Living in Canada: Tips to make life a little easier!!

1. Apartment Life:
Apartments in Canada can be expensive. In Toronto, a three bedroom apartment will cost you between $1200-$2000 per month.

Remember, the cost of electricity and hydro is often not included in rent.

Choose your roommates carefully! You have to live with them for a while!

Canadian apartments sometimes do not allow pets. Please ask your landlord before you sign your lease if pets are allowed.

Many Canadian apartments are also smoke-free. Please ask your landlord before you sign your lease if it is ok to smoke in your apartment.

2. Money:
Canadian money can be difficult to understand at first. Our smallest value is the One Cent coin. One hundred cents equals One Dollar. So, if you see a price for $3.25, that means Three Dollars, and Twenty Five Cents.

Many Canadians pay using their credit card, or their debit card. Usually, Canadians do not carry large amounts of cash with them.

Tipping is a custom in Canada. Canadians usually will tip around 15% for certain services. These services include waiters in a restaurant, taxis, deliveries, bartenders, and hotel cleaners.

It is not custom in Canada to bargain with shop staff. While it is ok to try and get a lower price if you are buying a new car, or something second hand, we do not try and make ‘deals’ when we shop in shopping centers, or supermarkets.

3. Transportation:
Transportation in Canada depends on where you live. Canada is a very big country, with very few people. If you do not live in a city, transportation can be difficult. Many Canadian families own one, or two cars. If you live in a city such as Toronto however, there are subways and buses available to all. Taxis in Canada can be expensive, but not too bad. A taxi trip of approximately 10km can cost you approximately $10-$15.

4. Communication:
In Canada there are many cell phone companies to choose from: Rogers, Telus, Bell are the most popular ones. These cell phones are great for local calls. Many people who wish to call overseas buy a Calling Card. You can buy a $5.00 card, a $10.00 card, or a $20.00 card and talk until you have no more money in the card.

5. Shopping:
Shopping in Canada can be a very exciting, yet also expensive. Shopping malls are a convenient place to go to find just about anything that you are looking for. Most communities have a shopping mall, and if you can’t find what you are looking for there, you can always shop online, or go to one of the many boutiques that line Canada’s streets. Most shops do not take personal cheques however, so you must pay by cash, debit, or credit card.