Hello everyone, we have only just been issued our COPR a few weeks ago and are now looking at what will work for us as a family. We are a family of 5, a girl of 10, boy of 8 and another boy of 3. My OH is a chartered engineer(mechanical) here in the UK while i'm an administrator currently working with the NHS.

We are looking to move to Calgary as we hear that as an Engineer chances of him getting a good job is higher there.

We would appreciate any help or advise we can get with regards to him applying for jobs from here in the Uk and how he can get accredited to use his qualification in the canada as it would be great if a job offer is in line before we arrive.

Also when is the best time of the year to move from other people's experience? We are looking at March/April of next year only because we have a holiday already planned and paid for for the last week of dec into the first week of jan, plus making arrangements for our mortgaged house(not selling but planning to rent). Would this be okay for the kids to still be able to get into school before the school year ends and save staying home till sept of 2014 for a new semester? School for my 3 year old who will be 4 in une of next year

And the best areas in Calgary to look for renting as buying will come much later after we know what's what in the area. Any realtor's in the forum?

Lot's of questions i know but I Would really appreciate some feedback

Thanks in advance.


Oh and might i add that we've both never been to Canada and don't plan on making a reece trip as we both decided it's better to save the money for when we do move as every penny does count now. And Toronto is also on the tables if jobs are available.

welcome to BE. I can help with one part of your post.

on the engineer licensing recognition, read this below

http://www.engineerscanada.ca/e/en_faq.cfm

http://www.albertacanada.com/FQR_Mec...r_May_2011.pdf

that's great and useful. I'll read through those now.

Thanks not2old for the quick response.

you can do a forum search (top right) of the main Canada thread key in Calgary or living in Calgary, jobs in Calgary etc

I stated a thread yesterday on Calgary - see if there is anything in that which will help you for now

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=809231

and here is an old thread from 2009 on UK engineers getting jobs & licensed in Alberta

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=638118

You can start here on certification in Alberta http://www.apegga.org/

If you don't know Calgary, and have never visited, I would be tempted to rent a hotel suite for two or three weeks and just get out in your hire car and drive around. There aren't really many "bad" places to live, but you will pick up a certain vibe or feel for different areas and communities as you drive around. Some will instantly appeal, and some will instantly turn you off. Your budget will play a large part in directing your final choices. And budget for two vehicles. That will be essential with three young children.

From a newbie-outsiders point of view, Calgary contains swathes of new-ish boxy housing. When you get into each "community", you will drive around and undoubtedly see lots of parks, pathways and sometimes lakes. March and April will still look pretty bleak with no colour and grass on show - use your imagination.

Most people seem to like the new and shiny homes - and there is nothing wrong with that - but don't discount the older neighbourhoods too. It is more likely that schools are located within the older neighbourhoods, whereas in the brand new estates, sometimes the schools have not really been built yet, so kids can be bussed some distance (back into the older neighbourhoods!). The older neighbourhoods also have lots of trees and hedges and established gardens, and often have mature tree lined streets.

Take the time to drive out to the small towns surrounding Calgary too - Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks. One of those might be your cup of tea - you never know. Just bear in mind, that a move to one of those areas could persuade or dissuade you from jobs at the other extreme end of the city. For example I live in Cochrane (NW of Calgary) and would never contemplate taking a job in the SE of Calgary. It would just be too painful!

The rental market right now is extremely tight. It may be a little better by next Spring but who knows. Once you've got your bearings, you can start to narrow down search areas for rentals. I'm not really going to recommend one over another because I know nothing of your preferences. I just wouldn't live in Forest Lawn in the NE.

Edited to say, my kids started school 3 weeks before the summer break and that worked well. It is likely you could get places at most schools without too much of an issue. If you are going to live within the city limits, check out the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and make contact with them if you wish. There is also the Catholic School Board if that interests you. There is a school break around Easter - called the Spring Break here, not the Easter break - and perhaps you could get your kids to start sometime after that? Schools invariably break up at the end of June.

A big saving if you get here and decide it is what you expected. An expensive mistake if you don't like what you find and either go back or move somewhere else.

I made several recce trips and it was worth every penny.

The first couple of times I came to Canada I hated it! I really wasn't so keen on lots of aspects of lots of the places that I went to. Time and necessity tend to change ones views, and I am sure you will love living here, but is it not at all possible that one or the other of you could possibly visit for a week or ten days to at least have some term of mental reference? You aren't giving yourselves any get out at all.

Not certain how you could be so sure. There are plenty that don't as there are plenty that do. One only has to look in the moving back forum to find a few who did not like it.

Not unlike buying a car without looking at it or driving it, buying a lot sight unseen. Moving down the street is one thing, moving across the globe sight unseen?

Ditto!

If you're renting to start, no need for an expensive recce. Especially in these days of Google Streetview and BritishExpats.com.

The was the 'sweetener' to make up for the fact that I had just been somewhat negative...as such a superfluous statement.

and here is an old thread from 2009 on UK engineers getting jobs & licensed in Alberta

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=638118



Thanks for this. Really has proven quite informative.

Our thoughts exactly. Thanks

Thanks everyone for your response and advise. Well appreciated. With regards to my 3yrs old who will be approaching 4 when we move. Will he be eligible for kindergarten come sept 2013 or will he have to go to pre school? Confused about cut offs and all.

Thanks