₦airaland Forum

maternal:
Toronto is fools gold. You fell for it, like ive been telling others here to avoid that place. I know the struggle. You're competing with millions of people for a few job positions , high taxes, high rent, high housing prices, etc. My advice? Pack your stuff and head to Alberta. Job or no job. Figure things out when you get here. But if you tell me more about your background such as education, I can help you more.

My sister and her husband were doing fine in Whitby, Ontario. They had good jobs and a mortgage. In 2010, they just wake up one morning and decided to sell their home and moved to Calgary.
Now my sister keeps telling everyone that living in Ontario was a complete waste of life and time.

SURGEE:
Mr thecongo2 should pls be tagged the Mayor of London, Ontario. He's so in love with the city and I love that Sir.

Could you possibly give me some general nuggets about living in Waterloo, Just anything you've heard or know about the city. I'm heading to uWaterloo this fall by Gods grace (TRV Hopeful) and will like to just learn something about the city. ( Kitchener-Waterloo)

Thanks.

Hello Surgee, London may not be the best place but I would prefer it by far than living in Toronto and much less in Montreal. As the say goes to each his own

I don't know much about Waterloo though it isn't very far from London. I always pass by on my way to Toronto. It is often considered twin cities with Kitchener and often be refered to as Kitchener-Waterloo. I work with a good number of people who commute daily from Kitchener-Waterloo to London.
I have head a lot about the University of Waterloo and it has a good reputation.
When you get to Waterloo, please update the thread.

HottestFire:

I hear sounds of agony but not equal to the damage done to the one being raped

And how do you know she was raped?
What are your facts? Just the sound of agony of the alleged rapist?

Babachi:
How easy is it to get a studio apartment in Ontario with a monthly rent payment

Where in Ontario are you intending to stay?
Getting a studio or appartment for rent can be much easier in some places than in other places.
Adding to that, some landlords may be more lenient than others.
The strict landlords may go as far as requesting a credit check, criminal check. They may also want to contact your previous landlord for reference and so on.
But don't worry. If you truly want to find a studio or appartment in Ontario, you will get one in no time. This is Canada, the land of hope.

mctowel01:
This is why I love Australia and I believe its one of, if not the best country for a Nigerian to migrate to. Almost everybody, white included is an immigrant. The original natives are aborigines so everyone is respected and has equal rights. The only thing is your visa status should be permanent resident or a citizen, then you will have the opportunities you want

In your opinion, what is the difference between Australia and the US or Canada?
I am afraid you are off topic

Qadi:
How much does a student apartment typical go for there? Province is Onatrio.

And the basements too.

Depends on a number of factors that includes the neighborhood, the city, whether or not you want to share with a roommate
Sharing a 2 or 3 bedrooms can cost you as low as $400.
Renting a studio can cost you as low as $500.
A 1 bedroom apartment may go from $600 to $900

mygladness:
Good day Sir TheCongo2 and other gurus in the house.

Please my question still await your answer.

Thanks so much

mygladness:
Thank you so much for your kindness, God bless you.
Have done the ranking, what should I do next?
Truly appreciate your counsel.

This is the correct thread you should go to address your concern:
https://www.nairaland.com/2624318/canadian-express-entry-federal-skilled

Blackbuddy:
Actually, Native Canadians are known as Indigenous peoples or First Nations. 'Indians' for them is now a negative racial term and not accepted anymore.

Correct. Thanks for your input.

Qadi:
Do students who stay off campus, pay taxes? Or it only applies to citizens of the country?

Also anyone knows how the meal is like on campus? From a Nigerian standpoint.

The only people that don't pay taxes are native Canadians known as Indians
You will need to show a native registration card to avoid paying taxes in stores

maternal:
I use to think the same thing. But Mexicans most go through Canadian customs IN Mexico before landing in canada. Just like how in most major Canadian airports people go through US customs first before landing in America. And Canadian customs reject a lot of Mexicans. A Mexican can't just grab their passports and come here. If they could they would.

Your explanation about Canadian Customs in Mexico rejecting travelers to Canada makes so much sense. Now, I understand why Mexicans aren't rushing into Canada. For a very long time this topic has been boggling my mind.

