Hi everyone

My wife and I are about two weeks into thinking about a move to Canada, Alberta definitely and probably Calgary. We have two children aged 6 nd 3 and the idea of such a move is both exciting and terrifying. How will the kids adjust, how will we adjust etc.
We want a better quality of life. I will be moving to a job starting on £73000 dollars. How does the tax work in Canada, will this be enough salary for my family to live on?

There are so any things for us to consider. Is there anyone else at the same stage as us?

Can any ex-pats help with advice on schools, property, areas etc. I know that I am asking a lot, we haven't even been to Canada yet. I need someone to be honest. Is it really as good as it sounds? What are the bad points?

Any help would be fantastic.

Thanks a lot

Shôn

Hi Shon

Welcome to the forum.

We are moving out to Calgary (hopefully in the late summer) and it definately is exciting but terrifying. We have a 4 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old. I think the BE Wiki will give you some really good information and you should use it as a start point for your research. We went for a reccie in March and I visited around 5 elementary schools- and they were good.

As I am not in Calgary I can't really comment on whether the money is enough. I think a lot depends on your current lifestyle and whether you are bringing out any cash upfront or any equity to buy a house. I think if you look up tax calculators you should be able to work out the tax you will pay.

Best wishes

Gryphea

Hi Shon

Welcome to BE.

The bad points to Calgary are the current house prices and the cold winters.

Try this site to see what available in housing

www.mls.ca

Good luck.

Hello there
My little boys were nearly 5 and nearly 2 when we made the big move. Try not to worry too much over them (easier said than done I know) but mine didn't bat an eyelid, and I know Elli's kids haven't either (BE member). Hers were 6 and 4 I think when they moved here in January.
I think as long as they have their parents around them they'll adapt just fine.
Schools here are more informal. No uniform which my eldest loves !!!!
I find he is a bit behind now compared to what his old school friends in the UK are now doing, but they just take it all at a slower pace here. He is nearly 7 and hasn't learnt cursive writing yet for example. I don't have any hang ups about it though. He is very happy in school and thats the main thing for me at this age.

Having kids should help loads in settling. Everyone is very friendly. And if Calgary is anything like here, then they'll be a ton of activities for them to get involved in.

Its hard to say wether that salary would give you a good standard of living, as everyones spending habits differ, but I would think you will be comfortable on that. Its a reasonable wage.

Good and bad points......................Quite a few of both. It aint paradise, and many issues that you find in the UK you also find here.
What I will say, is that we do have a better quality of life here in terms of more expendable income, facilities for children, slower pace of life, I no longer HAVE to work part-time to supplement income. We have the bigger home etc, but for everything you gain, you also make sacrifices too. Such as no family support around you. Having said that I am lucky to have some good friends here and they become your substitute family.

I don't like the brown grass in winter and it can go on a bit.....but as our children get older we will have more of the winter activities open up to us, so it will get easier to fill the long winter months. Summers here are just lovely.

There are pro's and cons, and its all about finding your feet.
It is a good place to live, but the TV and Radio are crap. !!!!!!