A country that, together with Canada, Australia and America, is seen as an escape point by many around Turkey and creates the impression that living standards will definitely rise.. Every year, hundreds of people make plans to go to Canada, to live in Canada, both to study, to study a language, and to live.. That’s why we decided to continue our interview series with Canada.. Baris, who has been living in Montreal for nearly 3 years, told us wonderfully what it was like to live there and what it wasn’t.. Thanks to him, we had a feeling that had never occurred in our previous interviews; JEALOUSY. Joking aside, it was a really great interview, we think it will be very useful for you, come on, you’re good again!
Note from the beginning: It’s not enough, but for those who say yes (it’s not like that, my dear) here is a piece about life and immigration in Canada We have one more interview.
Canada is seen as an “escape area” for many people who are dissatisfied with their country.. Why are you in Canada? Preferably or because of work/study? Do you really think it’s a lovable country or even a liberated area to “escape”?
Frankly, my main goal was not to come to Canada, but to leave Turkey. At one point, “I don’t want to live in Turkey anymore!” I became interested in Canada after I made a clear decision.. To immigrate permanently as a Turkish citizen – I don’t mean temporary work permits, student visas, expat life or anything.. I worked abroad for a year or two and didn’t want to come back – basically Australia and Canada are the options. At this point, I chose Canada, somewhat blindly, with superficial information, even though I had never visited before.
When my immigration application was accepted, my sincere thought was “It will go away, at worst, I will grit my teeth for 3 years and then apply for citizenship.”. After I get my Canadian passport, I start to consider my options for the rest of the world.”. But as of now, I can easily say that although I am a person who likes to travel and move, even if I intend to live in different countries in the future, one foot will be in Canada, especially in Montreal, until I die.. I found the peace in Canada that I couldn’t find in Turkey for 30 years.
How long have you been living in Montreal? What is the reason for choosing this region?
It will be 3 years on December 8th. I haven’t seen most of the country, especially the western parts, yet, I’m sure there are many beautiful and livable places in Vancouver. I can only compare Montreal and Toronto. Toronto is a city where I can go and settle in easily for work etc. the next day, and I will definitely be happy, but as long as I have a choice, I prefer to stay in Montreal.. If I had come to visit for 3-4 days as a tourist, it might not mean much, but I think it is one of the most pleasant and beautiful cities in the world to live in.
Montreal is a “smiling” city in general.. People are comfortable, tolerant, helpful, respectful… I would like to explain this point:
For example, we talk about the helpfulness, warmth and sincerity of Turkish people at every opportunity and even take pride in it.. If you ask me, the situation we are in in Turkey in general; Family, friends, subject-neighbours, everyone is trying to be involved in every moment of your life under the guise of “showing interest”, the biggest entertainment as a society is gossip, “What does Elalem say?” at every step taken. a terrible situation in which you have to feel the pressure. Naturally, the Turkish people, who supposedly get help and support from everyone and take each other under their wing, become the most tense, nervous, most secretive and have to lie.
When I want to be alone in Montreal, I can be alone. Just like that, whenever I needed help, I received as much support as they could from everyone without exception.
Beyond that, I am a person who loves nightlife, music, food and drink. Montreal is a place where you can listen to good music, eat good food, meet new people and take up new hobbies at any time of the year.
Have you received a residence permit? If you bought it, do you think it’s a difficult process? Can you give a short summary to people who are panicking about this?
I came from Turkey with my immigration application already accepted. From the moment I set foot I am in the status of a Permanent Resident. Basically, I’m not much different from a Canadian citizen, except for the right to vote and hold a passport.
I can’t say it’s an easy process, but it’s fine for someone who has made a firm decision and knows what they want.. People, including many of my friends, overestimate this business, I have a hard time understanding it.. It is possible to apply and come here correctly, without the need for any consultancy firm, by using the following address, which is the official website of the Canadian government about immigration and citizenship, as the only source.
What about the language issue? Is it a predominantly French-speaking region? If so, can someone who doesn’t speak French easily manage in the city with their English? Are people fluent in both languages?
The province of Quebec in general, naturally the city of Montreal, is a region where French is spoken as a mother tongue.. I think I can answer your question in the clearest and shortest way: I can’t speak French.. I didn’t know a word when I came here, now I’m still not speaking except for two or three greetings. But for someone who knows French, everything will be much more comfortable and beautiful both in business and social life.. Most importantly, there are fewer job opportunities for someone who only speaks English, but life in Montreal goes well with only English.. I’m a business owner, I have a large group of friends, both locals and immigrants, my girlfriend is from Quebec. So although I don’t speak French, it made me struggle a bit for some things, but it wasn’t a big problem.
Montreal is an expensive city. city? Could you elaborate a little on the subject, giving examples of general expenses such as rent, food and beverage, and daily living expenses for those who are likely to live there?
