Is it a pipe dream?
 

Hi everyone
I posted the message below on the US forum and I was directed to this part of the board for further help, as I mention below any expertise you could provide or if anyone has been in a similar position and would like to tell me how it went for them I would be very grateful:

Hi I'm new to this forum, I didnt even know it existed!

My wife and I have recently been discussing the viability of leaving the UK, we have both had our fill of it.

We are starting tentative discussions into looking at the possibility of going to either the USA or Canada.

Obviously we both know that the grass isn't always greener, but I think neither of us wants to think "what if" 30 years down the line either.

One of my concerns though is my age, I have just recently turned 40.
Is that too old to be looking to move to the USA or Canada?

My other concern is career prospects, I am degree qualified and have 15 years banking and insurance experience behind me. Last year I took voluntary redundancy and have completed a post graduate in Software Engineering and am looking to then complete a conversion Masters.
Would this work experience and educational background stand me in good stead or is my age a stumbling block that would not be possible to be overcome?

Sorry if I have gone on a bit but I imagine there are people here with a great deal of expertise and experience and I know that anything you tell me will be very helpful in our thoughts and discussions

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

maybe the following will start you off with some ideas or suggestions

not two old at 40, after all you are educated, experienced you have a decent chance IMO

Have you been to either the USA or Canada & looked around to see if this is where you'd like to go - what about Australia?

Have you looked by being there (or a web search) at a location in either place, looked at the job market available with your qualifications & expertise, the housing market etc... all of this is the usual preliminary stuff prospective immigrants do or think about.

That said - for the effort & cost, why not consider starting an application to both the US & Canada to see what happens & likely you may be accepted . nothing ventured - nothing gained

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Thanks not2Old.

Ive been to the USA a lot and I love it there. I just love the lifestyle and opportunities.
I havent been to Canada for years but from speaking to friends it appears to be USA lite and I think I would have a better opportunity in getting into Canada than the States.

But thanks for coming back to me, its nice to know at least one person thinks Im young enough lol

And as you say nothing ventured nothing gained!

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Both husband and myself was 42 when we moved over 5 years ago and no regrets whats so ever

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

You do need to search the US forum for info about what visa you might be able to get, and how to get it, the US is one of the hardest countries to emigrate to unless you have a shed load of cash, or a wife or GF who is already a USC. Canada is much simpler..

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

how difficult (or not so difficult) for you at 42 was the immigration process?

Maybe for the OP you could share some ideas of the steps or thoughts to get them going

Thanks

BTW Steve - I hired several immigrants that came to Canada later in life - so, as I said at it seems others share the same thoughts .. your still young

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I'm about to spent a fortnight of networking in Canada, spoken to a few employers in financial services which is my field also to tee up meetings, and none have been at all bothered about age (I'm 38), its qualifications, experience, do they like you that seems to be the key factors... That might change when they see the facial tattoos though...

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

To the OP.

I wouldn't worry too much about age once you're in Canada. We (wife and I) moved over mid 2012; I was 50 at the time she a little older. We've had no problems settling in. I got a job within about 6 weeks (I'm a qualified accountant) and my wife got a part time job (which was all she wanted) about a month later. However, we are in Calgary where the economy is fairly healthy; I can't speak to any other areas of Canada.

From the immigration viewpoint I think age may be an issue. When we applied (early 2007 I think) the system was different and I got maximum age points because I was under 50 at the time. I believe the age points start reducing a lot earlier now. If you can get offered a job over here and apply on the back of that it will make the process a lot easier, but failing that you'll need to check on the CIC website whether you qualify or not.

Good luck.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

OP, it seems everyone is of the same opinion & at your age & based on what you posted in your first post you have a good chance of getting in

Together with the encouragement from others that have posted to this thread & how they have done it - why not start the process with the link below

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigra...ly-factors.asp

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

OP, it seems everyone is of the same opinion & at your age & based on what you posted in your first post you have a good chance of getting in

Together with the encouragement from others that have posted to this thread & how they have done it - why not start the process with the link below

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigra...ly-factors.asp

doing the calculator 67 points is the minimum - I came up with about 85 or better points based on what you've told us

Hey - its a start

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

In Canada, industry has been somewhat regionalized: Automotive in Ontario, Forestry in BC, Oil in Alberta, Potash in Saskatchewan etc.

