any advice?
I've never been to canada, and english is my 2nd language. I wonder what life in canada is like.
I am seriously thinking about becoming a canadian resident, since I do qualify for this (canadian goverment test online), but I don't know about this city (gf picked), or any other  

how's the weather? too cold? too rainy? icy? I worry because i am a daily rider here in california, but ice+motorcyles don't mix  

Also, what's like the average salary or the minimum wage in canada?

thanks in advance!  

where are you now?

Quote from: subcI worry because i am a daily rider here in california  

Duh?  :dunno:



:lol:

Quote from: pandy

Quote from: subcI worry because i am a daily rider here in california, but ice+motorcyles don't mix  

Duh?  :dunno:



:lol:

But isn't ice rash the opposite as road rash....fun :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

ok, I didn't pick Ontario (gf did). Is there such a thing like a 'perfect city' in Canada? (the question comes from a rider of course   )

I am told that winters are cold... not like 40F, but more like -10F or even less ?  :dunno:

also, and most important... will I be able to bring the GS with me without problems?
by the time I move (end of 2006), the bike will be about 1 1/2 years old (2005GS F)

is there a problem bringing a US motorcycle to canada? (not just for vacation).

Quote from: subcI am told that winters are cold... not like 40F, but more like -10F or even less ?  :dunno:

:lol:  Boy do you have a lot to learn about winter.  -10F will be quite common for many nights of the winter. More than you will care about. Northern winters are harsh; blustery, cold, and very snowy.  

Canada, from what I've seen and heard, is a great country though. I've crossed over a few times mostly to go to the other side of Niagara Falls and stuff. Nice place.  

I've never taken a vehicle there, but I did sell my 4 wheeler to a Canadian. He had to have it checked through customs and I think he might have had to pay a fee (because he was a canadian resident purchasing out of the country) but other than that he didn't have a problem with it.  :dunno:

You should move to Austin. The high today was 76, and it was because of a cold front. Previous days hit 86 and 90. Texas is better than Canada.

Did you check out: http://www.gov.on.ca

It lists information you might care to know about; laws, weather, economy, job opportunities, etc.   It is a great portal.

And if it is not obvious - you are going to need a car. Your GF has one yes, and if you can share it fine. But there are going to be days where you simply will not be able to ride your bike.

Another thing that might not be obvious to you is that Ontario itself is a province (sorta like what we call a "state"). So saying you are considering moving to Ontario would be like saying you are moving to California, so to speak. Like I said before I have been to Niagara Falls and that region that borders NY; Niagara Falls is IN Ontario. Toronto is also up there somewhere  

I was born in Ontario but I never lived there. My rez is really close to there, its cold. So very very cold...but please go gamble at my casino!

Quote from: subcI am told that winters are cold... not like 40F, but more like -10F or even less ?  :dunno:

I'd love to move to Canada.  I'd prefer to live waaay to hell and gone out in the forest.  

40F?  Hell, I don't pull out the winter clothes till it stays below 20F.   :lol:

I love the cold, but then I've never been called "normal" or "well-adjusted".   :lol:

Oh...  Swiss Miss.  Buy it by the case.  Bring a thermos of hot water around with you at work (if you work outdoors).  Great for warming you up on a cold day/night out in the snow.

ok sorry, I've confirmed the location with the boss (gf), and it happens to be Toronto    my mistake.

I think she picked that one because she want to be able to go in and out of the us easily and fast (i can see that toronto is right there by the border).

I don't think I will have a car in Toronto for a while... is there like, a lot of public transportation?  :dunno:

Oh yea canada ... moved there from CA and lived there for a year ...
I hate hot weather ... no really ... love sunny but like it to be cold and Canada is perfect for that ... they also have the freaking 407 whihc is by far the neatest racetrack you can get on wihtout waiting for a track day ... BTW they miss motorcycles in their photo your plates and send you the bill system, and even so there is a 1000 tricks to beat it ... including putting the plates so that 1/2 your tail light covers it ...
They also have some cool dollar theaters and they have some good Political satire shows on TV. Royal Canadian air farce ...
Your second language is english ... dont worry so is everyone in Canada.
OK the good sheite ends there ...
canada is 1/10 the population of the US and they have more area ... but the freaking place is so crowded since every one lives in Toronto ... and they have a great public transport system, almost at the cost of the personal transit system ... AKA no parking, no roads to drive on and pretty much no car pool ... and definetly no lane splitting.
Canada also has some interesting store chains ... canadian tire = walmart but more gritty like they have hip waders etc ... and yea there is a few TV stations that are live feeds of LA or NY stations. Toronto is not Canada IMHO. Just live far outside of it and you'll be better off.
Jobs ... what jobs ... when there was a boom in the US 1/2 the time I was un employed ... it sucked. Yea also you need to like smoking, cos everyone is smoking everywhere ... including inside offices ... like WTF ... OK it may have changed in the 6 years I haven't been there. Some sheite is weirdly expensive, and other stuff is weirdly cheap. Overall I liked the weather and hated everyhting else ... BTW ever tell a canadian that you dont like canada and promptly they assume you're talking about their weather ... I'd say go to like alberta or Saska whatever the hell its called. Stay away from BC and TO. BTW newfoundland is just gorgeous as is eastern canada. Halifax etc.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: subc.. english is my 2nd language..

There are a lot of evening classes available if english is not your first language.  If you speak as well as you write, you're already ahead of most kids in high school.

Quote from: subchow's the weather? too cold? too rainy? icy?

