Is it cold in Canada?
Jan 4th 2009 | 11:27 am
#106
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From: M'cr-Red Deer-M'cr-??
Re: Is it cold in Canada?
Ruby
and well done for giving it long enough to make that decision, i think our main point is 1mth and you havent got over the holiday period yet, its hard moving here in winter as we are finding out and maybe in years to come we may have had enough....
i went through a real bad spell after 2mths of being here, but i know it is not long enough to make that decision on. Like i said earlier, give it ago and if you have friends that are willing to drive in conditions, use them and try and get out where possable, i know i help where i can and getting out even to the mall etc helps you away from those 4 walls
Good luck
and well done for giving it long enough to make that decision, i think our main point is 1mth and you havent got over the holiday period yet, its hard moving here in winter as we are finding out and maybe in years to come we may have had enough....
i went through a real bad spell after 2mths of being here, but i know it is not long enough to make that decision on. Like i said earlier, give it ago and if you have friends that are willing to drive in conditions, use them and try and get out where possable, i know i help where i can and getting out even to the mall etc helps you away from those 4 walls
Good luck
I wasn't having a go at anyone in particular,
but I do get frustrated when people keep throwing the "research" card against people who discover winters here are too much for them to cope with. Leave it out...it's horses for courses 
Jan 4th 2009 | 11:32 am
#107
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From: M'cr-Red Deer-M'cr-??
Re: Is it cold in Canada?
So true...and thank God we don't have the amount of snow you lot get out East! What's worse....shorter winters with tonnes of snow, daily snow shovelling and milder temps.....or long winters with bearable snowfall but lots of days of -20's??
Jan 4th 2009 | 12:01 pm
#108
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From: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Jan 4th 2009 | 12:05 pm
#109
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From: M'cr-Red Deer-M'cr-??
Jan 4th 2009 | 12:41 pm
#110
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Jan 4th 2009 | 1:11 pm
#111
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Re: Is it cold in Canada?
ouch that is where i missed it 
We was lucky as we did a few recci trips and saw canada under snow, under thunder storms and v.v.v hot, i think we are here for the life, not the weather.
Although when you walk outside and your face feels like it is frozen, thats new
Also people need to remember that there is a big difference to visiting and living it, i'm a hard northerner, used to rain everyday and now trying to get used to the snow everyday
We was lucky as we did a few recci trips and saw canada under snow, under thunder storms and v.v.v hot, i think we are here for the life, not the weather.
Although when you walk outside and your face feels like it is frozen, thats new
Also people need to remember that there is a big difference to visiting and living it, i'm a hard northerner, used to rain everyday and now trying to get used to the snow everyday
Jan 4th 2009 | 3:16 pm
#112
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From: Calgary
Re: Is it cold in Canada?
ouch that is where i missed it
We was lucky as we did a few recci trips and saw canada under snow, under thunder storms and v.v.v hot, i think we are here for the life, not the weather.
Although when you walk outside and your face feels like it is frozen, thats new
Also people need to remember that there is a big difference to visiting and living it, i'm a hard northerner, used to rain everyday and now trying to get used to the snow everyday
We was lucky as we did a few recci trips and saw canada under snow, under thunder storms and v.v.v hot, i think we are here for the life, not the weather.
Although when you walk outside and your face feels like it is frozen, thats new
Also people need to remember that there is a big difference to visiting and living it, i'm a hard northerner, used to rain everyday and now trying to get used to the snow everyday
But at least Calgary is always sunny unlike dismal UK that rained and rained and everyone felt suicidal in the months Jan-Mar where here I am always in a good mood. No SAD anymore, great
Jan 4th 2009 | 3:34 pm
#113
Ontario
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Re: Is it cold in Canada?
No it not Cold...
Daughter when we first arrived 2007
Daughter when we first arrived 2007
Jan 4th 2009 | 3:37 pm
#114
Ontario
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Re: Is it cold in Canada?
Should have said this was Lake Ontario Feb 5th 2007..aaournd the AJAX area..
Jan 4th 2009 | 3:50 pm
#115
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From: Vancouver since Aug 2008!!!!!
Re: Is it cold in Canada?
Well, in Vancouver which aparently never gets alot of snow, we've had soooo much, and today skiing I had freezing snot! Nice!!!!
It's been around -5 - -10 for a while, although that is positively warm compared to many places, the atmosphere is fairly humid, making it feel a bit cooler than in some places with the same temp.
And I have to agree - can't believe people move a whole family to a new country without working out the temperatures / schools / healthcare etc, and expect it to be an England away from England.....!
You wouldn't think that moving to France or Spain would be the same? Just because the same language is spoken so many people fall for the 'it won't be too different' approach!!!!