If you're goal is to continue on with the Insurance and Banking line of work should you move to Canada or the US, then you'll have opportunities to work pretty much wherever you'd like in either country.

As others have said, you're not too old at 40. Just need to keep in mind that you're coming to a new country with a different culture - things will be different, and in some instances may make you yearn for what you left in the UK (a number of British expats whinge about the quality of the cheese for example)

Canada has a number of cultural differences than the US. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to upset a Canadian is to tell them that the country is a lot like America. Google will probably lead you dozens of threads comparing the two countries, with probably conflicting responses - but should give you some idea.

Regardless of which country you choose, be aware that both countries can provide you with different experiences depending on where you relocate. Take some time with your wife and try and write down what you want and don't want as part of your experience. Make sure you include factors such as weather and population density - if you absolutely hate the cold and snow, then Fort McMurray probably isn't for you. If you'd like a bit of space, then downtown Toronto or New York City probably wouldn't work either.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Most likely you'd end up working at a counter at BMO. Those are pretty heavy duty qualifications, everyone likes to ship stuff off to India as I'm sure you know.

Read up on the RBC work permit scandal.

From your qualifications and experience I'd say you'd be better off starting up your own company, but that's tricky to do unless you qualify for the start-up visa. More likely you'd have to wangle a work permit, get sponsored for permanent residency, then do it. Which probably isn't a bad idea as you would become acclimated to how things work in Canada.

Not a minor undertaking though.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Canada is somewhere inbetween the UK and the US culturally, so if you like the US and you're from Britain you will probably be okay with Canada. Once you get used to the weather.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Oh yeah, do you have kids, that's an important factor. Schools I think are generally better in Canada than in the US (not always but mostly). Also it has a bearing on which country would be better to immigrate from a legal standpoint.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

good points

Along those lines sometimes a new immigrant who is overly qualified in any field or profession may have to start one or two steps below their level what they left - unless of course they have secured a position prior to arrival.

One may have to learn the ropes, familiarize themselves with the work environment & surroundings - maybe learn new skills, even get re-qualified or get a Canadian designation/certification such as a CFP or a CIM whatever in that line of work

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Wow, thank you all so much for your contributions.
You have given me a lot to think about and areas to research.
Its going to be a long week end of internet trawling lol but I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

We moved over 6 months ago. I'm 45, wife is a lot younger ;-)

Canada is everything we wanted and more. When I was a kid I always dreamed of living in the USA (too much American TV I guess) but as time went on I realised there were too many bad points to the USA.
Then we took a trip out to Vancouver Island about 18 years ago and fell in love with Canada.
I've found it very similar to the USA, but without the "we are the boss of the world" attitude.
But to answer your initial question...NO, you're not too old, DO IT NOW!!!, lol.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I've worked extensively in the US and Canada and, for the most part, can't tell the difference. I don't think it matters though, the OP isn't going to get a visa for the US but might get one for Canada. I would have thought the lack of a defined or saleable skill to be a bigger problem than age.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I don't think that's such a big deal in IT, especially as many of the popular qualifications are American, it's more references. Sometimes they want you to be a member of some industry organization for no apparent reason I can ever fathom. QA maybe.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Yes it's a pipe dream. Do it anyway!!!

I'd suggest you take a holiday in the area you are looking at, consider yours and the wife's skill set and start looking at employment online in that area, then book a trip (www.airtransat.com) is normally cheapest.

You might hate it but I'd suggest it's a big place and what you might hate about one town might be completely different in another.

Hubby was 40 and I was 37 when we came over and we love it here.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Steve from your brief description it sounds to me that the US is a much more appropriate destination for you.

I moved to Canada (I was born and raised in Italy and I'm in the IT consulting business) initially and lived there for 3 years (Vancouver) and I cannot stress enough how disappointing it was. If you want I can be more spacific on request later on.

The USA offer so many more opportunities for motivated professionals, not to mention more variety of landscape, culture and weather.

