abbotsford
 

can anyone tell me if abbotsford is a nice place to raise the family.
it looks nice but would appreicate any feedback as we are looking to come over sometime this year.

Re: abbotsford
 

Depends what you want really. I am twenty minutes away up the freeway, but do all my shopping in Abbotsford, such as there is by way of shops anyway. There have been extended discussions about Abby on the main forum - do a search and you will find the threads.

Re: abbotsford
 

They have freeways in the Fraser Valley :blink: :confused: I'm impressed.

Rich,:confused:.

Re: abbotsford
 

Only the one. Hwy 1 to be precise. ;)

Re: abbotsford
 

thanks for the reply, what we're looking for are good schools for the kids,
and regular work as im a carpenter and a nice life style.

Re: abbotsford
 

So, um, it's a Highway then :confused: :confused:

Rich.

Re: abbotsford
 

I believe in the lower mainland the Trans-Canada would be considered a freeway as it does have restricted access, i.e. there are no at grade intersections. :)

Re: abbotsford
 

The Trans Canada Freeway ? Doesn't have the same ring to it :lol: Sounds 'Merkan.

Rich.

Re: abbotsford
 

Regular work will be there (as long as you get the journeyman ticket(s) that allow you to work.) Schools...well I have my own opinions (I have had kids in all Grades up to and including Grade 12)....if I had the money I would pay for my children's education in BC. I have had to compromise and put most of them in Catholic school, they at least teach them to read and write there! I disagree with the notion that the less academic schools produce "well rounded" individuals. I am currently training two fourth year University students, both of whom would not pass a basic written English test if their lives depended on it. Abstract concepts and critical thought - forget it. They are, IMHO, the products of a very deficient system, but very nice people nonetheless. If you were to put them outside of this country however, they would flounder. A nice lifestyle - again, very subjective. I live in a nice part of town and have a very nice house, but we are all bored to tears and cannot wait to leave. Crime rates are really no different, just drug based crimes as opposed to alcohol fuelled crime and more fatal crimes than injuries. I posted the stats somewhere else a while back, I cannot remember where. Abbotsford demographic is also now 53% Sikh, which is great for diversity and brings some much needed alternative influences to what was quite a right wing white area. As you can imagine, not everyone thinks that way and racial tensions are clearly there. Horses for courses, you may like it, you may hate it. You won't know until you try however!

Re: abbotsford
 

Thanks - it is indeed a (basic) freeway through the Lower Mainland. Everyone also refers to Hwy 1 as "the freeway". I never gave the distinction much thought before. :)

Re: abbotsford
 

Semantics old boy. :D

Technically it's a freeway but we still call it the Trans-Canada Highway. :p

After all it's Canadian eh.;):p:rofl:

Re: abbotsford
 

Hi,
You could contact www.bccarpentersunion.com and hopefully
someone there would give you info. regarding job prospect.
Here is a peek into the local news in abby.www.abbynews.com
Hope that helps:)
Yoong

Re: abbotsford
 

Glenn

I was going to go this route, via Red Seal program.

http://www.itabc.ca/index.php

Bit of paperwork, and exam based on BC building codes.

probably fastest way,

Re: abbotsford
 

They call this a freeway. What's free about it ? Looks more like a prison to me :mad: automotive miseryville.

Rich.

http://www.mag.maricopa.gov/images/c...y-pic13489.jpg

Re: abbotsford
 

It's a wonder that these illiterate Canadians are able to wipe themselves, eh? They are so poorly educated and deficient in critical thought that it would never occur to them to do their research before moving to another country as to whether or not their education and qualifications in their vocation would be accepted in the country of their choice. They would likely move and then be shocked and chagrined that they have to requalify to work in their vocation and end up regretting ever having moved in the first place. Does this remind you of anyone dingbat?

The last time I checked, Canadian high school students outscored their British counterparts (same ages) in mathematics and literacy. The British students outscored the Canadians only in science - not too bad. Here's the study:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloa.../PISA_2000.pdf

Actually, the Sikh population of Abbotsford is nowhere near 53%, so that "fact" is about as far off the mark as what you had to say regarding education. According to this source, Sikhs make up 13.4% of the population:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbotsf...itish_Columbia

Racial tensions in Abbotsford are insignificant in comparison to those that exist in Britain.

