Hi everyone,

So after a year of planning and organising I finally arrived in Halifax 2 weeks ago! I am keen to meet other people in the area so was wondering if there are any expat groups in the Halifax area? I am working in Sales at a Volkswagen dealer in Dartmouth so the Dartmouth area would suit also. I'd love to get in touch with some other Brits over here!!

Thanks,

Lucy

Hi Lucy, welcome to NS
There is a large group on FB called 'BE's of Nova Scotia' if you want to take a look and join. I have been here 3 years and only just found out about it lol
There are regular meet ups, curry nights, BBQ's that type of thing if you're interested.

Good luck

Yeah that sounds awesome! It's always good to meet new people! I'll sign up on facebook right away - thank you for your help

Pity - I was in dartmouth all last week drinking on me own in the Ramada

Hi,
I work in the UK as a sales manager for a Ford dealership and am looking to emmigrate to NS. Hope you don't mind me asking but how are you finding sales in Halifax (compared to the UK) and what route did you use to get there?

Hi Mark,

I have been in the job for a week now so very early days but it is very similar to sales in the UK regarding processes etc. I worked for Audi in the UK and have moved to VW here so the cars are quite familiar too! I am here on a non student Bunac visa as my job wouldn't qualify under the skilled worker program. Not sure if it is different for management though....it would be worth looking into. With regards to actually getting the job, I was rather fortunate. I spoke to two of the major dealer groups here via email before I arrived, had interviews a few days after I got here and started work a few days after that - so a quick process. The key difference in the sales job from the UK is that it is commission only but the OTE seems roughly the same. Again, that may be different for a management position. Hope this helps, if I can answer any other questions for you please let me know

Welcome to NS hope your new life is everything you want!!

Thanks Bellanova I hope so too!! Loving it so far! Where abouts are you based? Have you been here long?

Welcome and good luck for your future.

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I am looking at coming over in Oct this year for a first time look and will visit a few dealerships whilst i am there. I was looking at market shares of car manufacters in Canada and was surprised to see so many of the Japanese makes in there, is that the case or is it too early to say?. How do you find the quality of the cars over there and are the Canadians easier to deal than us Brits? I am sure they will like the British accents as well which could help break down the barriers!. I think i would have to spend some time back on the sales floor (which i am happy to do) before going back into management but any info i can get from you would be really appreciated.
Regards
Mark

Hey I'm happy to help as much as I can! There are a lot of Japanese cars on the road here. The main difference I have noticed in the cars is that the options and specifications are alot less than the UK, there is one or two engines available in each model and not a lot of optional extras. That of course makes it a lot easier to learn if you change brand! They do like the British accent and it is a good way to make sure they remember you! There aren't a lot of brits selling cars here I don't think! Where abouts are you looking to move to? If you are looking at the Halifax/Dartmouth area then there are 2 main companies I recommend you contact, each own between 11 and 17 dealers. Ford included.