FromUKtoBC

hi

Just wondered if anyone has any hindsight insights they want to share about their first RECCE visit to Canada.

That is, with hindsight, is there anything that you wish you had done or considered in relation to your Canadian RECCE or first business trip there?

I will be going on my RECCE & business trip this summer

Any insights would be appreciated!
thanks

dbd33

Go in winter.

rivingtonpike

It wasn't so much a recce trip, as we had already spent many weeks living in Canada as if we were permanent here. Our mistake was more with the week we spent when we "landed" to activate our PR Visas. Although we were only here for 7 days, we managed to visit 4 schools, 2 Realtors, get SINs, agree a mortgage offer, see a lawyer about limited company formation, new wills etc. Register with 2 letting agencies. I even got a fishing licence!

The reality is we really didn't need to do 90% of the stuff we did do. We should have chilled out, enjoyed the week gone sightseeing, pottered around the towns and countryside. Plenty of time for all the other crap when you move here!

MillieF

I can't tell you how much I agree with Rivington. Yes, it's important to come over with a view to returning and making the move a successful one, but try to 'just' enjoy yourself too, and decide if you actually 'like' it here.

With hindsight I would have come in February, that would have confirmed to me that regardless of whatever wonderful things were happening the rest of the year, nothing was worth this frigid, frozen nonsense...forgive me, I'm biased tonight, it's snowing, with freezing rain and wind chill...the sun will shine soon and I'll be nicer.

Have a really enjoyable time planning it all OP, try to keep a diary too...just a couple of sentences on a Word doc perhaps, it's just nice to look back on your initial impressions later on...you'd be amazed how perspective can change it all..

Very best of luck

Howefamily

I am done with this weather too. I loathe March and April. I just drove to work in a blizzard, its gross outside

Danny B

Make sure you take the above advice and see the area you wish to live 'at its worst'.

Go mid January if you can when people are at their most miserable. ie-
Christmas is over and there is nothing to look forward to until the snow has thawed out in April/May.

scilly

........ or it's been pouring with rain in Vancouver for days, and the forecast is for even more

Piff Poff

Don't take on too much - we traveled miles upon miles.

bats

Don't believe people when they tell you that there are loads of jobs, that you'll have no trouble getting one, that they'll employ you as you soon as you arrive, that your British experience and qualifications will be valued.

cxx

Agree. Also even if a company tells you they will have a job for you should you move over, assume it's very unlikely.

MillieF

I remember that one I even believed it...sadly enough!

DandNHill

So so true! We fell for that one! Luckily we found jobs but not because the streets were lined with job offers!

Oink

And unlike the Americans, Canadians are at best indifferent to Brits but more likely prejudicial and hostile.

DandNHill

I disagree with them being prejudicial and hostile. Maybe you're in the wrong part of the country!

BristolUK

It's all that rain. It puts them in a bad mood.