windward

I'm 23 and very much looking forward to finally making a permanent leap over there. Age has very little to do with it imo though a lot of people will quote their kids as being the main reason they want to leave the UK. They definitely seem to have a better upbringing over in Canada.

As for leaving football behind; barring the fact that in a lot of places you're going to struggle December to February playing footie on a field covered with snow, I wouldn't say you're going to be lacking. The gf's apartment in Toronto is randomly, unintentionally, but quite literally, 1 minutes walk away from a park with a full-size pitch and goalposts left up all year round. GET IN!

It isn't a national pastime so you aren't going to see every premier league match on your satellite, but this forum's the best place to find out exactly how you can get your fix. Plenty of people do.

You're in the right trade to make the move. Do some research and get going!

club_biscuit

definitely visit and travel around. BC gets a lot of hype - there's good reason for some of it but it has its share of problems too. there are lots of places in canada with great outdoor options and less rain (!) take your time and look around and make your own decisions.

live to ski

We were 25 when we moved out to Vancouver. Summer and winter are just jammed packed. October ok if the sailing season goes on, and November is a bit quiet unless the ski season starts early. Spring is ok as there is an overlap between ski and sailing seasons.

last year we went to Mexico for November!

There is the most amazing scuba diving off Vancouver Island. Check out the articifical reef society of BC - they've sunk loads of cool stuff! Lots of sailing, kayaking, dragon boat racing, mountain biking, hiking, camping......to name a few of the things that I fill my time with between work!

And don't get me started on skiing....I still love the fact that I leave my desk at 5.45 and can be skiing by 6.30pm. A hell of a better way to spend an evening as opposed to watching Eastenders.

Winston Green

Granville
There is an immigration show on at Sandown Race course the first weekend in Mar08. Go there and you will get a good idea of the provinces in canada, the routes available to immigrate to canada, people offering work to plumbers in Canada and thousands of like mined individuals trying to get out of the UK. Go early as there is always a traffic jam to get in, Just shows how many are trying to get out.

You can then decide where to visit for a holiday and settle. Bewarned once you have been to Canada the UK will never be the same again. Grasp the nettle and go for it, you are only young once. Taxes are higher at source but you won't feel like a pelican, ie everytime you open your eyes you are looking at a big bill!!!!

If Carlsburgh made contries, they would have made Canada and there is no probably about it.

Winston

littletwinkle46

I have a lot of family in the Toronto/GTA area, but thats only a benefit to me, my main reason is the love of the country and as many other people will know the "pull" of the country. As long as i can remember ive wanted to live in canada and my many visits there have merely underlined that.

Of course now im older, (compared to when i used to tell my mum when i was ten im emigrating :0 ) i now see the benefits in terms of housing, leisure activities and general way of life.

The summers in Toronto can get nice and hot, ive been able to get a tan well into sept most years!

Let us know what you decide and get researching!
btw Bunac is a first come first served approach and opened in dec 07 so you need to apply quick or you'll have to wait till feb 09 to get out there at the earliest.

Karen

ojmurphy

Hey!

I am 23, and I've been living in Canada for 2 years! It's crazy to think, but it's easy enough not to look back. The primary thing I miss is family and friends. It's pretty obvious I suppose, but I really enjoy my two+ week trip home and their annual trips to see me. Aside from that, you can find almost everything you want and need here. If you're worried about football, don't! $15/month = Happiness thanks to Setanta. I can see more games here than I could at home (even my beloved Middlesbrough in full on tape delay - it's not hard to avoid the scores ;-)), and I can play indoor all winter.

Vancouver sounds like it might be ideal. I sometimes wish I was in a bigger centre where there is more to do for younger people! Small town Canada is very homely, but also pretty isolated due to the geography. The climate is also the most 'British' of anywhere in Canada.

I strongly recommend Bunac to get your feet wet with the Canadian experience. Easy enough to get the clearance and get started on experiencing the country and all it has to offer, plus no real long-term commitment. No matter how many people have positive experiences, there are always negatives and the benefit of that programme is you can see how it affects you. I came over in exactly the same way, and it's amazing the doors it can open up. As people on this board have found, it can be tricky (not impossible, just tricky) to get started on finding a job from England... being in Canada will remove that hurdle. It really is an ideal opportunity.

Good luck!

welshmountie

Much better summers even in the wetter maritimes and west coast regions. South Western Ontario can only be described as hot and humid..... A complete contrast to their winters.

You get a proper 4 seasons in most parts of Canada unlike the UK. Hope this helps.

rwin

Not a national pastime but more people play football than hockey. You may not see it on TV but there is opportunity to get involved.

geo4

ummm, I haven't missed an Arsenal game this season so what you say is a bit misleading.

Granted the crappy teams like Derby and Tottenham games are not shown.

Winston Green

I believe we were talking about ENGLISH football. Not that bunch of Jonny Foreigners masquerading in the premiership as an English team.

Canadian Citizen

To the original poster......

You can't simply turn up in Canada and expect to start work as a plumber the next day.

You have to PASS a day long written exam, and a practical test, to be qualified. The apprenticeship here in Canada for a plumber is 5 years. The same testing requirements apply for most other trades such as welders, carpenters, brick layers and the like. Each Province has it's own standards and testing procedures.

Jim Bunting. Toronto.

Granville4

stupid question but do you know what opportunities there are to play competitve football, and thats a bit of luck you have a gf over there first of all and then that there is a football pitch there as well thats livin.

Granville4

What time is it light till if you dont hit the slops till 6.30

Granville4

i am just replying cause i am an arsenal fans as well and don't know what i would do if i could'nt watch them any more

Granville4

thank you for the advice and does that mean my 5 years would all ready count and would i need to do a conversion test, and is that hard to organise.
Is there any help you can offer in ways of finding work for example websites etc or any where i can send a CV in the future