ihabkal Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Hi Friends, Due to the recent security issues in Beirut, I have decided to move to Canada in a couple of weeks with the wife and kids, I am very worried however about getting some work and putting food on the table, how is the market there? Is the GTA area still feeling the recession? Should I be worried about getting some renderings to do or should I be more confident in the market and that work is flowing in the GTA? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amer abidi Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 I'm sorry to hear about what's going on in Beirut right now. It's just a mess... all over the arab world right now it seems!! Sorry i can't answer your question, just thought i'd wish you luck on your venture ... we all know from your posts that you've hated the lebanese market so far and have been looking for a way to leave. I realize you might be fearful with the family on-board...it's a do or die situation, but i Hope it works out for you Ihab! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippu Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 wow you been talking about moving to canada for ages now ., good luck ihab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Denby Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Good luck Ihab. I've admired your courage over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 Thanks guys, it is so nice to read your encouragments and good wishes, Ihab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Get a parka, we've been cold lately. My walks to work yesterday/today were nearing -45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi Ihab, The visualization market in Canada is pretty small compared to the US for example, but from what I have heard from friends here in Calgary and in GTA things are pretty busy. In fact one friend in GTA said their studio has had record sales recently. It seems there is another condo boom going on in TO. I generally don't hear a lot going on in Canada, even though I do live here, but the economy is certainly in much better shape than most other parts of the world. Our dollar is worth more than the US for about 2 months now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 Hi, Thanks Frosty, I wish I can go today despite the cold, I need to be patient for the next 10 days, and the 2 weeks after it my family will follow after I get a place for them. THe news here is from worse to worse although we are not fearing war, but it is still nerve wrecking. Hi Jeff, thanks for the tips, I look forward to visiting you in the first few weeks after I land maybe for a cup of coffee, and I look forward to being an active part of any Canadian groups, associations, and activivities related to our field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I look forward to visiting you in the first few weeks after I land maybe for a cup of coffee, and I look forward to being an active part of any Canadian groups, associations, and activivities related to our field. Likewise, let me know if you need any help with anything from over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Keep in mind the size of Canada. Its one long drive from T.O. to Winterpeg (like 30hrs) and a further 14 hrs to Calgary My family in Ireland have made similar comments because the scale of our country is so foreign to most people. "I'm going to be in Toronto, maybe I'll pop over for a visit." I'm not trying to discourage you, just offering some perspective. Please, take advantage of your situation and see our country. Drink some screech and kiss a cod. Hike along the Bay of Fundy. Eat maple syrup frozen on a stick. Feel the spray at Niagra Falls. Stand in the middle of a golden prairie wheat field. See the polar bears at Churchill. Be in awe of Banff. Drive through the Rockies. And kayak with the whales around Vancouver. There really are some tremendous things to see and do here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can cross Lebanon, Syria and be in Turkey in one day, all of Lebanon takes 2 hours to cross from border to border. My imagination just fails when I think about the immensity, variety, natural wonders, and beauty of Canada especially in the Northern parts. I lived in the US 5 years and I only visited a couple of cities, I always want to visit all places I can but the vast area and the amount of beuatiful cities just BLOW ME AWAY! I hope they will let me stay in canada after my work permit expires I just want to grow old there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Hey IHab, congrats on the visa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 thanks, I have been trying to go to Canada since the year 2000, a visa officer noticed me and decided I could go I still can't beleive it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Here's a short coast to coast tour of your new home. Hockey Canada Don't underestimate the significance of this! Curling Or this! Bay of Fundy Quebec City Niagra Falls Churchill Drumheller Dinosaurs Banff Okanagan Valley Vancouver If you really feel adventurous, think about going way north - to the arctic. Maybe Whitehorse or Iqaluit. Not may people see that portion of the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I'll add a few more Jasper National Park Prince Edward Island West Coast Trail (You need to book this hike a year in advance as they only let so many people on the trail per year Lunenburg Sail on the Bluenose (One of our National Treasures - currently in dry dock this summer) Whale Watching in BC Rocky Mountain Rail Tour (I still want to do this) Ski at Lake Louise and Whistler (there are many many more) Vancouver Island SIGGRAPH 2011 in Vancouver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchrender Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Please, take advantage of your situation and see our country. Drink some screech and kiss a cod. Hike along the Bay of Fundy. Eat maple syrup frozen on a stick. Feel the spray at Niagra Falls. Stand in the middle of a golden prairie wheat field. See the polar bears at Churchill. Be in awe of Banff. Drive through the Rockies. And kayak with the whales around Vancouver. There really are some tremendous things to see and do here. Sounds amazing. I wish you every success. Frosty as for your Irish connection, I always new you were a man of class and character. In Ireland it can take 5 hours to do 300 miles. Surprised they haven't moved over to Canada already with the absolute farce of a Government we have at the moment. It's embarrassing watching the politicians fight everyday instead of getting on with running the country. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotristan3d Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 You've got a work visa so I assume you've got an employer waiting. The situation in TO is definitely better than 2 yrs ago. There's a market for high-end renderings and animations. But generally employers prefer all-rounders. Most architects will tell you that it's cheaper to outsource than to hire a full-time visualizer, some will even tell you blunty that they outsource all their renderings overseas. No matter how good your portfolio is, Canadian employers tend to rely on recommendation. Freelancing can be tough, since most firms will use those they already know, and you'll be surprised with the fees. So, its better to get an employer with benefits and all. Canada is very beautiful but you'll have plenty of time for that. Your priority should be settling your family, getting a job (If you don't still have) and getting a car. Commuting in TO can be very difficult. I spent six months in an engineering firm (doing 3d models) before getting into an arch firm. I only got interviewed because a friend recommended me. So network, network, network. Best of Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amer abidi Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 wow.. what a thread! sounds dreamy =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Yes I didn't expect it to be so successful, I am really grateful for all the friendliness on this site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamchase Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Goodluck with everything here in Canada! I have no advise on the work front because this is mostly a hobby except for the occasional freelance gig but I'm sure you'll have no problems! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 Thanks Adam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amer abidi Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 SO??! do tell!! Hope all is well on your end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Yeah! Whats going on Ihab!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Frosty as for your Irish connection Yup, I was born in Larne just outside Belfast. My parents and I moved to Canada when I was two due to the troubles. I've been back a couple times. I actually have some family coming over to visit this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G00GLE Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 nice story... I want to move to Canada too. but don't have any reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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