On Tuesday, I wrote about some concerns I had for the initial few weeks when I move in June. Things like needing a mailing address, a place to stay, a credit card and more. Well Most of that has been answered.
Unknown to me, my parents have friends in Ajax which is commuting distance to Toronto. My parents called them up to see if I could use their address as a mailing address which would make things easy for getting car insurance, cell phones and other stuff. My parents friends not only said yes, but the upped the offer to letting me stay in the condo while they’re in Winnipeg for a wedding. I don’t even know these people, though apparently I met them once 11 years go, but I don’t remember.
My parents friends also suggested that my parents come and visit them for a few days before they go to Winnipeg. This means that my parents will be in Toronto when I arrive and will pick me up at the airport. They’ll stay another 3-4 days, maybe a little longer, and go back to Winnipeg. Another bonus they’ll be around and drive me all over the first few days while I look for a car. So not only do I not have to pay to rent a one room for three weeks, I don’t have to rent a car and I’m getting picked up at the airport.
Life is good.
I’ve just created a tumblr blog, Later Gator to sell some of the stuff that we’re not going to bring with us when we move to Canada this summer. So far there is only one thing my cuisinart coffee maker. I’m not using it any more since I switched to a coffee press or stove top espresso a while ago. If any readers are in Korea please watch that site as I’ll probably have quite a bit of free stuff as well as some things at a low price.
In the last couple of weeks talking to various friends, colleagues and other people I know I’ve been getting a lot of unsolicited comments along the lines of “You’re going to do well when you move” or “I know you’re going to land on your feet” or “I know you’re going to succeed in Canada”. These comments are great in that my friends have confidence in me and are encouraging me.
However I’m wondering if I’m emitting some sort of nervousness/panic aura. I don’t think I am. I also don’t think these sort of things are coming out in conversation unknowingly. I’m confident that I’m not going to end up living on the street, but am not so confident about maintaining our currently lifestyle and comfort level. In any case the encouragement from friends is good and welcome, but at the same time is putting a little pressure on me. Will I live up to these expectations?
Definitely I’m worried about a number of things – the biggest one is hemorrhaging money for the first few months while both my wife and I have no jobs. I’m 40 years old with essentially no job history in Canada. I’m switching fields as I don’t see ESL teaching as a viable career in Canada. It’s definitely good here in Korea, but by all accounts not worth doing in Canada.
Yes I do have a business which I’m bringing with me to Canada, but I struggle to bring in regular income. I’m actually planning on rebranding the business and have plans to take some classes to improve both my skills and business knowledge. First up is php, a web programming language, followed by a primer course in small business management. Shortly after landing in Toronto, I’ve arranged to meet a number of other web developers and hope that I can make some new friends as well as network and learn more about business. Living here in Korea I feel like Tom Hanks in Cast Away and my only web developer friend is a volleyball named Wilson.
Other concerns I have are more short term and will resolve themselves in a matter of days/weeks after landing. Even so they are big concerns. I need to get a credit card ASAP (will need to cancel my Korean card before I leave) so I don’t have to carry around large amounts of cash or pay the banks outrageous ATM fees. How possible is that with a temporary address? Changing my drivers license and buying a car – same thing with the address in order to get car insurance. Day one, getting to whatever short term accommodation I set up and then finding things immediately like a bank, and a car. Can I rent a car without a credit card? Will need to get a phone – will probably get a disposable one, but again can I do this without a credit card or an address?
What I really need is someone in Toronto who I could use their home as a mailing address until I get my own. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone well enough to ask. I had someone lined up in Ottawa, but Toronto is not Ottawa.
In other news, next week on Wednesday I start my final semester of teaching here in Korea. Mixed feelings about that.
In October I’ll be traveling to New York City for a conference related to ExpressionEngine – the software I use in web development. Stayed up to 1am last night so I could buy a ticket at the early bird price (success). This morning I started looking at hotel prices and was surprised at how expensive they all are – $250 and up for hotels in Brooklyn, which is where the conference is.
On twitter there is lots of chatter about this and I’ve made a connection to possibly rent a house for a week with a couple of other people though I’m not sure what that will cost, but definitely cheaper than hotel. I’ll need a hotel from Oct 19-21 and possibly the 22nd. I’m attending the conference for October 20-21 but am planning on adding a couple of extra days for some sight seeing.
Another option that came up via twitter is going bed and breakfast with the suggestion of using AirBnB for searching. Prices are quite reasonable there ranging from $30-120. I then checked and found they have listings in Toronto which is great as I now another option other than using kijiji to find short term accommodation when I land at the end of June while I’m looking for a permanent rental.
Delicious
Last.Fm
Library Thing
LinkedIn
Twitter
YouTube
Comments(1)
Tweet
