Whiskers

Ok so I didn’t know where to put this but we have been in BC for two whole weeks today and I thought I would post on how things have gone.

Packing/selling/giving away our stuff in the UK (we shipped nothing only us and some VERY over weight suitcases) was hard work. Ebay and car boot sales were our best friends and even in bleak Jan we did pretty well. We sold our car to my OH’s brother so we got to use it until the day we flew which was excellent. (We had no house to sell in the UK.)

Saying goodbye to family and friends was hard breaking and I have never cried so much. I had SERIOUSLY underestimated how hard this would be. I think if you’d have asked me if i waited to stay while I was saying good bye to my lovely mum I would have said yes in a heartbeat.

Our fly was excellent (Thomas Cook Premium.) Immigration was a breeze and we got a lovely “Welcome to Canada” as we left the airport.

We are lucky that we had friends to stay with who came and picked us up from the airport too. Within the first week we had bought an OK used car and we have passed our theory tests. We have found a nice place to rent which we will hopefully move in next week.

My OH secured work before we came out and he starts on the 1st March as planned. I am hopefully getting a transfer with the Co I worked for in the UK. Their office is based downtown. I had an interview last week and all went well so fingers crossed.

Aside from all the moving stuff we promised ourselves some fun times too. We have been to the hockey, to Whistler, and hiking around a couple of lakes. Hopefully we are going to Grouse on the weekend too!

So far so good and I’ll keep you posted.

As a long time lurker BE has been so useful so thanks again!!!

startwin

Welcome to BC. Leaving your family and friends is so hard, and I wish you lots of success here.

absolutlyfedup

Sounds like you have the work life ballance all sorted out.

Which is great. Have you met the neighbours yet, or made any friends?

Hope it continues to go well for you both.

Whiskers

We have a few (literally) friends from my OH's previous time here and we are staying with a couple untill we move into our rental. Hopefully when we start work at the beginning of march we will start to intergrate more, join some local clubs, gym etc ...........Just get out there really.

Saying that we have met at least 5 expats while out shopping etc. Our UK accents are quite broad so we have been apporached a few times by Brits asking questions about home.

Skype has been great for keeping in touch with ppl at home....couldn't recommend it enough!!!! Even saw my cat on there today, she looked happy as larry!!! Not missing me at all!

rocket1971

Hi,

Sounds like your plans are going well.

Can you tell me how your OH secured employment prior to going and what your profession is?

I am a bookkeeper working for a large international law firm in London and we have recently become affiliated to some Canadian law firm who are looking for staff in various areas.

Just wondering how you found the whole process and how long it has taken you?

In the process of preparing my CV in North American style (as I understand that is preferred) and then forwarding off to the firms in question.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kaye.

Congratulations! I wish you all the best for your new life in BC.

Iain Mc

Welcome to BC! Sounds like you have hit the ground running which really helps with settling in.

I hope you did manage to get up to Grouse this weekend, today is absolutely beautiful and it feels like Spring is here already. Days like this in the mountains make all the hard times worthwhile!

Eastbound

it feels like Spring is here already. Days like this in the mountains make all the hard times worthwhile!

Hi
Welcome to Vancouver and all the very best in your new adventure

DESERTFOX

Hoping that we will be in same position as you in 6 months time.

bananahammock

Yep ~ totally agree, Welcome to BC ........ it was beautiful here on the Island today too

Whiskers

It was so beautiful yesterday but we didn’t make it the mountain we had to settle for watching the sunset in White Rock.....hard times! We are hopefully going to Cypress tomorrow although we are worrying about the snow conditions........

Rocket1971 - my OH secured his work as he had worked from the before, during and after university on the BUNAC scheme. Once we had received the positive LMO the paper work took around 3 months in total (....this is a guess.)

We were in a very lucky position, I know for the majority of others it is not this easy!! If you need more info feel free to PM me.

terese677

Hi and Welcome to Canada.
The weather is lovely, glad you are enjoying it.
We have friends in Langley its a lovely area to live ( they are in Walnut Grove). so any questions I know there are lots of peoplw here that can help but with Langley specific questions I can "phone a friend".

paolosmythe

you'd best get used to calling it a 'ray-zoo-may'!

i am still struggling with using 'z' everywhere and shortening words such as 'alternative', to alternate etc....

surely my speaking the way i do is endearing rather than alienating no?

congrats to the OP..... me and my better half are off in 2 weeks, for 2 weeks in BC - Alberta..... we're going to 'land' and be done with the goods to follow list etc..... hopefully find some attractive neighbourhoods and apartments therein and maybe even slide in Banff!

not much on the job hunt thus far.... but i have only sent out 24 'rays'....

rocket1971

paolosmythe,

would be interested to hear on your neighbourhood finds in BC if you can post them that would be much appreciated.

Will make every effort to get used to the rays instead of CV's!