₦airaland Forum

salford1:
Sister..this canada project requires a lot of wisdom and prayers o. lol

My friend that i spoke to yesterday (mentioned in my early post) is on target of making 100k this year, but he knows his current job is not secure...

He is in the constructing and building industry back home in Nigeria, and he is yet to get his license to practise here in Canada which would also get him a stable job, but his wife is hell bent on them buying a new house like their friends at church.

He currently pays just over 1k at the apartment the family lives in. His aim is to save as much as he can on his current not secured job and take two years off to study and pass his licensing exams. He knows if he buys a house now..he might end up never ever returning to his original career and become stuck in paying mortage and bills with nothing solid on ground.

He had already made up his mind on what to do and only called me for a 2nd opinion.

Salford1, your friend can still buy the house and have someone or a family rent a part of it (like the basement).
This way, he can still be paying 1K in monthly mortgage instead of tossing it in rent.
Some people buy houses and don't even spend a dime in monthly mortgage because they have renters paying for them the monthly mortgage.

salford1:
It is good to buy a house but only at the right time. Right time being when you are settled, i.e. make an okay income and job is a bit secured. It just doesn't make sense to me for new migrants working survival or back breaking jobs to purchase a house like I have seen among many Philipinos and Nigerians. A classic case of suffering and smiling. It would be hard for such immigrants to even think straight and find ways of bettering their lives cos all they have occupied in their mind is to keep working just to pay off bills and mortgage to prevent defaults. They hardly have any savings.

New migramts settling in canada is like a bell curve. On the average, it would take around 3 years to settle in the country, with some exceptions scattered out the curve...Within that 3 years, your dream job might be outside the province you landed. Using Alberta as an example, a new migrant buys a new 3 or 4 besroom house at $500k in his 2nd year of landing in the country. You later get an excellent job with better career prospect outside the province in your 3rd year...bros...the house would likely sell for far less than 500k when you decide to move. it is no longer a new but renovated house and you lose some money.

Also in my opinion, If one decides to practice in a regulated profession, best to get the license to practise first before taking on a big project like buying a house. Licensing exams are tough and you really want to have time to study for it. Houses would always be there for you to buy when you are okay. Their is no need to rush and put yourself under any unnecessary stress by living hand to mouth cos of the heavy mortgage payment. When you are settled...you can even decide to buy an acreage or get developers to build a house designed to your own taste.

Incorrect. The price of a house would always go UP and never down unless there is a recession which is very rare.
Having a property is the best investment anyone can ever had.

A house you buy today will be 5 years OLD in 5 year, but would cost $50.000 to $100.000 more in 5 year market.
The more you wait to buy a house, the more expensive houses will get.

The common factor among most of the people who buy houses is the following sentence "if I knew then what I know now"

Blingyrie:
There's a serious debate on d Internet about this; mainly because apart from coughing out cash in addition to mortgage, a house owner also pays property rate et al. When lumped up and financially analysed, seasoned immi consultants actually warn against new immigrants buying homes asa they land. Renting is a better option as it feees up your much needed pof; buying is advised when your home's (wife+oga) median income is slightly above that of their province. You can google more on that but again it all depends on how loaded and what our ambitions are.

I bought a 4 bedrooms house in 2013 in London, Ontario. The mortage including porperty taxes varies around $1600/month ($1300 Mortgage + $300 in property taxes). And this was a new house.
I have a sister, who have been paying the same amount of $1600 IN RENT in Ajax, Ontario. WHAT A WASTE.


If I decide to move, I will make a profit by selling my house given that it costs around $400.000 in today market. I brought it at $275.000 in 2013. And on the other hand, my sister will never got the money back she had been putting in rent.

My 2 cents

salford1:
This is the truth in its purest form...

Funny how a friend discussed this with me yesterday. The family attends one of the Nigerian churches where most of the congregation (new migrants) are in a rat race of buying the most flashy car or nicest house (of course on credit). His spouse has been putting presssure on him to buy a house. This friends works in a job that is considered not stable, and he intends to improve his education or get a license in his profession so as to have a more secure role, but his wife would have non of it..i dont know if this can also be classified as peer pressure or just a case of keeping up with the joneses.

