ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaExtremely home sick
I hear ya!!! I'm back in Stoon right now! Was in Cdn Tire tonight and was soooo nice to hear people say excuse me,lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-05-31 20:44:00
CanadaHow did you move your money after POE?

Thanks, this has been super helpful!

I hadn't looked much into the US TD banks and whether or not there was a way to work that because there are no TD banks in the state we'll be living in, anyway.

The customhouse service sounds wonderful, though.


It takes a bit to set up--if u have a scanner, its very easy! In some way or manner (snail mail, scan then email, or fax) you have to get them 1 or 2 pieces of ID. As well they set up a very quick phone interview(to ensure you are who you say you are) They have a secure server to scan and email your stuff in!! I think I provided them the info 1 day, did the phone interview the next, and within a few hrs after that, the acct was set up! That was 2005, things may have changed.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-19 13:25:00
CanadaHow did you move your money after POE?
What you could do is set up CH and TD and see at the time who offers the best rate!! Not a big deal for smal amounts of $$, but for large sums, very worth it.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-19 12:48:00
CanadaHow did you move your money after POE?
I have transferred much more than $5000 and its still free. you just have to phone them to get them to raise the limit.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-19 12:36:00
CanadaHow did you move your money after POE?
When you first set up ur CH acct they put a $$$$ limit, if u need it raised, just call them!! I was going to tx a large amount of $$$, I just called them and they raised the limit for me, only took a few minutes to do it.

Doing it the "free way", a transaction takes between 3-5 BUSINESS days! if u want it faster, they offer a wire service, but of course costs $$$

Edited by Flames9_RN, 19 July 2011 - 11:56 AM.

Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-19 11:55:00
CanadaHow did you move your money after POE?
If you do a search on here for Customhouse on here you will find some info! If ur doing small amounts of $$$, no big deal, but if ur talking thousands, you want to investigate further. Sure a bank may only charge you a $3 withdrawal fee, BUT thier exchange rate may be subpar. Customhouses EFT option is free, and usually offers a superior exchange rate. Western Union bought them out last yr, and I think the rates they offer may not be as competitive as they once were. CH takes a bit to set up, but its free. Good to have when you need it. I tx $$$ back and forth from USA to Canada wil ease with CH. Their CH office is in Victoria.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-19 11:04:00
CanadaHi there! Newbie and have a few questions

That seems rather silly. I've had my US vehicles in Canada and my relatives have driven them with my permission.


You as a non resident of canada can bring in ur USA plated vehicle with no problem. Its like many others things, you can do it, but is it really legal, and does the officer know the law, and does he enforce it
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-19 07:41:00
CanadaHi there! Newbie and have a few questions
There u go, for our expert CDN POE officer!! And yes some people do get away with it, but what Neiks states is the law! The same line works with Cdn Poe----its all up to the POE officer! Some know/enforce the law more than others. TY Neiks
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-18 16:48:00
CanadaHi there! Newbie and have a few questions

Sorry to hear of your aggravation. You could always fly to Grand Forks, drive the car over for a visit, then leave it with him and fly back. Just a thought.

Glad you found us, and welcome to VJ. :)



Good point by krikit!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-15 11:12:00
CanadaHi there! Newbie and have a few questions
I do belive a Cdn Resident can NOT drive a USA plated car across into Canada. Yes it probably happens all the time-If you have been on VJ for any amount of time, you soon learn pretty much is up to the POE officer!!

Now if one has their greencard, that s a whole new ball game. But in this case, he doesn't and is still a Cdn resident.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-14 19:51:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
the closest is the La tour!! I stayed there back in 2004 and it was very dated!! I would never stay there again! I guess it was fine for me, but if my wife had of been there, would have preferred something else! And of course they had a bedbug thing a few yrs back to, but really, what hotel hasn't!! I'm sure the delta would be much nicer!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2010-09-02 14:22:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal

wife and i booked the dauphin as well form hotels.ca $108.51 for this weekend, interview is on monday. Not looking foward to the drive to montreal but i guess it could be worse. Oh yeah and this thread helped alot as i was leaning toward letour but decided that the possibilities of bed bugs wasn't gonna help my chances. LOL



scared of a few bugs!! lol I never had the pleasure of any bed bugs when I stayed there, lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2010-01-28 18:13:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
Worlds dirties hotels: http://www.tripadvisor.com/DirtyHotels
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2010-01-28 10:57:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
Was a story on 20/20 or 60 minutes--yes i love those shows----and you would be surprised how little they truly clean hotel rooms! Do you really think most hotels clean comforters each time after a guest leaves??
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2010-01-22 20:00:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal

stop with the bed bugs!! Lots of other people said they stayed there and no bugs!! :(



