Siouxie

Perhaps because we have more waterfalls than anywhere else in Canada

dbd33

And I have frolicked in a fair few of them.

Former Lancastrian

Oh where do I start The only reason people have heard of it is because of the Full Monty.

christmasoompa

Most places in the UK would be better than that too. I live in the UK and rarely lock my doors. Our local primary school has class sizes of around 15 and never asked for money for materials that I recall. It doesn't sound as though you're terribly sold on the idea of moving to Canada, so before you commit to spending tens of thousands on an international move and going through all the hassle of getting your husband eligible to work there, is it not worth looking at moving to a nicer part of the UK?

And just checking, but again before you spend a few grand on a reccie trip, have you checked to make sure you or your husband is eligible for a visa?

Ryola2014

christmasoompa

If you can afford to live near Toronto, and the £25-30k or so it'll cost you to move there, wouldn't that get you to a nicer area of the UK? It doesn't need to be somewhere like Surrey, but just a rural village rather than somewhere with the issues you've described? Just playing devil's advocate…….!

Bit misleading, as the job isn't relevant, being eligible for PR status without needing employment first is purely based on points. But yes, if you've checked his CRS points then that's fab. Will he lose points due to getting older at any point? Bear in mind there were only two FST draws in 2019, so best to get his application in asap if he will lose points at any point in 2020. Ideally he wouldn't wait until your July trip to go and sit his exams to get his provincial certification, I'd suggest he sorts that asap if at all possible.

I'd also suggest you start a new thread asking about crane driving jobs in Canada, as Hamilton may not be your best choice. Just looking at the stats on Jobbank, there are only 3 jobs at the moment across all of Ontario, so it may be worth considering other provinces too where the chance of work is higher.

Good luck.

Ryola2014

christmasoompa

Sorry to hear about your family, that can't be easy, and I'm not surprised you feel trapped if you live somewhere as you've described, it sounds awful. You've got time before your husband loses points then, so plenty of time to research at least and find the right area for you. What is his CRS score now?

Ryola2014

christmasoompa

I've removed it, as it's a full email from a third party so not really ideal to put on here without their permission. But it's vague (not even any mention of your score?) because it's not from an official source, just from an immi consultant that wants to keep things that way so that they can take your money! You need to check your CRS score yourself on the proper website - https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigr...d/crs-tool.asp

The last FST draw was at 357, so ideally your husband will be scoring that or higher. If there's anything else in that email that you don't understand, feel free to start a new thread in the immi section of the forum to ask about it, and somebody will try and help.

Ryola2014

christmasoompa

It's no problem at all. We can help you for free once you've checked and most questions can be answered on BE - just head to the immi section of the Canada forum for any visa related queries.

Good luck.

Siouxie

Hamilton is a City but we do have parks and outdoor areas Have a look at the link I gave in another post - things to do in the area and lots of links to parks and trails for walking. There is crime, as there is everywhere - but it's not 'in your face' - you don't see gangs of kids hanging around.. and I feel perfectly safe coming home from downtown on the bus at night. You are not going to find spacious properties unless you have a lot of money, prices have gone through the roof as more Torontonians move to Hamilton to escape the high prices there. 8 years ago you could buy a nice smallish 3 bed house for under $200,000 - now you would be lucky to find one under $400,000. There are cheaper 'pockets' but probably in areas you would prefer not to live. I like living in Hamilton, there's a good vibe and lots to do.. a good transit system and great restaurants, bars and music venues - plus all the usual facilities you get in Cities It doesn't feel like a city - it feels like a sprawling town. If you really want to be in an area where there is lots of space, perhaps look further north.

I know a crane operator and he regularly travels to Sarnia (Ontario) and Alberta to work as there isn't that much work in this area. That kind of work is often seasonal - so there may be little income in the winter months. Your husband may also need his Certificate of Qualification for Ontario (or any other Province you consider) as it may be a compulsary trade (meaning it's regulated) depending on the type of crane work he does. https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/career/crane-operator
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketrepo...ements/7891/ON
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/jobsearch/...fn=7371&sort=M

Tumbling_Dice

The thing with all that is that you have to be aware and alert. The main problem in Canada, or certainly what I have seen of the majority of drivers from NS, PEI, NB or NF, is the utter lack of awareness and care. I genuinely felt safer driving in Sicily than driving here.

BristolUK

This made me laugh as this morning, our taxi driver to the grocery store (it was too cold & icy for a bus, only $5 more and door to door) was in the lane for the wrong strip mall and had to back up to get in the right one when I pointed it out. Less than 100 yards later, at the very next left turn he should have been taking, he was in the lane to go straight on.