Me and my family are very interested in moving to Canada but would like more info before we begin the application process. We have enough points to apply via the federal worker but my husbadn would feel more secure if we had an offer of employment before we got there.
I am very unsure of what the best area would be for us, My husband is a maitenance engineer/electrician so would be looking for work in that field.We would like to live in a semi rural area and not a big city so that we can join a friendly community.
It would be nice to have access to the countryside and maybe water be it lake or sea as we have two young boys to entertain also maybe somewhere where there is already a expat community so we do not feel so isolated.
Regarding the weather a cold winter would be ok as long as the summer was warm.
Our main reason for moving is quality of life so the area we move to would reflect this eg low crime rate, good schools
Any ideas fire them my way

thanks

sarah

Hi Sarah and welcome to B.E.

It's my pleasant duty to welcome you to the forum and give you a point of contact should you need any help with the site in general. You can contact me here.

A list of all the moderators and helpers with their relevant countries including Canada can be found here.

Any problems, dont hesitate to PM me.

I can't answer your questions but we have lots of happy posters on here who I'm sure will be along with their answers soon.

Enjoy B.E.

Alistair.

Here's a good place to start http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Catego...an_Immigration

Any questions after that aim them at the immigration forum.

While you're educating yourself on the process, i would advise visiting different areas to see if the country and locations suit you and your family. Visiting during both summer and winter would be the best and safest option because upping sticks from the UK to Canada is expensive and emotional in ways. It'd be a shame to get there only to realise you don't like it.

Possible areas could be found if you select areas where jobs are available and preferably abundant for you all.

As a pointer, Vancouver and Vancouver Island fits everything you need although i'm not sure about the jobs part.

Good luck

Welcome to the forum. As well as looking through the immigration section of the wiki, your OH should also look at the Red Seal website He would need to show the necessary experience to challenge the exam to qualify in Canada. He would need this to work as an electrician, and in all likelihood to be able to secure a job. It is quite hard from overseas.

If you are serious about moving, at least one visit to Canada is a good idea to find out what it is like and for your OH to begin to build up contacts. Immigration is a lot of hard work, getting there and for a few years after arriving. If you are committed to it, it is worthwhile and a fun journey.

I would suggest deciding on an area based on availability of work. Rent a property for the first 6 months or so to see if you like where you end up.

Hello Sarah. Canada is a very vast place with many contrasts. That said, I am sure you will find what you are looking for in numerous places. I can only comment on where I live which certainly sounds like the sort of place you are looking for but I am sure others will let you know about other places that tick all the boxes too. I agree with other comments that you should try to get over and have a look about to see what areas appeal to you although, ultimately, it may well come down to where you can find employment.

I live in a town called Cochrane which is not far from Calgary. The town is surrounded by countryside with views of the mountains. It is certainly a friendly community and there are many British ex-pats living here. As for water, we have the Bow River running right through and a lovely creek that is full of kids (mine included) in the summer. We have a large lake (Ghost Lake) about 20 minutes away which is full of boats in the summer and people ice fishing in the winter. We are about 45 minutes from the mountains and all the many lakes that are there too.

Yes we generally get cold winters and hot summers. Although we get our fair share of snow I understand we dont generally get as much as some other parts of the country although more than say coastal places such as Vancouver.

The crime rate is low here and the schools are good. My kids are at elementary school and we are more than happy with it.

Like I said, Canada is a big place but if I can help any further with regard to this one small part, please don't hesitate to send me a private message.

All the best.