Re: abbotsford
 

Can you explain why my 8 year old son's education and ability has gone downhill since he arrived in Canada 3 years ago? When we first arrived he could write joined up, read and spell correctly, now he can't spell and nobody can read what he is writing.

My 11 year old used to write stories that were 3 A4 pages long (when he was 8) and now he can barely write 1 exercise book page.

I feel I've let my kids down by moving to Canada.

Re: abbotsford
 

That's very strange indeed.... they're going backwards! At that rate, in another 3 years, they'll be crawling on their hands and knees with a soother in their mouth.

You need to speak to the school's principal.

Re: abbotsford
 

The school principal is more concerned about 'social responsibility' than academic ability, it's a lost cause.

Re: abbotsford
 

Tell him he's being socially irresponsible by not being more concerned about their academic ability.

Re: abbotsford
 

I've never been able to do that joined up writing thing... maybe that's why I was in therapy for 2 years. :unsure:

Re: abbotsford
 

Geez. I have friends round for a beer and our resident flag waving MEXICAN resident expat gets all Tim Hortons on us. WHEN (yes I am yelling) was the last time you were in the UK? Or Abbotsford? WHEN did you put kids through the school system in BC? C'mon, you have no "freakin" idea. (Please excuse the language ;) ) I am so sick of people who do NOT HAVE KIDS IN THE SYSTEM passing comment. Go back to your double double and discuss the hockey.:mad:

Re: abbotsford
 

Er...no. Not remotely. I came over here after having trained badly educated Canadians in the UK for the new federal tax regime that was coming in in Canada....I was not required to re-train at all. Most of the dummies on the courses I ran spent their five weeks in London in shock. :blink: I had a letter of employment when I emigrated..even help with housing....a Union intevened at the 11th hour and I was left with no job and no way of supporting my kids AFTER arrival. Lawyers even intervened on my behalf, it did not resolve the issue. I was neither "chagrined" nor "shocked". Screwed over, oh yes. Beaten? Oh no. I found another way of supporting my family, one which has got me home at last. :lol: I had the last laugh, but to tell the story here might cause repercussions I cannot afford. :rofl:

Re: abbotsford
 

Actually I spend half the year in BC, and much of that time is spent about as far out of Abbotsford as where you live. It should be obvious to anyone who is familiar with Abby that Sikhs don't make up anywhere near the majority of the population. I still can't believe that you thought they did!

While the conclusions of the PISA report are meaningful, individual student results will vary. If your kids don't measure up to the Canadian average, perhaps they should accept the responsibility for that.

I don't have kids in the school system in BC. I'm not a chicken, but that hasn't disqualified me from knowing what an egg is all about. My knowledge about the educational system in BC (and Canada) comes from objective international studies regarding the matter. Whereas, your comments are subjective and narrowly based because they are primarily derived from your personal experience. That difference explains why I post references backing my comments and you can't.

BTW, did you know that the University of British Columbia is ranked by Newsweek as the 27th best university in the world?

http://www.ubc.ca/global/index.html

Re: abbotsford
 

This is some of what you stated in prior posts on this forum:

1) "I wish I had known that years of schooling and work experience would count for bugger all, I would never have come here. "

2) "I got pretty much the same treatment when I arrived 8 years ago and have had to go back to University and get another degree (which was so easy compared to my UK one) to get anywhere. I was a commodity tax consultant/fraud investigator and a qualified teacher when I came - neither qualification was recognised as the tax training was all UK government based and the PGCE was over ten years old."

You say you did your research before coming to Canada, but it's the quality of your research/critical thinking that I'm questioning.

If you want to be highly critical of the educational level of Canadians, I think you open your own abilities and decisions up for critique.

Re: abbotsford
 

I'm not sure what the problem is here, I can only speak from my own experience, and I have two grown children who went through the education system here in BC, and have done very nicely, thank you. Both well educated, and one did some studies in the UK after graduating from college, before uni. She was on a par, if not ahead, of her friends there. They didn't go to school in Abbotsford, but in the lower mainland - it's all much of a muchness.

