Advice Needed!!
 

Hi Everyone!

This may sound like an odd request but I would really appreciate any advice or insights you could give me, even if you may not think its relevent.

Basically my partner and I have decided that we would like to leave England but we are not sure where we would like to go. We have travelled around New Zealand, France, Hong Kong and Portugal but are aware there are many more places which could potentially really suit us.

So in short we would like any suggestions you may have on countries, areas or cities which you would recommend, I understand this is a massive task, but like I said before, any advice you could give would really help us!

Here is a little more information which about us which might give you a better idea about the kind of place we are looking for. We are both 23 and have secure careers; Im finishing a PhD in Public Health and Health Commissioning at a good university and my partner is a Civil Engineer. We cant move until 2012 when I've finished my course and my partner is chartered, but we both have good degrees and are happy to travel until then to find the right place.

Ideally we would like to live somewhere where are money will go further than it is in the UK, and once settled would like to also move my parents out there too, even if it means employing them privately as our accountant and babysitter!

We would like somewhere that uses the same alphabet as English and is relatively liberal, other than that we are pretty easy!! Any advice or insight you can give would be majorly appreciated, and thanks again for reading this post

Thanks Mysea :)

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

That probably applies to approx 70% of the world. You might want to try and narrow it down a little otherwise nobody is going to be able to help you!

What kind of climate do you want, do you want history/culture, do you speak any other languages (and if so, which ones), will you have children (if so, education will be a very important factor), what sports do you like, is proximity to friends and family in the UK important, etc, etc. Those are the kind of questions you need to be asking yourself - and I really think only you will be able to find your answer I'm afraid.

Best of luck on your quest. :)

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Hey, thanks for the reply, the reason there isnt much else to go on is because we really arent fussed and currently are starting the process. We have no children and dont intend to, we dont really mind about climate and have no strong family ties in the UK. Posting on this forum has been the first step we have taken simply to get some ideas on places to look into, I know its quite a wide search but if you do have any suggestions they would be more than welcome :)

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Well, Canada probably ticks your boxes...........but then so do hundreds of other countries around the world!

Bear in mind that emigration is massive stress, upheaval, will cost you tens of thousands of pounds, take you away from everything that is familiar and 'home', give you culture shock, make you homesick, etc, etc. After all that, people usually need a genuine love of a country in order to settle successfully - and only you will know which country you could genuinely love. If you haven't loved any of the countries that you've visited then scrap them, get them off the list straight away.

I would strongly suggest you visit some places over the next few years and find out where you want to be and where will actually suit you (and where you could get a visa for of course - and your parents as they will be particularly tricky to get visas/medical cover for). Then hopefully you can make an informed decision.

Good luck. :)

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Try a look see at the Wiki's perhaps that's give you a place to start your research.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Main_Page

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Ok, thats great thankyou. In terms of waiting lists for Canada, how long on average does it take to move up the list as I have heard it can take upto 10 years dependant on your skills?

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

It may have done but things have changed massively now. You are referring to the Skilled Worker program - that was very recently overhauled completely to try and reduce the massive backlog, and now you either need to have arranged employment or be in one of 38 occupations to be eligible. And if you are eligible your application will be processed within 6-12 months.

Have a look at this Wiki link.......http://britishexpats.com/wiki/THE_LIST-Canada

The Wiki (that Steve gave you a link to earlier) is a huge source of info so that's your best bet to understand immigration for each country you are interested in.

:)

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

My personal opinion is that emigrating should come from a real love of a particular country/area/place rather than just a desire to leave the UK. The fact that you say you're "not fussed" leads me to suggest that you should perhaps consider travelling and spending extended periods of time in potential places to see if you fall in love with them sufficiently to make the big move. A working holiday or two maybe a good idea? E.g. get a working holiday visa and go and see how you feel after a year, at least that way you get a good feel for the reality of living in that country. BUNAC helps you arrange working holiday visas for several countries including Canada, New Zealand, Australia and others. See here:

http://www.bunac.org.uk/uk/

Of course it's not difficult for British citizens to live and work in other countries in Europe, but it depends on your local language ability for most. As other contributors to this thread have said though, I think you need to narrow it down a bit yourselves - look at what you are trying to find in your destination and research where you can achieve it! But most of all you have to visit and really feel in your heart that that place could be 'home', as well as all the practical considerations.

