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Old Jan 21st 2009 | 9:42 am
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Red face Do I stay or do I go?

I haven't been on in a while as we have been weighing up things recently.

Our plan had been to move to North Vancouver in July 09 as I was to attend Capilano University to study. While everything was going to plan, the credit crunch hit and we have now been thinking about our options.

We have a house to sell, and initially we were supposed to have it on the market this month. In November it became clear that the market had slowed completely, even in Aberdeen and we decided we might have to postpone the move again!

So we sat down and discussed it and thought maybe it was best to have a child first and then move. However, a week after this loose decision had been made, I am again feeling like we are making a huge mistake. My grandfather passed away suddenly just after Christmas and I am thinking that the family thing was maybe just a knee jerk reaction to the situation. I mean I do want a family, but I feel so unsettled here.

I keep thinking about the opportunity that is right in front of me, of us and I think we might not ever get to Canada if we don't go soon. We put in a new kitchen in November and renovated the hall and that drained us financially, so we still have the living room, 2 bedrooms, and bathroom to do. Admittedly most of the things are cosmetic only, like new wallpaper/paint and carpeting, but it does need done.

I guess what I am looking for here is outside, honest advice. My family of course would prefer if we stayed here and had a family, but to be honest I am thinking that may make it even harder to leave.

Right now we have a lot of debt that would be completely cleared when we sell the house and we would have enough left over to pay for my course at Uni. The move to Canada could be a completely new life for us and I think if we stayed here, things wouldn't change all that much and I am sure I would always be thinking what if? Another major concern is that my husband would need a job while I studied and my worry is that with the crunch the way it is, will he be able to find work?

Sorry to ramble, but it is so difficult when you can't actually talk to anyone about this. Is anyone else in the same position, has the credit crunch made you either postpone or completely give up your Canadian Dream?

Thanks all

Summer
 
Old Jan 21st 2009 | 9:55 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Originally Posted by Summer-Caitlin
I haven't been on in a while as we have been weighing up things recently.

Our plan had been to move to North Vancouver in July 09 as I was to attend Capilano University to study. While everything was going to plan, the credit crunch hit and we have now been thinking about our options.

We have a house to sell, and initially we were supposed to have it on the market this month. In November it became clear that the market had slowed completely, even in Aberdeen and we decided we might have to postpone the move again!

So we sat down and discussed it and thought maybe it was best to have a child first and then move. However, a week after this loose decision had been made, I am again feeling like we are making a huge mistake. My grandfather passed away suddenly just after Christmas and I am thinking that the family thing was maybe just a knee jerk reaction to the situation. I mean I do want a family, but I feel so unsettled here.

I keep thinking about the opportunity that is right in front of me, of us and I think we might not ever get to Canada if we don't go soon. We put in a new kitchen in November and renovated the hall and that drained us financially, so we still have the living room, 2 bedrooms, and bathroom to do. Admittedly most of the things are cosmetic only, like new wallpaper/paint and carpeting, but it does need done.

I guess what I am looking for here is outside, honest advice. My family of course would prefer if we stayed here and had a family, but to be honest I am thinking that may make it even harder to leave.

Right now we have a lot of debt that would be completely cleared when we sell the house and we would have enough left over to pay for my course at Uni. The move to Canada could be a completely new life for us and I think if we stayed here, things wouldn't change all that much and I am sure I would always be thinking what if? Another major concern is that my husband would need a job while I studied and my worry is that with the crunch the way it is, will he be able to find work?

Sorry to ramble, but it is so difficult when you can't actually talk to anyone about this. Is anyone else in the same position, has the credit crunch made you either postpone or completely give up your Canadian Dream?

Thanks all

Summer
The credit crunch made the sale of our house impossible unless we take a 20% hit on the price it was purchased for in 2006. Fiance had quite a lot of debt. Basically, we needed to take half our savings to pay up the debt, and say goodbye to a house in Canada in our arrival. I even took a papergirl job for 6 months to gather extra money everyweek to put in the dream pot, fiance worked 60hrs a week for 5 months as well. We know land on friday in Canada with a rented house in Nottingham and about 300$ in our pockets (not even a joke) since we do not touch the rest until a year. The rates are so bad it is not even worth converting it in canadian money at the moment.

