British Expats - Is it a pipe dream?

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- - Is it a pipe dream? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/pipe-dream-808275/)

Re: Is it a pipe dream?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaJimmy (Post 10896811)

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.

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?

Quote:

Originally Posted by haggis88 (Post 10896875)

you couldn't stick a Calgary winter?

i honestly found it much more pleasant than back home!

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?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonboyE (Post 10897027)

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.

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?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaJimmy (Post 10897044)

I think I heard somewhere it is has the highest number of startup businesses in Canada .

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.