Were looking at the GTA, as things are progressing, doing research now!, are going for more detailed look on areas etc on our Trip probably next month now, but looking at schools etc, finding it hard to pin down areas, have friends in Canada who have been very helpful, but who also want us close to them!

Hubby in construction so easy access to train, GO route would be the most idea situation, plus motorways for driving, good schools , possibly one That offers the IB for oldest son, although this isnt decided yet.

Looking at places like Oakville, Vaughun,stoufville, york, Aurora,Richmond hill (although is this very ethnic?), bascically most areas on go route, dont want hubby to spend more time commuting thatn with faimily, although wont be selling over here straight away so this limits our finances somewhat, although we will be renting initally, id still like to do so in an area we intend to buy so we dont have to move kids schools etc.

Also whats Ajax like, have seen some lovely new houses there online but seem to hear bad things about t from Canadian friends?

Would be nice to know somebody near by , dd will be 14 this year too and it would help her to have friends to chat to, if anyone has dd the same age?

IBSO
http://www.ibschoolsofontario.ca/

will be able to provide you with a list of schools offering the IB in Ontario.

If you let me know if you are looking for PYP, MYP or DP programs I might be able to help you out with some contacts, I presume he's already been studying the IB before?

HTH

no hes about to go into sixth form over here in sept, but is very bright and got all A* on most exams and sat quite a few early, also wanted to keep his options open for University so thought IB may be better for him.

Zoe where abouts are you in the GTA?

OK so DP then.
this is the page you want then

http://www.ibschoolsofontario.ca/diploma-programme/

Have a look at the schools close to the area you are thinking of and contact the guidance dept as well as admissions. Bear in mind some of those schools listed will be Independent schools ( read pricey!)

The IB programme is significantly different to the the style of education that was offered in most UK state schools when I worked there. You need to be aware of the underlying principles of the IB to ensure that its going to be the best choice for your son. It's not just about grades.I'm happy to answer any qs about it but you should get honest advice from the local schools as well

I'm downtown Toronto. Any other questions need to be off list as its blatently obvious who i am and I don't want to discuss work "in name!"

Thanks 2 of our local schools we aplied for here offer the IB programme, so its something weve looked into, we applied to them along with a couple of Grammar schools, hes on the Gifted and talented register over here in the uk.

Thanks for the link, ill take a look......hes planning on studying Physics at Uni, Do you think over there an IB programme plus the gcses, AS levels he has rather than the hight school diploma would be a good fit?

PM sent

ok thanks thats the school angle covered, any advice on areas?

If you don't want ethnic then you're out of luck in the GTA.

We like it here, we are south of the 401, minutes from the GO station. North of the 401 is more multicultural.

The morning Express GO train goes direct to Union from Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and i think Port Union, no further stops. 15 - 20 MINS MAX.

Also whats Ajax like, have seen some lovely new houses there online but seem to hear bad things about t from Canadian friends?

And what exactly bad things did you hear from your Canadian friends?

Ajax and Whitby are fine places to buy a house and raise a family, but it depends what you're looking for. They have the added benefits of being much cheaper than other parts of the GTA, so you can really get more house for your money (Oshawa is even cheaper, but some parts can be a little dodgy).

Downtown Toronto is very liveable and has a lot to offer. The problem is that property prices are pretty expensive (although definitely less than London).

Oh nothing specific , just a general oh not there kinda thing......again possibly fulled by the fact its further from them.....also someone said hadnt been for a long time, lot of new development there.

Some of the houses look really nice, and big and i noticed a little cheaper, which was why i asked, and 20 mins on the go train~ that sounds good, will add to the list to check out.

That's fabulously optimistic but, still, anywhere along the Lakeshore line is way more commutable than anywhere else. It's the only line with a reasonable train service.

not 20 mins then~ was just quoting what one of the other op said....

Thing is hubby is in construction so will have to visit various sites so will need to be somewhere accessible to everywhere.......rather just just one place.

Lakeshore is better then?

The Lakeshore line has trains all day, the others do not, but surely someone in the construction business will be driving so the availability of transit isn't critical.