He managed to convince his company to let him work remotely despite them not having any offices in North America (and one way tickets with BA for both of us if we were postponing our move by three months, there is always a deal to be made somewhere), so we've got a revenue and I have 2 interviews aligned for next week (and a hefty 2000$ debt in taxes that I've just nicely received a bill for to give to Quebec gov which now wants his share on my UK revenue - I'm Canadian Citizen). We decided to go ahead with our dream. We've decided to get married in Canada (next August) and start a family there.

It is a lot of pain and problems with the credit crunch, we can't get the picture we dreamed for this summer, but yet feel it is worth the move and can't be worst than here (I've been made redundant TWICE last year would you believe).

We postponed our move by 6 months, but we made it. We do not know how easy it will be. I would say go ahead, and live the dream!
 
Old Jan 21st 2009 | 10:04 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

First off good luck whchever way you decide.

My situation is very different to yours so I can't give any specific advice but Ill try and give some general pointers that may help you make the right decision.
1. Why did you want to move in the first place and have any of the reasons changed since then?
2. Would the equity from your house, if you sold it tomorrow, still allow you to do the move and would there be any safety net left over if your OH couldnt get work?
3. Has your other half thought about applying for a job before going and is his trade likely to be in demand?
4. If he was unable to get his trade based job straight away would he be able to stand flipping burgers to keep you going?
5. If you were to leave it for a couple of years would you find it easier to move and go back to studying (both with and without an extra mouth )?
6. Have you sat down and discussed all your options with your OH?

The only people who can make the right decision are you guys. In my experience your family are still your family wherever you are and the world is very small these days.

Again good luck,

Tom




and good luck to LadyRayden too!!!!!
 
Old Jan 21st 2009 | 10:05 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

We moved here 30 months ago. I came on a student visa. I was able to work of campus after 6 months, can you do that in BC? MOH got a basic wage job to start with and now has a better paid, but not brilliantly paid job.

It was hard work, just 2 years as a student, you are thinking about 4. We didnt have a mortgage so were better placed not having to worry about accommodation but we had greater outgoings than we had anticipated. Once I graduated I didnt get a job the field I trained in. There are very very few in this area and the majority of my class are unemployed or have relocated.

How likely is your husband to get a job? are his skills in demand? Does he need to challenge any exams here to get work?

Only you can decide but, you are young and this isn't the only chance you will have at emigrating. There will be many more opportunities for you if you don't take this one.
 
Old Jan 21st 2009 | 10:22 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Thank you all for the replies

We already postponed our trip, we had planned to go in summer 2008, but decided to work a bit longer and pay off some of our debts (didn't really happen). I guess this is what I am thinking... If I stay here and say right we will start our family and go in say 3 years, I think I know deep down it will never happen, the pull of family will be even stronger and our debts won't be cleared, in fact we may gain even more!!!

My course is actually only 2.5 years (Paralegal) and the last 6 months include a paid internship, which I have been told mostly leads to full time employment. My husband has said he would sweep the streets if he had to, but ideally he is looking for an admin role. He does warranty claims here for Ford/Fiat and Kia, although he is looking to work in a different area as he is totally fed up.

Our reasons haven't changed at all,, we wanted a better life, more opportunity and of course a better upbringing for children, none of which we could get here unless we both retrained.

I am allowed to get part time work in BC after 6 months and I hoped to do so, but if the house was to sell for what we hoped, which isn't above what the majority of newly decorated houses are selling for, then I may not have to.

If our house sold for what we wanted it would actually mean I would have enough to pay for my entire course outright and we would still have a safety net, maybe we could have a look at our finances again and see if we could whittle the figure down even more. If we did have to drop the price, it would maybe still be possible.

If we left it a few years, I don't think we could afford for me to go back to school, esp if we did have a child, so the only route into Canada would be the skilled route. To be honest though, this wouldn't give us the change we want. We both want new careers and I have always wanted to work within Law, was studying Law over here, but decided to wait until I got to Canada.

I think I am answering my own question here, but I really appreciate all your opinions and it is giving me loads more to think about!
 
Old Jan 21st 2009 | 11:03 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Originally Posted by Summer-Caitlin
Thank you all for the replies

We already postponed our trip, we had planned to go in summer 2008, but decided to work a bit longer and pay off some of our debts (didn't really happen). I guess this is what I am thinking... If I stay here and say right we will start our family and go in say 3 years, I think I know deep down it will never happen, the pull of family will be even stronger and our debts won't be cleared, in fact we may gain even more!!!