In Canada, credit is very cheap at least compared to any developed country i have live in. Therefore, you would find new immigrants taking up credit cards (maxing it out), buying houses or flashy cars within one year of landing. yes...one year! one can buy a house in canada just by working survival jobs.., I know a lot of philipinos and naijas with big houses and cars but work in back breaking survival jobs. What is the point of suffering in silence just to look good outside. After paying mortgage, there is nothing to save and in case something goes wrong...repo companies come knocking or they basically get stuck in survival jobs because they need to keep paying mortgages and other bills. Nothing wrong with survival job or unsecured jobs, they are just what they are called. survival or transition till one gets the real deal.

That is why international students usually make the best set of immigrants, they sort of understand the system much more than new immigrants and have better jobs on average.

Asper survival jobs, one should not be discouraged if that is what one can find for now. If one is in a regulated profession, it's also almost impossible to land a job in your field of expertise without working in one of the survival jobs or not so glorified jobs except you were dangote or otedola in Nigeria before landing in Canada.

My spouse never worked survival job, and that was because i was working my own butts off in these survival jobs so she can get her license to practice in her profession. Once she was settled, i returned to upgrade myself too, since we both pitched our tents in regulated professions. Yes it took some years for her to get the license, and it took me some years to get to where i wanted to be too, but the move to Canada was definitely worth it.

I am against new immigrants maxing out their credit cards to buy new cars.
A car is never a investment except if it is being used for a business.
However, in my opinion buying a house is a must that would save you a lot of $$$ in a long run.
For instance, right now a 4 bedrooms house cost around $400.000 here in London, Ontario.
That means, the montly mortgage is around $2,200 on that property.
Now, someone who had bought that same house 10 years is paying a monthly mortgage of $800 today.
Can you see the difference between $2,200 and $800 ?
And 10 years from today, the monthly mortgage on that same property would be close to $3000.
Why not invest in a mortgage than paying rent? There is nothing to lose by having a house.

honey86:
Congratulations on moving to Canada. I wish to advise newcomers concerning jobs and settling in Canada. The truth is the current reality of most people who migrated is not what they expected when they decided to migrate.
After landing some people land their dream jobs while for others it takes a while. If you don't get your dream job please try to take up survival jobs because you have bills to pay. If you decide to take a survival job please continue to pursue your dream job and DO NOT SETTLE.
One mistake that our people make is that they start making long term decisions such as car financing, mortgages while working menial jobs. What happens is that they are stuck and cannot take the courses they need to get their dream jobs.
A lot of people are unhappy here, bank manager working as home support worker or cashier when we have people from other countries who did not have education at all coming here to take professional jobs after going to school.
Don't rush to buy house and brand new car when you know you still have a long way to go. Nobody cares what you wear, whether you drive. No one cares. Build yourself up to where you want and then you can eat the fruit of your labour in peace.

By the way I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I strongly disagree with the bolded part. Having a property is the best investment and the sooner someone buys a house, the better.
In addition to that, you will still pay rent if you don't own a house. So, why not to invest your money in your own mortgage than paying someone's else mortgage in the form of rent?
And if you want to move, you can still sell the house and get your money back whereas if you have been renting you will never got the rent money back.
In my opinion, the money you put into rent is money that you have thrown at the window.

Phinalphantasy:
1. Your father will turn a new leaf after all the kids become independent
2. By then all the kids attention would be on the mom, sponsoring her every needs and the dad would truly understand the consequences of all his actions
3. Wait till that time. The patient dog eats the most successful bone
4. Instead of letter, by the you would verbally say your mind to your dad. That convo is gonna be a teary one. Trust me.