I stayed there back in 2004 and it was fine! Staff were excellent. I took the aerobus/shuttle! They called the shuttle for me in the morning of my departure. The room was a bit outdated--u can see a pic a few pages back--but it was clean. It had a small kitchenette with a fridge to store my celebration beer! They stored my luggage on the day i arrived, as I arrived early in the morning from Halifax!

Only problem I had while staying there was these gentlemen--which I refuse to disclose their ancestry--were arguing, and I'm 99.99% sure they pulled the fire alarm!! So I got to spend 30 minutes outside the hotel late at night before the interview! yes i dressed warmly and grabbed all my Interview documents,lol

I have nothing but good things to say about the hotel! BUT if you want a more modern hotel,this would not be in the running!

Regarding bed bugs--all it takes is 1 dirty person to bring them in. Could happen to a 1 star or 5 star hotel!

Edited by Flames9_RN, 22 January 2010 - 07:49 PM.

Flames9_RNMaleCanada2010-01-22 19:48:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
You will regret missing the bed bugs at the La tour!!!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2010-01-22 19:36:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal

Our return flight leaves Montreal at 8:50....so I am thinking we will have to take a cab from the hotel to the airport....but we will definatly hook up with the shuttle from the airport to the hotel.....

and Ebrech N Persona,those pics dson't look too horrid.....
seriously....some of the reveiws made it seem horridly scummy.....
hope to hear from more people on hotle reveiws and you can BET I will post a reveiw and pics...(my mom is coming with me and she is used to'the better things' in life..but I paid for the room and immigration is not cheap people!!! lol



http://www.autobus.q...horaire_an.html bus leaves every hr!!! so many chances to catch one
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2010-01-16 09:49:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal

Just called the shuttle bus http://www.autobus.q.../profil_an.html that will take you to hotel from airport in Montreal. You don't need to make a reservation when you arrive, it's when you depart. When you arrive the operator said to go to window or kiosk under "spot 5" and get your ticket. Bus departs every half hour. Still need to know exactly what "spot 5" is. lol Must be something outside where the buses and taxi are. wacko.gif



When i was there in 2004--the ticket window was just outside departures--and the bus was right outside from departures. I highly recommend them! Buy ur return ticket at same time and u save a few $$$. Bus takes u from airport to downtown train stn. From there u wait for a smaller shuttle that takes u to downtown hotels! That smaller shuttle was FREE, just had to tip if u so desired! And exact reverse when u leave. Very convenient
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2010-01-15 17:39:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
As i stated I stayed there and it was acceptable. Needs modernization big time!!! But you can do much better
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2009-10-27 13:21:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
QUOTE (Wyatt's Torch @ Oct 27 2009, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Has anyone had experience with La Tour Centre-Ville? It is literally within a block of the consulate, and averages only $79 per night for a room with a Queen bed.



Theres reviews for that on here! I stayed there. It was Ok, nothing special, and it was ok for me, but if my have had come to the interview, would have stayed at a nicer hotel. It had a kitchenette, bed was so so. Small swimming pool. I think there are better values to be had close by! It is probably the closest hotel to the Consulate, but beats out others by only a few minutes. if i were ever to go back to Mtl, couldn't see myself staying there,lol not that it is horrible, just that there are nicer hotels to be had
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2009-10-27 11:41:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
QUOTE (Travis & Kim @ Mar 7 2009, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
after reviewing trip advisor about la tour having bed bugs - I cancelled
I did priceline.com just now and got the Hyatt for 58USD/night
that's actually cheaper then La Tour!!!