For me it's Canada and Norway that have grabbed my heart and pulled me in - but everyone is different ;)

All the best, and keep us posted - read the wikis as someone said and then if you have some more specific questions we'll do our best to help :).

Good luck!

Adele

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

I have been in Canada for 30+ years now, I lived in Edmonton Alberta for most of them and that is a thriving city/province, its economy is probably mostly Oil, there are lots of Brits there for example my GP was a Brit, the head of police was and may still be a Brit, my Bank manager was a Brit etc..It is a rich Province so has plenty of funding for the hiring of PHd holders, it is home to the University of Alberta which steals all the good specialist from other Provinces as it pays better..it is a modern - hi tech city. Now the downside, Crime is high per capita & its freezing in winter, (great for skiing,) if you dress warm you'll be fine just like the 3 million other immigrants before you. Calgary is 200 Km's down the road and probably even more hi-tech and definately a prettier city .The summers are generally warm/hot and dry due to high altitude. I remember my Father coming for his first visit with enphysemia and of course I was concerned - he said he never breathed better in years , its clean air compared to say Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver- I am now residing in nova Scotia with its old world charm and coastal beauty, however the economy here is awful- there is no major industry to speak of since the fisheries are all regulated now. When in Alberta I loved visiting the Rockies, the hoodoos and the ice fields but I missed seeing the ocean. the cost of living is higher in Alberta because the pay is so much higher, houses in NS generally run $120,000 for the same house in Alberta you would pay about $250,000. I believe its about $2 to the pound, my brother has a 4 bedroom brick house in Uk that he paid 220,000 pounds for 5 yrs ago in - Alberta that house would be about $280,000- hope that helps

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Thanks, that has helped massively, especially Maplejuner, your post was exactly what I was looking for ;).

I know what you mean about falling in love with a country because I am not in love with England anymore and I can see what you mean about being somewhere that feels special to you.

I think the problem we are having is that to start narrowing it down we need to know what places are like outisde the romanticised image we currently have of them, from peolple who expereince life there everyday, to decide whether this is a place even worth travelling to to narrow down the options. We are certain of some countries that we know even without traveling to are not for us, eg. Zimbabwe, but because we are pretty open to most places some background from people like yourselves can really make a difference in prioritising our options.

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

You need to have a long hard think about what really matters to you because at the moment I dont think your fully aware of how big of a descision your making.

One of the statments that really worried me was that your not bothered about climate because canada bounces from extremely hot to extremely cold. In sasketchewan and mantioba temperatures get down to - 50 c every year (which is so cold that if you boil a cup of water and throw it out of a window it freezes before it hits the ground) and in summer it gets very, very hot. Then theres the problem of mosquitos.

Other provinces are warmer, Orantario and further eastward hover around - 30 c.

These temperatures are ok for skiing holidays but they do make life difficult espcially when you factor in snow which depending where you are can fall 4 ft of snow in a night.


If your not looking for extreme weather BC is supposed to be very similar to the UK except if you go to the mountains you can go skiing.

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Another important factor might be the recognition/transferability of your qualifications - in some countries/areas it will be necessary to do further training and/or exams to meet local requirements. You mentioned your boyfriend's Chartered status for example, so whether that is directly transferable or not might well be something you need to consider as well.

Very generally, what kind of surroundings do you prefer? Are you die-hard city dwellers who thrive on the hustle bustle, or is a calmer pace of life with scenic surroundings more for you? Would you be prepared to sacrifice your careers for an area?

Adele x

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Stubby, man oh man where on earth do you get your information?

99% of what you have written regarding Canadian weather is pure bullsh*t.

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Thanks for that information, your right about needing to consider the decsion further, right now its something we are looking into through getting the perspcetives of people like your good self on potential places, so that we have a better idea of which places we should prioritise to visit and whether or not emmigration is for us.

How do you find the health system in Canada in terms of waiting lists, accessibility and value for money?

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Ditto.

