Hi
Just thought I would say a big hello as I'm new

We ( Myself Elli, Paul my husband, Megan 6 and Joshua 3 ) are hopefully going over to Alberta on PNP as my husband has a job in Edmonton Police starting 29th Jan'07

We put our PR application in anyway and hence have an AOR of May 06. Since then the PNP part of the paperwork has been approved and returned from Alberta (within 3 weeks) and so it's now being fast tracked. The PNP paperwork is valid until 31st Jan '07, so it makes the process more realistic for us all.

My husband Paul took all the new PNP paperwork and police checks up to the CHC and they told him that we'll get a new letter, AOR and file number within a month ? Still waiting but hopeful that we hear something soon.

After all my rambling..... Has this happened to anyone else or is anyone else going down this route?

We've sold our house and are now living in a rented property as any quick move to Canada will be easier.

Once we have done our medicals and all is ok I'm going to fly out and buy a house as we know where we want to live.

Life is a bit mad at the mo but really exciting

I know that many have a huge huge wait and that this posting may seem a little insensitive, but it isn't my intention.

We just seem to be in the right place at the right time. My husband has had to complete the hardest police recruitment tests in Alberta to get into EPS.
These included an incredibly hard fitness test, very thorough telephone interviews to both me and friends and he's been a police officer for 14yrs here in the UK! So I guess that was our struggle.

Oh boy I've waffled on again....

Thanks for reading and any help would be great

Elli

______________________________
AOR 2nd May 2006 Alberta Bound on PNP

Hi Elli

Wow, your all geared up for the big move!!!

Your lucky your DH is coming with a job. That is the only bugbear we have, my DH left a fantastic job back home and he is struggling to find a job here.

Are you leaving your parents? The homesickness hit us about 4 days after arriving, buts its totally normal and it does get better.

Hope everything goes smoothly!

Jo x

Hi Jo

Yes, we are leaving our family and friends for a whole new life. The job opportunity landed in our laps last year and we went on a research trip to Alberta last Nov/Dec and absolutly loved it. We're not going to be living in Edmonton, but in St. Albert which is really great.

It has hit family hard as its happened so quickly, so far, and the're still coming to terms with it all. I know I'm going to miss them all madly but feel that it's all worth it in the end.

Now I just feel like I'm stalking the postman !

Nice chatting
Elli

Hi there. Just wanted to add our best wishes for a smooth transition to sunny AB....(well most of the time it is !!!!!!!!!!! )

You have chosen a good place to live in St Albert. We are in the parallel universe over t'other side......ie Sherwood Park.

My hub says the 'weather folk' are predicting another mildish winter this yr (although, always take it with a pinch of salt) So that will hopefully break you in gently, as it did for us last year. Have young children should help you settle in. I found everyone Sooooo freindly, and the accent is always a talking point. Best of Luck with the adventure !

Great to hear from someone that's made the move and has settled in ok.
We did visit Sherwood Park when over last year and found it too very nice. We have friends in Summerside and they had their place built from scratch, very brave, but it's lovely. We chose St. Albert for the houses and schooling and also as it was further away from Edmonton and we have friend who live there and work for EDP.
I'm planning on joining groups with Josh, whilst Megan is at school, to make the change easier. Paul will be attending the Police Academy for around 12 weeks so I'll be the one meeting the neighbours etc, good job I'm really friendly and up for chat
Paul has a lot of running outside ! (rather him than me) to do so a mild winter would be kinder.
I'm planning on coming out, on my own, to Canada at the end of October to buy a house. We both know what we want and can afford within the catchment area for Megan's new school (fingers crossed) so lets hope it all works out.
Bye for now
Elli

Good luck to you both - sounds like you have TONS going on all at once, I know that feeling!!

We are on our way out - seems lie forever but we'll be there in November...and by there I mean Edmonton too We're looking at primarily Beaumont, Devon and Ellerslie for convenience but we both loved St. Albert, and we're keeping an eye out for Spruce Grove and re-looking at Sherwood.

Hope you have a fantastic time house hunting - I envy you, wish I was going there to buy ours too but we have to wait for house to sell probably

Anyways, keep us informed of progress and maybe one day we'll all be meeting up at the WEM for a laugh and a Timmies

Ki

Hope you have a fantastic time house hunting - I envy you, wish I was going there to buy ours too but we have to wait for house to sell probably

Anyways, keep us informed of progress and maybe one day we'll all be meeting up at the WEM for a laugh and a Timmies

Ki [/QUOTE]

Hi Ki

Wow good luck with the move not long now, as we're nearly in October. Are you going out with a job or hunting whilst there? Do you too have kids, as I think Canada really sold it to us as a family. They really know how to make life not only easier but convenient for families.

