A bit dissapointed
 

After a 4 year application, we have just spent the last 2 weeks landing & sorting out paperwork for our possible return in July, I say possible because for the last 2 weeks we have struggled to find things to do, there does not seem anything to do for kids. Granted we are stopping out in the sticks, but even travelling to Peterborough did not reveal anything. Can anyone shed any light on things to do. Our proposed destination is Bethany, about 30 Kms from Peterborough.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Hi
Had a quick look at Bethany....seems as you say remote and you maybe have good reasons for wanting to be there. If you have a look at the following website, there may be something to interest you

http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtr...ns&language=EN

Obviously once you are there, if you still decide to go there, that is, I am sure you will find things to interest you and your family. You haven't said why you chose this area, but you are not committed to any given area, so if it does not suit, probably better to find out before you commit to that area. It has to be said that any move of this magnitude is bound to feel very unsettling and strange for a while. I am sure you will find stuff to do.

I personally couldn't entertain living in a remote place because I want my children to be able to meet up with school friends and have people to play with that does not involve ferrying them to and fro for hours, I also need a certain amount of stimulus by being friends with others, and a sense of community. In the UK you grow up sort of knowing what is out there...but when you relocate...you have to find all of that again. Use the internet to google search for things to do. With streetview, you can go virtually to most places now.

I do wish you luck with your move over....maybe go with the flow?
lol
Stef

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

This area closes for the winter. Things open again after Victoria Day. Have search for the website for the township to see what facilities there are for kids- is there a rink?? In the winter you will have the Devils Elbow ski slopes but it seems to me that if you are a parent in Canada you have to be prepared to drive your kids to their social life.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

What is it you want to do? If you live remotely in Canada it is not the same as remotely in the UK. Unless one lives in Northern Scotland it is quite difficult to be remote in the UK. Chances are you're never that far from a large town or city or a Motorway to take you to one.
Ontario has 416 million sq.miles and a population of 13 million vs the UK's 94 million sq.miles and a population of 62 million.
What do you do in the UK? Make a list then Google the same things/activities in Ontario and see what you come up with,

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

http://www.quidnovis.com/ has information about things to do and "what's on" around the area of Peterborough.

http://www.quidnovis.com/familypage.htm Things for families :)

http://www.thekawarthas.worldweb.com/ has some things to do in the Kawarthas area (Bethany, Peterborough etc)

Peterborough's website: http://www.peterborough.ca/Living.htm

All events in the Kawarthas / Peterborough area: http://www.thekawarthas.net/eventcal...earchEvent.jsp and another list: http://attractions.uptake.com/ontari...918836913.html


:)

If all else fails... move nearer to a major town! ;)

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

So basically, what you're saying is you didnt research the area properly?

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Do the things, and live the life that attracted you to Canada in the first place. The things that were the deciding factor for the area you have chosen to uproot your family and leave your support network for, during your research and reccie trips etc.

Although, like i've said on here before. Beware.....Dreams and reality are often very different.

Good luck though and i hope all turns out well :thumbup:

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Hi I'm moving out to live with a friend in Peterborough. Can anyone provide info on the area?

How IT friendly is it as I'm a computer engineer?

Thanks
Rich

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

See my post above :)

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Thanks :) Very kind of you.
I was trying to get an employment perspective on the IT sector (if indeed there is one!) in Peterborough.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

The lack of classical culture in Canada may often be compensated for by the natural surroundings. It depends on the individual and what they prefer. Personally, the urban sprawl of the GTA drive me crazy but at least there are facilities. The vast distances you have to travel in Canada makes many of these facilities unreachable if you choose to live in isolated areas.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

What does your friend say? And what attracted you to Peterborough from a surrounding and employment perspective?

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

I guess I'd like to start in Peterborough to be with my friend. I don't like living in big cities but like access to them. 2 hour drive to Toronto doesn't seem so bad.

I figure if I don't like Peterborough then I can move to Toronto with next to no hassle (As my friend will put me up for however long I want!)

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

I cant speak for Bethany, but Stirling is a small village in Ontario 25 mins from Belleville and Trenton, so perhaps similar.

