Category: North America

Any posts concerning the US and Canada are here.

Where Have I Been Lately?

Hey, y’all! I know. It has been a while since my last post. I’ve been patiently waiting for more international borders to open to US citizens so I can pick up where I left off in my travel plans.

While waiting for those borders to pen, I definitely haven’t been idle. I’ve spent a lot of time with my family– doing yard-work, cooking out, hiking nature trails, etc. Being a teacher and having my 3-year-old niece around regularly, I’ve been putting in some serious teaching hours. I love the fact that she loves to learn. She has a photographic memory and can carry on a highly intellectual conversation. When I walk in with my laptop, she reaches for it and asks me to give her a test. Ha! I love that! She’s really interested in astronomy, medical biology, cooking, and reading. She’s pretty much a mini-me. She’s within the formative years of her life, so this extra time has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact in her life and help prepare her for a bright future.

I’ve taken on a couple more online TEFL companies. I’ll be writing about them later. I actually teach for, or have taught for, each company I write about. So, if you have questions, ask away! I purchased a second laptop with a high CPU so I can effectively use ManyCam’s virtual effects in the classroom. My GoGoKid students and I had a blast taking a virtual trip to the museum and playing football this morning.

I’ve also begun looking into teaching abroad part-time. I enjoy online teaching, but I miss having classes in a brick and mortar classroom. Sometimes, I just want to high-five my students in-person and host my infamous dance breaks.

Last week, I finally visited Southern Supreme. It’s out in the cut, but worth the drive. My mom has been going there for years to get fresh fruitcakes. We hopped in her car with my brother and niece, and headed to Bear Creek, NC to browse the showroom and choose some savory treats. My niece went wild at the sight of so many desserts and candies! I handed her a basket and she went for EVERYTHING she could reach. We limited her to three items, but she gets an A for effort. I ate all of my peanut clusters and butterscotch clusters (I think that’s what they’re called- I demolished them and threw out the wrappers). I still have a half-pound of fruitcake left– that’ll be history by the end of today. We’ll probably head out that way, again, sometime next week.

So, yeah. There you have it. I’m just chillin’ and enjoying all this extra time. I hope all’s well with all of you!

Until next time!!

What Canadian Cities Should Millennials Move to?

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As you contemplate your current living situation, you may wonder if it’s about time you moved to a larger city. Maybe you’ve been thinking about this for a long time and have already begun researching “Calgary Real Estate” and “best neighborhoods in Quebec.”

Maybe you’re bored and feeling a bit restless. You feel pressured to move because you live in a rural area or small town. You’re looking for the best Canadian city for millennials because you think you’ll have more job opportunities if you move to a larger city. Perhaps you think living in the big city will lead to a more active and fulfilled life.

Instead of moving to another area for one of those reasons, consider if moving would improve your quality of life. Here are some thoughts to consider:

Income

Okay, so maybe you’ve been thinking, “I’ll be able to make more money by moving to a large city”. You may have heard stories about inflated salaries in your field of work. You’re convinced you’d be able to make the big bucks if you just loaded all of your belongings in a truck and headed to an urban area.

Well, this may be true. You may be able to get a significant raise by relocating. At the same time, how much more will you be paying on living expenses? How much will your rent or house payment increase? What about your transportation costs and parking? Will you be dining out more if you live in the city?

Also, you may be able to land a more prestigious job, but at what cost? Will you have to work longer hours? Will your job come with stress?

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “There’s more to life than money.” Guess, what? That’s true!

Family

If family is really important to you, it’s worth asking yourself a few questions: Will moving make it more or less difficult to spend time with my family? No one is getting younger. Would it be worth living in a large city if I missed out on my grandfather’s 80th birthday party? Or my parent’s 50th anniversary celebration? If you have children, you might consider: Do I want them to grow up in an area with a fantastic children’s museum or a stone’s throw from their grandparents?

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Maybe you feel the need to move to a trendier area because you feel like you’re missing out on all the good stuff by living in your current location.

You’ve seen all the awesome posts on social media of your friends living it up in the city. You want to have a great time and post amazing pics, too! Do you feel the need to move to an urban area because of your fear of missing out on something?

Final Thoughts

I’m saying all this to say: Before you plan a move, think about WHY you want to make it. Will moving to a different area make you happier with your life? Will you feel more content in your skin if you live in a different surrounding? How will your relationships improve by moving to a larger city?

Instead of looking for a list of Canadian cities that are good for millennials, think about what area of the country is right for you.