a year or so we already knew quite a few people by then we were starting slowly realize how important the connections and the network are, here in Canada. No matter what your business or occupation is it would help you to succeed.

So here are the 6 steps how to grow your network.

1. Be friendly with people. Don't be shy to do small talks with people everywhere. With your neighbors, your bank, welcome centres, at activities, organizations and institutions.

2. Promote yourself. Always (if appropriate) talk about what do you do for living and how good you are. If you do a web-design for example let people know and there is the chance that they will remember you when them or their friends would need a website.

3. Your kids could be a great source for networking. Attend events and birthdays on which your kids would be invited. Make birthday parties for your kids and invite their school's friends. Talk to parents at kids' activities: hokey, skating, skiing, dancing and so on.

4. Create database. Set up and organize the database with all people you know in Canada with their names, phones, emails and birthdays if you have all that information of course.

5. Be in touch with people in your network. Don't let them forget about you and once in a while reminding campaign. Congratulate them with their birthdays, invite them (if you know them well enough) to your home for coffee or BBQ and so on.

6. Use social media. Social media is one of the best ways to be connected with people in our network. Do don't have to be a close friend to be connected on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Be active (but not annoying) in their social media activity. Like and comment their social media activity. Make sure that your social media profile filled with important informations like your job position or occupation, your education. Make sure to post something related to field in which your work frequently.

Do not underestimate the importance of networking in Canada. It would help you not only with job searching or growing your business but also might help to find a new friends in new country.

Please let me know your thoughts on the subject and if you have any questions let me know in comment.  

Life in Canada: How To Buy A Home in Toronto, Ontario

What you should know if you want to buy a home in Canada. 

Probably every immigrant who is coming to Canada have a dream of ownership of the house and if not, eventually you would have that dream at some point. And the good news, the dream can come true one day. Yes we have really crazy housing market today in Toronto and Greater Toronto Area but it can be real. For us, as young family, it came true on third year of our living in Canada. We bough a house in which we still happily live today and today our home is worth almost double from the price we bought it but this is another story.

So what are the steps to buying a home in Greater Toronto Area?

1. You should determine if homeownership is right for you or not. It is not a secret that some people feel more comfortable living in rent for long period of time and they don't want to be committed to certain obligations connected to ownership of the home. But if you want to buy anyway there something you should consider before. Property taxes. Every owner of the house or condominium must pay property taxes. They are depends on your type of home, cost of it, size of the lot and in which city, town, or community your home is. In average it could cost you anything from $3,000 to $5,000 per year. Also you have to pay insurance, utility bills and condominium fees (if you are buying a condo).

2. Meet with mortgage broker and find out for how much you can be approved. That would be your starting point. Make some research on mortgage brokers ask your friends for good professionals and interview them to find the best person who will be helping you with the mortgage.

Aside from mortgage broker you can go directly to bank it might be a good option too especially if you have a good credit score and you stand financially very well. But you should understand that mortgage broker is works for you to get you the best mortgage rate or if your current financial situation not easy to find the way to get the mortgage with best possible rate and options.

3. Figure out the all upfront costs. Downpayment, the closing costs, moving costs and so on.

4. House or condo. You have to decide which type of property you want to buy. It is good to remember that your first home doesn’t have to be your dream home. Sometimes it is better to buy something than buy nothing. Thus you will put yourself in the "game".

5. Learn about the areas you want to live. It is better if it will be as close to your work as possible. Look for good schools if you have kids or planning to have them soon. But again if you can't afford anything within the places you want to live don't be afraid to look around. It could be better to buy a home and have a longer commute to work than stay in rent closer to work.

6. Educate yourself about current housing market situation in Greater Toronto Area and particular cities and towns you are looking to buy in. You should understand why some areas are more expensive and some less. Learn about upgrades, renovations and remodeling and its cost.

7. Find a good realtor who will be helping you with house hunting. Again try to find the best one who can deliver the best results for you. But look around by yourself too. Use realtor.ca to see the prices, compare homes and areas and see what is on the market at the moment.

Please let me know in comment if you have any questions about homebyuing process in Canada, Ontario. 

Top 10 mistakes after immigration to Canada

Top 10 mistakes after immigration to Canada

1. Try to find your first home in good neighbourhood or community. First impression from the new country is very important and don't spoil your excitement after landing in Canada. In our opinion It is better to avoid ethnic minority communities.

2. Don't agree to be a part of the fraud schemes. Especially with insurance, mortgage, banks, taxes All information you need you can find on government websites and government organizations websites. You can always call to the Service Canada, Service Ontario (or other province) or special organizations that help immigrants such Welcome Centre or YMCA.

3. Don't adjust country to experience that you have from your home country. Some of the countries such USA or Australia might have a lot of common with Canada, but many countries are totally different so be ready to 

4. Don't bribe. Never.

5. Avoid conflicts and don't talk about people bad.

6. Always shop around. Don't buy things or services you need in a first store you see. Remember to shop around. 

7. Build your credit history and be careful with finances. Don't apply for many credit cards  

8. Don't wait for a car to get driver license. Even if you not planning to drive.

9. Be careful with volunteers. Go to work nor as a volunteer 

10. Don't be ashamed to use any help from government