When you first arrive, you naturally convert the price of everything to Turkish lira, and therefore everything is very expensive. seems expensive. However, if you live and earn here, Montreal is definitely not an expensive place.. I took an Istanbul-Izmir-Kas holiday in July, and I can clearly say that Istanbul is more expensive than Montreal.
It might even sound funny, but the thing I stuck with the most was the following; I paid 15 TL for a beer in a shabby rock bar that is not luxurious at all in Istanbul.. You pay between $5 and $10 depending on the Montreal location.. Minimum wage here is 1300-1500 dollars. I think it’s 800-odd liras in Turkey… A similar comparison applies to everything.
Do you believe that your living standards have risen as you expected when you moved to Canada? Can you tell us a little about what you believe to be better there compared to Turkey?
After graduating from a decent university in Turkey, I have worked in large, multinational companies one after the other.. I was earning much more than the average Turkish citizen, but working long hours 6 days a week, spending most of the day fighting in traffic and arguing with people at work and on the street.. At the age of 30, I started to deal with various health problems, especially migraine and reflux.. I’m not a small guy but I didn’t feel safe on the street, I felt uncomfortable when I sent my girlfriend somewhere alone. I didn’t have time or energy to do sports and have fun.
Here 3. I still don’t earn as much as the average Canadian in my year. But I have plenty of money, time and energy to go to the gym, go out with my friends 3-4 nights a week, have time for my hobbies and even take up new hobbies, take vacations, weekend getaways, in short, enjoy life.
In summary, yes, I believe my standard of living has increased a lot.. But on the other hand, I believe that everyone’s recipe is different.. While I saw the female city bus driver listening to Led Zeppelin and was delighted to say, “Oh man, I’m finally in my hometown”, I also met a person who cried “I missed having a cup of tea in the Bosphorus”, watching Turkish TV series online and sighing all day long.. If you ask him, he will tell you that Montreal and Canada are probably very different, very bad.
He has the impression that Canada is very cold, except for a few parts of it.. Is it really like that? Do you have days that are cold enough to negatively affect living conditions?
I saw -40 degrees in Montreal, yes. From December to April, the city is covered with white snow, and the weather gets very cold from time to time.. There are days when it is much hotter than Istanbul from time to time in summer.. I’ve never seen life stop. They got used to it as a country, and you adapt in a short time.. Neither work, nor school, nor entertainment does not stop because of the snow and winter.. I have not encountered a weather situation that will adversely affect living conditions in 3 years.. Although I know people who came back for various reasons, I did not know anyone who came back because it was cold.
How is the food culture in general? Do you think there is such a thing as “Canadian cuisine”? Or are there days when you long for Turkey?
One of the cities with the highest rate of restaurants, cafes, bistros, etc. per capita is Montreal.. Outdoor dining options are plentiful and nice.. You can find and eat all kinds of cuisines from 4 corners of the world.. On the other hand, it may sound strange, but I can find much better fruits and vegetables here than in Istanbul.. So the stuff is great for the person who cooks at home.
But Canadian cuisine is a bit weird.. It is not possible to talk about Canadian cuisine.
How do you evaluate the Canadian people in general? Are they friendly, easy to make friends with? Are you having any problems with this?
In my first 2 years, most of my friends were European or South American immigrants. My general opinion of Canadians is “They are very polite, very respectful, nice conversation etc. but distant, political. It is not easy to make friends.” the people I have fun with are my friends who are natives of Montreal and Quebec.
How is an ordinary day in Montreal? Event, concert, festival, artistic activities, museum etc.. Is it a satisfactory place for the issues? or it comes to close at 6. Over time, you realize that one of the most important things here is the work-life balance.. And the clerk at the shoe shop is also human… Naturally, nobody works more than 40-45 hours a week.. No traffic problems. I also said before that even if you work for a minimum wage, the money in your pocket is enough.
Naturally, you have plenty of time and money to do what you enjoy.. Like I said, I’m a guy who likes to go out at least one or two nights a week, have a glass or two with my friends after work.. Apart from that, although it is much busier in the summer, there are plenty of concerts throughout the year, thanks to this, I had the chance to watch the men I would call my god here, which I did not have the chance to see live in Turkey.
Festival season from April to October.. Especially during the June-July period, 3 different festivals or open-air concerts are held at 3 different points of the city on the same day.
It is also one of the greenest cities I have ever seen.. There are huge parks, sports fields, pools per step.. In spring and summer, there are free concerts, theater plays and shows in all parks, big and small.
In winter, life naturally passes between 4 walls, but an ordinary weekend day in summer starts with brunch on a terrace at noon. it continues with a picnic, and at night either go to a house party or a bar.
Finally, are there any things that you can say that you should not return without trying/seeing while you’ve come this far? Can you give us a few tips?
There are not as many micro-brewery’s as Belgium that make their own beer.. I recommend that you drink beer here, eat Poutine in order not to say “I didn’t eat”, but most importantly, if possible, coincide your visit between June-July and spend the festival period, especially the Montreal Jazz Festival. .