Our kids have enjoyed a winter of skiing and skating, are doing piano lessons, in the summer will do swimming lessons , rollerblading, we are skipping the hugely popular local soccer club this year (which I have mixed feelings about), then there is sparks/ brownies/ cubs, little league T-ball and Karate available in the village too, as well as the simple pleasures of fishing, biking etc in the neighbourhood.

There are many organised kids events locally, they attended some united church nature hunt thing yesterday, there are local easteregg hunts, endless seasonal festivals etc etc..

Is Stirling very different to other small places? I doubt it.

As the kids grow older we are resigned to driving them around and doing more things "in town" of course, but maybe that's the price you pay for watching the ospreys fishing from your living room window and having Turkeys visit in the back yard I guess.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

This is the township website

http://www.cavanmonaghan.net/siteeng....asp?PageID=28

Why pick Bethany? Is it access to GTA and the GO bus?? Do you have a job to go to yet? That will decide where you end up living.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Many thanks to all who have responded, the reason for choosing Bethany is that we where going to stop with relatives until we found our feet, we have visited both Peterborough & Lindsay, and personally prefer Lindsay, we have looked at some new houses being built just outside Lindsay & could probably just about afford a small one. The biggest problem is the wife does not drive.
Also this area does not seem to have a lot of employment prospects for me as I am a Fabricator / Welder.
We are really confused about it all at the moment, perhaps our return to the U.K. will make us realise why we wanted to go in the first place.

One other concern is the standard of education, can anyone shed any light on this well trodden path????

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Canada produces well rounded, well educated, literate, polite kids. Of course like any system you get out what you put in, if you take an interest in your kids studying, help with homework as necessary, keep them on the straight and narrow then they will turn out fine... (just like they would in the UK I suppose)

What did you want to know, other than that the standard of education is fine. Canada is not the third world! Like you said, its a well worn path.

Teach your OH to drive, if you are going to live anywhere outside of a handful of large cities here its a necessity not a luxury I'm afraid.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

I received all of my education in Canadian public (state) schools, followed by the University of Toronto. I'm now a biomedical researcher with numerous papers in international journals. The standard of education in Canada is excellent.

If you settle anywhere in Canada other than one of the large cities with good public transit, lack of a driver's license will be a major source of frustration and unhappiness for your wife.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

This is likely to be a problem outside of any major urban area with public transport. Rural and Semi-rural Canada relies on the car/truck/suv for personal transport. Your wife being stuck at home, unable to even go to the shops, without transport, is not going to make for a happy situation IMHO

Big fabrication? e.g. oilfield stuff or small? If the former then you should be looking at either Alberta or Newfoundland for the oil biz. You have researched the Canadian qualification requirements, red seal etc?

If the latter, then there are many small fabrication shops in and around the Greater Toronto Area. Most are suffering from the economic downturn so unless you have a particular skill/qualification in short supply you will struggle to find something. (I buy from several small/medium operations in the GTA).

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Just another thought, having gained permenent resident status, if we do not move in July as planned, how long does the permanent resident status last. We have travelled to Canada & and are now classed as "Landed", but are not actually living in Canada.
what would be required to re-new permanent resident status if it has a limited life?

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

As long as you reside in Canada for 2 out of each rolling 5 years, you're fine.

So in theory, you have up to 3 years to finally move to Canada.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Thanks for that reply, it now gives us more breathing space to consider our options, although I think biting the bullet & moving is the best option.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

You will regret it if you don't, and keep wondering what if ?

Good luck with your decision, but if you move it is a must for your wife to drive.

Sarah

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

A point worth stressing.

One of my neighbours was a welder before he came here (from the Lebanon). He discovered that the time it would take him to requalify, and the lousy money he'd get while doing so, would not enable him to support his family.

He drives a taxi.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

I am currently recruiting fabricator/welders in the Okanagan Valley. We also work closely with other fab shops who are looking for good quality fabricator/welders. These are jobs that you wouldn't see advertised unless you drive past the plant. Labour rate is approx $28 per hour + benefits + profit share. The wife not driving out here wouldn't be an issue - there are many nice communities within walking distance of the plant.

Re: A bit dissapointed
 

Would it be possible for you to PM me with some details?
Thanks,
Peter.