Some initial questions
 

Good afternoon

Been reading this forum for a while and it's certainly provided me with a wealth of information. Myself and a friend are going to take the plunge and sign up for the Bunac Work in Canada (non-student) programme next week with the aim of coming out to Calgary in April.

My first question relates to shipping things across to Canada from the UK. I wondered if anyone has any companies they can recommend as, once we get settled, I'd like to get extra clothes, my guitar and my snowboard shipped over. Is it expensive to do so?

Secondly, we are planning on coming over with no jobs secured but I am keen to find a role relating to my current career. I have spent 4 years working in marketing since graduating to the point where I am now a marketing manager for Hanson - the larget building products manufacturer in the world. I'm fully expecting to have to take on a more junior role than that I have now but I just wondered if anyone knew of any marketing-specific agencies in Calgary (or any relatives of friends needing a marketing expert!? :rofl:).

Anyways, thanks for reading this post and I'm sure I'll have more questions as time progresses!

Thanks

Andy

Re: Some initial questions
 

Sorry just thought of one more!:

Where in downtown Calgary (or one of the comminuties within commutable distance on public transport) would you recommend two late 20s single guys live?!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Re: Some initial questions
 

80 views and no replies to my 3 questions?! Come on guys!! ;)

Re: Some initial questions
 

Most BE'ers are middle class, heterosexual, white honkey tonks from the shires, with median relocation capital of $347,000, 45.6 years old, with 2.4 children and 1.4 pets.

They just can't help you with your query. :thumbdown:

R.

Re: Some initial questions
 

and I am going to Vancoouver - but the Wiki is a great place to start.

I used Excess International for our stuff - the men this end and sevice was good - not got the stuff yet so . .will see. . . .

Re: Some initial questions
 

Hi Impius,

Can't help really as I'm afraid I fit broadly into the category described by Rich-007 (only minus the pets and the 0.4 of a child and with a slightly reduced relocation package, oh and slightly younger and not from the shires and I don't really know what a honkey tonk is so I don't know if I fit that one or not :p).

Anyway, we live in the 'burbs in Calgary but I think if I was a young thing with no kids I'd live in Kensington - close to downtown and with nice bars / restaurants and relaxed 'vibe' (IMHO)

It's a start ......

MrsDV :thumbup:

Re: Some initial questions
 

Another area for younglings (my 2 eldest sons both lived there or there abouts) is Downtown - or Beltline (Connaught/Victoria/Mission) all on the south side of the river. One avenue to avoid is 7th SW apparently (don't ask :ohmy:) and a lot of places in the NE.

All the above are within walking distance of loads of places - jobs, bars restaurants malls etc, and lots of apartment buildings with rentals or condos for sale at 300-400,000CAD, close to Princes Island Park, River pathways etc.

It's no good for me - I still need to be near schools and stuff (well over the average with 4 full-time and 20 part-time kids - not to mention my OH :rofl:

Good luck with the venture.

KatieMoon :)

Re: Some initial questions
 

If you're looking at condo living I'd go for Mission, Beltline/Victoria Park, Bankview or Marda Loop - all awesome younger areas around the downtown core to the south. Loads to do, virtually no commute and close to nightlife/downtown living. Your other option would be expensive older houses in the suburbs radiating out of downtown, getting slightly cheaper the further out you go, but more commute. I absolutely loved living downtown...and don't listen to people who've never lived or go downtown who think it's crime-central. I've never felt safer anywhere in the world than I do in Calgary, including downtown.

Re: Some initial questions
 

Give people a little more time to get back to you, most of of the posters here in Canada may be working. At the moment its 3:56pm ;)

I would not reccomend someone to come over without a job but that is my opinion, as some things are hard enough to sort out without the trouble of not having a job.

Some things are a catch 22 situation, without a job you may struggle getting a bank account and accomodation. Just bare this in mind, as living out of hotels are not cheap.

Anyway we are in Edmonton which is about 4 hours North of Calgary, but good luck with your plans. As another poster has said check out the Wiki and do a google search for jobs in your industry. Fire off e-mails and phone around, I know phoning Canada isn't cheap but its cheaper than making the move and not getting what you want out of Canada.

Once again Good Luck.

Re: Some initial questions
 

I agree - we live in Kensington - great place - good bars, a couple of good(ish) Indian Restaurants, plus all levels of other eating places. Have never felt unsafe there or downtown - live very near to one of the bars and have never seen a fight or even heard raised voices. Just the usual good natured Canadians.

Re: Some initial questions
 

Hi there

Sorry - just seen this post, and yes, as someone said, the time difference for Canada is alot, and there are 3 time zones too to think about.

anyway - I'm not in Calgary, however I would wonder if you were only coming for a year, why you'd need to ship things over? Unless you plan to get a job and then get a PR? Just pay for extra luggage on your flight for the snowboard and guitar.

there is Craigs list for things like TV's / Couches / tables / chairs / beds etc, so it doesn't have to be great stuff if it's only for a year.

I'm in recruitment and I come across lots of Bunac candidates that come without having any job. If you are guys and happy to work outdoors, I know alot get jobs working for gardening contractors... Bear in mind that is in Van where snow isn't prevelant, however I guess they get into snow clearing in winter and gardening in the summer?

Good Luck and sorry I can't help too much as I'm not in Calgary.

Bx

Re: Some initial questions
 

Ok.....I'm not sure if you can ship things over if you are not a resident of Canada. I had some items shipped over and when I went to collect them from Edmonton the customs lady was pretty reluctant to hand them over. First of all she asked me why I thought I had the right to have stuff shipped to Canada. She said I wasn't a resident so I wasn't entitled to have any thing sent over! I said, ok keep it then....it's all things I can replace. Then she told me I could have my things but I'd have to pay a lot of money in taxes or duty or something like that! I said the stuff wasn't really of a high value so I didn't want to claim it if I had to pay a lot of money. I was about to walk away, when she changed her mind and said I could have my things, and I wouldn't have to pay!

I also used Excess Baggage. They were very helpful and friendly on the UK side of things, but they sub-contract out the deliveries once your stuff gets to Canada. I paid for the door to door delivery service. The day before my stuff arrived I got a phone call from the canadian company that was delivering my items informing me that they didn't deliver to Grande Prairie so I would have to come and pick up my own stuff. It wasn't too much of a big deal (just had to get up at 3am to make sure I met the driver by 8am in Edmonton.) I emailed Excess Baggage to let them know the situation and they gave me a part refund and reimbursed the gas money!

Sorry....can't help you with any of the other questions.

Good luck!

Steph x

Re: Some initial questions
 

Oh yes- forgot you need an address in canada to ship to and some proof of yr elgibility - ie work visa etc. . .

Re: Some initial questions
 

Hi guys

Thanks very much for the answers. Apologies for the initial impatience - guess I'm just very excited about the whole thing! I especially appreciate the info on areas to live in Calgary - will check them all out.

With regards to shipping my other items over it seems like the best thing to do is do it as excess baggage.

Thanks again for all the help.