To the person who can't speak to the principal - why not? Just do it anyway, and state your opinion and concerns. If it was my kids I'd be wanting some pretty good answers. And consider moving schools.

Re: abbotsford
 

thanks dingbat & hudman for the info taking it all on board before we make a decision. cheers

Re: abbotsford
 

I have spoken to the principal and as I said, he is more concerned about promoting 'social responsibility' in his school than learning.

Also my eldest son went to a different school and the teaching was worse there so my experience of the education over 3 years in BC has been crap. I don't just sit back and do nothing about it!

We've decided that we are moving back to the UK this year for lots of reasons but education is a big part of it.

Re: abbotsford
 

I have witnessed 'da yoots' on both sides of the big water.

Canada: education designed to develop fully rounded young people, small adults prepared for later life, able to understand others views, listen and learn. Young adults can interact with real adults, conduct a conversation, make a contribution. Focus on activity, see the little ones outside in snow and bitter cold having run, running about, playing games. Politeness and civility is bred into them at influential ages. A kind of 'slow-burn' education designed to develop people, not consumers. Values which recognize people more than just their house/car/job status/salary/postal code, value the world around us.

UK: Focus on boffin-training, cram as much information into these little organic computers as possible. Develop children into self centred little "me-me-beings". Kids often grunt, produce monosyllabic answers, avoid adult company at all times. Breed into them that they are all important, to ignore others at all costs and that violence, brutality, selfishnes, always gets you what you want. Teach kids to make most noise = greater success in life. An education designed to create 'consumers', create generations of perfect little drones for entry into 'industry' to make noise, succeed in a self-centred manner. All or nothing, make it big or you're worth nothing attitude.

Of course, there are plenty of Paris/Britney types here, dumb as dishwater with purrfect teeth bright as the sun, and plenty grouchy sullen goth yoots. Day to day though, there's a marked difference in manners, ability to conduct a conversation, and overall attitude, between UK and Canada yoots.

Rich.

Re: abbotsford
 

Don't worry, it's very overrated. ;) :D

Rich.

Re: abbotsford
 

Hi Glen,

Have just read through this whole thread an people are getting very heated about the whole thing, but in answer to your question:-

We have just moved to Abbotsford in January, after much research and trips here to have a good look around, we decided it was a good place to start, there is plenty to do for children, there are two large recreation centre's offering swimming, gym, ice-skating and plenty of clubs that use the centre. There is a ten pin bowling centre (although its a bit old), plenty of shopping available, good library's (one of which is open all week including Sunday), tons of places to each out at a very reasonable prices, lots of parks, one of which we have visited (Mill Park) which is lovely, you can walk right around it, and there is a great play area for children with a water area under construction, and there are regular leaflets produced with the free papers offering fun things for children to do.

As far as education is concerned my two girls have gone into grade 9 and 11 (ages 15,17), they are about a year ahead of their peers but their courses have been adjusted accordingly, when we visited the school the one thing that struck me we how quite it was, no shouting or swearing, children actually working in class is a calm effective manner. Our experience of the school has been that they really care about their students, the girls have had all the help they needed in settling in and the other kids are very friendly - a complete contrast to the UK. What Rich said is absolutely true.

In a nut shell we really like Abbotsford, and no its not 53% Sikh, there is a good mix of different nationalities. Abbotsford is far enough from Vancouver to be more relaxed but near enough if you need to get work there.

We think for a family its well worth a look.

Hope this helps.
Sue:)

Re: abbotsford
 

I really think education is a personal subject. What I want for my children isn't necessarily what you want for yours. I feel that by sending them to school here, I have let them down. I have been selfish by living out my dream and letting them suffer. Hopefully I can get them back up to the correct standard when we go back to England.

I just wanted to let people know that it doesn't always work out!

Re: abbotsford
 

Hi OP - not sure if this helps but I grew up around Abbotsford and also lived there during College (UCFV). It, like many other places, has good parts and bad but there are a lot of activities and facilities for kids. My nephew started school there and had very good teachers and class sizes.

My biggest question would be what do you want out of life there? Abbotsford is quite a ways out of Vancouver and everything it has to offer - if you want to partake more in those things perhaps look towards Langley?