MrBrownJay1:
Bro TheCongo2

c'est toujours pareil sur NL, ils sont tous chaud pour gagner de l'argent a ne rien faire... le mec il n'a pas un rond mais veut s'obstiner a rester dans un apart qu'il ne peut pas payer...c'est de la follie, pure et simple!

lol... I am proud of your stubbornness bro ... lol.
MrBrownJay1, toujours combattu mais jamais abattu ... lol

MrBrownJay1:
see all the deluded people who quoted me... sorry for my late reply, I was banned by spambot for a reply to y'all confused people.

let me make my point CLEAR so all of you dont get it twisted, and stop quoting me aimlessly:

I (MBJ) will never believe that BEGGING strangers online is a way to fix ANY issue in our lives... all you miserable lazy people are quick to say that begging is the way to solve this man's issues while, UNLESS YOU CAN SOLVE THE ISSUE HE IS FACING, this will just be a temporary fix, for the lazy op to come back again next week begging for food or any other nonsense that is happening in his life.
I REPEAT, the problem of this man is NOT rent money, it is his FOOLISH action to stick to the failed situation he finds himself in, and keeps wanting to stay in that situation INSTEAD OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM (no, handouts are not the solution).

the man has NO money, NO prospect, NO job that can pay his little rent, NO friends/family/acquaintances/neighbors that can help him in Lagos, and you guys have the audacity to want this man to stay there?! what for?!

you guys are the reason Nigeria is such a failed country, when everyone believe that its ok to beg to receive BS handouts instead of facing your RESPONSIBILITIES and do something worthy about it.... as i said, you guys are just making such lazy men LAZIER, such irresponsible men even more foolish.

have I ever been broke? HELL YEAH! have I ever been hungry? HELL YEAH! have I ever been without any avenue to fix these issues? HELL YEAH! but guess what? I sure didnt look for cheap lazy ways to continue doing what PUT ME IN THAT POSITION at the 1st place, and instead, I searched for ways to go back and change\fix whatever foolish mistakes I was making.

so should we give a handout to strangers we meet at trafffic lights (whose story we dont know)? if you can, why not... BUT I sure dont think it is RIGHT to continue fooling this OP into believing that what he does is RIGHT, when its obvious it aint.

If anyone is REALLY hungry and think it is ok to beg stranger to solve their problems, then let that person go and beg at TRAFFIC LIGHT, as it will have a better result/impact than what the OP is doing here.

as for using this suicide nonsense in order to get cheap BS sympathy, let me say that if someone want to die (instead of going back home) because they cant pay their RENT, then they might as well end it as life is tougher than that, and his misplaced ego is the problem here!

this is why i will always spit on any religious bastards around...quick to give their money to useless thief in robe and pray for miracles but then when such foolish OP come their ways, nobody is there to help. GO ASK YOUR FUKCING PASTOR for help!

MrBrownJay1, l'homme qui ne se laisse jamais faire ... lol.
MrBrownJay1, l'homme qui est toujours combattu sur nairaland mais jamais abattu ... lol (MrBrownJay1 had never been defeated on Nairaland in spite of many tribulations)

salford1:
na waoh. which one be low class immigrant again...lol.
I hope that "someone" is originally from a first world country for him or her to classify immigrants into classes based on some funny criteria.

I was thinking about that too.
I was wondering if by poor immigrants they mean immigrants with no education.
Skilled immigrants or students are never classified as poor. They have to bring their own money into Canada.
Refugees and asylum seekers are classified as poor given that they have to rely on Financial assistance from the Canadian government.
And the bulk of refugees come from third world countries.

yimiton:
I'll really love to settle in London, Ontario but someone tried to discourage me recently. Said the place is filled with Hispanics and very low class immigrants but I haven't found anything online to substantiate this claim. I am still seriously considering settling there. Can you please give me your first-hand experience of this city please.

When I first read your comments, my first intention was to get a voice recorder to go around the City and let Londoners address your concern. But, then I realized I wasn't going to be able to upload the voice file on nairaland.

The person who told you that London is filled with Hispanics and very low class immigrants didn't paint the correct picture of London to you. London is by far what that person had described to you.