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

but having said that stubby, I missed only one day of work due to weather in 30 years. Yes there is snow, its a dry flaky snow out west, now here in NS when it snows its like shovelling wet cement. The city takes very good care of its roads, and if you do what I did when new I took winter driving lessons, touch wood never had an accident yet,.I remember the day I arrived in Alberta Dec 4th 1977 it was minus 32 at the airport, wearing heels and an unlined cord jacket, when I stepped outside I thought I had flies up my nose when in fact it was the nose hairs freezing.. I met people right away and it took my mind off friends and family back home. Yes there is going to be a culture shock wherever you go but you'll get over it, after all...thats how the west was won!! Healthcare I left Alberta 6 years ago, I never had a long wait for any appointment dental, doctor specialist or whatever, and it was top-of-the-line care- but not the same for Nova Scotia, we have a shortage of all of those here..and Im rural now so it isnt the nearly as available as it was. The cost is mostly covered by the provinces health care systems or company plans..

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Thanks Adele, Im not sure about my partners qualifications, I know he is qualified to use European building codes but we would need to check for Canada. Im pretty sure my PhD is transferable, although if it isnt Im looking into opportunities for health analysts or public health policy advisors which I should be qualified for, if not I will have to retrain in the UK before coming over Im guessing play the housewife card a little earlier than expected!

As for the rural/ urban question we would prefer to live in the suburbs or in a rural area, as long as health care and transport networks are accesbile and we are not completely cut off. The weather doesnt really bother us, again as along as it doesnt mean spending half of the year cut off from the rest of the country.

In terms of the rural/ urban divide, is there a preference for either and are there any social charactoristics attatched to them? I mean for example are rural areas very very rural and only have a man and a dog living there or are rural areas quite well off with commuters?

Also, do we have a consensus on the weather yet? :)

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Have a look at the Wiki - there are definitely articles about Canadian climate and healthcare and may even be one about rural living. :)

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Virtually impossible to have a consensus regarding Canadian weather, the country is so large it has many various climates and micro-climates within its borders.

When you decide that Canada is one of your major choices come over at differing times to different areas and see if it meets you expectations.

Until then "you" need to research, research, research.

What we say should have very little sway in your choice as it's your life not ours.

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

No consensus - it depends on which part of Canada you're asking about ;)

Good luck with the research, and remember that in Canada things vary massivly from province to province, so what may be done one way in one province may be entirely different in another - and that includes qualifications, health care, weather...just about everything in fact, apart from the currency!

Best wishes

Adele x

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Lived in sasketchewan for 8 months, plus what my friends from various provinces have told me.

Out of interest what parts were wrong? because I was in - 50 c all last week in Regina.

P.S the snow is the praries isnt that much of a problem because its powder but out east where the its damper the snow is heavier.

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Stubby when you're in a hole quit digging.

Your friends are either pulling your leg or they badly misinformed.

As for last week in Regina the coldest it got as an overnight low was -32.4C on the 15th.

See for yourself here: Daily highs, Lows for Regina December 2008

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

LOL...too funny
:D

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Steve, I checked the weather every day, the highest was - 43 c (with the wind chill) and the lowest was - 48 c, dont tell me I wasnt experiencing weather that cold.

P.S heres the weather network for this week:

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CASK0261

I can promise you its been pretty similar temperatures through out the previous weeks.

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Perhaps you need to read what I've linked to below. ;)

Wind chill is an indicator of how the temp feels on unprotected skin, not an actual temperature, meaning it might feel like -40C but the temperature can never get lower then what the thermometer says.

A reasonably good explanation of wind chill: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fo...windchill.html

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Thanks for all your advice, I know I need to go and research Canada myself but from the positive feedback here I know I can put Canada near the top of the list, if you do think of anything in particular that should be looked into , other than the obvious things like insurance etc, let me know
Thanks again :)

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

You see the little comment "feels like" not "actually is" or "will be".

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

Look mate I'm not being funny but your being down right picky I know the difference between wind chill and actual temperature and the point of my post was to explain to them just how cold it gets. Is it really that important that I say with the wind chill? because your still going to feel - 50 c if your outside, I'd rather prepare for - 50 c than - 30 c.

Re: Advice Needed!!
 

This could be a good place to start your research. You are much more likely to settle and be happy in a country where you can get work in your chosen field. As others have said, it might be the only way you can get into Canada. There is more very useful information in the wiki here.

Professional certification is all done by the provinces and there are some differences between each province, but researching any one province will likely give you an idea of whether or not you qualifications will be recognized and/or what you will need to convert them to Canadian equivalents.

Now, as for the weather, an earlier poster said BC was like the UK. Well, only a little bit of it is. From the temperate rain forest on the south coast you can drive to an all singing, all dancing, desert in 5 hours, and to glaciers and ice fields in a few hours more.