Shame, and sadly shows the naive-ity of alot of Brits!
Bx
It's been around -5 - -10 for a while, although that is positively warm compared to many places, the atmosphere is fairly humid, making it feel a bit cooler than in some places with the same temp.
And I have to agree - can't believe people move a whole family to a new country without working out the temperatures / schools / healthcare etc, and expect it to be an England away from England.....!
You wouldn't think that moving to France or Spain would be the same? Just because the same language is spoken so many people fall for the 'it won't be too different' approach!!!!
Shame, and sadly shows the naive-ity of alot of Brits!
Bx
Jan 4th 2009 | 3:53 pm
#116
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From: Calgary
Re: Is it cold in Canada?
Went sledding with the kids this afternoon. Our community has a community lake and tobboganning hill. There were 3 hockey games going on on the lake, a group were ice fishing for rainbow trout, and 20 or 30 kids were sledding down the hill. On the ice rink were a bunch of adults and kids showing off their skills.
It was minus 10C, no clouds, no wind, sky was bright blue, sun was warm, kids were happy.
You've just got to make winter your friend.
Dress properly. Do whatever you need to do to your car to make driving it stress free in the winter. Have fun in the sun even if it's sub-zero. Get some cheap toys - sleds can be real cheap. You don't have to live near a ski hill! Build a snowman or snow cave. Throw snow balls. Get the adrenaline going and have a laugh.
Don't stay out too long, don't get wet, keep moving. And come home to hot chocolate.
It's all good!
It was minus 10C, no clouds, no wind, sky was bright blue, sun was warm, kids were happy.
You've just got to make winter your friend.
Dress properly. Do whatever you need to do to your car to make driving it stress free in the winter. Have fun in the sun even if it's sub-zero. Get some cheap toys - sleds can be real cheap. You don't have to live near a ski hill! Build a snowman or snow cave. Throw snow balls. Get the adrenaline going and have a laugh.
Don't stay out too long, don't get wet, keep moving. And come home to hot chocolate.
It's all good!
Jan 4th 2009 | 9:16 pm
#117
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Re: Is it cold in Canada?
A friend once said to me that -12, to -18 in Calgary never felt as cold as it did at -4 in the UK.
I could never quite seem to understand this, but then having several people say the same thing, all from the UK and four of them not knowing each other.
I then thought there must some basis to this theory. But then I personally had never experienced such extreme temperatures.
Tell a lie, I placed a beer in the freezer in the summer to give it a quick chill
We were in Calgary in March 08, and whilst at Lake Louise the temp went down to -13, and I can now see what they mean. As in, yes it was cold, but wrapped up, having fun skating, the sun shining - you soon forgot about how cold it was.
Into the second week -8 seemed like nothing as the sun was shining too. I think this can be a visual thing also.
Here in the Uk as anyone knows, -2 grey, dismal, all creates such a negative feeling that it makes it feel worse.
Personally the cold doesn't bother me, as I think if your layered right and keep on the move, then you'll be fine.
If you find the UK cold, then maybe you should seriously consider trying a vacation in the winter time, and see for yourself as it may not be for you regardless if the sun's shining!
I have to admit though, I've yet to try a -35! Now that sounds a whole different ball game I remember a "Canadian" who was in his sixties describing it as:
"Damned cold, and chills you to the bone"
As he his Canadian, and has a lifetimes experience of this, I'll take that as a "Red!"
Given the great winter clothing they have in Canada, I really think it's what you make it
Y
I could never quite seem to understand this, but then having several people say the same thing, all from the UK and four of them not knowing each other.
I then thought there must some basis to this theory. But then I personally had never experienced such extreme temperatures.
Tell a lie, I placed a beer in the freezer in the summer to give it a quick chill
We were in Calgary in March 08, and whilst at Lake Louise the temp went down to -13, and I can now see what they mean. As in, yes it was cold, but wrapped up, having fun skating, the sun shining - you soon forgot about how cold it was.
Into the second week -8 seemed like nothing as the sun was shining too. I think this can be a visual thing also.
Here in the Uk as anyone knows, -2 grey, dismal, all creates such a negative feeling that it makes it feel worse.
Personally the cold doesn't bother me, as I think if your layered right and keep on the move, then you'll be fine.
If you find the UK cold, then maybe you should seriously consider trying a vacation in the winter time, and see for yourself as it may not be for you regardless if the sun's shining!
I have to admit though, I've yet to try a -35! Now that sounds a whole different ball game
I remember a "Canadian" who was in his sixties describing it as: "Damned cold, and chills you to the bone"
As he his Canadian, and has a lifetimes experience of this, I'll take that as a "Red!"
