Hi

I'll cut our story short.. After being messed about by 3 different trucking companies in Nova Scotia, my OH has had an interview (telephone) with a firm in Dieppe, New Brunswick.

We hadn't considered New Brunswick, so I'm looking for advice on good/nice areas to live, cost of living etc. I also have to sell it to our kids, at the mo only 2 of them will come with us, they are 15 and 16yrs old (the other 2 have built their own lives here and are refusing to emigrate).

I'm not sure what to do, the interview came as a bit of a shock and I'm feeling nervous . We have visited NS 3 times over the last 2 years and felt that was where we wanted to be, we have both Canadian and expat friends there but I am disillusioned by the whole process and need convincing we are doing the right thing.
The firm has said they will do a company transfer to Nova Scotia after a year in New Brunswick, if we still want to be in Nova Scotia.

Sorry I'm rambling if anyone can give me some pointers it might make the decision easier, as OH who initially wasn't sure about emigrating is ready to set sail today where as I am now having doubts

Rosie

Out of curiosity what is the name of the trucking firm in Dieppe? (pm me if you don't want to go public).

Hi Rosie

We are just about to go to NB.

We started down the emigration to NB 2 years ago. At the time my boys were 17 & 21.
Older was not at all sure at that point, but the younger one was mad keen.
Now we have the visa 2 years later the older one is more keen than the younger.

NB is a quiet province and I have to say that if my boys had a choice they would want to be near Toronto or even Halifax as they are both much cooler places where decent bands perform.
We have just come back from a house buying, "landing" trip.
Both boys enjoyed it and are looking forward to going for good in a few weeks.

Dieppe is attatched to Moncton and is fairly French in its feel.
Moncton is now the largest city in NB (I think I'm right when I say that) and is growing.

Cost of living will be similar to NS although house prices will be less in the Greater Moncton/Dieppe area than the metro Halifax area I would guess.
Have a look on www.mls.ca
You can look at diferent suburbs and properties available.
Even if you are going to rent, it will give you an idea of what its like.

Put NB into google and also Moncton and you will get all sorts of info. You will get some of the town websites so that you can look at individual comunities in more detail.


We wished we had done this years ago when the kids were younger and it would be a whole lot easier, but we just hope that they will settle in and of course they can afford to live by themselves whereas in the UK there was no chance.

Hope that helps a bit

Penny

Thanks AX and Penny

I hope all goes well for you Penny, I've googled New Brunswick/Moncton and got quite a lot of info, I think I was a bit shocked re: the phone call.

Looking on MLS the housing does seem cheaper than HRM, NS, but I was wondering is there any areas to avoid, I would like to be somewhere quite rural but we will probably be better looking at Moncton coz of the kids.

Rosie

Hi Rosie,
We too are headed to NB, hopefully, this year. Although our children are young 6 & 3, we have chosen the area around Moncton because that is where most things are happening and there will be plenty to do for the kids. There are plenty of rural areas within 20 mins drive from Moncton.

Susie

Dieppe is extremely francophone, but as it's 2 minutes from the city ie...it merges with it, you don't have to live in the middle of the francophone area. Anywhere up to the TransCanada is about 20/25 mins away.

Thanx all

How are you getting on Tangram? I hope everything is good for you, are your family with you yet? I noticed your LMO was done in 3 days were you just lucky or is NB so much quicker? Both my OH and myself are truck drivers. We've to make a couple of phone calls tmw to confirm the job details but hopefully everything will be good and the paperwork for the LMO will be submitted soon.

I've done a bit of researching on the net and have a friends brother, he lives in Moncton, looking into schools for us, so I feel better, if the kids are settled thats a big worry of our shoulders.

Thanks again for your replies, maybe we will be in NB before the Fall

Rosie

Hi Rosie,

1. Ok with me although miss family.
2. They are still in the UK and no inkling when they will be here.
3. Not sure whether it was luck, NB not being busy, my company being 'part' of government or a combo.
4. Done a fair bit of research on schools myself, perhaps we can compare notes at some point.

Paul

Hi Paul

Oh no, I don't fancy being left behind while hubby goes ahead

The firm who have offered OH work have brought drivers from the UK to NB before, fingers crossed they know what they are doing.

How old are your kids? Ours finish school in the Uk this summer, I really don't want them to start college here in September. Although we have encouraged them to carry on as normal applying for the courses they are interested in. When the older 2 started college and became "independent" they both decided they didn't want to emigrate and I'm not sure what we'd do if all 4 made the same decision. Lol I can't leave all my babies here!!

I'll pass on any info I get about schools and catchment areas, and then we can compare notes.

OH may have to go over for a formal interview so maybe he could meet up with you?

Rosie

Yep, no problem with that.