Spoken from real life experience

My brother, when the kids attention would be on the mom, the father will be accusing the mom for turning the Kids against him. Trust me.

maternal:
My brotha I dey u. Everything na religion with African. You no get job. Person say move to X (a smaller city) which get at least minimum wage jobs, and cost of living is cheaper. Person now come put God for the matter. Another person now come do testimony about his success in Toronto, as if one persons destiny be the next man's. The broke person wey still no get money and job, come holla "amen". As if that testimony go change his condition. I tire. People we're talking about probability here. Simple math.

Bro, testimonies are meant to give strength and inspiration in a hopeless situation. Please, don't underestimate the power of a testimony. Some people live by faith.

toyogirl:
I believe Oluwapelumi87 has moved on from this already...he/she has been sorted by some responses here.

Not being judgemental at all, I see 3 things here:
*understanding
*interpretation
*approach

One needs to be cautious and take into cognisance these 3 factors in daily dealings with ppl, wherever. So, really no need to correct impressions IMO...I belive we may just allow sleeping dogs snore ...bye...

Trop fort

maternal:
I think there's a miscommunication here. I'm simply giving my opinions and 2 cents. I'm not against a new immigrant moving to a big city. Do as you please. I'm just trying to let other new immigrants coming into the country, that other options exist as well. And for those who are in a big city and struggle, you have nothing to prove. There's no shame in looking at other small or mid sized cities. It all depends on your priority at the end of the day, like most things. I personally don't want to pay 1 million dollar for an average house at best, spend hours in traffic everyday, compete with thousands for 1 job, etc. But if you like city life, tall buildings, while hanging with the boyz at suya spot listening to davido, by all means "the 6" is the place for you. I want my time and money to be freed up for myself and family.

my 2 cents

My thought exactly. I also thought there was a missunderstanding. Maternal were trying to tell Oluwapelumi87 that there were so much competitions in Toronto, so much taxes to pay, life is too expensive there. Given that Oluwapelumi87 is struggling financially, it would be better for him to relocate to a more affordable City or province. No one had said that Oluwapelumi87 would never make it in Toronto.
And when Oluwapelumi87 first said that he couldn't find JUST ANY JOB in Toronto, I for instance had also thought that he may not have permission to work in Canada. It is so easy to find manufacture jobs through temp agencies in Toronto (no interview required, no resume). You can just walk in a temp agency to register with them and be send to work right on the next shift.

Oluwapelumi87 should connect with someone like Blackbuddy who have a successful story of integration. At the same time, he shouldn't ruled out the option of moving out of the GTA. Things may have worked out for Blackbuddy, and this doesn't mean it would work for Oluwapelumi87

czaratwork:
@oluwapelumi87 this your problem is more spiritual than physical. You may need to undergo deliverance. Someone back home who is not happy with your progress may have done some things to attack your destiny.

I suggest you do self deliverance or you go to a man of God over there to do it for you. The problem may have even started in Nigeria and we normally think relocating will also relocate the problem. There is no distance in the realm of the spirit.

Deal with it spiritually and see doors opening for you.

Best of luck

Easy man .... take it easy. Religion can be very misleeding. Sometime all the person needs is the right information and not a deliverance. Even if the problem was spiritual, he doesn't need to see anyone. He can pray to God and God will open a way.

mctowel01:
Your opinion tho. I won't say that there is 100% no racism here. I see it happen amongst people quarrelling in trains and public places. I ve never experienced it, infact, I will still say I do not think the general population is racist. Obviously, there could be few idiots out there, but its not something to make me wail about. I ve been made a temporary team leader for a task where I work, despite "white" people being there before me, not cos of my skin color, but because I was able to convince the manager. I m not saying its 100% no racism, but at times, you see what you want to see. I feel its overhyped at times. Sometimes, I believe its not bias, people naturally just connect more with people they can more easily relate with. I stay in an asian community and I find their whole lifestyle difficult. And yes, they are not generally as friendly as the white australians, I can't really connect with them socially and culturally and it doesn't make me racist. It doesn't mean they will belittle you for having another skin color as its more comon in Europe. I know a Nigerian who was considered as the only person for his job, and promoted one level up, just after looking at his resume and interview. His name is also Nigerian.
And even if you ve stayed 10years here, our opinions and experiences can not be the same.

