You make a lot of sense and i agree

I have similar circumstances - a 2 year old son and a 3 months pregnant wife
Having flown around the world for 10 years vetting companies I have been fortunate enough to visit Canada twice, Edmonton and Vancouver
I can say without a shadow of a doubt Vancouver is incredible, expensive but incredible, see the pros in my recent post:
Would you take your dream job if you had to move with 1 baby and 1 more on the way?

P

While I agree that Vancouver is in a great setting (ocean, mountains, skiing, etc) I really don't see that much to get excited about in the city itself. I can't think of any great landmarks or tourist attractions that you would expect to see in a world-class city. It has a relatively high level of crime in Canadian terms. There are very visible drug and homeless issues (homeless people from elsewhere in Canada are attracted by Vancouver's milder climate). Night life is not on a par with Toronto or Montreal.

Stunning natural environment? Yes. Incredible city? No.

That's your problem right there.

Don't get me wrong - I love the setting. BC is stunning. If you're the outdoors type who loves great scenery, it's all right on your doorstep if you live in Vancouver. I just find the city itself to be rather dull - which probably makes it a great place to raise a family. Stanley Park is probably its best feature.

Hi there,

We've lived here for almost a year (Fraser Valley) and we definately feel it's a good environment for our kids as they have more space, freedom and we have more money than we did in the UK. This makes us more relaxed and able to do more and when we go out (say ice skating on a Saturday night) there is not the group of yobs we used to encounter in the UK (lived near Reading!). Having said that, I do think the people are different and my teenage son notices the different sense of humor. That makes me wonder if we'll stay for ever, but I don't need to know that right now. I'm grateful that we have the opportunity to be here and experience all that we are, particularly with the economic situation in the UK. There is always good and bad in both. I think you really have to weigh up whether it is worth your children leaving their grandparents for what in other ways could possibly be a better life?

Hey
My husband is also a construction manager, he saw th ejob advertised in the sun newspaper for Flynn Canada, they recently had more interviews in Manchester, you'll definately get work, im sure my husband could even put you in touch with a few contacts at least you'd know you got work here!!

Thanks Beckylou

Had a look at Flynns Website but they seem specialist, which may not suit me.

It would be great to speak with your husband though, maybe you could PM me and take it from there?

Cheers

Totally agree with this, i struggle with my mom missing out on the kids growing up, i feel guilty and of course i just miss her

I'm gonna' jump in with my twopennorth here...

You went through years of waiting and spending a lot of hard-earned for those visas.

Take a vacation to Canada before they expire and ACTIVATE THEM! You then have the next 3 years to either improve your UK situation or consider the next steps but, for the sake of the kids, don't leave it to late.

(we must sound like a bunch of Daleks - "Activate! Activate!")

Spot on! Could not agree more! A lot can change in three years.

I agree with all on here you need to activate them go over and have a really good look around.

what have you got to lose x

if you decide not to bother you may regret never trying.
it took 4 years for us to get our visas through which we activated this time last year. It's now 5 years of waiting and we can't sell our house although thankfully the market seems to be moving again.

we can't wait to get over there and start enjoying our new lives it's a fab place to bring up kids from the feeling we had while we there we've been twice x we have 3 boys 8 7 and 3 and just feel that they are going to have such a better life out there than what we can give them here x good luck with it all you never know til you've tried it

Thanks everyone for your replies and kind words.

The deliberation is over. We are heading over to activate early March!!

Hopefully all will go well?

Any tips regarding our first entry etc would be appreciated.

We have the instructions and PR paperwork, but is there anything else?

good decision yam yam,
You need to take over your goods to follow form it's on the cic website http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcome...ore-border.asp


Just be basic as they will have a look when you pass through but in our experience we told them we were going home to sell the house and coming back soon after. The man was really nice and said no problem and we brought the list home again I think they like to see it but it's more important when you actually move over if thats your decision lol x

good luck and enjoy your trip it is beautiful x