Things to do once we land
Sep 22nd 2012 | 11:02 pm
#16
BE user by choice
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,854
From: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Re: Things to do once we land
I got a SIN card last week, just because I happened to be passing the building...but have never been asked for one. I don't have a PR card either, and have applied and paid for one twice, and sort of given up hopes of getting one. I have an interest bearing bank account though, and Medicare...most people seem to want to see my driving licence more than anything else. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I have never come across a more reasonable bunch of people with regard to paperwork and forms, nothing seems to be a problem.
Sep 23rd 2012 | 12:12 am
#17
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,269
From: Ajax, Ontario
Re: Things to do once we land
It's handy, I'm glad I had mine in the early weeks.
Sep 23rd 2012 | 6:05 am
#18
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 850
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: Things to do once we land
Thank you everyone for the useful info.
Sorry, forgot to add that we're landing in Vancouver. We both drive, but are not planning to get a car, at least not now. Yes, we'll probably hire one, but definitely not intending to buy one. I have driven on the right side of the road most of my life (in big cities), so not really worried about driving in Vancouver.
Sorry, forgot to add that we're landing in Vancouver. We both drive, but are not planning to get a car, at least not now. Yes, we'll probably hire one, but definitely not intending to buy one. I have driven on the right side of the road most of my life (in big cities), so not really worried about driving in Vancouver.
Sep 23rd 2012 | 6:07 am
#19
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 850
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: Things to do once we land
Is there a Dunkin' Donuts in Vancouver? Wouldn't mind a Boston creme.
Last edited by foreigngirl; Sep 23rd 2012 at 6:07 am. Reason: typo
Sep 23rd 2012 | 6:12 am
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,053
From: Scotland, just!
Re: Things to do once we land
Just in case you do buy a car, a copy of of your driving record and a letter from your insurance company confirming your claims experience may help in obtaining better insurance terms.
Good luck with your move.
Good luck with your move.
Sep 23rd 2012 | 6:13 am
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,402
From: South of Calgary
Sep 23rd 2012 | 6:13 am
#22
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 850
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: Things to do once we land
Where and when are you landing? Vancouver, early OctoberWill you be requiring that winter parka to protect you from the minus 30C temp outside. Doubt it. But even so, I'm used to -20C temps.Will you need a taxi or sled dog team if not hiring a vehicle or catching a hotel shuttle bus. I think a taxi will do.
Pick up an extortinate priced bottle of wine or Rum from a Govt run liquor store. No offys over here unless in Quebec. Should I stock up in duty free?
Seek out the nearest Brit store selling UK products if you are pining for a chocolate bar or glass of Robinsons squash. I'm not British, so this doesn't pertain to me.
If you brought over a block of cheese then savour evey last crumb of it until you buy some from a very reasonable priced grocery or speciality store. Gosh, this might be the difficult bit - I love cheese. Introduce yourself to the delightful Canadian produced blockbuster TV shows shown on most Canadian cable or satellite TV channels.
Find a VPN so you can watch UK shows on a laptop you might miss. Don't care about British TV at all. My partner is a different story though.
Tune into to a local radio station and listen to the latest piece of crap being sung by Katy Perry and Niki Minaj and a host of others.
Be prepared to be looked at strangely when asking for directions or information especially if you have some sort of accent. Whenever we were on holiday (destinations favoured by Canadians), they would always say 'I love you're accent. It's so cute / awesome / pretty'. I have a mixture of Australian and British accents. Most people actually think I'm South African...
Pick up an extortinate priced bottle of wine or Rum from a Govt run liquor store. No offys over here unless in Quebec. Should I stock up in duty free?
Seek out the nearest Brit store selling UK products if you are pining for a chocolate bar or glass of Robinsons squash. I'm not British, so this doesn't pertain to me.
If you brought over a block of cheese then savour evey last crumb of it until you buy some from a very reasonable priced grocery or speciality store. Gosh, this might be the difficult bit - I love cheese. Introduce yourself to the delightful Canadian produced blockbuster TV shows shown on most Canadian cable or satellite TV channels.