I think asking why some kids excel and others falter within specific schools often has very little to do with just one thing. I hated my high school but have friends who loved it - its more than just the school.

I think if you want somewhere quiet, with lovely neighbourhoods and good facilities for kids but not too close to a big city then you could be be happy in Abbotsford!

Re: abbotsford
 

Something I don't quite follow in these arguments is that there are exams, specifically the bac, that are widely offered in schools in both the UK and Canada (as well as other countries). The bac isn't just offered in private schools so it's not so much of a purchased qualification as, say, entry to Oxford or Harvard. If we want to know which system offers the best chance for the child of an interested, but not necessarily rich, parent can we not just look at the bac results?

Similarly, lots of children in Canada take the SAT so, if we want to compare with the US, we can use that, though we have to be more careful with the SAT as only the brighter Canadians take it whereas, pretty much, all Americans do.

If objectiveish measures are wanted these are some, admittedly imperfect, ones we can use.

Re: abbotsford
 

Absolutely, no problem at all. Had you quoted me completely, however, you would know that there was no point in re-qualifying in either field, as both required extensive schooling (not to mention the cost). If I was qualified to teach Canadians in the UK...how come all of a sudden I could not teach the same stuff in Canada? Ridiculous, particularly when I had a letter offering me a job doing precisely that. There was also the small matter of not being able to leave Canada with my children once I got here...hardly something that I could have influenced or anticipated, even with voluminous research. In any event, I was able to pick an entirely new career and challenge over 50% of the degree requirement. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I am now employable everywhere, it is a transferable qualification that I am pleased to have. Every cloud has a silver lining Ocean...;)

Re: abbotsford
 

Wait until the 2006 census results are published officially. As soon as I have the official link, I would be happy to post it. Answers.com (that I think you used for the 13% figure) used the 2001 adjusted census figure. That figure was disregarded by many as it does not account for the fact that many families were found to under report or simply not disclose who actually lived in their home, when those stats were compared to, for example benefit claimants and their dependants. I looked again today at the advance stats I have on my desk at work. They are used to do projections of service provider requirements. The contentious 53% is defined as "Asian". Yes I assumed Sikh, as I have yet to run into a Hindu in Abbotsford. I am still waiting as of this evening to find out if "Asian" included people from other parts of Asia or the world. I happily stand corrected if it does.

P.S. Using your link.....Times Higher Education Supplement places UBC elsewhere. It is a good University, expensive and inaccessible for the student without money.

Re: abbotsford
 

When we arrived in March 05, my son went into grade 1. I was amazed at the stories his class mates were writing, back in the UK they were only just writing sentences!!!

Linda

Re: abbotsford
 

Don't they pay teachers more money in Alberta though than BC?

Anyway all of this banter, still hasn't helped my kids, they have definitely gone backwards since being here. I'm happy to call it quits, I tried and failed them here so back home we go. I think I've made the point I wanted to make so cheerio everyone!

Re: abbotsford
 

There are doctors who were educated in Afghanistan and still practice there who are qualified to treat Canadians in that country, but those doctors can't simply set up a practice after immigrating to Canada because their education/qualifications wouldn't be accepted as being equivalent to that of a licensed doctor practicing in Canada. I'm happy to have the licensing bodies for the professions protecting the Canadian public in this way.

Now in your particular case, I'm not saying that you weren't qualified to perform your vocation after having moved to Canada. I'm simply not qualified to make that determination. Your case sounds rather unusual - if not bizarre - in that you say a "union" intervened and prevented you from taking the job you were originally offered. Did you need a license to work in your field? Just how did this "union" stop you?

Re: abbotsford
 

There is no way in hell that the majority of the population of Abbotsford is Asian.... so no need to sit on the edge of your seat waiting for the 2006 Census figures.

Re: abbotsford
 

My appointment was "grieved" by the person who was holding the post, as I discovered, through the Union. This would have been quite proper and not the least surprising with hindsight. The whole thing was a management
balls-up really, hardly more than that. No, I did not need a license to do the job, because it was not (and I believe still is not) a "regulated position" in the federal government. I now know how important what I considered minor details were. The equivalent union in the UK civil service was a paper tiger by comparison....:eek: