My 2c:

1. I think it helps to create a realistic hard nosed pro's and con's list - what's good/bad about the UK. What will you 'lose' by moving to Canada. Then, what is it about Canada that appeals. The reality, not some bonkers 'dream'.

2. Be sure to cover off the negatives by doing some real quality in depth research e.g. by speaking with people here and searching previous threads on subjects of importance. Do a 'risk analysis' of what might go wrong, and how you'd cope with it - i.e. you don't get a job in the profession of choice for 6 months - are you prepared to work minimum wage to earn $ and meet people ?

3. Be sure to lose the rose tinted shades - it's hard to do especially when you go on recee trips. Remember, you're essentially on vacation, no matter how hard you try to make it 'real'. You're excited, relaxed, happy, spening money, people are friendly/kind etc. Under these circumstances, Canada will be appealing.

4. Remember also that emigration can be like a complete breath of fresh air, you can lose all the baggage and hang ups, reinvent your life. The excitement of a new life, new things, new interests, new people, can all boost your everyday life and make it all essentially more interesting. You take less for granted, life has more of a 'privelidged feel' about it. Everyday things give you goosebumps because of where you are and what you achieved making your life right here right now. Doing something few people do because of the change/distance/risk involved.

5. There is nil guarantee that despite all planning, research, thinking and deliberations, that the grass will be greener, even if on paper it damnedwelloughtashouldmustbe. Think through the challenges, pitfalls, etc. Prior life experience helps - if you have moved in the UK before, been away from friends and family, had to make new friends from scratch, been in difficult situations, overcome domestic and professional problems, been unemployed, had to rethink career, etc, then IMHO you stand a better chance of successful migration in the long term, but factor all that prior life experience x10 and you'll get the idea.

Good luck to you all,

Rich.

We are doing PNP. First you need a job and then things can happen quickly so you need to be prepared.

I am really sorry!

I truly didn't mean to imply that this was just a whim, ..... I was just thinking ahead to when you tell/ask the other person, that you should have all guns prepared and ready to fire as it were ..... steamroller it through and be able to answer any objection that might be raised!

Good Luck, and yes.... Go for it!

I would say go for it,have back up plans and maintain stable relationship
with your spouse for support when going through the adjustment here.
All the best
Yoong

Morwenna,
No worries, I wasn't offended, well maybe a bit....

That is whats great about this forum, you guys are giving us the info that will enable us to make an informed decision, you're making suggestions and comments that we had not thought of...

One of the definate things is that my husband will not move without securing employment first, I'm the one busy packing!! Between the two of I hope we will make the right decision.

The areas we have been looking at are Vancouver and Toronto, because of Chris's work, he would prefer Toronto, but i'm not sure about the weather,
we need to do alot more research.
Charlie xxx

HI there, this is the biggest decision that my husband and I have ever made in our 15yrs together. (It is a decision that is personal to you and only you can make, you can most certainly take into account what people say to you, we have found this site and another to be invaluable in our research). Mainly because we now have a wee boy to consider who is settled at school, has loads of friends, cousins etc etc in the UK. The main point for us is that we have dreamed of this since 1998, we want a better future/way of life for our son and new baby.We fell in love with Canada when we were out and after having been refused as family class last year we went onto hire a consultant to help us with the red tape etc etc this time around. As already said on a thread here, this means that we still had all the legwork ie/forms/photos/job dates/address dates etc etc, which was slightly easier as we had already looked all this information out, but our consultant has helped us immensley along the way with doing things the Canadian way, ie/CV preparation etc etc. The bottom line for me and my family unit is in 10years time we want to look back and say we tried absolutely everything we could to try and make our own dreams come true and if we are not successful we have looked at every avenue and tried all we could. I sincerely wish you all the best in what is a very difficult decision.

Sonic

I think this is the key......absolutely. Especially when you have small children in tow as we did.
We started the whole PR process and talked at length about wether we would just go without having secured a job beforehand. Its a tricky one as your desire to be in Canada is so strong, and all the plans and dreams about the new life keep calling you, yet we figured it was just too much of a risk, for our little family unit.

My hubby went all out, and I mean all out, to get a position in Alberta (the province that offered him the most opportunities in his field of work) And lady luck smiled on us , thankfully. He had a good job, in his field, to begin 2 weeks after landing.

I know many people do leave the UK, with no job to come to. For some it works out fine and was worth the risk, for others it doesn't.

Rich, you can be so caring when you shake off that cynical persona of yours

Mwak. It's not cynicism bro, it's reality. Cast off thy rose tinted shades and thy shalt see the world for what it is - there's bad 'uns out there ya know

Anyways peeps don't like to hear the bad news cos it's pisses on their parade. That's human nature and understandable, but I'd rather be heads up and then later on peeps can look back and think 'yeah, I remember that did get a mention way back when'. Been there myself a couple times.

Anyways I am caring. It's the Cascadian way....share the love, brothers and sisters

Rich.

Yes its hard when you have to consider 'the other parent'.
My son is 11 and has a close bond with his dad. When we informed him of our move to Canada, we had researched, researched and researched some more, before we actually informed him. At first it was difficult for him but once we updated him on the benefits for our son he finally agreed. Also he hasn't worked for 6 years and hasn't contributed financially towards our son for many years; so he realised that if we had to go to court he wouldn't have a leg to stand on so to speak.....
We have been here since 19th January and so its still early days but so far we have bought a house, Connor has settled in his new school, my OH started work today and we get our new car on Friday
So my advise is to research new schools, look into parks and recreational activities for your children, libraries etc... Inform the other parent that you will help the children to start a scrap book on what they are doing, take photos, write letters and basically keep open all forms of communication. Gather any information that would show the courts the potential benefits your children would receive if they moved to Canada.
Go for it and good luck
Kelly

It's a fine line you tread my son. (I'M NOT YOUR SON! )

You're getting your ass kicked on another thread by some individuals, like wat I just did on another thread myself. missunderstanding, lot of it about.
You have a good point here, ...keep up the good work...

Tragic innit. Like I could care less. One'd have to have a very thin skin to take these mundane cyber blabberings to heart. If it hurts, dear sweetpeas, then maybe best to move on there's no time for the fragile egos or insecurity or matters of low self-esteem. There are websites offering counselling for such woes.

The playground gets a bit ruffty tuffty sometimes, no sticky plasters at hand here

Rich

Not just here...

What do you do to make a 'living' Rich? (if you don't mind me asking, and don't mind having others know of course ).

Nothing shady.

My professional history and area of expertize lies in business management/business improvement/project management.

On the side, I do, occasionally and as/when it suits me, some real estate renovations - buy, renovate, flip, repeat. Depends on the market, my mood and energy levels. Such activities can be very rewarding, but demanding. Living in the place you are renovating can be a bummer, herself likes neat and tidy, thus nerves can fray a little.

Rich.

You're within the same professional category as my wife then, but she's mainly in the project management area. She's cleverer than what I am, I'm pisces you see, so can't make a living. she's also also the principle applicant.

Property is expensive in your neck of the woods so I guess you must make 'a few bob' from each building project you take on. Or are the rewards simpler than that? (There's a reason for asking this question).