lol!! Mine didnt have bed bugs!! The Hyatt should be far superior of La tour though.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2009-03-07 16:22:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
if u google hotwire message boards, one gets a fair # of hits
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2009-03-01 09:19:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
I stayed at la tour--it was ok for me, but if my wife had been with me, probably not soo much,lol Don't get me wrong, it was clean and the staff were fabulous (they can store ur suitcases if u arrive early, or depart late) And it had a kitchenette! But if you want something modern, LA Tour isn't it. My selling point was the fridge to keep my beer cold, and you can see the consualte from the hotel (47 second walk) and there is a timmys close by! But for a bit more $$$, there are other hotels in the area. I got the cheapest rate by calling them directly.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2009-02-28 04:40:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
Always been too much of a chicken to use Priceline and bid on a room or airfare,lol

I stayed at the La Tour back in Dec 2004 it was ok, the room weren't modern, but since I was by myself I didnt care, I was happy that it had a fridge to put my beer in! Now if my wife had come up, another hotel may have been a bit better, make it more into a holiday! My advice on hotels is search the internet and see what price ya get, then phone them!! Many offer Govt rates, AAA rates, even Costco member discounts! I was able to get a room cheaper than what I got quoted on various internet sites.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-11-27 06:36:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
Seems to be a stickup for la tour thread,lol I stayed there and it was fine! Was clean, had a small kitchen with a fridge to keep my beer cold for the 2 nights I was there. Front desk staff were very friendly. It sort of had a gym,lol Was pretty run down, and the pool they had was small. Would i stay there again?? If it was just myself sure, but if I had my spouse with me, most likely not, would prefer something a bit more plush!! Can't beat its closeness to the consualte, and there is a Timmy's just up the street.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2007-10-08 07:38:00
CanadaHow did you deal with health care changes?

We recently changed our plan from a premium plan which covers everything at 100% to one with a higher deductible

Our reasoning was that we could either pay through the nose - and I do mean OUR portion was $10,000/yr (or $384/pay) for family coverage or we could go with a plan that has some deductibles and some things are covered at different percetages...but we pay a fraction of what we used to pay. We have instead chosen to put the difference in premiums away in a new savings account for emergencies...we talked about it with a few of my husband's coworkers and they said it was a perfectly manageable choice.

100% coverage is great until you realize you seldom see the full benefit - unless you get cancer or have a baby.

I know we're lucky because we both have great jobs, we're at a stage in our lives where we can afford premium care if we want and have choices - some people are not at that stage or that lucky.

It will p*$$ you off sometimes because you'll be used to walking in, handing over your Healthcard and that's it - to begin with I felt very unsure - I would get asked if I was PPO, HMO, ..I don't know - FU! I couldn't remember what was paid when, who needed referrals, who didn't blah blah - you'll get the hang of it

Don;t worry - the Drs office will remind you to pay...lol


One has to know whast type of plan they are in, and watch the terminology!! case in point. I called up a dentist and asked they accepted Delta dental. They said yes!! Cool! So I went in, had a check up. They gave me an estimate on the work. My wife, says, holy moley that $$$$$. Turns out, yes they accept Delta dental, but they are OUT OF NETWORK!! meaning they could charge whatever they wanted, and I had to pay the difference!! Soon found a dentist that was in network. Ended up paying $1000, vice many thousands more the other dentist quoted me!! So one has to know the diff between ppo, hmo,lol The system can be pretty frustrating, as Health insurance companies like any other insurance company are in business for 1 thing---to make money!!!! good times. Seen many of my pts stressed out in the hospital, as they have no clue how they are going to be able to pay their hospital bill!!

Time magazine had an interesting article few yrs back--medical holidays to India!! You do the basic stuff in the USA. It gets sent to India, and you have the surgery there. far less $$$$$$$ and u get a holiday,lol Of course, not an option if your having a heart attack,lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-21 10:47:00
CanadaHow did you deal with health care changes?
Busy painting the condo, so not a lot of time to chip in,lol In the USA it all boils down if you have great health insurance. If you do, its great. If you don't, and get sick, well what do you pay, your rent or ur health care bill??? And it depends where u live and ur Dr. Not all Dr here see their pts right away. Seen a lot of crappy Dr here, benefit of being a RN,lol And I'm not saying Canada's system is perfect either. My dads been waiting for a new type of pacemaker since March. Here he would have had it done long ago! of course he hasn't had to pay for any of his heart operations (besides taxes,lol) One really has to sit down and educate themelves with the different types of health plans in the USA, HMO, PPO, etc etc.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-21 09:28:00
CanadaInterview on 23 augest need help regarding passport
The word FAST does not go well with MTL!! It appears it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks!! 1 would think that after the interview the passport would be soon be on its way to you, but its not always the case!! If you read the posts in the the first few pages here, you will find many frustrated people!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-23 03:45:00
CanadaLost Passport
This may be the info I was thinking about: From Jeremy&Kathy:

