We looked at loads of different places but we were a bit limited on how far out of Dartmouth we could go as the course our daughter wants to do is limited to Halifax and Dartmouth. we quite liked Kentville and Wolfville but just to far to travel other parts were okay but did not feel like a community just drive through. How do you find Amherst??

I don't mind it at all, I actually live about 20 mins from Amherst in a small rural community but Amherst is my main shopping destination and can do most of the main shopping there and Moncton is approx 30 mins away but only go if I really need something from there. Halifax is about 2 hours away and probably will only go down there once or twice a year again only if I need to. Plenty to do, lots of beaches and usually nice and quiet, nothing like the UK beaches and packed. Winter driving hasn't been too bad and the ploughs work regular even during the night when it gets bad.

I would say you need to visit the area to get a feel

Hi.
Sarah marie. Regarding the work situation there I have heard its very seasonal and many do not work in the wintertime. My partner was offered his job on our recce in Nov so i,m not too worried about finding work for myself in a hurry and I,m willing to do anything initially just to integrate myself into the community. We have been in regular contact with future colleagues who have given us updates on weather and links to whats going on there. One of them Kayaks to work in the Summer - beats sitting in a car for an hour on the M6! Hope you manage to get over there in Oct for your recce.

Bristoluk - thanks for the PEI forum link.

We've been here five years so ask away!!

Yes, the winters are different to the UK but life goes on, if you live in Charlottetown you probably won't find it a problem but out where we are in the country we have had a few days snowed in (storm stayed) and without power - you just get used to it.

Tourist season is just mid June to early September but everything else is open all year round (except on Sundays from Jan to May....). I always say that you can buy everything you NEED on the Island but not necessarily everything you WANT. A few trips a year to Moncton or Halifax for shopping are certainly a good idea.

It can be hard to integrate to be honest, there are some people who are very welcoming but others who feel they're superior just because their ancestors had the gumption to immigrate here centuries ago - like to see them being brave and doing it themselves like we have. There are far more immigrants here than even 5 years ago and plenty of opportunities to get involved in the community if you wish. PEI isn't for the faint hearted however or for someone who wants a busy, up market city lifestyle. Traffic is wonderful, summers are great but it can be hard to break into family and friendship groups and if you live outside the cities there aren't many facilities. Job flexibility is necessary although I do hear that HGV drivers are usually needed

Ask away!!

Hi their,

Having been their now for 5 years do feel that you have really settled now? when you say that you need to be flexible with jobs are there not the jobs available?? can you reccommend any areas about 20 minutes outside of Charlottetown?

Thanks Sarah

Hi, thanks for the info had you already started you visa applications before you went in Nov or was your husbands employer willing to wait until you had things sorted??

Hope alls going okay for you all
Best Wishes
Sarahxx

Hi

No, its all happened rather fast tbh. We took a holiday in Canada last summer and thought it would be great to live there 'one day'. Did some research on jobs when we returned home (out of curiosity) and then out of the blue we were offered an an expenses paid trip to PEI. My OH was offered a job after a few informal chats/interviews and in Feb we got the ball rolling on our TWPs. There have been a few delays in the process but the end is in sight now and we shall get our visas v soon! Exciting but v scary now its becoming real!

questy

I would say that we're settled. There are still days when I'm 'homesick' but then I remind myself of all the good things about where and how we live (which definitely outnumber the not so good..) and get on with it!
Full time and permanent jobs paying decent money seem to be hard to come by, although it may depend on 'who you know'. Immigrants that I know (us included) who seem to have done the best are those who have started their own businesses or are prepared to work various part time jobs. That's not to say that there aren't jobs - you just have to be less picky, at least at first.
Anywhere 20 mins out of Charlottetown will be fine and relatively cheap. We live between Charlottetown and Summerside which is a good area, reminds us of the UK and it's easy to get to Summerside and the bridge.
Happy to help!

Moved from Greenock Scotland in May 2009 to in and around Charlottetown.

Rented originally and gave ourselves a year to ensure we could survive the winter and also find an area that suited for commuting, schooling etc.

Bought a house in the town of Cornwall in January about 20mins or so from my work in the centre of Charlottetown. A decent amount of ammenties (I would class it as a village in the UK and Charlottetown would be a large town) within walking distance while still handy for the "big city".