First of all, Canada is not the States. You will never find a congestion of Hispanic immigrants anywhere in Canada like you would in the States.
Do you know that Mexicans don't need a visa to enter Canada? Nevertheless, a lot of Mexicans would prefer going through the trouble of risking their lives by paying thousands dollars to smugglers to cross the US border illegally or to jump the wall between US and Mexico all for the sake of living in the United States. For reasons known only to Mexicans, they don't want to come to Canada where a visa isn't a requirement to them. And a trip to Canada by plane would be safer and cheaper to a Mexican than paying smuggler to enter the States illegally. I don't think there is any place in Canada where you can hear the Hispanic language on an ongoing basis unless you go to a Hispanic Church or involved with Hispanic people . I never heard Spanish on the streets of London from random people.

If someone told you that he had seen so many Hispanics and very low class immigrants in London, Ontario, I can only see one thing: This person was staying at a homeless shelter in London. The homeless shelter is the only place that would fit the description of the London that was painted in your post. Not only the shelter is the place you would meet many new comers (mostly refugees or asylum seekers) who are trying to settle in London or in Canada but also Canadians who for one reason or another had lost everything and are trying to get back on their feet.

Anyone who has full time employment in London, regardless of the job type, would be aware that the work force in London is mostly made of white. You were given an incorrect picture of London by someone I strongly suspect had never got involved into the fabric of live that makes the City of London. A colleague friend of mine who is French Canadian (white) had always complaint to me that London is the first city she had ever lived in that is so full of white people. She is used to diversity. She was born in Montreal and had lived in a numerous cities in Canada and in Bordeaux, France. According to her, London has the highest density of white population per square inch in Canada.

London, Ontario, is the only place where I have seen African immigrant single mothers purchase their first homes. I went to school in New York City, I had been to Montreal, Toronto and it is close to impossible to see a single black mother purchase her home in those cities. In London, Ontario, I didn't see just 1 but a good number of them. As a matter of fact, almost everyone I know who had moved here had been able to purchase their first home.

By the way, where are you located if you don't mind me asking?

Downtown London Ontario (Richmond Street is where all the excitements happen)

CLV group apartments on Western Road - This location isn't the best of the neighborhoods but it is just an okay place

Driving through Western University

Ayoola03:
Awww! Am just seeing this, thanks for the insight boss. Please how can I go about gettting a shared apartment max of 3bedroom and less than 1km to western,is the same link you provided also applicable? what are the factors to put into consideration before taking up an offcampus housing and is there any street or part of Richmond one should look up to as I will be more frequent in spencer engineering building SEB(engineering option). Thanks in anticipation boss

Wow ... You know already about Richmond Street, I am impressed.

Anyway, I took my kids out today to get you some pics of Western University and its surroundings.
To answer your question, yes you can share a room in an apartment within 1 km from the University.
One way to go about it is to post a free ad on kijiji indicating that you are a WU student looking for a room starting September 2017.
You will have to open an account with kijiji and it is free https://www.kijiji.ca/h-london/1700214

There is one building near the university that I would like to recommend you. The address of the building is 1235 Richmond Street. OMG, this building looks like a five stars hotel. (Please see picture below)
A lot of Western University students rent into this building during the school year.



I went into the building to speak to the Front Desk lady.
She told me that a student who wants to share a room in this building should expect to spend within $600 to $900 Canadian per month. There is a Free shuttle bus running from the building to the university every hour I think. The ride may take 5 to 15 minutes, depending on which part of Western University you going. The Spenser Building is located next to Western Road which is on the other side of the Western University. So, it would take you about 10 to 15 minutes with the shuttle bus.

Now, This building (1235 Richmond Street) has a website luxelondon.ca
If you want to share an apartment, you can post an ad on the website under "find a roommate" http://www.luxelondon.ca/roommate-matching

For more information about the building call 519-913-3334 and ask to speak to Fernando or send a email to admin@luxelondon.ca

On a different note, there is a number of other buildings next to 1235 Richmond and they all seem to be nice. I didn't ask about them given that the building 1235 seems to be standing out of the pack and it seems to be the place where I have seen many Western University Students.

