Originally Posted by iaink

I love it here too, I guess I made it. As a junior engineer in the UK there was no chance of me owning my own house anytime soon, I was sick of all the petty crime and small mindedness around me, and the lager and football society. Although I earn a little more here then in the UK, the cost of living and property in particular where I live puts me way ahead of where I would be if I stayed in the UK. I have everything I want in life on an Engineers salary, nothing extravagant, but I am comfortable. I had the advantage that I had a job waiting for me, so I did not have to go backwards to get ahead when I first came over, however I have been layed off in the past, and the job market can be brutal, you really do have to sell yourself.

Although it was initially an economic decision for me, and to be honest a bit of an adventure, I can honestly say now that I love the way of life here, people work hard, and they play hard, Canadains generally are quick to laugh (when they get the joke anyway!) and there is a definate sense of community where I live, neighbours become friends, and help each other out, which is something I never experienced in the UK. The only downside is the measly holiday allowances.

To be realistic, if you dont have a job lined up, and most dont (I work in a niche market) YOU WILL NOT come over and step straight into a similar job to where you are now, you have to get canadian experience, but in a few years (and they will probably be hard, so start saving!) you will be earning a reasonable amount and have a much improved quality of life. I know probably half a dozen expats in my small town, and not one of them would go back to the UK if you paid them now. I find most of the people on this forum who are disillusioned moved to a large city, Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary, and are strugling to find work. IMO this is because so many people go to the large places that they saturate the market. Its a huge country, so take a good look around before deciding on a location, and when you get here dont be afraid to move somewhere else in Canada if it is not what you expected.

Good luck

Iain

Originally Posted by George Lost

SunnySussex:

basically, in Canada your UK (or any other country for that matter) qualifications/degrees etc. count for not much at all. I worked in Toronto for a couple of years, and frequently met taxi drivers who had a Ph.D in Engineering, or an M.D. from the UK or Europe, or a M.Sc. in computing science - and couldn't find work in their area because of the stupid, backwards self-protecting attitude of many of the Professional associations here in Canada. The same can also be said for the Trades - electrical, plumbing, pipe-fitters, automotive. If you ain't got a Canadian certificate or diploma (which in my experience is a hoot! because the standard of education here is very, very low - you know that your "O" level is equivalent to the first and second year of studies in most Universities here in Canada!), then you ain't gonna get a job.

and networking - what a laugh! used to be that all jobs had to be posted through the Government Employment site... not now... unless you're looking for a low-paying $7/hr job! Networking basically means going out to BBQ's with the boss, taking him to lunch, and generally making an idiot of yourself. Here in Canada, most emplyees now look at who you know, not at what you know or what your work experience has been.

If you're happy in Sussex, I would stay there! really.... or have you thought about the EU? Nice cultures and places to work in there over in Europe. You will also find that most Canadians here are generally shallow, selfish and mostly ignorant about the world... lacking in a certain finesse, should I say? lol

Stay is Sussex, mate... the grass is not greener over here, believe me.

Originally Posted by Sally Wilson

Could I be so bold as to ask you where you reside in Canada. I lived and worked in Toronto for many years, then moved back to the UK some 8 yrs ago now. I have to say I have had thoughts of returning to Canada, because of it space, what it has to offer and much more. I have been thinking of Halifax, NS. I have never been there, and I don't know anyone who lives there. I am not bothered by this, but would love to hear from anyone with any connections in Halifax, life style etc.

Originally Posted by seacreature

Foreign qualifications are not recognised at all here, not from UK, US or any other nation for that matter.

Originally Posted by JAJ

Many foreign qualifications - including those from the UK/US - *are* recognised in Canada.




Jeremy