[Cleatis]

I have a few questions and I didnt want to start like 10 threads and be all intrusive. So here are my questions. Please take the time to read them and I sure would appreciate your help! My questions are color coded because some involve more than one sentance.

1. Is Hip Hop/Rap popular in Canada? (I hope not.)

2. Im looking for a place to live. Could you help me with some suggestions?

2a. I want a place where I can live without being bothered by intrusive people, overly strict and paranoid rules. I just want REAL freedom.

2b. I want to have things to do in the general area. Like big movie theaters, amusement parks, skiing, fishing, camping, hiking...you know, fun things.

2c. I want to be able to smoke a...you know...every now and again without going to jail like Im some kind of a freeloading junkie!

2d. I dont want to be hated for being an American. Im a human being too.

2e. I want a safe environment, where I can walk down the street at night without being stabbed to death.

3. Where can I find a job? Do you know of a website?

4. Where can I find a house or apartment? Do you know of a website?

5. Whats the job market like? Will it be hard for me to get a decent job?

6. If I save $10,000 american dollars and move to Canada, will I live like I have $15,000? Heres an example; In America, if I pay $2 American for a can of soup, will I pay $2.50 Canadian for that same can of soup?

THANK YOU for your help.

[ChrissyP]

Check out Grande Prairie, Alberta. No amusement park but has everything else you wanted. As far as not being hated for being American, we get Americans up here all the time. None of them get hassled by Canadians as far as I know at least not the Americans who live here. From what my cousins tell me you just have to be discreet about #2c. HTH

[xerxes]

Here goes Cleatus:

1. Yes and no. It's popularity is proportional to population just like the US. But it's not as prevalent as the US

2.A,B,C,D. I would suggest Vancouver, British Columbia on the west coast. But I live near there so I'm kind of biased. It's a beautiful city surrounded by mountains to the north which are full of ski hills (especailly Whistler). There are a number of hiking path in said mountains (if you do come try the Grouse Grind). Marjiuana will soon be decriminalized (in small amoounts). People are very tolerant in Vancouver, but do expect some latent disdain for Americans. Just say you voted for Kerry and you'll be fine. The streets are relatively safe (just don't leave your car in Surrey).

3. For jobs I would suggest www.workopolis.ca or www. monster.ca

4. Sorry I don't know any sites for apartments but I'm sure they're there.

5. It depends on what you do. There is always a need for construction workers and such. BC"s unemployment rate is just a bit lower than the national average.

6. Today (Dec 19) $10,000 USD will get you $12,285 CDN. Overall, when you work out the math prices for goods are about the same give or take a few cents.

If you don't choose Vancouver, I would still encourage you to come to Canada. Especially if you don't like the way things are in the US. The people are firendly, movie starts aren't politcians, and you won't go bankrupt if you get sick.

[Rev_Blair]

You don't say what kind of work you do, Cleatis. That could affect where you end up as much as anything else. The tech sector is big in some places, while construction work is big in others.

You should have a look at Winnipeg though. The Canadian Shield starts about an hour east of here which is prime area for hiking and camping, there are ski hills (nothing like BC's...we don't have mountains)etc., a lot of ski-dooing, generally something to do every day and every season.

Something to keep in mind about Winnipeg is that the cost of living here, especially housing, is still way cheaper than most Canadian (and US) cities. There is a shortage of decent apartments though.

[-Mario-]

Try the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia...
All of the above applies quite nicely...

[figfarmer]

1. Is Hip Hop/Rap popular in Canada? (I hope not.) I've heard of it. There are likely kids in every town that play it, but it is only big in the cities.

2. Im looking for a place to live. Could you help me with some suggestions? Not in a major city. Smaller towns within a coule of hundred miles of them are best.

2a. I want a place where I can live without being bothered by intrusive people, overly strict and paranoid rules. I just want REAL freedom. In Ontario; north of highway 7.

2b. I want to have things to do in the general area. Like big movie theaters, amusement parks, skiing, fishing, camping, hiking...you know, fun things. Skiing, fishing, camping, hunting, hiking...again, north of highway 7, you can day trip to Toronto or Ottawa if you like.

2c. I want to be able to smoke a...you know...every now and again without going to jail like Im some kind of a freeloading junkie! I dunno about smoling. Gave it up.

2d. I dont want to be hated for being an American. Im a human being too. Get a job and everybody'll love ya.

2e. I want a safe environment, where I can walk down the street at night without being stabbed to death. Again, rural is you.

3. Where can I find a job? Do you know of a website? http://jb-ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/Intro_en.asp

4. Where can I find a house or apartment? Do you know of a website? Houses and apartments are everywhere.

5. Whats the job market like? Will it be hard for me to get a decent job? Anybody that wants a job has one.

6. If I save $10,000 american dollars and move to Canada, will I live like I have $15,000? Heres an example; In America, if I pay $2 American for a can of soup, will I pay $2.50 Canadian for that same can of soup? How about this. If you have ten grand USD and move to rural Ontario you should be able to live comfortably for a year while you look for a job.

[RoyalHighlander]

You may want to talk to Electricbuford first buddy, hes been looking to move to Canada fr a few years now and has nothing but trouble with it so far.. Unleass you are coming here with your parents etc, all I can say is good luck and dont hold your breathe

[Rev_Blair]

Yeah, that's our stupid immigration law where you have to be rich and/or work in in a profession where we are short on workers. If the same law had been in place when most of our forebearers moved here, Canada never would have progressed beyond a tiny colony on the east coast.

[Gangrenous]

Leamington, Ontario. Its a warm welcome little place. not to big not small. nice sized cities within 30 minutes, but still has everything you need at home. Yet its big enough you can walk down the street without being waved at by everyone. It's on lake Erie. I lived there for 10 years. Ideal for what you are looking for I think.

[Canadaka]

1. There is lots of Rap in canada, clubs play rap, we have many awards winning Canadian Rap groups, Much Music has a special show, Rapcity.

2. Canada is the place to live! Based on what you said, It would recommend Vancouver!! It hasn't been rated the best city in the world for nothing. no mountains beat BC mountains, and Whistler owns, I have a seasons pass there. there is so much hiking right at your doorstep in vancouver. Vancouver is very laid back, BC is the capital of... Bud

i dont know of any hate incendents towars Americans here, many americans at UBC and vancouver. in fact, my girlfriend is Canadian-American.

3. I would check the http://working.canada.com

4. there are many good national and regional apartment sites, i can't remember the ones in vancouver off the top of my head, I will post them when i get home.

5. BC's economy is growing, construction is good, and with the olympics coming its onoly going to grow.

6. i find that most things are the same dollare value, for example a shirt is $10 in the use or Canada, but with the exchange that Canadian shirt only costs you $7

[DMP08]

If your looking to do a little ;smoking' I suggest BC. Its been a while since I HAVEN'T seen a headline in the newspaper "Cops Bust Million Dollar Grow Op" I personally have never smoked, but if I wanted to, I could get all the marijuana I would need in like 15 minutews from now. I think the new law states that if someone possesses under like 2 joints worth of marijuana, the cops will basically take it from you, possibly a small fine. No jail or anything. I think its like 15 grams (about 1/2 ounce). The questions though are very vague. Take a vacation to Canada, check out Vancouver, small towns, choose a place thats right for you.