Hello from Staffs..
 

Hello everyone - I've recently been told about this site and I have to say, it's an absolute dream for someone like me, who shudders at the thought of forms and processes!:confused:

I'll try and keep my intro as short as I can - although I do have a tendency to chatter on!! So I apologise in advance! I currently live in Cannock, Staffordshire with my husband and 4 sons aged 7,9,10 and 14.

I'd love to say that I've always wanted to move to Canada, as I feel a bit of a fraud when I read others posts, but we haven't. We've been seriously thinking about emigrating for a while, but never found anywhere which, we felt, would suit us as a family. Each country, city, town etc. we considered always had question marks which led to big doubts and I wasn't prepared to risk moving somewhere if I didn't feel that we'd be able to fit in with the country and it's culture.

I'd never even thought about Canada - my husband mentioned it a couple of times but I dismissed it. However, I study with the Open University and someone mentioned it on their expats site - so I thought I'd look into it (My husband would say that it's typical - I won't listen to him but I'll listen to a complete stranger!!!:p). Well - what a revelation - why didn't I realise this earlier? What a beautiful country - I realise that it's certainly not going to be plain sailing and that it's a very long wait. I also understand that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side but it can't be any browner than it is here!!! I'm not searching for a perfect life just a different one!

We've fallen in love with Nova Scotia - love the fact that it's surrounded (almost) by sea, love the climate and the different seasons, love the flight times, love the houses, love the different culture and traditions.. need I go on? And to top it all, Canada recognises my job as a 'skilled worker' and I'm over the points level ... sooo excited!:rofl:

My kids are really geared up for it - even the 14 year old, who'd always said that he wouldn't be coming with us if we moved away.

So... next steps - we're saving for the SW application and will be selling the house (which we were going to do anyway but buy a bigger one). We'll then rent and put all of the money from the equity, in the bank. Then attend the emigrate expo in March - followed by as many reccie trips as we can to Nova Scotia. And wait...................:( and wait...................:frown: and wait................:curse: :cry_smile: but I'm determined - we will get there:thumbsup:!

Hope to speak to you all soon so I can pick everyone's brains - although I'm making good use of the 'search forums' and wiki thing and gathering loads of info off that! Sorry about the length - I did warn you that I ramble on :o!!!

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi :D
Welcome, everyone here is helpful. We are also at the beginning of our applications, so who knows how long it'll be.:unsure:
best wishes
Rosie

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi, Welcome to the forum. We also live in staffs, near Shugborough Hall. The forum is the most informative, truthful site you will ever use. We have found it invaluable.

Good luck with everything.

Top Cat:)

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi, my advise, get the paper work done quick, and get your 14 yr old to write is promise to move and sign it.....:lol:
Having trouble with our 17 yr old, trying to back track. :ohmy:
Good Luck:thumbsup:

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi

I am just down the road in Stoke on Trent (your side of the City even). We are planning to move to NS next summer.

Are you planning to try to get there quicker ona WP, or just wait the long wait?

Where in NS are you wanting to go to?

Just ask if you want any info and I will do my best.

Lynn

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi and welcome to BE

We lived in farley a little hamlet by Alton Towers for a while.

Good Luck

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

hi
hope you find what you need(to speed things up why don't you try to come with a work permit/provincial nominee program?)
best of luck
vee

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Welcome to BE, eldoran.

Agree with veengraham about speeding up your application with a work permit OR skilled worker application backed up by Arranged Employment Opinion OR Provincial Nominee Program.

Regular skilled worker applications are taking 5+ years to be processed.

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi and welcome,
Im new to this but came from Swindon England to Ontario 3 years ago on work permit, which only took if I remember right 3 months to process (if you get an offer of a job and your new employer does the paper work it shoudnt take long) permenent took 18 months so not too bad. havent found right area for us but wouldnt go back to England yet. Denise

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi Top Cat

Yes - we know Shugborough well! Many a happy afternoon spent on Milford with a football and at Marquis Drive with a kite!!!

Thank you for the 'luck' - I have a feeling we'll need it!!

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi Lynn - what a small world (when you don't need 'permanent residence' approval!). My job takes me round and about Stafford, Stoke and Leek.

I don't think that I'll be able to do the WP thing - still very confused by everything! My job is a bit obscure - well it isn't here but it is over there. I'm a registered nurse for people with learning disabilities and have managed residential and nursing homes but can't use that as it isn't recognised - I also train and assess for NVQs 2,3 and 4 - once again NVQ isn't recognised over there. But there are jobs on the list which fit - thank heavens.

So I think that it'll be the long wait - which may be even longer if current predictions are correct for when the simplified applications hit the conveyor belt!!

As for NS - I think that we're going to be fairly limited to where I can get work so I'm trying not to look too closely and fall in love with somewhere that's a million miles from a job! My hubby will be a fully qualified electrician by the time we go - so hopefully that will help us when we get there. Whereabouts are you off to?

Speak to you soon
Emma

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hello!
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that hadn't thought of Canada!

I think I almost forgot it existed until a passing comment from a friend said 'how wonderful' Canada was and that she was thinking of emigrating there. She was only joking but it got me thinking! We don't want to stay in France, but don't want to go back to the UK either.

After loads of research it ticks all the boxes and we've also chosen NS and are going for a reccy next April hopefully. So may see you there!

Good luck!
Lynpy

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

I am RGN. I have just been over to take the CRNE and am waiting for my results. I know that learning dis is not recognised in NS, but I thought that I read somewhere that Healthcare Managers or some such thing were on the list. I am sure someone else will know more.

If that is the case, maybe you could you not get in that way.

We are planning to live not too far from Halifax, I like the Porters Lake area. I am hoping to go over again in the spring if we get some interest in our house when it goes up for sale after Christmas.

Next time you are over in Stoke PM me and perhaps we could meet up. I am in Blythe Bridge.

Lynn

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Hi Lyn
RGN does make it easier (apart from the exam - I sat one for my recent OU course and was a nervous wreck - it was my first proper exam since my nurse exams in '92!).

My job roles, work experience and qualifications gained within the last 10 years match 2 jobs on the list so I think that the SW route is my only option and then cross my fingers that I can get a job when I'm over there.

We've already booked our hols for next year to menorca - I SO regret it now - as I would've gone over to NS for a scout around. But then I suppose I've got plenty of time before my application is processed ... years and years in fact! By which time you'll have been there a good while and can give me loads of advice!!

I haven't made any appointments yet for the Stoke home - it's in Tunstall - not sure of the geography in relation to Blythe Bridge. I'm also very new to all of this - so may have to fiddle and practice a bit to learn how to do this pm stuff! If you get lots of blank messages - that'll be me!!

Speak to you soon
Emma

Re: Hello from Staffs..
 

Tunstall is the other end of the city. You would have to almost pass my house on the way into the city as I live very much on the outskirts of Stoke.

If you job/qualification is on the list you should be able to look for a job and go out on a WP to fast track your SW, or get PNP.

Good luck whatever you do.

Lynn