Hi,
Firstly, thanks to all veteran forum users for providing such a wealth of information including the Wki pages. You’ve reduced my questions down by almost 90%! Also, great banter all around!
Anyway, I’ve recently agreed an exit strategy from my current employer in UK for end of April, effectively giving me 6 months to find a job. My wife and I have always dreamed of visiting Canada, so last year we spent 2 weeks in and around Toronto/Niagra and then Vancouver.
Heck, we loved it so much in Vancouver that now Our dream is to live there for 2 years or so (before our daughter starts school). luckily there is a sister company (under same parent organisation) that have their head office out there. So I’ve held back asking for advice before I heard back from them. Now I’ve now been invited to work there for a week and essentially sell myself and the role I would do since they don’t technically have funding or Job to offer me but need my expertise.
Question:
With a HTB mortgage, young baby, dog and of course wife to worry about, I need to make sure the salary (and possibly relocation) package meets our expectations. Does anyone have any advice on how to approach this subject with the employer and what’s reasonable based on your own experiences (FYI it’ll be a Logistics Project Manager type role).
I’ve already started looking into Visas and process of moving everyone and most things over, but if anyone has some advice that would be great!
cheers, Alex

Thank you, that’s really helpful. Yes I will be employed by my current UK employer during this 1WK trip and will work on a consultancy basis.
Perhaps I should have explained, my decision to leave current role was independent of the desire move to Canada. I’ve set myself a deadline of Jan-1 to secure an offer to kick off the LMIA and WP process, otherwise I’ll have 4 months to secure work in London and stay in UK.

Thanks scilly, you’re right and I am well aware of the difficulties locals face due to the shortage of supply in affordable accommodation. Having viewed a number of spend comparison sites/posts, its definitely at front of mind and is a potential blocker if we can’t make this trip worthwhile. Nonetheless, I’m keen to do as much research and prepare the best I can so I know exactly what to ask for when I head out there. My wife is not planning to work so child care won’t be necessary.
I’m looking for 3bed house in zone 2 or 3 bear the metro stations so that I can still commute by train which seems pretty simple since the HQ is near commercial broadway, so 2 lines are available. Also the monthly season ticket is a quarter of what I pay here for a similar journey!

Ok, so perhaps the properties listed for $2000 on Craig’s list are scams or in undesirable locations, but I have found a few. It’ll be really tough to be picky about perfect house and best price when I’m out of the country. I’m sure others have been through this process and have your organisations been supportive ie first 3 months rent covered?
Living in a new development in UK, we know what it’s like having to get in the car and driving 15 mins for everything (even walking the dog). But you’re right, isolation is a big problem for us and we want to avoid it as much as possible. How about Surrey, perhaps driving or cycling to Skyline station, would a house for 2.5-3k pm for 2 bed (preferably furnished) be realistic?
thanks

Thank you all for the constructive feedback, the discussion has veered off slightly from the core question which is how I can negotiate a salary and relocation package to allow me to have a similar lifestyle I have in UK in Vancouver. Essentially, what I’m hearing is that it may not be achievable because businesses can’t match the living costs for most young couples predominantly due to sky high rental prices and lack of availability.
I’m going to put a budget plan together based on as much research as I can get and negotiating my salary from there. If it doesn’t meet my expectations, then now isn’t the right time in my career to make the move and I’ll keep working in UK till the right opportunity arises. Thanks again.

I wonder if similar advice would be given to anyone relocating from Vancouver to London where there’s a similar problem with housing but perhaps salaries are slightly higher.
From what I’m reading, the main barrier to entry is accommodation and my situation being temporary/forced which effectively means I shouldn’t expect any relocation package. This does mean that I’d have to consider applying for some sort of sponsorship from the parent company to assist with the move (although I’m not sure if that would be possible). I’m also lowering my expectations and settling for 2bed ground floor apartment (with garden) or smaller house as I’ve only one child. I’m also weighing up the cost of running an extra car and living further away (ie Langley), vs living in close proximity to Skytrain station and only running the one car for my wife.