A little bit of everything.  And don't forget hot.  It can get very very hot in the summer.  It's a great place if you like to hang out at the beach for four months and ski for four months.  Just don't ask about the other four months.  Here's an average temperature comparison between Toronto and Sacramento :

http://www.weather.com/activities/travel/businesstraveler/weather/climo-compare.html?locid=CAXX0504&sfld1=Toronto,%20Canada&sfld2=Sacramento,%20CA,%20US&clocid1=CAXX0504&clocid2=USCA0967

If riding all year is very important, you might want to consider Vancouver.  Just make sure you've got really good rain gear.  I ride nearly all year except for about two and a half months when there's snow or ice on the roads, or when the temperature dips below 0 F.

Public transit is so-so.  It really depends where you live.  If you're close to downtown Toronto, no problem.  If you're out in the suburbs commuting can be a real pain.

Here's a link with info on importing your bike to Canada :
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28816

Quote from: seshadri_srinath..Yea also you need to like smoking, cos everyone is smoking everywhere..

Actually the smoking bylaws are now pretty strict in Toronto.  If you like smoking, you'll be hard pressed to find a place to have a smoke.  Very few bars/clubs/coffee shops spend the money to build a separate closed room for smokers.  

Oh yeah, here's another really good read : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto

Quote from: Onlypastrana199...but please go gamble at my casino!

:lol:  :lol:  :lol: Now everybody here at the office is wondering why I laughed out loud!!  

Canada's a great place to live.   Sure, it's a bit on the crowded side in the Toronto area -- that many people can't be wrong, can they??

Still, there are the differences from the U.S., including:

• The metric system.  Weight in Kilograms (2.2 pounds), Distance in Kilometers (0.6 miles), Volume in Litres (just under a quart), and Temperature ranged around the property of water -- freezing = 0 to boiling=100.  What a concept.
• Goodbye small bills.  Below the $5 there's Toonies, Loonies and then quarters, dimes, etc.  You can take a family of four out to dinner with pocket change.
• More than two political parties.  Whatever your personal beliefs, there's probably a political party for you that's got a sitting member in parliment.
• A free language lesson on every package.  Learn French by comparing those words to the English equivalent on every package you buy at the gocery store.[/list:u] And your "english as a second language" is an asset!! But you'll have to learn the multiple uses of the word, Eh!
  
  Here's a primer:
  
  

  QuoteThe Meaning of Eh!
  
  It is quite obvious that some people are having a tough time understanding Canadians, so the following will run through a very brief translation of the Canadian 'dialect' and hopefully ease some minds out there.
  
  EH = pronounced AY (similar, but not the same as huh)
  
  Eh is a useful word that is very important and is the basis of all Canadian communications. It is used in conjunction with other words, or simply by itself. The tone or the slight differences in exclamation also changes the meaning:-
  
  Eh? = what did you say?
  Eh? = what do you think?
  EH? = something to say just to end a sentence.
  Ehhhh!! = WOW!!
  EH!? = what do you mean?
  Eh?? = your joking!!!??
  EH!! = Hello..(you off in the distance!!!)
  Eh? want a doughnut or some Tim Bits?
  Eh! = sure!!
  Eh!Eh! = coffee double-cream too please!
  Eh? = what you say when you realize you have no money to pay for it.
  Eh..cmon, eh? = asking them to let you pay for it next time.
  hey..eh! = want to go to the drive-in movie??
  Eh...uhuh = yes sure!
  Eh..y'know = I'll pick you up at 8:00 (8:30 in Newfoundland).
  Eh..cmon!! = well that's early..but ok.
  Eh..wanna? eh? = lets fool around ...
  EHHHHHHH = sounds coming from the car.
  hey..um..er eh... = I'm pregnant!
  EH??? = how did that happen?
  EHHehhEHHehhEHHH = sounds from the delivery room.
  EHHH-ehh, EHHH-ehh = baby's first cry.
  Ehh..whadya think eh? = marry me.

  So, tomorrow, try the word Eh out at the office.  See how quickly you can be accused of being a Canadian.  Then you know how easily you can fit in above the 49th parallel.  

Quote from: RedShiftSo, tomorrow, try the word Eh out at the office.  See how quickly you can be accused of being a Canadian.

Realize that it's pronounced like the letter A.

Also realize that Toronto is further south than Seattle.  It's not like you're in the Great White North there.  Toronto is a lovely city.  It does get cold there, and it does snow quite a bit.

I like Vancouver a lot. Milder winters, nice water views. Nice coffee shops

Short drive to Whistler/Blackcomb

Badger, you make it sound a lot like Boston, eh?

Quote from: subcany advice?
I've never been to canada, and english is my 2nd language. I wonder what life in canada is like.
I am seriously thinking about becoming a canadian resident, since I do qualify for this (canadian goverment test online), but I don't know about this city (gf picked), or any other  

how's the weather? too cold? too rainy? icy? I worry because i am a daily rider here in california, but ice+motorcyles don't mix  

Also, what's like the average salary or the minimum wage in canada?

thanks in advance!  

what's your first language?

life in Toronto is boring! but you have your gf/motorcycle around... you can just follow whatever she picks.

at most.. you can ride 10 months in Toronto.. it snows here! unless you like ice-racer...

what kind of education you got? average salary of which career? for minimum wage.. I can tell you that you won't be able to afford the motorcycle insurance then.. it is veryyy expensive!!!  bringing over the bike is not a problem.. just do the internation metrics conversion.. or you can swap out your California exhaust for regular exhaust... (any difference in GS? cat or not? )