Do it.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I see from your other posts in the Forum that you dislike Canada intensely, perhaps that should be taken into consideration by the OP when making a decision.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I do not "dislike" Canada (well I dislike the weather but that is highly subjective, personal) and actually I'm a naturalized Canadian myself!!.
I'm just telling you that for the most part, at professional level Canada is a second choice compared to the United States, interestingly enough in 1998 when I moved to Canada it was my first choice and i never considered the USA at that time...but now I understand why the majority of motivated career oriented people prefer to go south of the 49th parallel if they have a choice.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

However the US isn't easy to get into and I believe the op posted there first (US forum)

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Fair enough, but after reading your many posts on this thread it would appear that you previously disliked Canada, lol, so you can see why I said that.

;)

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Let's say that I disliked professional opportunities in Canada and I have serious issues with what I call the "Vancouver propaganda" but that is just my experience so if I can help sharing my side of the coin.

The USA is the farthest thing from being a perfect place, just suits my circumstances better at the moment.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I was kinda with you until I read that old thread. A lot of what you said is/was total bs.

ps. There are people who don't dream of moving to the US - like me.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

To each his own opinion I guess....:)


And I never talk about "dreaming to move"...

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I don't want to move to the US either. In fact for the foreseeable future I don't want to move anywhere.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I had the same dilemma originally, the US is a very amazing and enjoyable country, but I liked the look of Canada because of the universal healthcare. In the US healthcare is very expensive and even getting insured can be problematic. However if this does concern you there are some US states that offer State-run health insurance options, such as Oregon. I don't know a lot about it though.

I decided on Vancouver in Canada, as for one it is close to the US Border, allowing me to have the best of both worlds. It also turned out to be much easier to move to Canada than the US.

I would say that there are just as many opportunities in Canada as in the US, despite was saturn05 says, in fact, there are some incredible economic boom areas happening in various parts of the country, particularly with those related to natural resources.

Downsides with Vancouver are that it is very expensive and is desirable, making it an "employers market". It can be quite difficult to get a job, or at the very least a decent paying one, which has made me contemplate leaving the city, although Software Engineering and Development has a fairly healthy economy here.

But this thread wasn't about Vancouver specifically, even though saturn05 loves to keep bringing it up, and I can tell you elsewhere in Canada is quite different. Housing can be quite affordable in booming cities like Winnipeg, jobs are always available in places like Alberta where Oil is extracted, and there are some great arts and culture scenes around different cities in the country.

That being said the US does have great cities which are no doubt wonderful places to live, Seattle just south of Vancouver has a phenomenal music and arts scene, and I will be honest and say there is a huge appeal to me to live there. Housing is affordable and employment postings are honest about things like salary and benefits (job postings in vancouver very rarely list the salary which can end up wasting a lot of time). However moving there would be a difficult, even if I became a Canadian citizen (NAFTA), and the thought of having some terrible illness and it costing me hundreds of thousands of dollars ultimately makes me feel more comfortable up here.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

CanadaJimmy

It's true, Alberta is booming in the energy sector and Toronto has a robust job market however you forget the big 800 pounds gorilla in the room.....winters...cold winters....this is what keep Vancouver an "employer market" and such desireable city to live by Canadian standards despite the mediocre job market.
Granted, the OP may not have any problem with the snowy winters....

I remember when I spent a winter in Calgary for a consulting gig.....great job opportunities and very reasonable cost of living....but the cold was unbearable for me.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

you couldn't stick a Calgary winter?

i honestly found it much more pleasant than back home!

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Remember that I was born and raised in Southern Italy....:D

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

I have visited San Francisco often. Seattle very often. I like both cities. If I had to live in the US I would choose these cities over any other I have visited south of the border. A good friend left Vancouver to work in Silicon Valley and has established a very successful business there. No doubt there is opportunity.

I work within the small business community in the Vancouver area. There is more than enough opportunity here for people to establish and prosper in business. It just takes the ability to recognize opportunity and the gumption to take advantage of it.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Oh definitely, there is opportunity for employers or owning your own business in Vancouver - I think I heard somewhere it is has the highest number of startup businesses in Canada - but it is harder for those who do not wish to work for themselves or at startups to find work at large established firms.

Re: Is it a pipe dream?
 

Remember that a lot of them are money losing food businesses (or something similar) started by new immigrants with no other choices....I know lots of them, at the end of the day many do not even make the equivalent of a low wage job.

So probably highest number of startup by necessity and not necessarily by choice and the success rate is unknown.