Find a VPN so you can watch UK shows on a laptop you might miss. Don't care about British TV at all. My partner is a different story though.
Tune into to a local radio station and listen to the latest piece of crap being sung by Katy Perry and Niki Minaj and a host of others.
Be prepared to be looked at strangely when asking for directions or information especially if you have some sort of accent. Whenever we were on holiday (destinations favoured by Canadians), they would always say 'I love you're accent. It's so cute / awesome / pretty'. I have a mixture of Australian and British accents. Most people actually think I'm South African...
Last edited by foreigngirl; Sep 23rd 2012 at 6:14 am. Reason: fixed the odd thing or two
Sep 23rd 2012 | 6:23 am
#23
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Things to do once we land
Never heard of ICBC requiring a copy of driving record, just no claims history.
Sep 23rd 2012 | 6:41 am
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,053
From: Scotland, just!
Re: Things to do once we land
You would need more than a copy of your driving record. A letter of all claims history or of no claims (Not NCD) using the template letter ICBC provide. Without the correct format ICBC will not honour any discount.
Never heard of ICBC requiring a copy of driving record, just no claims history.
Never heard of ICBC requiring a copy of driving record, just no claims history.
Sep 23rd 2012 | 6:47 am
#25
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Things to do once we land
Oh dear, forgot that BC does have public and private sector involvement in auto insurance. Claims experience would include any or all claims, but as you say ICBC could insist on their template being completed, so OP should obtain same if car insurance will be required in the future.
Sep 23rd 2012 | 8:00 am
#26
Eager Beaver!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 285
From: Ottawa ON
Re: Things to do once we land
Where and when are you landing?
Will you be requiring that winter parka to protect you from the minus 30C temp outside.
Will you need a taxi or sled dog team if not hiring a vehicle or catching a hotel shuttle bus.
Pick up an extortinate priced bottle of wine or Rum from a Govt run liquor store. No offys over here unless in Quebec.
Seek out the nearest Brit store selling UK products if you are pining for a chocolate bar or glass of Robinsons squash.
If you brought over a block of cheese then savour evey last crumb of it until you buy some from a very reasonable priced grocery or speciality store.
Introduce yourself to the delightful Canadian produced blockbuster TV shows shown on most Canadian cable or satellite TV channels.
Find a VPN so you can watch UK shows on a laptop you might miss.
Tune into to a local radio station and listen to the latest piece of crap being sung by Katy Perry and Niki Minaj and a host of others.
Be prepared to be looked at strangely when asking for directions or information especially if you have some sort of accent.
Will you be requiring that winter parka to protect you from the minus 30C temp outside.
Will you need a taxi or sled dog team if not hiring a vehicle or catching a hotel shuttle bus.
Pick up an extortinate priced bottle of wine or Rum from a Govt run liquor store. No offys over here unless in Quebec.
Seek out the nearest Brit store selling UK products if you are pining for a chocolate bar or glass of Robinsons squash.
If you brought over a block of cheese then savour evey last crumb of it until you buy some from a very reasonable priced grocery or speciality store.
Introduce yourself to the delightful Canadian produced blockbuster TV shows shown on most Canadian cable or satellite TV channels.
Find a VPN so you can watch UK shows on a laptop you might miss.
Tune into to a local radio station and listen to the latest piece of crap being sung by Katy Perry and Niki Minaj and a host of others.
Be prepared to be looked at strangely when asking for directions or information especially if you have some sort of accent.
Last edited by umpalumpa; Sep 23rd 2012 at 8:03 am.
Sep 23rd 2012 | 9:00 am
#27
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Things to do once we land
Watch out for bike lanes, pedestrians always have right of way (anywhere), cyclists don't give a toss, they go where they like. You can turn right on some red lights, but not others.
Taxi to downtown can be expensive, if you are staying in a hotel the shuttle bus is a lot cheaper, Skytrain also goes downtown.
