Originally Posted by ManxCouple

Hi there

We are a couple (not married) living on the Isle of Man in the British Isles (between Ireland and England) aged 26/27 at present.

I am qualified as a housing professional and my partner is a security systems engineer qualified as a professional in his field also, we are hoping to move to Canada in 2016/2017 if we are able to secure employment.

What we would like to know is:-

- Is it a friendly place to live for 'foreigners' as I have heard the job situation is bad due to the economy (like everywhere!) and I didn't know if there was resentment about immigration?
I have not come across any resentment about immigration, in the 'those foreigners taking our jobs' thing that is common in the UK. There is racism, after all there are idiots everywhere so its bound to happen.

- Is it easier to secure a visa/get a job there at the moment?
Sorry I can't help you on visa issues - but I am sure someone else will

- What are the HONEST downsides to living in Canada?
Different for everybody. Most, myself included, I think would say that they miss family and friends back in the UK. Other aspects will vary depending on where you choose to live, its a huge place. Personally, I don't like driving in snow, this is made worse by the fact that insurance is so expensive that you can't afford to make a claim. However, I love the summers and the fact that even in the winter we get more blue sky and sunshine, even if it is cold. I am in Southern Ontario.

- Where are the best places to live in terms of affordability and quality of life?
This depends on what you consider 'quality of life'

- Is it easier to gain a visa if married? Are there more restrictions if you have dependants?

- Anything else that you might think relevant for us at this stage of our planning

I realise these questions may have been asked or answered already but we were looking for an up to date picture of Canada now if that makes sense.

Thanks in anticipation lovely people!

The Manxies

Originally Posted by ManxCouple

I am qualified as a housing professional and my partner is a security systems engineer qualified as a professional in his field also, we are hoping to move to Canada in 2016/2017 if we are able to secure employment.

Originally Posted by ExKiwilass

what's a housing professional?

Originally Posted by ExKiwilass

what's a housing professional?

Originally Posted by bats

Most foreign qualifications are worth diddlysquat in Canada.

Originally Posted by Paul_Shepherd

That mainly applies to the regulated proffessions though. If your proffession is a non regulated one then UK qualificaions can be assesesd and certified to the Canadian equivalent.

Originally Posted by ManxCouple

Hi there

We are a couple (not married) living on the Isle of Man in the British Isles (between Ireland and England) aged 26/27 at present.

I am qualified as a housing professional and my partner is a security systems engineer qualified as a professional in his field also, we are hoping to move to Canada in 2016/2017 if we are able to secure employment.

What we would like to know is:-

- Is it a friendly place to live for 'foreigners' as I have heard the job situation is bad due to the economy (like everywhere!) and I didn't know if there was resentment about immigration?

No resentment at all: almost everyone here is an immigrant.

- Is it easier to secure a visa/get a job there at the moment?

As above, no it's more difficult than ever, but far from impossible. For example as you're both under 30 you can apply for a one year working holiday visa (=IEC) extendable for another year if you're lucky.

- What are the HONEST downsides to living in Canada?

Lack of sophistication and the ****ing winters

- Where are the best places to live in terms of affordability and quality of life?

Too vague to answer, do some research

- Is it easier to gain a visa if married? Are there more restrictions if you have dependants?

No.

- Anything else that you might think relevant for us at this stage of our planning

Oh, only about a zillion things.

I realise these questions may have been asked or answered already but we were looking for an up to date picture of Canada now if that makes sense.

Thanks in anticipation lovely people!

The Manxies

Originally Posted by ManxCouple

Hi there

We are a couple (not married) living on the Isle of Man in the British Isles (between Ireland and England) aged 26/27 at present.

I am qualified as a housing professional and my partner is a security systems engineer qualified as a professional in his field also, we are hoping to move to Canada in 2016/2017 if we are able to secure employment.

What we would like to know is:-

- Is it a friendly place to live for 'foreigners' as I have heard the job situation is bad due to the economy (like everywhere!) and I didn't know if there was resentment about immigration?
Very friendly.

- Is it easier to secure a visa/get a job there at the moment?
Its hard in that you have to get a visa and that's not easy but definitely possible as there are many routes in that someone with more knowledge than I can help you with on here.
Jobs are more often than not easier to obtain with said visa in place
- What are the HONEST downsides to living in Canada?
Electricity is really expensive, especially in NS
Seriously - its a very different place to the UK. I personally don't have any quibbles except for the cost of power and good cheese and wine.
- Where are the best places to live in terms of affordability and quality of life?
We like living in NS. If you can get a decent job its a great place to be. Housing is affordable but our tax is higher

- Is it easier to gain a visa if married? Are there more restrictions if you have dependants?
No

- Anything else that you might think relevant for us at this stage of our planning
Find out where you can most likely find work and then go visit that place, keeping in mind that a trip and living there can be different. Start to network with people in that area in your professions.

I realise these questions may have been asked or answered already but we were looking for an up to date picture of Canada now if that makes sense.

Thanks in anticipation lovely people!

The Manxies

Originally Posted by ManxCouple

- Is it a friendly place to live for 'foreigners'

Originally Posted by colchar

Yes.




Canada is a massive country (the UK would fit into it 40.98 times!) so the economy varies by location. Knowing where you were thinking of settling would help as the employment situation will be different in Toronto than it will be in a small town on the prairies.


Probably should determine if they qualify for any sort of visa, before making those decisions. Determine if you qualify for Skilled worker first, and start from there: Apply to immigrate to Canada





Check the list of occupations on the FSW program to see if either of you works in one of those occupations. There are also provincial programs you should look at.






Again, that depends on where you settle. The winters in Winnipeg would be a major downside but those don't matter if you plan to settle out in Vancouver. The cost of living in Vancouver would be a downside but that won't matter if you plan to settle in Ottawa. Have you given any thought as to where in Canada you would like to live?





How one defines quality of life depends entirely on what one is looking for. As for affordability, that depends on your salary and spending habits so it is tough to answer as everyone is different. If you go out a lot your cost of living will be higher than it would if you are a homebody.






No idea, but someone else here will surely have an idea.






You need to do some research into the country and figure out where you might want to settle based on what you want and the kind of lifestyle you lead. Once you have a better idea of where you want to live, it will be easier to answer questions about employment, cost of living, etc.