My course is actually only 2.5 years (Paralegal) and the last 6 months include a paid internship, which I have been told mostly leads to full time employment. My husband has said he would sweep the streets if he had to, but ideally he is looking for an admin role. He does warranty claims here for Ford/Fiat and Kia, although he is looking to work in a different area as he is totally fed up.

Our reasons haven't changed at all,, we wanted a better life, more opportunity and of course a better upbringing for children, none of which we could get here unless we both retrained.

I am allowed to get part time work in BC after 6 months and I hoped to do so, but if the house was to sell for what we hoped, which isn't above what the majority of newly decorated houses are selling for, then I may not have to.

If our house sold for what we wanted it would actually mean I would have enough to pay for my entire course outright and we would still have a safety net, maybe we could have a look at our finances again and see if we could whittle the figure down even more. If we did have to drop the price, it would maybe still be possible.

If we left it a few years, I don't think we could afford for me to go back to school, esp if we did have a child, so the only route into Canada would be the skilled route. To be honest though, this wouldn't give us the change we want. We both want new careers and I have always wanted to work within Law, was studying Law over here, but decided to wait until I got to Canada.

I think I am answering my own question here, but I really appreciate all your opinions and it is giving me loads more to think about!
It's good to ask peoples opinions, when they tell you what you don't want to hear then you know what you really want.

You are young, single, no dependents. Why not try it out for size?
Have you applied for a student visa already?? when you planned to go in 2008? Whether or not you get a visa may make the decision for you.
 
Old Jan 21st 2009 | 11:47 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Originally Posted by Summer-Caitlin

Our reasons haven't changed at all,, we wanted a better life, more opportunity and of course a better upbringing for children, none of which we could get here unless we both retrained.

I am allowed to get part time work in BC after 6 months and I hoped to do so, but if the house was to sell for what we hoped, which isn't above what the majority of newly decorated houses are selling for, then I may not have to.

On what do you base the assumption that moving to Canada will give you a better life, more opportunity and a better upbringing for your children? I mean that might happen but just moving to Canada won't give you those things because it's not a magical land over here. You'll need to have a solid plan and solid reasons for believing that you can get those things here. If you find yourself struggling financially then the quality of life will be in question.

Personally I'm thinking about moving back to the UK but I won't consider this seriously until we see just how things are going to pan out economically over the next year or two because of everything that's going on globally. I can't decide if it's courageous or just a little unwise to consider an international move just at this point in time.

But I do understand where you're coming from. I remember being so keen to move over here a few years ago and it's been a decent enough move although not as great as I had anticipated. It depends on how much is at stake. Sometimes we can end up looking forward to doing something so much that when circumstances maybe make it not such a good idea we lose sight of that.
 
Old Jan 21st 2009 | 10:08 pm
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Originally Posted by stepnek
On what do you base the assumption that moving to Canada will give you a better life, more opportunity and a better upbringing for your children? I mean that might happen but just moving to Canada won't give you those things because it's not a magical land over here. You'll need to have a solid plan and solid reasons for believing that you can get those things here. If you find yourself struggling financially then the quality of life will be in question.

Personally I'm thinking about moving back to the UK but I won't consider this seriously until we see just how things are going to pan out economically over the next year or two because of everything that's going on globally. I can't decide if it's courageous or just a little unwise to consider an international move just at this point in time.

But I do understand where you're coming from. I remember being so keen to move over here a few years ago and it's been a decent enough move although not as great as I had anticipated. It depends on how much is at stake. Sometimes we can end up looking forward to doing something so much that when circumstances maybe make it not such a good idea we lose sight of that.
Thank you for your response.

My reasons behind the move are as follows...

Over here I cannot afford to go back to University full time. We have a mortgage and loads of debts and we both need to work full time to pay our bills. If we stayed here we would need to sell the house eventually, otherwise we would be in debt for the next 20 years or so. So assuming we did stay here and sold the house, we would have some money left over, but over here rentals and house prices are still way above average and that money wouldn't go very far, certainly not far enough to allow me to go to Uni and quit my job. But, say I did manage to do this, the qualification that I want, well the final job doesn't pay that much more than I get in my current job. Over here Paralegals don't have as much responsibility as they do in BC, the salary is more than doubled over there and that is just to start!

My husband is in a dead end job and there is no prospects, yes he could try and get something else, but there is so many lay offs recently that he doesn't feel safe leaving.