If you want to call the www.clvgroup.com, don't ask them about the apartment on Wonderland Road South given that this will be too far from Western University. Instead, the clvgroup has a set of building on 939 Western Road, not to far from the University . It seems like a lot of Western University students rent there as well. I asked a resident if there is a free shuttle bus for Western University students but she told me she doesn't know of any. However, there is a City bus going from there to Western university.

cc: jugzy

salford1:
I inquired with a new Catholic school (opening in sept) not too far from my place in Calgary. I was told that I need to show baptisimal certificate...without that, we would be put on standby till they cater for all Catholic faith pupils.

Cool. Then the change was just specific to some jurisdictions . Thanks for the info

impish:
If you want your kids to attend Catholic schools (some of the best schools in Canada are Catholic), then you would need to show a baptismal certificate. You should have yours available for inspection as proof of you/your kids' Catholic faith during enrollment.

Actually the rule of enrollement into catholic schools have changed. Three years ago, one would need to show a baptismal certificate to enrol the kids in catholic schools but now this is no longer a requirement. Anyone can enrol his/her kids in catholic school so long as the person agrees to the fact that his/her kids will be introduced to the catholic faith by the school.
My kids do attend a catholic school in London, Ontario. I was never asked to show any baptismal certificate when I first enrolled them 2 years ago given the change of the rule. But a year earlier a baptismal certificate was required.

But to be on the safe side, people should still check with the Catholic school board of the City where they intend to move to. Maybe this change has been implemented only in some jurisdictions and not across Canada.

Yooku:
That was my first cert after graduating from Uni. Currently have a CCIE RS plus some Juniper and Alcatel-Lucent certs. Good prospects?

Where are you located?

Yooku:
Hahaha, not outdated, 10 very current and up to date certs sir

I am impressed. Do you also have CCNA?

jugzy:
Thanks a lot

Kindly suggest the good neighbourhoods to live in

For the most part, there are many good neighborhoods in London. London is very nice.
If you want my personal opinion, I would recommend that you get in touch with this agency https://www.clvgroup.com/ and ask them if they have any apartment available on Wonderland Road South, London, Ontario. This agency own a lot of buildings around the city.
When I first moved here, I rented from them one of the apartment at one of the buildings on Wonderland road south. Wow... that place was amazing.

There is only 1 police station in London, Ontario. The police station is located at the corner of Dundas and Adelaide Street. Please avoid that part of the city as it is drug infected and too many street hookers have also invaded the place. Most of the homeless shelters are located within that vicinity.

pauloverdi:
And are the Catholic schools free too?

Correct

maternal:
Alberta without a doubt. If I knew what I know now (I sound old) I would have never step foot in Ontario. I always tell newcomers to come to Alberta. The opportunities here is unbelievable.

My sister and her family have relocated to Alberta from Ontario. She has been saying the exact same words you have posted.

Yooku:
The more the better?? I'm at 10 now ...Should I double it? Lol

Are you serious?
By the way, it isn't about the number but instead it is about keeping to date with the technology.
You may have 10 certificates but if they are dated 1999, they are just as useless.

Ayoola03:
I am coming in as a graduate student, UWO to be precise and not coming to London immediately i land coz my fams who are already a citizen lives in Toronto so there is no how I can avoid stopping over at their place . Although non of them has ever been to London, they dont seems to have an idea. But will love to come down to london few days after my arrival, sort out accommodation issh before I finally move in in sept. As I already no Toronto-london is around 2hrs 12min. Sometimes you feel good communicating with your fellow Nigerians in a no-man's land especially when you are still a jjc.

Soyez de bienvenue a London (Welcome to London, Ontario). I am sure you will like the place. By the way, I am Congolese but naturalized Nigerian via nairaland .

If you are a Christian, I would recommend to check the Open Door Church when you get here. This is one of the biggest congregation in London, Ontario. I have been attending this church ever since I have moved to London. Our pastor, Howard Katz, is a local businessman. His parents were holocaust survivors. It would be a very good place for you to meet friends as there are plenty of activities for young adults.
We have few Nigerians in the Congregation and some of them are on student visa.
I have a high regard of 2 Nigerians students in my church. Wow... those kids are just amazing and they are involved in the ministry. I always see them as family and they have spent some nights at my house.
The Open Door Church is mostly white. However, if you prefer black churches, there is the Church of Pentecostal few blocks away from the Open Door Church. The church of Pentecostal is made mostly of Ghanaians and Nigerians.


If you are a muslim, please disregard the above. We also have few mosques in Town.

