Hello Everyone

My wife and I have finally received our Visa, we have two daughters aged 17 and 19. I am 48 she is 40, we both have decent jobs but I personally believe Canada would be a better place to live, especially for the kids. I am a Management Accountant CIMA, whilst my wife works on the accounts support side of a large firm of Solicitors (Billing Supervisor).

Is there anyone out there that has recently moved of a similar age, profession and perhaps with similarly aged children, who could give me a clue as to what is has been like for them and thier kids. I have read the posted statements by others, most seem positive, obviously it would be nice to find someone with similar circumstances to find out how they have fared.

We are due to come for a Recce trip on 6th February, again I have read the notes, but if anyone has any recommendations about nice places, to look for a prospective home within about 25-30 minutes drive to Vancouver, or closer maybe, that would be very helpful.

My oldest started University again I hope to look at UBC and Simon Fraser whilst on our trip, looking at the education pages, it seems like my youngest who is in her first year sixth form may have to go to University next year as well, is this the case? Can anyone give me an opinion on these or othre Universities? Does the above sound correct about my 17 year old?
Also would anyone be able to guide me with getting my daughters GCSE and A level qualifications, assessed for thier equivalency to Canadian qualifications?

On a teenage note what is the nightlife like for 17-19 year olds?

Thank you in advance for any responses, good luck to all those already on the path that I have chosen.

Paul & Family

Hi Paul, welcome to BE.

I can't help with Vancouver neighbourhoods, but one thing in your post did stand out... if your daughter is currently in Uni, it may be very expensive for her to transfer to UBC or SFU, because she will almost certainly be liable for foreign student fees - and she may not get full credit for however many years she will have done in the UK. I don't have details, but it may well be worth your while checking out the situation and what you may be letting yourself in for financially! I'm sure somebody more knowledgeable than me will be along in a minute to help with your other points.

Hello from a fellow West Midlander (not a Yam Yam or A Brummy!)
I visited Vancouver twice and was told by the locals that there wer some less desirable areas of the city to live in. Surrey, Richmond and Burnaby were named.
North Vancouver is very posh and more like Solihull or Little Aston prices, still with your job you should be OK.
VC does have a limited daytime rail which gets you into the city in a reasonable time. We used it to get from VC to Mission.
Prices of things like food were pretty much the same as over here, but fuel is cheaper. Oh and the other thing is the price on the shop labels isn't the price you pay you have to add local sales tax on (bit like VAT) which means you may need to carry a calculator around.
Anyway good luck.
rgds
mawb66

Hi and welcome to BE i can't help but am sure someone will be along shortly,
We are heading to Ontario so no use to you there, wish you all the best of luck

Surrey, Richmond & Burnaby have good as well as not so good neighborhoods.

At peak periods, 25-30 minute drive would not be far away.

North Van is a nice area in the most part, not the 'Posh' bit though. That is reserved for West Vancouver one of the the 'Posh' & expensive parts.

If you want to get to downtown, look at communities along the West Coast Express route, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge for example. Low cost parking at the stations. These commuter trains run in the morning and early evening.

Thank you for the quick response

I used the title Brummy Paul, because I've lived in Birmingham all my life and have to say I am proud of my City.

Thank you to Oakvillian, I have checked the University websites and they appear to suggest if you are classed as a permanent resident/landed immigrant you qualify for Canadian Citizen rates, but it is worth asking the question.

Thank you mawb66,I wish I could say I was a high earning Chartered (I thinkthey call them Certified) Accountant, I am afraid I took my time qualifying so am probably mid-range, my work days are spent, running two medium sized companies finances, sales, purchase,payroll, management accounts and dealing with cashflow and investments, rather than Auditing Accounts. Sounds like more fun but doesn't pay as well. I know you said you visited Vancouver, are you already in Canada or are you thinking of emigrating? I had to fill all the forms out three or so years ago if you need any advice.

I know my wife will miss her family, it would just be nice to know that the kids will be well educated and enjoy themselves. If you know Birmingham, we lived in South Yardley for quite a while and now live in Hall Green, we are not really looking for Solihull, but somewhere in between would be nice.

Hello Coffeepot, thank you for the greeting

Just noticed the response from Surrey Expat, thankyou, we did like the write up for Coquitlam, and intended to look there, but will look at the areas you have suggested. I know I said 25-30 mins but if the public transport is good, and you are not squashed in standing like upright sardines, I sure we could take a little longer to get to work.

Paul

I would suggest when you are visiting, get the train in morning, spend a day in Vancouver and get the train at night. This will give you an idea of what it's like. There are lots of hotels along the WCE route.

Translink is the public transport in Vancouver, includes buses, sky train and Sea Bus. You can get an all day pass for $9 for an adult, which allows you in all zones and on all of the above (West Coast Express is not part of this price though).

If your children have student cards, bring them, they may get concession and student pricing for fares and some admissions. Its always worth asking if there is a student rate.

Sparkhill, perhaps ?

Really, there is nothing like Brum/Yam in the Lower Mainland of BC, but I hazard that Burnaby might give you that comfortable combination of busy/snarled/endless urban expanse/mall-ville*/grotty kinda vibe.

*Metrotown fulfilling the part of the Bull Ring ?

Or perhaps Richmond/Surrey for the feeling of being teleported directly into the wrong part of the globe ?

R.

Hello Rich

You've been to Birmingham before have'nt you
Think I might pass on somewhere like Sparkhill
Its not that I do not like cars stopping in the middle of the road so the driver can get out and talk to long lost relative he has not seen for two hours, but I drive an extra three miles out of my way just to get to town quicker.

Thanks for the reply, made me smile
Paul

Thank you mawb66,I wish I could say I was a high earning Chartered (I thinkthey call them Certified) Accountant, I am afraid I took my time qualifying so am probably mid-range, my work days are spent, running two medium sized companies finances, sales, purchase,payroll, management accounts and dealing with cashflow and investments, rather than Auditing Accounts. Sounds like more fun but doesn't pay as well. I know you said you visited Vancouver, are you already in Canada or are you thinking of emigrating? I had to fill all the forms out three or so years ago if you need any advice.


Well I'm not in Canada ,but in Brum at the mo. Just going through the starting to apply process.
On the trains I found them , quick and reliable.
As for places in Brum - er try Olton?
Let me know how you get on when you get to VC.
cheers
mawb66