A positive start in Calgary
Aug 7th 2011 | 12:34 am
#16
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 539
From: Lunenburg, NS
Re: A positive start in Calgary
It's great to hear things are going really well for you RDOD! Sick as a parrot that Hubby and I are too old for WHV though 
but I'm well chuffed for you all the same 
but I'm well chuffed for you all the same
Nov 9th 2011 | 1:08 pm
#17
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,099
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Hey guys,
It's been a little over 4 months since we arrived in Canada so I thought I'd give a brief update on how we're getting on and how we're finding things...
We've both had a great time over the last 4 months. Our break in NS at my uncle's place was awesome. Lots of wood chopping, BBQ's, beers, riding of horses, touristy stuff etc. Just what I needed after the stress of selling everything and getting over here. I slept like a baby (never understood that expression), while we were there as I was tired from being busy all day and not stressed about anything.
As I originally mentioned, on arrival in the Calgary area, we stayed with a friend in Cochrane. We found a 3 bed townhouse (rental), which we've been in for about 3 months now and we're quite happy in our temporary home. We're hoping to be in a position to consider buying in the new year but that depends mainly on our immigration status. Cochrane has been very good to us. We've already made a number of friends who we see regularly which really makes things a lot easier and we like the fact that we're not in suburb-hell. My commute to work is a reasonable distance (I go highway 22 onto 22X into the south of Calgary from Cochrane), but fortunately my employer is very relaxed about 'facetime' in the office and allows me to pick my own hours and work from home 3-4 days a week - awesome! The company has a mix of people of many ages and backgrounds and it's helping expose me to the different types of people in this area which is helping me understand the cultural differences. Not significant in my opinion, everyone I'm meeting is great and really friendly. My wife's not found a job yet because we're currently only running one vehicle (Ford Explorer which has done about 20k in the last 3 months - we've been out and about a lot!), which limits her opportunities but she's been busy volunteering and doing part time work locally. She's having a great time here too.
We've spent a lot of time in the mountains since we've been here. I expect we've been there every weekend really. Lots of hiking, I've been snowboarding already, we've done some camping and various other things. I've done my firearms safety course and I'm applying for my PAL to do some shooting. My wife is riding horses with a neighbour on a weekly basis.
We've had my wife's parents over for 2 weeks and my wife's best friend over for two weeks which was good but hell did we spend a lot of money entertaining and taking people out and about!
So as for our status, we're on WHV's and awaiting a PR decision (FSW1), so that's unlikely to be resolved soon. We're applying for PR via AINP (employer driven) and hopefully will get a nomination decision soon. We don't want to go back to the UK!
We're not missing anything about the UK other than family and friends at the moment. I can't see that changing any time soon but winter's just around the corner...
Anyway, long and the short of it... having a blast. Loving the outside world and had an amazing summer. Fall was stunning. Bring on winter now!
It's been a little over 4 months since we arrived in Canada so I thought I'd give a brief update on how we're getting on and how we're finding things...
We've both had a great time over the last 4 months. Our break in NS at my uncle's place was awesome. Lots of wood chopping, BBQ's, beers, riding of horses, touristy stuff etc. Just what I needed after the stress of selling everything and getting over here. I slept like a baby (never understood that expression), while we were there as I was tired from being busy all day and not stressed about anything.
As I originally mentioned, on arrival in the Calgary area, we stayed with a friend in Cochrane. We found a 3 bed townhouse (rental), which we've been in for about 3 months now and we're quite happy in our temporary home. We're hoping to be in a position to consider buying in the new year but that depends mainly on our immigration status. Cochrane has been very good to us. We've already made a number of friends who we see regularly which really makes things a lot easier and we like the fact that we're not in suburb-hell. My commute to work is a reasonable distance (I go highway 22 onto 22X into the south of Calgary from Cochrane), but fortunately my employer is very relaxed about 'facetime' in the office and allows me to pick my own hours and work from home 3-4 days a week - awesome! The company has a mix of people of many ages and backgrounds and it's helping expose me to the different types of people in this area which is helping me understand the cultural differences. Not significant in my opinion, everyone I'm meeting is great and really friendly. My wife's not found a job yet because we're currently only running one vehicle (Ford Explorer which has done about 20k in the last 3 months - we've been out and about a lot!), which limits her opportunities but she's been busy volunteering and doing part time work locally. She's having a great time here too.
We've spent a lot of time in the mountains since we've been here. I expect we've been there every weekend really. Lots of hiking, I've been snowboarding already, we've done some camping and various other things. I've done my firearms safety course and I'm applying for my PAL to do some shooting. My wife is riding horses with a neighbour on a weekly basis.