The funny thing is that many people have been victim of subtle racism without actually detecting it.
From my observation, a good number of people don't know what is racism. Once again, racism isn't just blatant.

Again, not all forms of discrimination are illegal. You can choose to date only black girls or yo can choose not to have Asian friends. There is nothing illegal about that

Fawklicant:
Exactly. I used to get infuriated whenever one of my neighbours lashed out at his wife for a period. The man would just just insult her at the slightest provocation calling her all sorts of names, pig, idiot etc. And this ugleee man is married to a very pretty woman with a body to die for.
Well, my perception changed when I noticed that the woman is a serial cheat and the man was just lashing out to vent his frustaration and helplessness. This woman would take calls in the kitchen while observing the husband through the peephole and cut such calls whenever the man approached. She would leave the house giggling and smiling while talking on the phone immediately after hubby leaves.

She even made passes at people I know.

I cannot vouch for anybody, let alone a woman. They always have a way of playing victim everytime.

And you actually saw her in her kitchen doing this, correct?
You say she is very pretty with a body to die for. So, maybe she started cheating on her ugly monster after the abuse had started.
She was living with an ugly man who showed no affection while thousand of people outside was ready to make her feel like she was everything.

Benita27:
Ok Sir, but don't send your dad that letter. We have elders for a reason.

What if the elders are on his dad payroll?

Medunah:
I care less about his father's side of the story......no matter what's happened, it's not enough for him to neglect his children!! even if his wife has done something wrong to him, does that stop him from being a good father to his kids?? or will u cut off ur nose just to spite ur face??

and when these kids become successful in life, he will want to reap where he didn't sow. Rubbish

I like that.

Phinalphantasy:
1. Your father will turn a new leaf after all the kids become independent
2. By then all the kids attention would be on the mom, sponsoring her every needs and the dad would truly understand the consequences of all his actions
3. Wait till that time. The patient dog eats the most successful bone
4. Instead of letter, by the you would verbally say your mind to your dad. That convo is gonna be a teary one. Trust me.

Spoken from real life experience

I don't agree with number 2.
Some dads will be telling their kids "I have done this and that for you, and in return you have abandoned me. How ungrettful are you!"

edicied:
Oh its ok for the Dad to disown the children but not ok if the child do he xame

Smh

Donjazzy12:
You are a very very foolish child to want to confront your Dad this way. This is exactly why my friend believes that male children of today are completely useless and worthless. He has a daughter whom he dotes on and that girl loves her dad so much to the extent she can take a bullet for him. You on the other hand your Dad should have sold you to buy recharge card. You are completely worthless as a son! As far as I am concerned , if you are his only child , then he should count himself childless.

I hope you aren't one of those who abused their wives.
You want him to take a bullet for his abusive father? Com'on bro. I commend him for taking a bullet for his responsible mother.

Oh my God ... this is a deja vu

Mayflowa:
Do you guys pay fees for kindergartens in Canada? It's quite expensive here in US

Kindergartens are free in Canada.
Catholic schools are also free

Joejoe12:
Nonsense, and the youth think this is a news our generation is looking for? Pity the under age here

For some of us this is news.
It is good to see her outside of movie scripts.

double0seven:
Her husband is not a wife beater. Investigation by some Nigerian bloggers have revealed that Tonto's stories about her husband and domestic violence were lies.

But you can believe what you wish to believe

And what makes you believe the bloggers over her version of events?
She is the only one who knows what she went through. Were the bloggers present in her bedroom?
Her testimony is more credible than that of someone who never been in matrimonial home.

I agree with you on your last sentence, you can believe what you wish to believe.

Roseey0:
Her boy is joyful and playful.
Guess she's doing the videos so Churchill will be jealous

She is also doing it for us, her fans.

davillian:
I know these people, they show you what they want you to see.
Why dint he play football @home.

Some of us are happy to see her outside of movie scripts. Had she play with her son at home, we wouldn't have a chance to see them

Castroii:
2 years difference..

And you think in terms of job experience 12 years is different from 10 years?

