Belfastfam

Thanks for the reply Bristol, are you in riverview yourself? Have you kids that attend school there?

Great info on the weather etc, I've only really found out today about the mosquitos lol, don't think it would be the difference between going or not going!

Alot of our work is nursing home based and I think there's 3 there so that's why my employer wants to open up a new business there and as you say it's just a short drive into the city...

Partially discharged

There is a reason that Canadian houses have screens on the windows to prevent mosquitoes getting in the house. Most homes have AC. I'm in Ottawa and the main reason for AC is to reduce the humidity levels in the house. Often times at night it can be 18-20 c overnight but 90% humidity which if the windows are open just makes the house very clammy in the morning.

Siouxie

As Christmasoompa mentioned - living accommodation (and any utilities) provided by an employer will be a taxable benefit. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-age...utilities.html

cxx

Having lived in NB for several years now I tend to disagree. We were outdoorsy when we lived in the UK except when it rained. Here we still don't go out when it rains but we do go out when it snows except during a storm.

cxx

In your position, job and somewhere to live, I'd give it a try. If you don't like NB it will give you a chance to look around other areas and at least you won't always be wondering "what if?"

christmasoompa

That’s not outdoorsy then IMO. You were ‘fair weather hikers/cyclists/campers/etc’.

Belfastfam

I agree there's a difference in going out in the snow and playing or going out on the driving rain, there's different activities you can do in these situations!
Lots to think about, I like everyone being realistic, my kids are young enough where its not going to disrupt them as my oldest is 6 in july.

MillieF

Whao! Bristol you never told us about the cat licence! We don’t, but we do need a license for a chicken! There are some other funny ones too...

OP we moved to NB, Fredericton, in August 2012 so our 11 year old son could start 6th grade. l can’t believe he is now 19 and is presently in his bedroom doing his final end of 1st year Uni math exam online!

My husband is Canadian, but not from NB and wanted his son to grow up in Canada. I studied the hell out of the idea of moving here, checked the weather every day (the Fredericton web cams are good for that) I also came and spent a six week holiday in Moncton/Riverview/Dieppe/Fredericton the year before we set off...I could probably have got a job for Google as I knew so much of the place!

I had previously to motherhood travelled and worked most of my life abroad in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

I am happy. I am not bliss filled, but I am content enough, and I have made this place work for my family - but it hasn’t always been easy.

Bristol was saying that this last winter hasn’t been bad, and he’s right, and I’m not ripping my hair out depressed, like
I have been some years. Sure I’ve got some snow in my garden, but it will go soon. I have a memory of an April here when it was snowing hard and we just didn’t know where to put it anymore, our snow banks kept collapsing as they were too high. It’s easy to say -30 with the windchill factor, but quite another matter sticking your body out into it. It’s a solid six months more often than not.

It’s an expensive move, emotionally and economically. There were a few years when I would have loved to have given up - I just didn’t know how! Grades 6 to 9 were unhappy ones for my son, kids here are many generations of NBers and they don’t welcome newcomers easily. Luckily he’s academically hardworking, and particularly good at track and field so he eventually found his level. My husband is wonderful on a daily basis, but even he has had quite long periods of not liking aspects of NB and Canadians in particular - we both think it’s utterly loathsome in February!

If you have a solid marriage and a very solid employment package, in writing, I’d give it a try as it sounds like you have an itch that you need to scratch. Could you not talk to your future employers and say that you want to visit first?

I don’t regret any of it now, but I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say that. This was not an easy move.

Very best of luck with your decision.

Belfastfam

Wow wow wow... Scared me to say the least!
Its strange, some days I'm soo up for it and I'm away then other days I think how can I do that!
We have a good marriage, my wife is quite an anxious person but has showed strong interest in this, we're both young and as I said before we don't wanna be saying in years what if...
You spoke about the hard times and I have a feeling yous would be able to take alot more than us.

We planned a visit at Easter but with all the covid 19 stuff it's put us back, I think we really have to visit fordt even for a few days. We planned on getting over before September for the start of the new school year but who knows now.
My employer works alone, she has spoken about doing everything to suit us, pick my own hours, getting everyone settled and working from home. I've asked her for some sorta business plan tonight as it's all up in the air, she doesn't know when she'll be able to work again with evetthring going on.
Loving this feedback, thanks everyone

BristolUK

We're in Moncton. Pretty much essential for non-drivers. Public transport is very good this side of the river.

All the schools seem much the same. If you look at the "good schools" threads (for Canada) you get to see it's not the issue here that parents usually see elsewhere.

Moses2013

Ironically most people I know don't seem to be more outdoorsy in the heat, or let's say active. A lot of Spanish I know actually seem to prefer indoor sports and only go out when the sun goes down. We have German friends who visited us 2018 and they complained that it was too hot for hiking, so it seems people will always find a reason to complain.

HGerchikov

I am outdoorsy - I live and work on a farm, even so I have a strong aversion to going out in the rain. Even our ducks aren't that keen.

BristolUK

The weather can get to you but I've reached the point where I'm okay with it now.

Worth noting that although the first snowfall that stays can be mid November and you can get snow in April it's not like you get 6 months of it. We had ridiculous levels of snow 2014-15 but since then we've had 2 or 3 Green Christmases.

Vancouver aside I always thought Canada was much the same for snow. After a few years of clearing the snow off the drive with shovels only to see the city plow clear the street but put another snow bank at the end of the drive and deciding to start clearing steps and drive while it was still snowing - because it seemed easier to clear 6" three times than 18" once - I discovered that the cities around Lake Ontario had much less snow than we did and I started to think about moving.

But a couple of years on I reasoned that our extra snowfall represented just a couple more storms or maybe an extra couple of inches per storm and that it didn't actually make much of a difference. I mean it's really hard work if you're shovelling it yourself but if you have a snowblower or you use a contractor (the best option if you can afford it) then you're much less affected by it.

And now I only have to do the steps it takes a lot of weight off your shoulders.

Former Lancastrian

I sometimes have to laugh when we talk about the weather in Canada especially when a lot of us live in places where we get extremes be it plus 30 C in Summer and minus 40C in winter. I don't agree with the thought of we get used to it and are OK with it it is more of a we have no ****ing choice so have to deal with it. Today as an example half of the country is getting sun with nearly plus 20C temps while the other half is dealing with flurries, high winds and snow and rain.
Simple answer is I have never heard of anyone moving to Canada because of the weather.

Tumbling_Dice

I am from Norn Iron myself and been in Nova Scotia for 3.5 years now. Can't say I have loved it all, especially the lack of spring weather (I am getting pictures of people wandering the coast from Bangor to Groomsport and there are bluebells and daffodils, whereas here it is currently sleeting and the buds are only beginning to appear here.). BUT, if you have a great opportunity, and a decent way to head back if it doesn't work out, then I think you should just go for it. You will also likely find a greater appreciation for how good our wee country is. All the best with the move, when it can happen.