http://www.visajourn...on-in-montreal/


You could try emailing or faxing the consulate. If you do, direct your correspondence to "IV Unit Supervisor" and make sure your primary applicant's case number and name appear in the subject line.

Fax: 514-398-9748 (or 514.398.0973, not sure which one is best)
Email: montreal-iv-dv@state.gov

Cheers

Edited by Flames9_RN, 23 July 2011 - 10:02 AM.

Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-23 10:01:00
CanadaLost Passport
I don't have tine to look, but somewhere here on the Cdn forum, someone had a top officials email addy for Mtl. They were able to get that person to assist them resolve their issue. Maybe someone else can recall that post. It was either a email addy or phone# and they had listed tips on how to contact Mtl!! Best of luck
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-23 09:58:00
CanadaLost Passport
Good solution!! Senators like easy ones like this,lol Good luck
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-19 13:50:00
CanadaInterview Conflict
Hoping for the best. Your best bet is to contact the insurance company directly and ask them, and see if they can send you something in writing
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-19 22:05:00
CanadaInterview Conflict
Health coverage in the USA can be a bit confusing. Few years ago my wife brought home a book that was over an inch thick, and from that one is suppose to make a choice of what type of health plan you wanted. It can be fairly frustrating,lol Then with some plans you have to only see doctors that are IN network! A good example I have is our dental insurance-------I called up the dentist and asked if he took Delta dental insurance. They said yes! So I thought I was good to go! NOPE!! Sure they took it, but since they were not in network, their was no cap on fees, so thier bill was $$$$$$. Needless to say, I found a IN network dentist, thus they can only charge so much, was a lot less!! I think my work cost me just over $1000 out of pocket, while that first dentist would have cost me close to $5000 out of pocket! I was added to my wife (federal employee)insurance very quickly, but that was back in 2004. You really need to sit down and google the different types of insurance types, ie HMO, PPO, POS, etc etc Best of luck
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-14 05:11:00
CanadaGeneral Runaround
If its with DHL in Montreal, can u call the Mtl office. I'd ask to speak with a DHL supervisor instead of the first person ur speaking with and quickly explain ur situation. I'm sure they can put a trace on it like the normal post office can!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-26 04:40:00
CanadaInterviewing at Montreal Consulate
Yes there is a coffee shop close by that does charge a fee to hold ur belongings.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2006-05-18 13:40:00
CanadaHotels in Montreal
Spring break is next week for me. More time to play hockey!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2006-03-02 21:17:00
CanadaHotels in Montreal
I stayed at the Hotel La Tour Centre Ville, super close and got the best rate phoning them, even better than expedia.ca or travelocity. I arrived very early on check in, so they stored my luggage for me as I went out and filled up on poutine. I do belive they have parking. Not sure on the $$
http://www.hotelcent...m/eng/index.htm

I do recall their being a pop machine near the bathrooms at the embassy
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2006-03-02 14:35:00
CanadaRCMP Certified Criminal Record Check looks like photocopy!
mine back in 2004 from the RCMP, looked like a 5 yr old drew it up, and not a gifted 5 yr old either,lol

Edited by Flames9_RN, 08 July 2011 - 01:19 PM.

Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-08 13:19:00
CanadaCurrency Exchange - larger sums
And always Customhouse. I'm sure if you do a search on here for Customhouse you will find mine and others experiences with them.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-07-31 20:12:00
CanadaAnyone Poe in Toronto ?
If you look up at the top you will see POE, pick the the right selections and should find plenty of reviews. good luck

Edited by Flames9_RN, 08 August 2011 - 06:53 PM.

Flames9_RNMaleCanada2011-08-08 18:53:00