hi there, i rang a cabinetmaking firm in calgary alberta to apply for a job, i am in ireland, they seemed interested in me applying for the position even though i am overseas and said they have employed over seas applicant before. my question is can any one give me feed back on calgary and what it is like to bring up a family and also the rate of pay is between 20 and 28 dollars an hour, would this be a ok wage.thank you for your opinion.

Thats encouraging.

I think Calgary as a "Family town" has probably been done to death in the past, and there is at least one other thread on the go on that very topic right now. (this one)

Cost of living and salary ranges are a fairly well covered topic too.

Did they mention hours / overtime at all? $28 an hour is OK I guess, but not if they only guarantee 9 hours a week...

thank u for your quick response. its permanent with 44hrs a week and said something about group insurance benifits, i also researched the type of work they do and its right up my street. its just that i dont know canada and my wife is about to loose her job at christmas and just need to act quick.

Is it just you and her then? No kids yet?

I wouldnt jump into anything too fast, but at least its easier if there is just the two of you.

Obviously, not going to be the same lifestyle as Australia, and I always worry about the people who just want away from where they are without being drawn to a particular new location. Often they find its the same shit in a different bucket if you know what I mean. Climate here would be the biggest thing of course.

Can you come for a visit? Probably for the best.

we have a son aged 12 and i hear what you say very clearly. i am yes in two minds about canada and we could go there for a visit, on the other hand we are both clear about australia, cabinetmaker has been taken off the list there. things are getting worse here in ireland and to be honest i dont know if we can survive. another thing is, its not about us anymore, its about our son and we want him to have as many oppurtunities as he can get and he will not get them here. if this job was in australia i would not even be asking this question here, i hope this makes sense.australia just seems further from our grasp now.

You should really push for the $28 per hour if you are serious about coming to Calgary.

$20 per hour 44 hours per week is approximately $46,000 per year for a family of three that is going to be a tough go.

$28 per hour 44 hours per week is approximately $64,000 per year a little more livable.

Well, many people say they want to come to canada for their kids future, but I and a few of the other people here dont really get that. Kids want and need happy secure parents is my hunch, and can take anything else that comes as it comes.

Nothing wrong with canada for kids, mine are certainly happy, but then they were born here and didnt have to leave friends, and especially family behind... they are used to not seeing uncles, aunts, cousins, grandpa etc except very occasionally.

Holiday allowance is another shock to the system here. Likely you are looking at 2 weeks only to start, and you may have to wait to get that too...

Anyway, much of this info is in the wiki, I'd start there and see where it takes you. Do you know that you are even eligible to get into canada under the current rules?

thanks steve. when you say a little more livable what do you mean, we are not into expensive restaurans and mostly eat at home. we could go out for sunday lunch a few sundays in a row but nothing expensive. we are not into material things , love the outdoor life and go away for the odd weekend, when we do go away we live on a tight budget.

yes i hear you. but if we stay yes we will have our close family, but we may have to live on bread and water

not possible to go skiing on a tight budget out there... Even here in the flatlands my ski budget for the family is pushing a grand, and thats close to $1500 of before tax salary. Out there, with real hills, and tourists to fleece, its likely to far exceed that, and thats not counting accomodation.

I wouldnt go near Calgary on $46k a year. At $60+k its just as well you are not into material things too. Would you rent or buy property?

The other factor in this is it would presumably be a temorary work permit. On that is the job falls through , or things get slack and you get laid off, you have very slim options available as plan B. OK if you are young free and single, but a bit "squeeky bum" for a married man with responsibilities. I realise you want to get out from where you are now, but you need to be sure you know what you might be getting into before you jump at it.

thanks very much for you advise and this is the reason i asked this question, because im not sure and now i know i have alot of research to do, again thank you so much for your great advice , iaink especially

At $28 an hour, if you are the only breadwinner you will be very lucky to go out at all! Calgary is such an expensive city. Your basic bills will exhaust your income. You should definitely get employers healthcare coverage for yourself and your family.

A lot will depend on how much money you are bringing with you. Can you afford to buy a house here? Rent is extortionate...

I hate to put a negative spin on things but you really need to look into the financial implications. The quality of life, in my opinion, is far better here in Canada, but it costs a lot more.

I have family in Ireland and understand how bad things are there right now. I don't blame you for looking for a way out, good luck buddy

In acting quick, what about residency visas or work permits? If you don't have either, the employer will have to obtain a positive LMO before being able to hire any non Canadian or legal resident. Being offered a job is not an automatic ticket into Canada.

i know that, they did say they have sponsored people with the LMO before

thanks for that, our plan would be to rent our house here(which seems to be no problem here at the moment) its impossible to sell. my wife is a cook , so im guessing she should have no problem get work. we would have no choice but to rent and we would have little money coming over.