The funny thing is that I never met any Nigerian who knows what is nairaland. They have all never heard about it.

jugzy:
Thanks for the insights . Can you please suggest good and safe neighbourhoods where one can get apartments? This will help me narrow down my search when viewing property listings. How much does it cost to rent a two bedroom apartment in west or North London please? I gathered these areas are good.

Planning to stay in a hotel for some days when I land to enable me search for accommodation in good areas with good school districts, was it difficult for you to get an apartment to rent as a newcomer in London? Can one rent a place prior to one's arrival?

What is the cost of preschool for children under the age of 5; a rough estimate will do if you don't mind.

Getting an apartment in London was very easy for me. From my perception, there is greater supply than demand in London as oppose to greater demand than supply in places like Toronto. You can go on kijiji to check apartments in London and get in touch with landlords via pohone or email.
https://www.kijiji.ca/b-apartments-condos/london/c37l1700214

As for the cost of preschool for children, Kindergarten is free. A child has to be 4 years old of age to start Kindergarten. Any child under 4 should be put in daycare. The cost of daycare may be around $50 per day. But, if you are a permanent resident, you can apply for financial assistance from the government.

LOSKYXANDER:
I am studying geology but would like to switch to IT (Majoring in web and software development). How feasible is this for me in Canada. any advice?

All I can say is that North America (Canada & USA) is the land of opportunities. Nothing can stop you to achieve what you want except yourself. I have seen people with degree in history switching to IT. So, you can do it. Just keep upgrading your skills each year by getting different certificate in IT and you will be fine.

webarse:
No one is replying me o...abeg na!!!...

I am going to quote Chimah3
There is opportunity everywhere! It's just to be smart and pray to God to guide and direct all our plans and decisions!

Ayoola03:
Thanks bosses, how sweet! My field is Civil engineering.
@Thecongo2 please can ipm you, I will be in toronto nxt month by his grace and will love to take directions on how to get to london from toronto coz I be jjc just to sort out accommodation bfor moving finally in sept. And may also need further info from you as london guru lol Hope you dont mind. want to avoid looking for london garage in toronto

Hello Ayoola03, are you moving here as an student or permanent resident?
As for getting to London from the airport in Toronto or Detroit, you can use the RobertQ airbus services.
You may make a reservation online and they will pick you from the airport when you arrived. The cost is $64.22 one way.

https://reservation.robertq.com/airbus/
https://reservation.robertq.com/airbus/Schedule/Toronto


Just to let you know, London has an airport. You may also choose London as a final destination for your trip but it may be more expensive.

My apologies, for some reasons my pm isn't working.

Ayoola03:
Hello house, I have noticed people hardly talk about London ontario, is the city that small and worst at the same time ? are there no job opportunities or other opportunities in London? Is london not too good to settle in? Please gurus in the house, I need more insightful views about London. I feel more anxious knowing people hardly talk about " experience in London". @blackbuddy @principessa0 @papaking1 @fussion and other gurus in the house, await your prompt response bosses.

I have been living in London, Ontario since 2009. London is 2 hours west of Toronto(right in the middle of Toronto and Detroit, Michigan). So, you can use either airport for international flights.

London is home of one of the majors universities in Canada, University of Western Ontario. The city is mostly white. I have a colleague from Quebec who is white Canadian who always told me that London is a white capital of Canada. According to her, there are more white people per square inch in London than anywhere else in Canada. I don't know how true this is. However, we have a growing immigrant community. The black community is getting bigger. There are 3 African churches in London, Ontario.

The rate of living is relatively lower in London comparing to that of Toronto. Most of the people I know who have moved to London have been able to purchase their first home (something some people claim would have been difficult to do should have they stay in Montreal or Toronto). Nevertheless, housing in very cheap in London comparing to Toronto.

I have young kids and I find London to be a very nice place to raise kids. There are a number of Africans who have been able to open their own business in London. As far as jobs, I am in IT and have basically been working with the same company ever since I am in London, I wouldn't be able to tell you how easy or difficult it is to find a job here. But, I have seen new comers getting jobs all the time.
Adding to that, the government of Canada has programs that would help new comers to enter the work force.

If you want to move to London, I would say go for it.

If I may ask, what is your field of interest?