Dear All,

I am a new poster.

My daughter and I came to Canada in September 2009. My daughter was diagnosed with 2 chronic diseases (Possibly 3) by Sick Kids (She is still being tested and under their care). Based on all of this my husband is due to join us in a month. I have been desperately searching for shipping companies, methods of buying currency etc and would be extremely grateful to any of you that would have advice.

We did try to put our property for sale a month ago, but up to date it is still on the market. Have toyed with the idea of renting it out, but even that makes me have reservations. My husband is suggesting the council, but as he only finished refurbishing it a month ago.........

Thanking you in advance for taking the time to read this.

Kind regards,

Mel

For currency exchange, depending the amount you're thinking off, I'd stay away from highstreet banks and the kind of money changers you see at the airport, rates are normally low and commission high. There are specialist companies out there like the folk with a big banner advertising on this site, I've used one or two of the big ones (put 'foreign exchange specialist' into google). I couldn't recommend one over the other but they let you do things like freeze your rate for a year, you can also agree with them not to buy currency below a certain rate and to spread your transfer (not a bad idea given the volatility of the pound). As with all these things it pays to shop around but make sure whoever you choose they are FSA authorised and regulated (you can check the registration number is real through the FSA), that way you have some protection.

Shipping....afraid I wouldn'thave a clue.

Thanks for the advice.

I really appreciate it!!

I agree with the above posted re money exchange.
I also wanted to add that I am really sorry that you are facing this regarding your child, and I wish you lots of luck.

With regards to shippers, I know of many that have used PSS and found them fine. There are other shippers of course, eg Pickfords international. I would get a few quotes. I am sure there is an article on picking a shipping agent too on here.

Given what you are going through, is it worth getting some estate agents in to get some feel on the rental market? Of course, this all depends if you need that house either sold or rented. If I was in your position, I would want my husband with me through all this,.


Good luck!

Thank you for your kind words!! It has been a hard year for many reasons!!! Next week we are at Sick Kids twice (for an iron transfusion and to see the immunology department). I wish my husband was here too.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into them as soon as possible. If we can't get a buyer, we will have no choice, but to rent, as I don't want to leave the property empty.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Kind regards,

Mel x

My heart goes out to you. I am humbled by how easy our move to Canada has been (or will be in 1 week). All I can simply say is I will pray for your daughter, you and your family.

Conal

Thank you too Conal!!! Sometimes it is overwhelming!!! Then I look at my daughter and realise I have to do what I must.

We have not emigrated as yet. That is another hurdle we will have to face once my husband arrives.

I try to take each day as it comes.

Which part of Canada are you moving too?

How did you transfer money etc?

Kind regards,

Mel x

Er, a tricky question but when you say you haven't emigrated yet then does that mean that are you here on a TWP and you and your child have not passed an immigration medical yet?

Yup I wondered that too FLed?

We are here on my international student visa. Do you think my child's illness will go against us?

Kind regards,

Mel x

To be blunt .... Yes

CIC are looking for anything that would cause an excessive demand ( by their definition) on any services, including healthcare. A chronic illness would fall into that category .

This may not be what you want to hear right now but forewarned is forearmed. If you are planning to go for PR you need to be aware of this

I would rather you were honest. We have been through so much stress. Alot of it unexpected.

We are sort of at a cross-roads. Do I forget about emigrating to Canada and return to the U.K. or do we bite the bullet and hope for the best???

Only you can decide that but I would say that you do need to look at how much you can afford to spend on a move to Canada with the possibility of having to move back again. Is it best not to sell the house perhaps.

Hope it works out for you