Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

I guess a lot will depend on what you want out of life, NS isn't fast and we love it. mls.ca will probably give you a good idea on house prices so once you have an idea on some areas you could check out houses. As also mentioned it is such a huge place that you probably need to provide a bit more info on areas you are looking at as well as what sort of life style you are after

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

If you are looking for a family home $300,000 will not go far in the more popular parts of BC or AB.

Also, don't assume you can get a "little" job to tide you over. Of course it's not impossible but there is a lot of competition for these sort of jobs from students. The employer is unlikely to think they are lucky to have someone so qualified for such a menial job. They will more likely think that you will be off the moment something better turns up. IMO you should try and get work that befits your qualifications and experience, albeit that you might have to start a couple of rungs down the ladder until you get your feet under the table (excuse the mixed metaphors).

The centre of excellence in forest sciences in BC is the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

But $300,000 can buy a very nice family home in many parts of Nova Scotia. We also have lots and lots of trees.

It has been said many times that Nova Scotia seems a little old fashioned or behind the times in many ways, certainly away from the city We like that about it. It has a warmth (though it was -19 this morning:ohmy:) and gentleness about that is very endearing.

The more specific questions you ask, the more likely you will get helpful answers. Don't be put off. Good luck with you search.

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

$300,000 can also buy you a very nice house in Alberta too - maybe not Calgary and Edmonton but there is more in Alberta than those two cities:eek:

I would advise coming out and having a looksee, see how you feel. Read the Wiki.

Think about funding your kids further education, think about shovelling snow, think about the type of job you would like to do. it is hard to break into the workforce and things are different here, not necessarily bad different. It can be very frustrating working in a job you don't like just to have something to do and to bring some money in:(

I would hazard a guess that Nova Scotia has a different feel to Alberta, I know Alberta has a different feel to BC, I have no idea what it would be like to LIVE in BC or Nova Scotia.

Have a read of the moving back to the uk forum too. There are a lot of people this side that are still in the honeymoon stage and life is great, there are others that are a little more settled and still enjoying Canada and loving the fact they moved here.

It's a huge step your taking, you have found this site which has a wealth of information (once you get past the 'in jokes'), it can be intimidating for a newbie.

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

It was foretold in 1976, what's taking so long?

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

Ah yes, the steady stream of Mail on Sunday readers...

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

Hi Diane

Welcome to the forum!

There a lot to think about. Things I'd consider early on are, in no particular order:

- Work - where can you find it most easily? How important is that to you?

- Climate - how harsh a winter do you think you can stand? How much snow do you want to shovel?

- Urban/rural - do you like city life, rural life or suburbs? Rural is much more rural here than UK, i.e. not too many amenities...

- Cost of housing - how do you feel about the trade-off that usually takes place between cheaper housing and fewer job opportunities/amenities?

- Activities - e.g do you ski or do you want to? Do you need lots of cultural amenities?

- Scenery - how important is it to you? Are you prepared to potentially live in a beautiful area but with fewer opportunities, or will you accept somewhere less pretty with better job/other prospects?

- Family/friends - do you have any anywhere in Canada already?

- Proximity to UK/cost of flights - do you plan to go back to UK often? Flights from smaller cities can be expensive and infrequent. And it takes a lot longer to fly back from Victoria than St. Johns.

As others have said, this forum can be incredibly helpful. I certainly found it so when I was preparing to move (over three years ago now).

Good luck!
LF

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

I said the more popular parts. Not the best. :)

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

Wasn't aimed at you;)

Re: EARLY STAGE - JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
 

Thank you all for the positive advice - we all have to start somewhere - some of the web sites that have been recommended seem a bit more realistice than the ones I was looking at. Also thanks to the PM's - which I really appreciated.

And just for the record we read the Sunday times not the Mail on Sunday :eek:

Thanks

Diane