As for a better life for the children, I grew up in Australia and here and I can't deny that as a child, I had a better life in Oz. I had an outdoors life that I just didn't get here. In Sydney, I grew up in a cosmopolitan city which introduced and educated me about new cultures. Aberdeen has become overrun with bars and I only need to walk down the street to see 10 year olds drinking and swearing and this is in a decent area!

I know that every city has it's problems, but I just don't see any opportunities here for young people.

Although the plan was to move to North Vancouver for the duration of my course, it isn't set in stone that we would live there forever. I know that it is an expensive city, but I once I qualified, I could live anywhere in BC, so I am not restricting myself there. However I talk to a Paralegal that lives in North Van frequently through email and I asked her about whether I would be able to live comfortably in North Van once qualified. The salary she told me was much higher than anticipated and I worked out that could live in a rental (won't buy for a while) pay bills etc, just on my salary alone. Of course my husband will be looking for work.

The more I talk about it the more I think that going is the right decision, I have just outlined my many reasons for going and the one reason I have to stay is family. Family is family wherever I go and I guess I need to tell myself they are only a plane ride away, and with things such as Skype, webcam etc, it may not be so bad!

Again, thank you all for your replies so far, they are all helping me.
 
Old Jan 22nd 2009 | 12:20 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Originally Posted by Summer-Caitlin
Aberdeen has become overrun with bars and I only need to walk down the street to see 10 year olds drinking and swearing and this is in a decent area!

I know that every city has it's problems, but I just don't see any opportunities here for young people.

The more I talk about it the more I think that going is the right decision, I have just outlined my many reasons for going and the one reason I have to stay is family. Family is family wherever I go and I guess I need to tell myself they are only a plane ride away, and with things such as Skype, webcam etc, it may not be so bad!
Having lived in Aberdeen until the age of 21, I can understand your comments about prospects, etc - unless you work offshore and earn megga bucks! I still think the property market in the Deen! is probably better placed to sell a house v's the rest of the UK, so things could be a lot worse. The Oil Industry has created a small financial property bubble, not great for the buyers.

I first started my FSW application in 2003 and decided to put it on hold. Along the way I somehow managed to get married and witness the birth of my two children

My opinion is as follows, just my opinion based on what you have said;

1 Children will give you so many more dilemmas to think about when making the move
2 Children will make you appreciate why you are making the move long term
3 Children will make the rest of your family come and visit when they can
4 Children will help make you smile when your stressed about No 1

In conclusion, with or without children you need to decide if it's right for you now....

Fate will also play a part, do up your house and if it sells quick - GO! if it doesn't and your still sitting in the Deen a year from now.... do you still have a huge desire to move to Canada? then you will eventually go, with or without the bambinos

PS - It appears to be a lot easier to move when they are pre-school age, making friends, etc etc no teenage meltdowns, etc etc. From all the other posts I've read from parents.

Time is on your side and it sounds like youv'e done a good amount of research, let fate decide
 
Old Jan 22nd 2009 | 10:11 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Sounds like you know the answer already!!! Good luck for the future, hope it all works out well for you!!!!!

Tom
 
Old Jan 22nd 2009 | 1:43 pm
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Hi there

I know you want to go to Cap College / Uni, but do you need to live in North Van????

It is or can be quite an expensive part of the city????

I would also just take the bull by the horns. Life isn't a rehersal, and therefore you won't get a 2nd chance. Go for it!!!

What is the market for renting in your area?

I wasn't able to sell my house in the time frame I was working towards, so have it rented at hte moment. thankfully it does cover the mortgage so I'm not having to send money home. It also gives me the security of having a bolt hole should I need it (not that I want to go back to the UK!!!)

Good Luck and if you need any help re: Vancouver, then let me know.

Bx
 
Old Jan 22nd 2009 | 10:30 pm
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Thanks again for the replies.

Hammy I remember you from when you just started out on here, I hope all is going well for you! You make a lot of good points, I am thinking fate may be the way to go. I had an appointment yesterday and in the magazine I picked up, it had an article on Vancouver (very rare). When I was on the bus there was a couple talking about British Columbia and when I got home I had received some correspondence from Capilano University. This may not be a sign to everyone else, but to read/hear/receive all this info about Canada in one day, feels like it's slapping me in the face!

