Hi guys I really dont know what to do or say I am new to all this and may need a little guidance, We (me, my husband Mark and our 3 yr old daughter Serenity) visited Calgary in October this year when he passed all his test to join Calgary Police, they are now in the process of obtaining reference and background checks then hopefully it will be immigration, I have no idea how long it will take or what will happen next. With Christmas around the corner and a young child to think about it feels as though we are in limbo and not wanting to get anything new or replace anything as we will have to send it in a container or sell it. How do you handle the feelings and the thought that this could be your last Christmas with people you have come to love and trust
I would value your stories, thanks. Rebecca

Welcome to the board.

A good start would be to read the wiki.

Good luck!

Hi Rebecca and welcome to BE. You will find this, and all of us, an invaluable tool to do your research, ask your questions and hopefully get the odd giggle out of the insanity that brings most of us here !

When Mark is successful with a job offer, I am guessing you are using the Provincial Nominee Programme to come over here ? That will probably take another 6-8 months to process and for you to finally move over here. So that could give you a timeline of next autumn probably. Maybe start thinking about Mark starting on a September intake, something like that .... Having said that, you could be over here by July, or it might take till November!!

Find the Wiki on this forum - blue line at the top of the screen, click on there and follow the Canada pages - there is absolutely tons of info on there - probably way too much to take in during one sitting - you will return again and again! And also have a trawl through the "Working Abroad by Profession" section - there is also a lot of info on there under 'Police', especially pertaining to the CPS.

My hubby graduates this afternoon! Yay!

And as for 'handling' all the feelings, I guess I'd just say to accept that this next year will be an emotional rollercoaster, full stop Don't fight it, don't fret about it - just accept that your feelings and confidence in the move will change hugely week to week - sometimes you will truly doubt your own sanity, and other times you will never have been so sure in your life. Do your research, come over for another visit or recce if at all able before making that final decision, oh, and enjoy the ride

Best wishes to all of you on this journey of madness ...

I remember the limbo of not knowing what to buy etc as terrible. Like you we had young children and only buying small shaped presents for them

We chose to sell all our furniture and start a fresh. The trend now seems to be bring everything over. It is personal choice and you have to do what helps you get through.

As for you last Christmas with loved ones. When we were in the UK we had every christmas by ourselves, in the 6 years we have been here, we have always had relatives over. In fact this is our first Christmas without the relatives and we are looking forward to not having them

Also as there are so many other expats over here, you will make friends and do things slightly different for Christmas, we always go skiing now as never did in the uk, but then I do miss going to the pub on boxing day.

Take one step at a time and do not worry about next Christmas or what you have to do to move, when you have not got past this christmas.

Hiya

welcome to the site as the previous posters have said don't worry about feeling silly we have all done it, you will also find the site a really good place to sound off with people who are going through the same thing and know what you are going through. It took me 4 years to finally get over here, mainly due to me having to get out of my families small business. There will be a lot of people saying how can you leave us, but you must try to keep in mind why you want to move. The world is a lot smaller place now and with skype (internet phones) it costs the same as making a local call to the UK.

There is one other route the CPS may take with getting your OH over which is work permit route, this is a lot quicker than PNP and may be complete with 6-8 weeks.

We have a 4 year old and all we did was request from family that gifts be small (without much success). We took a lump of our furniture in a 20' container which should be here just after christmas (taken 4 weeks to get to toronto) With young children i think it is hard just to buy from scratch as moving to another country is hard enough for them to understand without them being told all there favourite toys have got to go as well.

A normal size 3 bed house should fit into a 20' container or for larger properties you can get a 40' container. I would suggest you get some shipping companies down to check the size of container you would need and give you a quote. You can then decide on the costs wether you want to take all your belongings over.

As the others have said welcome to the ride of your life, just be prepared that over the next weeks/months to come one minute you will be as high as a kite and the next down in the dumps, but at the end of it you will be moving to a wonderful country.

Good luck to you and keep in touch to let us know how you get on

Merry xmas and a happy new year

Steve Donoghue

Hi becskane,

I'm probably not the most sympathetic person when I hear people moaning about not being to buy things (Mr L2S thinks there is some communistic traits in me), but I think you might find it helpful to read these 2 threads:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479454

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475495

I really like the idea of making a list of all the things that you haven't done in the UK / Europe, or love doing, and make sure you do them before you leave. We came on one year BUNAC working holiday WP, and weren't sure if we were going to stay. So I don't feel like I ever got to say a proper good-bye to England - it may be a long process for you, but at least you'll have that one-year wait! (I always try to find a silver lining!)

missot also quoted a wise proverb (that I have now added to my FaceBook favourite quotes):

We were doing our MSc in Leeds before coming here, so we were having to move anyway. It wasn't like we were having to give up jobs etc. it was natural new chapter in our lives. And being at uni meant we had no money anyways!!

