Madness all round!! Yep I think this is going to be the way we are going to do it, trouble is it's a nightmare finding rental properties. I have wiki'd everything and checked out the usual places. Maybe its because we are only looking at Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove and St Albert (Edmonton)

let us know how you get on

Hi Tom (Lauder99),
Good luck with the job interview and don't worry, I think you'll find them pretty laid back.
I was over last year to write the Heavy Equipment Tech exam and also look for work, I couldn't believe how relaxed they were, nowhere near as formal as here in the UK.

I don't know what stage you are at in the paperwork trail but try to find out if the employer already has clearance to employ foreign people, if they don't get them in the direction of getting a LMO (labour market opinion) ASAP as you'll need this before you can apply for a temp work permit.

The employer I will be working for when we get over in January (we hope) thought I'd be over in a few months. Here we are 12 months later and counting.

The other thing I will warn you about is ..... start clearing out the "stuff" and be ruthless, and packing the stuff you want to take in preparation for moving.
It ain't funny trying to do it at the last minute as I'm sure many folks here will tell you.

Good luck

Jim

Thanks guys

Had our first full day here yesterday, what a day We had the morning to kill before house hunting so we went to Chinook mall spent a few quid
had awander round nice place, good shops. Had a bit of lunch in the food court and then headed to Somerset where Julie our realtor was picking us up.

We headed to Okotoks for our first visit. We had never considered Okotoks in our planning as Lynnes job is likely to be at the north end of Calgary so we had been looking at Calgary NW and Airdrie mainly. We also thought that Okotoks was a bit more expensive than Airdrie.

After speaking to Julie she reckoned that Okotoks was within our budget and that the commute times were similiar from Airdrie or Okotoks. Julie lives in Okotoks so was naturally enthusiastic about the area and its facilities but in no way did she put down Airdrie or try to steer us in any way.

Well upshot is we found THE house (no Sharon its not yours which was nice but not for us, I told Julie she wasnt to show us it but she did anyway I think she has a wicked streak) its in Drakes Landing.

We headed back to Julie and Eds for a cuppa and a blether, they are great people and made us so welcome. We chatted about our options and they were both positive about Airdrie so we are heading there today to see whats on the go up there. To be honest though the house in Drakes Landing is the new benchmark I think Lynne has decided thats the one.

So after one day we are certain Alberta is where we want to be no doubts left there at all. We liked Okotoks and we think we may have found THE house I have a meeting re a job and Ed has given me a lead on a way to make some cash while looking after the kids if we decide to go on one salary for a while(which is looking like our preferred plan for now)

We shall see what today brings

Cheers
Tom

Glad your enjoying your visit and yes I do think Julie has an evil streak. It's funny because we spent a few $ in Chinook Mall also, and the cheesecake place that is nearby.

I think it's only fair that you send us the MLS number of THE HOUSE so we can have a nosey.

Sharon

god, just checked out flights from Aberdeen to Edmonton in March 08, £2600 not including cats

Afternoon all

Just back from Airdrie where we saw about 5 houses. It was ok and it would be an improvement for us over our Uk situation but it jus felt a bit like a giant housing estate a bit new townish think Livingston for those of you familiar with Scotland.

All of the houses bar one that we looked at also had some seriously concerning cracks in the basement floors. Just to be clear I am building inspector by profession so this is not the statement of an overly critical home buyer. The cracks seemed to be signs of frost heave which for Canada I find a little concerning. None of the houses we looked at in Okotoks had any cracks. So that along with the feel of the place mean we are headed to Okotoks We knew as soon as we walked into THE house that it was the one but we needed to see Airdrie for ourselves.

Heres the MLS number Sharon C3282680 its in Drakes Landing.

Thanks to Julie and Ed for all their help and time your stars.

Catch you all later.
Tom

Thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure showing you around and we are really pleased you have found the place that suits you.

We are looking forward to you being over here permanently.

If anyone wants any help or advise please do not hesitate to contact us.

Take care

Julie and Eddie Parry

Commuting from Okotoks to north end of Calgary will be fairly brutal. Try this out in rush hour, both morning and evening whilst you are over to get a feel for it.

yeah we have been looking at the commute but Lynne has choices on where she works so we are going to try for Rockyview general hospital to limit the commute and because she is a nurse her shift patterns may not match the rush hour but thats still to be checked out.

Cheers
Tom

Well another good day here. Spent the first part of the morning phoning around various places trying to get a copy of the CRNE study guide without much luck so headed downtown to make sure I could find the office where my "meeting" was. Found it easily so we had a wander round the core shopping area and had some lunch.

The "meeting" was really good I met 2 of the practice directors, showed them my portfolio and talked about what I have done and am doing now. It lasted an hour and a half They said they would have offered me a job there and then if I had a Visa/TWP and that if I call them when I get one the offer would still be there.

they were a huge firm in project terms and my portfolio was pathetic compared to the stuff they do but my winning personality obviously shone through

They gave me a quick rundown on salary and benefits and it seemed very good, decent holidays etc and they were really nice guys so its all good for sure as they say here

Made me feel good that I can get good work here fairly easily they were a bit concerned that I might be meeting every firm in town, they seemed to think I would get hired pretty much anywhere I went huge boost to the confidence and it makes the move definate we are coming to CalgaryOnly CIC to convince now

Cheers
Tom

Hi Tom,
Glad your interview went well.
The Company can't employ you until THEY have carried out a "Labour market opinion" (LMO) to prove to the Alberta HRSDC (Human resources, like our job/employment centre people ) that they have tried to find a Canadian to fill the position. Only when you have the LMO clearance can you apply for a Temp Work Permit.
You also need a written job offer and contract details ie Employment terms and wage info.

Time wise it would be quicker if you found an employer who already had clearance to employ overseas employees from the Alberta Gov.

Check out the Alberta Government website, if I remember there is an area where employers who already have clearance can advertise.

The prospective employers may be able to help getting you the study modules that you are looking for.

Good luck.

ScottishJim

Hi Jim

Thanks for that but i will be on an open work permit as my wife is a nurse and has an offer from Calgary health who I believe are pre-approved for LMO. I am the tag along spouse on this one Thats why there was not so much pressure on the interview as I dont need a job for a visa.

cheers
Tom

It's got to be the only perk of the job, a pre approved LMO. Congrats on your interview, seems to be falling into place nicely.

Sharon

Wow, thats great.
Now go and blow their socks off