Immigration Debate

When you are coming to Toronto as a new immigrant, you have to arrange temporary accommodation before arrival. As in most cases, temporary accommodation is for a week to stay after your arrival. There are many ways to arrange temporary accommodation e.g. hotels, motels, hostels, furnished rental apartments etc. In general Yellow Pages Directory is a good source to find such accommodation providers. However, I suggest an alternative accommodation, which has multiple benefits for new immigrants.

Stay with a family or friend as paying guest, the benefits are…

This is a cost effective option as you will be spending from your savings in your initial days, it is better to avoid expensive rental places during these days. Offer your host to cover expenses in cash or kind.

Your host may give you guidance to go around the city. They will guide you on best places for shopping, hospitals, doctors, schools etc. A rental place i.e. hotels/ motel cannot provide guidance to this level.

You can ask your host about suitable locations to find long-term rental accommodation. It will take considerable effort to find a suitable location with all amenities around e.g. location, availability, shopping, commuting etc when you are only getting acquainted with the city.

Commuting in Toronto can be overwhelming when you are new, especially if you come from a city where public transportation is well organized and heavily used. Your host can advise you on routes and commuters. Greater Toronto has multiple commuter systems. Mass commuters are not optimally synchronized in this city. Newcomers sometimes get stranded at missing links. If you are traveling to suburbs, you should know your route very well, including links of different commuter systems. Moreover, most Torontonians own a car, if your host has one, s/he may offer you rides when it is convenient.

Homesickness is common in initial days; this may not be the most important thing to worry about. However, if you have little children your host family can be a great help, if they speak same language, share same culture, you will have a little breather to settle your mind.

Hope I made the point that during immigration to Toronto; choose a friend or relative’s place for temporary accommodation. Stay as a paying guest, pay in kindness or cash, whichever your host prefers. Help them at their chores. Take their advice, guidance etc. and start your new life in Toronto.