well done Hubby, whilst we were there in October we looked at some areas to live, ir Somerset which we loved the location due to the transit. Okotoks a bit far out but maybe as a police officer this could be a good thing although cost extra on cars etc and we looked at Airdrie which was ok and a little cheaper but somehow didnt have the same feel and I have a child pshcology degree and looking to set up a pre-school day nursery from the basement of out home so it needs to feel right. How have you found the climate change what major things are different and was it the right move for you are have you any regrets. thanks again. Rebecca

by the way what is it like in Cochrane that is north west isnt it, we never got there, how long does it take to get into the city from there, thanks as sorry for being a pest

Hi Helen, thanks for replying i am just feeling a lost sole at the moment, what are the prices of furniture etc are somethings cheaper in comparison than others, we will have to get some kind of container for outr personal bits and also Serenity's toys and bike etc. Whilst over in October we did get to meet some ex-pats who live in Somerset (the last stop on the transit) I did like it there, we looked at Okotoks but a bit far out and Airdrie didnt have the same feel to it some how, what is Cochrane like, I think we have embarked on a very large roller coaster ride some days I want it to continue other days I like my life here so much I want to jump off and stay. Are you glad you went what are the bad things we need to consider and was it worth it for you, thanks. Rebecca

As has been said you will have all sorts of doubts and emotions - it really is an emotional rollercoaster. Just try to not get too stressed out and dwell on matters, just take it all as it comes (much easier said than done I know). The nearer the date got for us to leave the greater my doubts were as to whether we were doing the right thing especially at our age (I am now 59 and OH is 67) and with a teenage daughter staying behind and one coming with us it was, for me, terribly emotional.

However, we have been in Calgary since October 20th, in our own home in Bragg Creek since 30th October and I can sincerely say that we have no regrets. We have not sat and thought about the home we loved in the UK and in which we had lived for 30+ years, absolutely no looking back. We have a beautiful home here and marvel at the beautiful wild life we have visiting us every day.

We have a good telephone deal which includes broadband internet connection and 1000 minutes a month to Europe. I ring my mother every week, and even get a flea in my ear if I ring when her favourite programme is on! My daughter doesnt have a land line but she has a webcam and she gives me a webcam hug and I can see if she looks ok and is feeding herself ok.

I hope all goes well for you and that you dont have too long a wait - I would highly recommend it to anyone, whatever age. Best wishes

Hi Rebecca,
I am fairly new to this site also. My husband, 3 kids (13,11 and 7) and myself are in the beginnings of the process of applying for perm. residency through the Provincial Sponsorship programme. The one bonus is that I used to live in Ontario and I have family there still, though we have decided to go to Nova Scotia! I know how you feel as we initially had days when we really didn't want to go, partly because we didn't know where would be best. Now we have decided on Nova Scotia we can't wait to get there!!! It just feels so right for us. As I have lived in Canada before, albeit 20 years ago now, I can safely say that you will be making the right choice in going. The lifestyle is now much the same as it is here, back 20 years ago they were way more advanced than we were here so I was wowed by it all. Calgary is a bit more expensive for housing than elsewhere and if you are living in the city stick to the West as the east is more industrialised. The general cost of living is slightly cheaper though. Calgary is mainly prairies (very flat), but you have the rockies but 50 miles away, so that will no doubt make up for it.
I agree it is completely all consuming... we have just been to Disneyworld with the kids and couldn't wait to get back to continue on the Canada trail!!!! How sad is that.
We also used to sit and look around at all the stuff we have accumulated over the years feeling sad that we would have to leave it behind, but we have now realised that is possible to take almost everything you own for probably much less than you could replace it for. We have had some quotes for a 20' container, averaging between 2 1/2 to 5 thousand pounds. So now we have come to the conclusion that we will take most things with us. Up until a few weeks ago we were telling the kids that they had to get rid of things as we wouldn't be taking them, now we're telling them just to buy little things and nothing electrical that we couldn't use over there. Try hooking up with a 'settlers' style site, or an estate agent (they love giving info if it means you buy property from them) we got loads of info from www.UK2NovaScotia.com and they have been a brilliant source of info. With regards to shopping stuff try these websites.
www.twopages.com for cars
www.lazyboy.com
www.ikea.com
www.thebrick.com furniture
www.leons.ca
www.sears.ca
www.thefutureshop.ca electricals
www.walmart.ca like asda but bigger and better and cheaper
www.canadiantire.ca

I hope this helps, if I find anymore I will let you know.
When I moved to Canada before, I went on my own and lived 200 miles away from my family, so after the initial excitement of being there,I became very homesick. I lived there for two years and it kicked in big time every now and again, but overall I loved it and didn't want to return. I came back with the intention of staying for a few months and then going back when I met my husband and stayed in the Uk. He used to say that he was always frightened I was going to run off, not with someone but back to Canada.
Think of this as a new beginning to an amazing new life. It will be hard to leave people behind, and I found that the biggest thing to deal with when I went, but there's internet, skype, cheap phonecalls, webcams and of course they can come for holidays. And when you think of the time you will spend with family and friends if they come for a few weeks, that amounts up to probably more time than you spend with them in a whole year now!!
I hope this has made you feel a bit better about going. If you want to chat some more, don't hesitate to get in touch. I am very much on info overload at the minute. Just talk positive all the time and look at all the good things you will be gaining and it will make you feel much better.
Good luck
Linda

