Like Tree26Likes

Move to Canada or stay in HK

Closed Thread
Page 3 of 5 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 5 LastLast
  1. #21

    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    1,492

    If I were to live in Canada, it would likely be the Ottawa region. It has services and culture beyond its relatively small size because it's the national capital and you can be in the countryside in minutes unlike Toronto or Montreal which have insane traffic especially leaving the city on Friday night. Gatineau park is a paradise for outdoor activities both in summer and winter and it's minutes from downtown. It's also relatively easy drives to both Montreal and Toronto and property can be quite cheap especially on the Quebec side though the downside is that you have to pay more taxes.

    z754103 and civil_servant like this.

  2. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by Golem:
    If I were to live in Canada, it would likely be the Ottawa region. It has services and culture beyond its relatively small size because it's the national capital and you can be in the countryside in minutes unlike Toronto or Montreal which have insane traffic especially leaving the city on Friday night. Gatineau park is a paradise for outdoor activities both in summer and winter and it's minutes from downtown. It's also relatively easy drives to both Montreal and Toronto and property can be quite cheap especially on the Quebec side though the downside is that you have to pay more taxes.
    My sister does exactly that. Lives right next to Gatineau park, 15-20 minute drive from the city centre, 13 minutes to the local ski hill, and 15 minutes to a beach. 6000m2 lot with 3 bedroom house, 2 door garage, and swimming pool purchased for HKD 2.3 mio. Taxes are high, but services are cheap.
    Mrs. Jones likes this.

  3. #23

    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Posts
    732
    Quote Originally Posted by civil_servant:
    My sister does exactly that. Lives right next to Gatineau park, 15-20 minute drive from the city centre, 13 minutes to the local ski hill, and 15 minutes to a beach. 6000m2 lot with 3 bedroom house, 2 door garage, and swimming pool purchased for HKD 2.3 mio. Taxes are high, but services are cheap.
    you mean 600 meter square?

  4. #24

    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Posts
    1,972

    NM


  5. #25
    Quote Originally Posted by Jaz Paul:
    you mean 600 meter square?
    No, 6000 meter square. Yes, 15 minutes from the town centre of a city of 1.2 million people. Let me give you an idea (not my sister's house). Have a look on this link. A house with a swimming pool.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4930...7i13312!8i6656

    And that's the drive downtown.

    https://www.google.com/maps/dir/45.4...e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

    And that's the local beach.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@45.6044...!7i8704!8i4352
    Jaz Paul likes this.

  6. #26
    Quote Originally Posted by civil_servant:
    No, 6000 meter square. Yes, 15 minutes from the town centre of a city of 1.2 million people. Let me give you an idea (not my sister's house). Have a look on this link. A house with a swimming pool.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4930...7i13312!8i6656

    And that's the drive downtown.

    https://www.google.com/maps/dir/45.4...e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

    And that's the local beach.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@45.6044...!7i8704!8i4352
    And this one is just for eye candy.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4675...!7i8704!8i4352

    But yeah, in the wintertime it's darn cold. Some people like it though.

  7. #27

    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    1,492

    6000m2 is a fairly normal plot size in these parts. You're living in the woods but within minutes of the city. One of my best friends lives near there too and his plot size is just under that and the house is about 400m2. Similarly priced with no swimming pool but close to the Gatineau river and a few lakes which are very refreshing in the summer and a great big playground. Saturday and Sunday mornings are car free on the main park roads so there are skaters, roller skiers, cyclists... Loads of former national level athletes live in that area.

    It's cold in the winter but Gatineau park is one of the best x-country ski areas in North America, on good days, my buddy will ski most of the way to work then put on his skates and do the last bit on the Rideau canal.


  8. #28

    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    124

    Thanks guys for your valuable insights.
    We are both from Pakistan.


  9. #29

    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    124
    Quote Originally Posted by merchantms:
    Do you have visas/passports to live in these countries?
    I am planning to apply the express entry visa for Canada, from the replies above I am more inclined towards Canada if i make a decision to move.

  10. #30

    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    124
    Quote Originally Posted by Golem:
    If I were to live in Canada, it would likely be the Ottawa region. It has services and culture beyond its relatively small size because it's the national capital and you can be in the countryside in minutes unlike Toronto or Montreal which have insane traffic especially leaving the city on Friday night. Gatineau park is a paradise for outdoor activities both in summer and winter and it's minutes from downtown. It's also relatively easy drives to both Montreal and Toronto and property can be quite cheap especially on the Quebec side though the downside is that you have to pay more taxes.
    Thanks for your advice, I will definitely look up for job prospects in Ottawa. As i surely wanna avoid high living cost plus higher taxes. Cold weather may be a concern for wife so will prefer something not too cold or atleast a shorter winter.