I know if we were to have children, going back to school anywhere would be out, we couldn't afford for either of us to be out of work. I had a quick discussion with my husband last night and we think that we probably should go ahead with the plan and try our best to get the house on the market as soon as it's ready. If it isn't ready for this Fall, then surely it will be ready for next. Yes, I'll be a year older, but I guess "so what" is the right answer!

bandit - Unfortunately neither my husband nor I drive, I was hoping to learn to drive as soon as we move to Canada. I have sat my test twice here, years ago now and failed on stupid things. I considered doing it again here, but I might as well learn the Canadian way. Anyway, not having a car and not banking on having a car, North Van may be the only way to go. I don't want to have to travel great distances everyday to get to Uni (I did that here) and my husband hates public transport and prefers to walk (he walks 50minutes to his work and back again). This would all change if he had a car though! I have looked at the rentals in North Van and I have based my figures on renting there. I know they are expensive and if I could rent at a lower price then that would be even better.

It isn't possible to rent our house here, no matter how good the rental market is at the moment. We need the money from the sale of the house to fund the move and pay for my course, without it we can't go! Our money includes a decent safety net for, if my husband can't find a job for a little while, it also pays for my entire course (I think you need to show this, or at least a years worth?)

Again I have been thinking a lot about this and it seems nearly everything is saying to go. Life is short and while my granda, who recently passed away, didn't want us to go, he wanted us to be happy and fulfill our dreams. Right now it feels like I am treading water and I want to be living my life. It all seems much clearer to me, Canada is calling.
 
Old Jan 23rd 2009 | 12:12 pm
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Good Luck with what ever you do

Ben
 
Old Jan 23rd 2009 | 10:33 pm
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Summer Caitlin,

Don't veer from your dreams, stay focused and achieve what you want. Don't let the credit crunch get in the way.

Make sure you have enough to follow your dream - you are young and energetic - if you made the change once then you can do it again.

love
Ruby
 
Old Jan 24th 2009 | 5:55 am
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Default Re: Do I stay or do I go?

Originally Posted by Summer-Caitlin
I haven't been on in a while as we have been weighing up things recently.

Our plan had been to move to North Vancouver in July 09 as I was to attend Capilano University to study. While everything was going to plan, the credit crunch hit and we have now been thinking about our options.

We have a house to sell, and initially we were supposed to have it on the market this month. In November it became clear that the market had slowed completely, even in Aberdeen and we decided we might have to postpone the move again!

So we sat down and discussed it and thought maybe it was best to have a child first and then move. However, a week after this loose decision had been made, I am again feeling like we are making a huge mistake. My grandfather passed away suddenly just after Christmas and I am thinking that the family thing was maybe just a knee jerk reaction to the situation. I mean I do want a family, but I feel so unsettled here.

I keep thinking about the opportunity that is right in front of me, of us and I think we might not ever get to Canada if we don't go soon. We put in a new kitchen in November and renovated the hall and that drained us financially, so we still have the living room, 2 bedrooms, and bathroom to do. Admittedly most of the things are cosmetic only, like new wallpaper/paint and carpeting, but it does need done.

I guess what I am looking for here is outside, honest advice. My family of course would prefer if we stayed here and had a family, but to be honest I am thinking that may make it even harder to leave.

Right now we have a lot of debt that would be completely cleared when we sell the house and we would have enough left over to pay for my course at Uni. The move to Canada could be a completely new life for us and I think if we stayed here, things wouldn't change all that much and I am sure I would always be thinking what if? Another major concern is that my husband would need a job while I studied and my worry is that with the crunch the way it is, will he be able to find work?

Sorry to ramble, but it is so difficult when you can't actually talk to anyone about this. Is anyone else in the same position, has the credit crunch made you either postpone or completely give up your Canadian Dream?

Thanks all

Summer
Unfortunately, the credit crunch has made us put our Canada dream on the back burner. Houses are not selling at all where we live and we have lost a huge amount of money on the price of our house since we applied for PR in 2006. We thought about renting it out but we need some capital to get us up and running in Canada and to keep us going if jobs were an issue. We now have the problem that our eldest daughter is 12 this year and will be starting secondary in September. She will soon be at an age where it will be really hard for her to leave her friends ( or heaven forbid, boyfriend!!!) and might even decide she doesnt want to go. These are things we have had to seriously consider as my friend withdrew her application because her 15 year old daughter was refusing to go with her saying she would move in with her gran and stay in the UK. I didnt want to have to disrupt her education at an important stage so we have withdrawn our application and are gutted about it. I know a few of you might say that she will cope with a new school and be able to pick up where she left off but its also the money issue. My husband is not having any luck with finding work out there either and it would be suicide to go out there without a job offer so it seems our dream may be over. Gutted!
 


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