Just arrived in Langley,BC!
Jun 12th 2008, 1:46 am
#1
Just Joined
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Aldergrove, BC
Posts: 10
Just arrived in Langley,BC!
Well almost! We got here last week and wondered if you just turn up to the meet up in Chilliwack on Friday?
And to see if anyone has any advice to help us that may make life any easier over the next few weeks/months? We've already discoverd what a pain in the **** not having any credit rating is - but our bank has been really helpful with that so hopefully we'll be on the credit map soon.
Hope to hear from you soon
Jo
And to see if anyone has any advice to help us that may make life any easier over the next few weeks/months? We've already discoverd what a pain in the **** not having any credit rating is - but our bank has been really helpful with that so hopefully we'll be on the credit map soon.
Hope to hear from you soon
Jo
Jun 12th 2008, 1:55 am
#2
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 548
Re: Just arrived in Langley,BC!
Well almost! We got here last week and wondered if you just turn up to the meet up in Chilliwack on Friday?
And to see if anyone has any advice to help us that may make life any easier over the next few weeks/months? We've already discoverd what a pain in the **** not having any credit rating is - but our bank has been really helpful with that so hopefully we'll be on the credit map soon.
Jo
And to see if anyone has any advice to help us that may make life any easier over the next few weeks/months? We've already discoverd what a pain in the **** not having any credit rating is - but our bank has been really helpful with that so hopefully we'll be on the credit map soon.
Jo
Welcome to Vancouver , sorry cant help on the meet up in Chilliwack as we are over on Vancouver Island but can sympathise with the initial teething pains believe me it does get easier after the first hectic couple of weeks of trying to get sin cards , opening bank accounts and taking driving tests All the very best in your new life here
Jun 12th 2008, 3:43 am
#3
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Joined: Aug 2007
Location: New Caledonia
Posts: 1,810
Re: Just arrived in Langley,BC!
Sent e-mail.
Jun 12th 2008, 3:04 pm
#4
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Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Posts: 450
Re: Just arrived in Langley,BC!
Hi Jo welcome to Langley! Me and the OH arrived about 6 months ago to abbotsford about 20 mins to the east! We found the first couple of weeks the hardest! First relief was getting a car and insurance then finding somewhere to rent! things are much easier now! if you need any info feel free to ask! were about 10 mins from Chilliwack but have never been to the meet up so no advise there! sorry
Jun 12th 2008, 3:37 pm
#5
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,683
Re: Just arrived in Langley,BC!
Hi jomarie and welcome. Whereabouts in Langley are you living?
As for advice? Well, don't stress it as things will come together in their own sweet time. The two most important things to get sorted straight away are your SIN number (takes only a few minutes at a Service Canada centre) and to apply for the Medical Services Plan. MSP will not start for a couple of months but to give bureaucracy time to do its thing it is best to get your application in.
Next is your driving license. You have 90 days to get a BC license but there is a waiting list for road tests. I would get along to the licensing centre on Logan avenue and pick up a copy of the Roadsense manual (the equivalent of the highway code). A good read through a couple of times should be enough to get you through the knowledge test (you don't need to be perfect) so go abck to the centre, pass the knowledge test and book your road test. In the meantime you can buy, register and insure a vehicle on your UK license.
Next? Sit down, put your feet up, open a cold one, and relax for a while.
As for credit, people seem to have different experiences depending upon which bank they use, and which person in the bank they talk to. The first thing to do is make sure that you keep your UK credit cards for the moment. Some things, like renting a video, opening utility accounts and so on are so much easier if you can show a Visa or Mastercard. Talk to your bank and see what they can do. They may ask for a security deposit before they issue you with a credit card. My bank said they would give me a card as soon as I brought two consecutive pay checks in.
As for advice? Well, don't stress it as things will come together in their own sweet time. The two most important things to get sorted straight away are your SIN number (takes only a few minutes at a Service Canada centre) and to apply for the Medical Services Plan. MSP will not start for a couple of months but to give bureaucracy time to do its thing it is best to get your application in.
Next is your driving license. You have 90 days to get a BC license but there is a waiting list for road tests. I would get along to the licensing centre on Logan avenue and pick up a copy of the Roadsense manual (the equivalent of the highway code). A good read through a couple of times should be enough to get you through the knowledge test (you don't need to be perfect) so go abck to the centre, pass the knowledge test and book your road test. In the meantime you can buy, register and insure a vehicle on your UK license.
Next? Sit down, put your feet up, open a cold one, and relax for a while.
As for credit, people seem to have different experiences depending upon which bank they use, and which person in the bank they talk to. The first thing to do is make sure that you keep your UK credit cards for the moment. Some things, like renting a video, opening utility accounts and so on are so much easier if you can show a Visa or Mastercard. Talk to your bank and see what they can do. They may ask for a security deposit before they issue you with a credit card. My bank said they would give me a card as soon as I brought two consecutive pay checks in.
