For thousands of people around the world, Canada is the immigrant's dream destination. Welcoming people, lack of racial tensions, a booming economy and excellent school and healthcare systems add up to a country they would love to call home.

Sounds wonderful? Are you asking yourself right now: "How do I get started?"

Unfortunately, a lot of people fall into the trap of pushing ahead with their applications without asking themselves a far more basic question, which is: "Is Canada right for me?"

They move to Canada having done little real research, without truly understanding the difficulties they might face and what they need to do to overcome them. The result is often frustration, disappointment and worry as their drain their bank accounts while trying to get settled in.

Make no mistake, Canada holds many wonderful opportunities for immigrants, but it takes a lot more than a permanent resident's visa to succeed.

Research into every aspect of Canadian life, and preparation for what you can expect here are key to settling in. With that in mind, let's dispel any illusions you might have about the country and do a reality check on what life is really like for new immigrants:

How easy is it to get started?

The answer to this question depends on whom you ask. When researching for a feature article for The Essential Guide on Moving to Canada, most people admitted the first year is almost always the most difficult. Few are so lucky as to immediately land the job of their dreams. Many don