Hi Rebecca

We too decided to ship everything over and I'm glad we did. The main reason is familiarity - everything is so new that waking up in your own bed and surrounded by "normal" things is comforting. The children really enjoyed it when we reconstructed their old rooms in the new house. They hadn't seen the stuff for 6 weeks so it was like Christmas opening up all the boxes. Plus the other side is that we saved ourselves a fortune. Most Canadian houses are more spacious and having to buy furniture for 2 sitting rooms plus bedrooms etc would have cost a fortune. Furniture here isn't as interesting either, it can be old and stuffy or light weight and cheap looking - much more choice at home.

As for the roller coaster emotional journey that is emigrating - prepare yourselves for wobblers, the highs and lows of the immigration process, the emotions of leaving people. But keep in mind all the reasons you are leaving especially for the children. Ours were young 5 and 3 but they wanted to know why so we had it down to bigger garden, more activities such as skiing and iceskating, swimming in lakes, more time as a family and a new adventure. It became like a mantra and we needed it as much as they did. Good luck and Happy Christmas

Hi Rebecca

This reminds me sooooo much of me last year - strange to think that it would the last UK Christmas and now it actually feels strange to be celebrating our first Xmas in Canada.

I think whilst you are preparing to make the actual physical move you go through a roller coaster of emotions. I was ecstatic when my hubby's LMO came through for his Work Permit for a couple of days and then it hit me we were actually going to be coming over here. Then a couple of days later the shock, horror and fear set in - it was that bad I had decided that I couldnt do it but couldnt speak to hubby about it. I couldnt eat sleep or anything. Then all of a sudden it lifted and all was well. I had to put it down to sheer terror of the realisation that we were probably making the biggest move of our lives.

That all settled down and then the time came for my hubby to come out to start work - leaving me and the kids behind to sell the house - and then the depression part set in. You cry alot and worry and have sleepless nights etc. but it is all part of the emotional roller coaster that you have to go through.

Finally the time comes when the shipper comes to pack up your belongings and put them in the container - expect more tears ! When GB Liners pulled into my little cul de sac in July this year I was overcome with emotion and the guys had to make me a pot of tea and have a brew with me to calm me down

The final leg of the roller coaster is when you have to say good bye to peeps - more tears but by this time although they are tears of sadness from your family and friends you are leaving behind for you they will be tears of relief as you know your journey is nearly over

When you get out here a few tips :

* try and get into a moms and tots club to meet new moms you will be amazed how friendly they will be.
*see if you can meet up with any CPS wives from here - maybe advertise in the police section on the main forum - after all they are the ones who understand what you go through.
*get yourself a good realtor as these can be a life saver for you and some of the ones who offer a relocation service such as Wallace or Helen Parnell will be able to give you so much information which will be useful
* always remember that it takes a lots of guts to move across the world and you have been strong enough to actually arrive in Canada so you will be strong enough to get through those first few months.
* It takes balls for people to move thousands of miles and remember most of the people who have already done this have those balls - and YOU are one of them.

OK enough prattling from me - hope it helps anyway

Gaynor
x

Unfortunately, the work permit route is not available to join the CPS at this time. Currently, in order to be appointed, you must either be a Permanent Resident or a Citizen.

The Provincial Nominee Programme gives the PR visa at the end of their process.

Rebecca - Good child care is hard to find here, and if you do your research and set up your home well, you will not find it hard to come by 'little clients' !! I'm sure some others on this forum can guide you on any regulations, cost of insurance, etc (my current boss was quoted about $450 per annum for up to 5 children when she has been doing her own research about this).

We are so far very much enjoying our move to Cochrane which is to the NW of the city limits. It has ticked so many boxes for us - big enough for day-to-day stuff, but 20 mins to the 'big' shops if we need them, fabulous views, good mixed age community. The journey time from here to downtown for the CPS training, ranges from 35 mins on a clear and probably too fast run, to about 50 mins on a slow run. Hubby averaged 40 mins.

I really shouldn't say this, but winter has so far been a bit of a no show! (yes, yes, now that I've mentioned it, we'll get some massive snow dump and it will be minus 28 for 5 weeks!!). I'm pre-warned that March is the one to watch.

No regrets in moving here per se - the only issues are, ironically enough, with hubby's perception of his new employer. The training has proven to be long and arduous, and for want of a better phrase, not up to his expectations. But a new chapter begins next week - and we will wait and see. No rush or rash decisions.

HTH