We've had my wife's parents over for 2 weeks and my wife's best friend over for two weeks which was good but hell did we spend a lot of money entertaining and taking people out and about!
So as for our status, we're on WHV's and awaiting a PR decision (FSW1), so that's unlikely to be resolved soon. We're applying for PR via AINP (employer driven) and hopefully will get a nomination decision soon. We don't want to go back to the UK!
We're not missing anything about the UK other than family and friends at the moment. I can't see that changing any time soon but winter's just around the corner...
Anyway, long and the short of it... having a blast. Loving the outside world and had an amazing summer. Fall was stunning. Bring on winter now!
Nov 9th 2011 | 1:15 pm
#18
Island life at last
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,715
From: BC
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Great stuff, matey!
We have an Explorer as well - great for getting round in the sticks isn't it?
So glad that you and the OH are happy.
Roll on PR... (for us both!)
We have an Explorer as well - great for getting round in the sticks isn't it?
So glad that you and the OH are happy.
Roll on PR... (for us both!)
Nov 9th 2011 | 9:40 pm
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 196
From: GTA
Re: A positive start in Calgary
What a positive letter! Congratulations and well done just getting up and going instead of waiting in the UK for ages :-) Best of luck for your future in Canada! Hopefully, the PR process' rusty wheels will start moving soon. And thank you for the e-mail address in my earlier post today 
Nov 9th 2011 | 11:39 pm
#20
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,063
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Great update, always enjoy positive attitudes.
From what I've been reading in posts and blogs, they do tend to embrace winter over there. Just need to be prepared I think is the key.
Snow blowers/shovels, winter tyres, warm clothes etc etc. Oh, and a big freezer full of food
Looking forward to the winter update.
From what I've been reading in posts and blogs, they do tend to embrace winter over there. Just need to be prepared I think is the key.
Snow blowers/shovels, winter tyres, warm clothes etc etc. Oh, and a big freezer full of food
Looking forward to the winter update.
Nov 10th 2011 | 12:20 am
#21
.
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 868
From: Cochrane, Alberta
Re: A positive start in Calgary
So glad its all working out well for you and that you're enjoying Cochrane too. It's a great town isn't it!!
Nov 10th 2011 | 8:03 am
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 86
From: ALBA
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Hi
Glad you are enjoying life in Calgary, we are due to arrive in January.
We have read some varying things about Calgary on here, positive/negative,
so good to hear your reports.
Glad you are enjoying life in Calgary, we are due to arrive in January.
We have read some varying things about Calgary on here, positive/negative,
so good to hear your reports.
Nov 11th 2011 | 9:21 am
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 106
From: Okotoks, Alberta
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Hey guys,
It's been a little over 4 months since we arrived in Canada so I thought I'd give a brief update on how we're getting on and how we're finding things...
We've both had a great time over the last 4 months. Our break in NS at my uncle's place was awesome. Lots of wood chopping, BBQ's, beers, riding of horses, touristy stuff etc. Just what I needed after the stress of selling everything and getting over here. I slept like a baby (never understood that expression), while we were there as I was tired from being busy all day and not stressed about anything.
As I originally mentioned, on arrival in the Calgary area, we stayed with a friend in Cochrane. We found a 3 bed townhouse (rental), which we've been in for about 3 months now and we're quite happy in our temporary home. We're hoping to be in a position to consider buying in the new year but that depends mainly on our immigration status. Cochrane has been very good to us. We've already made a number of friends who we see regularly which really makes things a lot easier and we like the fact that we're not in suburb-hell. My commute to work is a reasonable distance (I go highway 22 onto 22X into the south of Calgary from Cochrane), but fortunately my employer is very relaxed about 'facetime' in the office and allows me to pick my own hours and work from home 3-4 days a week - awesome! The company has a mix of people of many ages and backgrounds and it's helping expose me to the different types of people in this area which is helping me understand the cultural differences. Not significant in my opinion, everyone I'm meeting is great and really friendly. My wife's not found a job yet because we're currently only running one vehicle (Ford Explorer which has done about 20k in the last 3 months - we've been out and about a lot!), which limits her opportunities but she's been busy volunteering and doing part time work locally. She's having a great time here too.
We've spent a lot of time in the mountains since we've been here. I expect we've been there every weekend really. Lots of hiking, I've been snowboarding already, we've done some camping and various other things. I've done my firearms safety course and I'm applying for my PAL to do some shooting. My wife is riding horses with a neighbour on a weekly basis.
We've had my wife's parents over for 2 weeks and my wife's best friend over for two weeks which was good but hell did we spend a lot of money entertaining and taking people out and about!
