Somewhere to live

And after the parts that went well....

I contacted a number of realtors before I flew over; a grand total of one bothered to get in touch. He started out telling me that he had a number of properties that would be suitable (before I left) to two (just after I landed) to one (when I actually managed to look around).

He was showing another three people round at the same time, and it was the only two bedroom apartment on their books. Apparently, it's the busy season for apartments - I expect it's because the academic year is due to start shortly.

But even then... I rather think that most of the realtors just can't be bothered with immigrants. The one I did speak to had a series of forms to fill in, and clearly was going to have issues with someone from outside the country. Specifically:

- A police check (sure - I've been in Canada two days now, so there probably won't be too much on it)
- A credit check (well, I opened my bank account yesterday, so I expect it'll be spotless)
- References (I've owned my own house for eight years)
- A guarantor (I've been in the country two days; how many people do you think I'll have met who'll guarantee my rent?)

So the whole finding an apartment thing failed miserably.

What I'm intending to do now is head back to Canada when I was going to anyway, and book myself into a cheap hotel. Then, buy a cheap bike and a mobile, and travel to areas a little further away from downtown. There must be a private landlord out there who'll be happy to take me on, especially since I'm happy to pay a year's rent upfront. In cash.