Given the great winter clothing they have in Canada, I really think it's what you make it
Y
Jan 4th 2009 | 9:25 pm
#118
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From: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Re: Is it cold in Canada?
To move to another country, particularly with a young child, without bothering to check any of the above seems incredibly foolish and naive to me.
Jan 4th 2009 | 9:56 pm
#119
...
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Posts: 1,165
Re: Is it cold in Canada?
Moving from the uk with young children, you need to do your homework so much before the move..........
One thing we looked at was childcare, healthcare, weather etc etc, to move to another country without doing your sums is silly........
Yeah the food is different, but that is where making your own comes into play, i feel happier that i know what is going into my children, unless they live miles from anywhere, then there supermarkets are the same as ours here, to say the choice is not as good is mad, as i think there is too much choice sometimes with all the new food that i can offer them, plus i have a child with diabetis and a very fussy eater, the last few weeks have been hard on us, but you know what....get over it and get to know your foods more
Healthcare, what do you pay your NI for in the uk, so its not free
you also pay for dental care, prescriptions, eyecare etc etc, here in alberta they have stopped the payments now every month for healthcare, but you still pay private healthcare for the other stuff, oooooooo same as the uk.........
Childcare - you get free playgroups for kids 3yrs and above and yeah the kids are in school earlier than canada, but you know what my kids are kids here and they can play on the street/park feeling safe, couldnt say the same in the uk :curse:
We never had underground stations where i was in the uk, so that is a london thing, so never miss it, maybe they should look at a second car, i have one and i am never in with the kids 69c for gas, why would i
FFS you would think that they would of looked at this before looking, yeah its cold, but its -40 out there at the moment, snow way above my little ones waist, but the sun is out and i am happy...............
Maybe a good idea for your friend to head back, see what they say when they have done a few months of grey skys hey.................
To OP, we arrived here in september, lovely and warm, kids out at hallowen with water butts in there hands as it was well hot, now snow, -40 and real cold, but you know what, i love the culture, the people and being here, if what ever reason i start to hate the place, ill play my video....that will bring me back to earth
Still miss warburtons bread though
One thing we looked at was childcare, healthcare, weather etc etc, to move to another country without doing your sums is silly........
Yeah the food is different, but that is where making your own comes into play, i feel happier that i know what is going into my children, unless they live miles from anywhere, then there supermarkets are the same as ours here, to say the choice is not as good is mad, as i think there is too much choice sometimes with all the new food that i can offer them, plus i have a child with diabetis and a very fussy eater, the last few weeks have been hard on us, but you know what....get over it and get to know your foods more
Healthcare, what do you pay your NI for in the uk, so its not free
you also pay for dental care, prescriptions, eyecare etc etc, here in alberta they have stopped the payments now every month for healthcare, but you still pay private healthcare for the other stuff, oooooooo same as the uk.........
Childcare - you get free playgroups for kids 3yrs and above and yeah the kids are in school earlier than canada, but you know what my kids are kids here and they can play on the street/park feeling safe, couldnt say the same in the uk :curse:
We never had underground stations where i was in the uk, so that is a london thing, so never miss it, maybe they should look at a second car, i have one and i am never in with the kids 69c for gas, why would i
FFS you would think that they would of looked at this before looking, yeah its cold, but its -40 out there at the moment, snow way above my little ones waist, but the sun is out and i am happy...............
Maybe a good idea for your friend to head back, see what they say when they have done a few months of grey skys hey.................
To OP, we arrived here in september, lovely and warm, kids out at hallowen with water butts in there hands as it was well hot, now snow, -40 and real cold, but you know what, i love the culture, the people and being here, if what ever reason i start to hate the place, ill play my video....that will bring me back to earth
Still miss warburtons bread though
To be honest with you I agree with a lot of what you and other posters are saying. They were totally underprepared for the move. In fact they had never visited Canada before. Their son is 4 now, and they were told he could not be enrolled in school until he is six. In the meantime they will have to pay or one of them stay home and look after him. The coldness has knocked them for six and they were totally unprepared for this level of coldness. they have no car yet so maybe this is adding to their woes. Personally I think they should have visited Canada first, and during different seasons to see if it was suited to them.
Ironically I have only visited Canada during the summer and the last time there was a heatwave and even mosquitoes were buzzing around. I remember actually appreciating the man made Wasaga beach where I took a dip to cool off even though the water was grey it felt good !!
Anyway it is their choice, though I did suggest to them to maybe stick it out a bit longer and see how things are when it gets a bit warmer.
Jan 5th 2009 | 4:04 am
#120
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