I found out about Platinum Suites too late. When I first came to Canada, I decided to stay in Mississauga for a while, as many newcomers to Canada do. So for the first 6 months, I rented the basement of a house that I found online. It made sense at the time I booked it, but there was no way I could’ve anticipated just how difficult this would make my life!
So why didn’t I just stay with someone I knew? Well, I only knew of 2 people living in Canada at the time and I did not have a close enough relationship with either to ask. Anyway, as soon as I reached my basement rental, I knew I would regret what I signed up for.
First of all, the house was in the middle of nowhere. In fact, the neighbourhood was so isolated that I could go for days without seeing anyone! So it was nearly impossible for me to meet new people. Second, it took me forever just to walk to the nearest bus stop. Since I didn’t have a car, I had no choice but to rely on public transportation to run errands. Back home I was used to being able to walk to the grocers. Try doing that during Canadian winters when it’s freezing cold outside, the sidewalks are covered in icy snow and the nearest store takes at least half an hour to walk to!
Had I known about Platinum Suites beforehand, I would’ve definitely booked my stay with them. After all, they are right in the centre of the city, making it easier to meet other people around my age. Everything I could possibly want or need is near Platinum Suites, such as entertainment, a huge shopping centre and public transportation. Instead of wasting my time in some isolated basement in a random neighbourhood, I could’ve been in a lively and fun community, and actually enjoy my first few months in Canada. That’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way.