Life in Vancouver.
 

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to the forum and I think me and my partner have finally made a decision on where we would like to emigrate too.. VANCOUVER!

At first it was a toss up between Vancouver and Auckland (NZ) which we've visited beforehand and enjoyed the chilled life style. I'm 28 and my Girlfriend 27 we live a busy life and enjoy sports & fitness, socialising with friends and concerts. Oh and btw we're from Manchester..

I have a few of questions but first of all can people tell me how they find living in Vancouver? what are the pro's and con's? whats the weather like? I like the variation of weather but my GF wanted to move to OZ just for the sun!!

I'm a qualified youth and community worker (BA Hons) and have worked in a school as a pastoral manager for the past couple of year, my girlfriend is a qualified accountant and currently works for Ersnt & Young. does anyone work in either sector?

Apogies for the brief intro I would just like some communication with people experiencing the Canadian life!

Thank you :thumbsup:

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Anxiously awaiting Oinks unbiased view on life in Vancouver and Canada:lol:

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Fortunately, given your ages, you have the option of IEC to come over and find out what you think of the place ;).

Unless, of course, you've already secured another visa type...

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

You need to be a bit more specific. I can tell you that I live just outside Vancouver and I like it but that doesn't really help you much.

You will get more sun in the year than anywhere in the UK. In the winter it is easy to forget as you get more rain as well.

I am an accountant in public practice. A much smaller firm though. Accountants are in a generally happy place at the moment for finding work in Vancouver. She should look at a route to get a Canadian designation through mutual recognition.

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Well put it this way, if you ask 99% of Vancouver immigrants what they think of Vancouver compared to their home country, they will all say it is much better. I have never heard my Filipino side of the family complain about living in Vancouver. They all love it, they all earn a low wage and they have all survived bringing up a family and paying bills.

However, if you ask some of the Brits on here about Vancouver, they will say it is boring, has crappy weather for 10 months of the year, the people are unfriendly, good jobs are hard to find and that they are fed up with the traffic.

You really have to compare it to the city/country you are coming from, in your case Manchester.

Personally I would not move from Manchester to Vancouver unless you have a combined income of over $100k and live close to where you work. You will end up like oink. A miserable complainer constantly comparing Manchester to boring Vancouver.

My Son is 20 years old, he earns $17hr, pays $500 a month rent, and he survives fine. He loves Vancouver and wouldn't move back to 'boring' Kamloops for the world.

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Your girlfriend may be able to discuss with her employer about the possibility of an inter-company transfer or temporary assignment to the Vancouver area, which may assist with some of the uncertainties of taking the plunge, as she wouldn't have to worry about finding employment etc.

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Thanks for your reply guys. I understand my post might be a bit vague but I'm just trying to get a better view of Vancouver from Expats. We don't exactly live in Manchester but its is our nearest city (GF works there) We live in the peak district half an hour away.

I've done a lot of traveling over the past view years Oz, New Zealand, South East Asia and a lot of Europe. I appreciate honesty as googling "living in Vancouver just gives you all the positives" and I want a good overall view on the place I do understand that the grass is not always greener but just want to experience a different way of life.

Cheers guys :)

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Like anywhere. If you have an interesting job that's well paid you'll be able to find and pay for things to distract you.

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Hi Oink. I've read a fair few of your posts you're just so positive!! keep up the great work. :D

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

It's a fantastic place you'll both be very happy. Good luck.

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

I like Vancouver for the most part, but I live in a very boring part of BC, so Vancouver offers a fair amount more.

Only real downside to Vancouver from my perspective is housing costs which are high. We would live there if housing was within reach, and overall it's not a bad city, and cannot be compared to much larger city's like London, of course a city of 600,000 or so won't be as exciting or offer as much, so find another city in North America close to the same size, and likely will be about the same.

City's like London, New York and such will always offer far more then your typical city.

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Very outdoorsy, everyone thinks it's the greatest place on earth, and pays through the teeth for housing.

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Immigrants are simply seeking a desire for meaning and fulfillment in their lives otherwise why would they move? But the reality and ultimate absurdity of the human condition is our almost total inability to find or sustain those. It is because most desires are never fulfilled that it causes us pain and any desires that are fulfilled are instantly replaced by more unfulfilled ones, thus the cycle continues. Its why you constantly see people ping ponging back and forth or moving from one place to another. Life is simply unfulfilled desires.

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

either that or they have sold all of their good teeth in order to keep a roof over their heads...:eek:

Re: Life in Vancouver.
 

Hi

Pretty much sums it up :)

and employers offering a pension are almost non existant

Although it seems you can make more money here than in the UK,
if you get the right job and manage to buy property

cheers
jerry