As has been mentioned by others its a slower pace of life and some things you'll find frustrating but in general our quality of life has improved.

We found it "swings and roundabouts" with the UK - housing and cars tend to be cheaper, bills around the same with food etc. a bit more expensive. Salaries are probably on par with most big towns in the UK (in the UK we commuted into Glasgow for greater job competition and as a result larger salary).

winter 09/10 was our 1st and although apparently a mild winter it was certainly cold - We got our first snowfall early December and pretty much had snow on the ground in some form until mid-march but I didn't lose a day at work and by all accounts there was way more disruption in the uk than there was here. Quite simply They are prepared it and while there will be a lot of snow around you can almost guarantee that 10mins after a snow fall the will be a plow to ensure the roads are clear. Yes the winter last 4 months but although its very cold (-30 degrees at times) its also very bright not like the dark dreary winters in the uk - I'll take v cold and bright over dark, wet and dreary any day.

Some area of the island are pretty seasonal and you notice a big change in the place come the end of tourist season but that isn't bad thing. Life returns to normality - of course you'll not be able to visit Avonlea but then how many times were u planning on visiting Oct-May?

Sorry this is a bit of an unstructured ramble but feel free to drop me a PM if either of you have more questions

Hi Nikki, yes this winter was very mild with only a couple of snow falls. The lowest it reached here was -19 and that was only for a couple of days. For people moving here last year and had that as their first winter, they are going to be in for a real shock if this winter is bad!
The previous 2 winters were bloody awful. The temperatures went as low as about -30/-35 and the wind was so cold it went right through you. We had tonnes of smallish snowfalls and I remember shovelling alot.

On the upside, it is beautiful in the winter. You can be sleding down a snow filled hill, freezing your butt off, but look up and the sun is shining and the sky is bright blue. I walk my dog on the frozen lakes, where, apart from small areas where kids set up ice hockey pitches, it is really peaceful.

The past 3 years I have been here it hasn't really rained during the winter months, which makes it easier to go out and embrace the snow.

Buy your winter clothes when you get here as nothing in England would keep you warm enough. Get the winter tyres on the car and get on with it.

Life does not stop here when it snows. The roads are ploughed and people go to work or school.

Letter of approval arrived, job notices finally handed in... 3 months now until we arrive in PEI (Charlottetown). Anyone know of any rental property sites - other than Kijiji that are worth looking at?

Sorry do not know of any rentals I take it you have googled for rentals??
Things seem to be going okay for you any idea were you will settle yet?
Have you started to pack? Boy so you will be getting their in WINTER

Best of luck hope all goes well for you

Sarah

Thanks for the info I will take all that into account, I'm sure our dogs would love the snow thats if you could find them that is ( jack russells )

How are you finding your life in NS do you feel settled now??

Best Wishes
Sarah

Hi Sarah,
My dog (black lab) loves the snow. It's hilarious watching as he digs his nose in and throws it up over himself

I am not really settled to be honest. Don't get me wrong, I love NS and Canada, it's a fantastic place to bring up your children.
In England (or whatever country you have come from), you have friends that have been there your whole life. You grow up with them and have a laugh about your childhood. You can never form friendships like that in your adult life, it's just not the same.
People here are fantastic, very friendly and welcoming and I have made some friends, although they are more 'associates,' and I have no tight bonds. Canadians, although friendly, have no great sence of humour and I actually find them quite boring to go out with socially.
Back in England, I am not close with my parents, but I miss my brother who is getting married next year (I've only met his fiancee once) and no doubt children will follow. I want to be there as an aunt as I missed out on my sisters kids (we don't speak).
Also, my best friend ever is planning babies soon and I want to be there for her.

These are things you don't really think about when planning to emigrate to a new Country and it only hits you once you're moved and settled.

I wish you luck and I'm sure you will embrace the winters when you get here (there is nothing else you can do about it).

It surprises me that you wouldn't give great consideration to the friends and family aspect when considering emigration. I would have thought that it would be one of the prime concerns.
It seems to me that it is one of the biggest factors in people's reasons for returning to their country of origin. It is always sad when people immigrate and then find that life is not what they expected and they have to go "home".
I suppose that I was very fortunate in that I didn't experience any of these trials when I arrived here and, even though I have been back to the UK many times, I have never, ever wanted to go back to live there.
Best wishes for you future.