Taking about WEM we took Megan and Josh there last year and they counted Megan aged 5 as a toddler and she had the run of Galaxy Land for about $5 ! As they go to school later they are considered toddlers until then.

I'm looking forward to house hunting, no pressure :scared: but I'm sure I'll be fine. I haven't travelled without the kids before and I know that I'll miss them but also very excited about the trip and not having the worry of their routine, if you know what I mean.
Yes, once we move out we must all meet up for a timmies as I've missed that from our trip. Don't know what they put in it but it's quite addictive
Bye for now
Elli

Hi Ki

Wow good luck with the move not long now, as we're nearly in October. Are you going out with a job or hunting whilst there? Do you too have kids, as I think Canada really sold it to us as a family. They really know how to make life not only easier but convenient for families.

Taking about WEM we took Megan and Josh there last year and they counted Megan aged 5 as a toddler and she had the run of Galaxy Land for about $5 ! As they go to school later they are considered toddlers until then.

I'm looking forward to house hunting, no pressure :scared: but I'm sure I'll be fine. I haven't travelled without the kids before and I know that I'll miss them but also very excited about the trip and not having the worry of their routine, if you know what I mean.
Yes, once we move out we must all meet up for a timmies as I've missed that from our trip. Don't know what they put in it but it's quite addictive
Bye for now
Elli [/QUOTE]

Hey Elli

Thanks, we're really looking forward to it... nope, no children but it was also one of the reasons we wanted to move there - because it seems like such a great place to bring any future little ones up

I am sure you'll have great fun househunting and will come back with a cracker under your belt!

Timmies is amazingly addictive - but in a good way eh?? Gotta love their cinamon bagels too...mmmmmmm

Ki

I think the Edm Police must be on a big recruitement drive. Another chap on here has just come out from the UK with the Edm Police. 2 of the Dads at my sons school are also in the force and love it.!!!

Your children are the same age as mine........ 6 and nearly 3. My 6 yr old is in Grade 1 and my youngest just started pre-school. I don't know how much there is going on in St Albert for kids, but if its anything like Sherwood Park, you won't be short of things to do with them and activities to join.

If you already have friends there, then that should help you loads. Good Luck.

Ki
We rented a condo out in Devon for the first 3 months after landing.
However we didn't stay there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stunning river valley settling.......................and thats about it really !!

Depends what you want I guess, but it just wasn't for us. House prices are a little more affordable out there, as it feels quite a way away from the city.

If you would like any more info on Devon, pm me.

Debbie

Ah, right, sounds ominous... I will do that Debbie, thanks

Just wanted to say Hi!

Your children are the same age as mine........ 6 and nearly 3. My 6 yr old is in Grade 1 and my youngest just started pre-school. I don't know how much there is going on in St Albert for kids, but if its anything like Sherwood Park, you won't be short of things to do with them and activities to join.

If you already have friends there, then that should help you loads. Good Luck.[/QUOTE]

Hi Debbie
Great to hear from another mum
My daughter has a place waiting in Grade 1 January 07 (hopefully) and I didn't know how it worked with pre-school? Josh who's 4 in Jan is in pre-school two days a week here, but as they go to school later in Canada I didn't know what was available.
I'm not planning on working when we come out so I don't need him to go to a nursery, but he's used to being with others his age so we'll have to join groups at least.
Did your 6 year old settle in ok? My daughter Megan was 6 in June and one of the youngest in her class, and so in Canada will feel more in touch in Grade 1 rather than Year 2. We visited three schools last year and we all agreed on the one that is taking her, she's quite excited about it all.
As a teacher myself I was very interested in Canadian education and I must admit they have it right.Small class sizes and working each pupil at the appropriate level, rather than here where it all seems like a race.
Nice to hear from you and any further help or advice would be great.
Elli

Hi there

Hi Elli

My son was also 6 in June, and was one of the youngest in Reception class back in the UK. When he stared Kindergarten here last Sept, he already had a head start and his reading ability was higher than his peers, but as you said, they adapt to the level each individual child is at, and take them on from there.

He LOVES school here, and has had no issues with settling at all. The more relaxed atmosphere suits his nature, and not having to be trussed up in a uniform made him Soooo happy.

As for pre-school, there are ones attached to schools, private groups, county run programmes......the choice is endless. Our school unfortunately does not run a pre- school so I opted for a privately run group, 2 mornings a week. The government gives parents $100 per month for every child under 6 yrs of age to help towards costs of childcare, so ours pays for little ones class, which is $75 per month.

It is incredibly family orientated here in Sh Pk, and I imagine St Albert is the same. You really won't be short of things to do with the children. Swimming lessons are great value here, and there are endless sports groups too. My eldest is going to start Basketball (didn't fancy hockey !!!!)

Have fun !!!

Deb