So as for our status, we're on WHV's and awaiting a PR decision (FSW1), so that's unlikely to be resolved soon. We're applying for PR via AINP (employer driven) and hopefully will get a nomination decision soon. We don't want to go back to the UK!
We're not missing anything about the UK other than family and friends at the moment. I can't see that changing any time soon but winter's just around the corner...
Anyway, long and the short of it... having a blast. Loving the outside world and had an amazing summer. Fall was stunning. Bring on winter now!
It's been a little over 4 months since we arrived in Canada so I thought I'd give a brief update on how we're getting on and how we're finding things...
We've both had a great time over the last 4 months. Our break in NS at my uncle's place was awesome. Lots of wood chopping, BBQ's, beers, riding of horses, touristy stuff etc. Just what I needed after the stress of selling everything and getting over here. I slept like a baby (never understood that expression), while we were there as I was tired from being busy all day and not stressed about anything.
As I originally mentioned, on arrival in the Calgary area, we stayed with a friend in Cochrane. We found a 3 bed townhouse (rental), which we've been in for about 3 months now and we're quite happy in our temporary home. We're hoping to be in a position to consider buying in the new year but that depends mainly on our immigration status. Cochrane has been very good to us. We've already made a number of friends who we see regularly which really makes things a lot easier and we like the fact that we're not in suburb-hell. My commute to work is a reasonable distance (I go highway 22 onto 22X into the south of Calgary from Cochrane), but fortunately my employer is very relaxed about 'facetime' in the office and allows me to pick my own hours and work from home 3-4 days a week - awesome! The company has a mix of people of many ages and backgrounds and it's helping expose me to the different types of people in this area which is helping me understand the cultural differences. Not significant in my opinion, everyone I'm meeting is great and really friendly. My wife's not found a job yet because we're currently only running one vehicle (Ford Explorer which has done about 20k in the last 3 months - we've been out and about a lot!), which limits her opportunities but she's been busy volunteering and doing part time work locally. She's having a great time here too.
We've spent a lot of time in the mountains since we've been here. I expect we've been there every weekend really. Lots of hiking, I've been snowboarding already, we've done some camping and various other things. I've done my firearms safety course and I'm applying for my PAL to do some shooting. My wife is riding horses with a neighbour on a weekly basis.
We've had my wife's parents over for 2 weeks and my wife's best friend over for two weeks which was good but hell did we spend a lot of money entertaining and taking people out and about!
So as for our status, we're on WHV's and awaiting a PR decision (FSW1), so that's unlikely to be resolved soon. We're applying for PR via AINP (employer driven) and hopefully will get a nomination decision soon. We don't want to go back to the UK!
We're not missing anything about the UK other than family and friends at the moment. I can't see that changing any time soon but winter's just around the corner...
Anyway, long and the short of it... having a blast. Loving the outside world and had an amazing summer. Fall was stunning. Bring on winter now!
Cheers
Nov 18th 2011 | 9:21 am
#24
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,099
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Thanks! What a positive letter! Congratulations and well done just getting up and going instead of waiting in the UK for ages :-) Best of luck for your future in Canada! Hopefully, the PR process' rusty wheels will start moving soon. And thank you for the e-mail address in my earlier post today
Great update, always enjoy positive attitudes.
From what I've been reading in posts and blogs, they do tend to embrace winter over there. Just need to be prepared I think is the key.
Snow blowers/shovels, winter tyres, warm clothes etc etc. Oh, and a big freezer full of food
Looking forward to the winter update.
From what I've been reading in posts and blogs, they do tend to embrace winter over there. Just need to be prepared I think is the key.
Snow blowers/shovels, winter tyres, warm clothes etc etc. Oh, and a big freezer full of food
Looking forward to the winter update.
Winter tires on the car now Glad to hear it is still going well for you, I was wondering, what exactly is it that you do? The idea of being able to work at home is an attractive on as I work in IT and most stuff can be done by remote working. We have been out and looked at Calgary itself, Cochrane, Airdrie and Okotoks and to be honest Cochrane was the place that we really liked but were concerned about the commuting.
Cheers
Cheers
Nov 24th 2011 | 9:11 am
#25
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,099
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Update: PNP nomination received!
Nov 29th 2011 | 3:46 am
#27
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,099
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Nov 29th 2011 | 6:42 pm
#28
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Congarts for such a brilliant start
We have moved in Toronto almost a month back, its been a hectic month, ups and downs, still no luck with job
We have moved in Toronto almost a month back, its been a hectic month, ups and downs, still no luck with job
Dec 6th 2011 | 6:49 pm
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 24
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: A positive start in Calgary
Fantastic!!
I like Cochrane
I like Cochrane