Castroii:
The OP even made a mistake, my frnd who applied said they need 12yrs experience and not 10years.
If I am a piling Engr with 12years experience, I have no business working as a field engr, I either become a consultant or a site manager. Piling work no b common work so someone with such yrs of experience shud be hotcake

And what is the difference between 12 years experience and 10 years?

Oluwapelumi87:
@keni Thank you for taking the time to write me. I decided to locate to Toronto, Ontario (over another city/province) due to my background in Financial Services and my previous experience of working in Financial services in London, UK. To be honest with you, I only know one school friend here but this person will be leaving the country and is no longer opting to stay here anymore. They are helping me to connect with some people as I do not know anyone else here.

When is your friend leaving the country? I assume you won't have a place to stay as a result of him living.
Given that you are low on funds with no place to stay and you don't know anyone around, would you consider staying at the homeless shelter untill you are able to fly on your own?
Now, I am not sure if the terms and conditions of your visa would allow you to receive any financial assistance from the governemnt.
When you are at the shelter, you will be given a bed and 3 meals a a day and the provincial gouvernment will be footing the bill.
And usually many shelters have programs that assist people getting jobs.

maternal:
The thing is a 6 figure salary in Alberta goes a lot further than 6 figure salary in the GTA would. Just based on the cost of living alone. I'm just curious, what does your sister and in-law do for work.

My brother in-law is an aircraft engineer. My sister work as an administrator at ADT.

maternal:
Don't mind him/her. That's why I said give us more info so we can help you better. I suspect this person may have visa issues or some sort of work restriction. Can't even find a minimum wage job in the GTA ? That's suspicious.

maternal, you are a bad boy

Oluwapelumi87:
I'm now staying in the GTA (Mississauga) due to the high cost in Toronto.

As a temporary solution, you may also try Labour Ready Mississauga.
Address: 265 Enfield Pl #8, Mississauga, ON L5B 3Y7
Phone: (905) 206-9442

This is how Labour Ready works:
You get up early in the morning, go to the Labour Ready office and sign an attendance sheet.
You will be asked to seat in a room along with other people. Free coffee is provided

Then, different employers (mostly manufactures) would start calling the Labour Ready office requesting for assistance to fill in any type of Labour shortage they are experiencing ( sick employees)
Now, the Labour Ready Office would start sending people to those companies that request assistance.
The person who was the first to sign the attendance sheet at the Labour Ready Office would be sent to the first assignment. (First come First serve)
At the end of the day, when your assignment is over, you would go back to the Labour Ready office to get your pay.
Some employers may want you to return the next day and you may end up staying with them permanently.

As I indicated earlier, this is just a temporary solution you may use in case you have your back against the wall.
If you are single with no kids, why don't you pack your stuffs and get the HELL out of the GTA.

maternal:
Go and apply for a minimum wage call center job. They're always hiring.

Correct.

Oluwapelumi87:
@TheCongo2 I am telling the God honest truth when I say that I have not been able to find any sort of work in Toronto. I have registered and met with many recruitment agencies and only 2 of them were prepared to put me forward for 3 roles since May. The employers decided not to proceed as I didn't have 'Canadian experience'. I have applied for work outside my field including retail and hospitality but again have been told I am not qualified to work in these fields.

Where in Toronto are you located?

Oluwapelumi87:
Hello,

Sorry if this is not the correct forum to post this.

I moved to Toronto in May 2017 and have been finding it challenging finding any sort of work. It is now a life and death situation and need to find work ASAP.

I am in desperate need of assistance and would appreciate any help that anyone can find it in the hearts to offer.

Thank you in advance for your help and support.

You mean you can't find any sort of work in Toronto ? That would surprise me given that it is extremely easy to find just any type of work through temp agencies. Have you ever try to contact any agency?
Those agencies can give you a temporary assignment in a company or factory that may range from few days to few months. And often time an assignment can turn into full time employment. They are hundreds of those agencies around the GTA.

But as indicated by maternal, you may look into the option of moving out of Toronto. I conquer that the GTA is crazy.