Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Canada
Reload this Page >

Time for a change, NS or VI

Time for a change, NS or VI

Old Sep 2nd 2013, 4:36 pm
  #1  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: St Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Posts: 361
the undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nice
Default Time for a change, NS or VI

After being in Calgary for over 5 years now, my wife and I feel we need a change.
I am a carpenter with my own contracting business here in Calgary, and I'm starting to get a bit worn down by the rat race here in Calgary, so we have decided to have a change of scenery.

We both love the sea, having previously lived in the Channel Islands, and have narrowed down our options to either Vancouver Island ( we both fell in love with the island on a recent holiday there) or Nova Scotia.

While I am willing to work for a company until I get settled, I will obviously be looking to start up on my own again, so the most important option is work opportunities, but also housing, lifestyle etc.

We would appreciate some insight into living and working from the good people of either place, just to help us make our minds up.
the undutchables is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2013, 4:41 pm
  #2  
Assimilated Pauper
 
dbd33's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,014
dbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

I'm sitting on VI looking out the window at the, admittedly amazing, view to Salt Spring Island, and thinking that, if I had that choice, I'd likely go to NS. Both have high taxes and, I would think, limited employment opportunities. But it's cheaper to buy property in NS and it's nearer to the UK. The cider is, however, better in BC.
dbd33 is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2013, 5:35 pm
  #3  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: St Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Posts: 361
the undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nice
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Cheaper housing and being nearer to the UK is part of the reason we are thinking NS. As both our parents are in their 80's, the journey to VI may be a bit too far. However, it may also put some people off from visiting, so it has it's pro's and con's!
the undutchables is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2013, 6:30 pm
  #4  
Grumpy Know-it-all
 
Steve_'s Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Steve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Yeah but the economy in NS is much weaker than in Alberta and Vancouver Island isn't exactly known for its thriving job market either.

Have you thought about living near a lake? E.g. Milo.
Steve_ is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2013, 8:05 pm
  #5  
"In cruce vincam"
 
rivingtonpike's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
rivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond reputerivingtonpike has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Originally Posted by dbd33
I'm sitting on VI looking out the window at the, admittedly amazing, view to Salt Spring Island, and thinking that, if I had that choice, I'd likely go to NS. Both have high taxes and, I would think, limited employment opportunities. But it's cheaper to buy property in NS and it's nearer to the UK. The cider is, however, better in BC.
I'm just about to hop into the car to go to Cowichan Bay myself! I would say the employment market on VI is slow and challenging. However, once you're established, it seems to be pretty consistent and long term job security is good.
rivingtonpike is offline  
Old Sep 2nd 2013, 9:52 pm
  #6  
Slightly Canadian
 
Atlantic Xpat's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,127
Atlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Ocean's and booming economy, particular in, new home construction & reno, you say? 4.5hr flying time to Blighty? Head to the Far East young man. www.newfoundlandlabrador.com
Atlantic Xpat is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 12:23 am
  #7  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 31
Hucards is a jewel in the roughHucards is a jewel in the roughHucards is a jewel in the roughHucards is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Nova Scotia. Affordable housing, great people, great food and beautiful.
Hucards is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 3:27 am
  #8  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Nova Scotia (from Scotland)
Posts: 1,032
izzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond reputeizzi81 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

We've been living in NS for 3 months and love it. Really friendly people, amazing scenery, no busy traffic. I'm sure you could find somewhere here to start a business, particularly outside of Halifax - less competition!
izzi81 is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 5:44 am
  #9  
Assimilated Pauper
 
dbd33's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,014
dbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Originally Posted by rivingtonpike
I'm just about to hop into the car to go to Cowichan Bay myself!
In, or about, Cowichan Bay, we very much liked the Brig. Since they have a Newfie singer it's just like being in NS.

Another thought on the matter is that NS has four seasons of weather, bad features being lots of snow and lots of bugs. VI has year round damp. If you just can't deal with the cold then drizzle might look better.
dbd33 is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 12:06 pm
  #10  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: St Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Posts: 361
the undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nicethe undutchables is just really nice
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Originally Posted by dbd33
In, or about, Cowichan Bay, we very much liked the Brig. Since they have a Newfie singer it's just like being in NS.

Another thought on the matter is that NS has four seasons of weather, bad features being lots of snow and lots of bugs. VI has year round damp. If you just can't deal with the cold then drizzle might look better.
A wee bit drizzle isn't a problem, we are from Scotland originally, and don't even mind cold and snow, but in Calgary, we can get snow on the ground for up to 7 months every winter, and weeks at -30. A novelty at first, but loses its appeal very quickly!
the undutchables is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 1:19 pm
  #11  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Dartmouth, NS
Posts: 35
lostandconfused is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

My 2c... I live in NS, but without family ties to either area, seems like BC would be a very tempting proposition:

- better weather (NS is freeze-thaw in winter; humid in summer)
- better scenery/outdoorsy stuff (ocean + mountains)
- better economy (higher wages/rates)
- lower taxes
- has a couple of big cities (Victoria/Vancouver)
- closer to rest of the world (Asia/USA)

NS definitely has cheaper property, but it's cheaper for a reason - less people want to live here!

It's certainly closer to the UK, but it's not cheap to get there: can still cost $1000+ to fly home in the winter (1 flight a day; Air Canada monopoly).

Now, we love our life here in NS because of the people (lots of friends and family here), but without that, we'd move to BC in a heartbeat.
lostandconfused is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 1:48 pm
  #12  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Almost Canadian's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,373
Almost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Originally Posted by the undutchables
A wee bit drizzle isn't a problem, we are from Scotland originally, and don't even mind cold and snow, but in Calgary, we can get snow on the ground for up to 7 months every winter, and weeks at -30. A novelty at first, but loses its appeal very quickly!
When have you lived through such temperatures? Certainly not in the last 5 years
Almost Canadian is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 3:43 pm
  #13  
Assimilated Pauper
 
dbd33's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,014
dbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond reputedbd33 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Originally Posted by lostandconfused
- has a couple of big cities (Victoria/Vancouver)
- closer to rest of the world (Asia/USA)
I think that's a wash. VI is passable near the cities of the western seaboard, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco. NS is passably close to all the big cities of the eastern seaboard; Boston, NYC and so on. Asia, well ok, it's there but where are you likely to want or have to go? To Europe. Neither is ideally placed for visiting Europe but NS is a shorter flight, it may involve hubbing through the US so as to avoid dealing with AC but so does getting to Victoria.

I couldn''t live on VI, in fact I don't think I could last a week (this is day 5), driving is too difficult, waiting for crusties in shops makes buying anything an interminable process. There are visible signs of native people so the absurdly twee moss anf ivy covered houses of the English are interspresed by houses with cars on bricks and mangy unchained dogs. The buildings alternate; Tunbridge Wells, Reservation, Tunbridge Wells, Reservation.

Then again, everywhere smells of weed, with enough of that I might mellow.
dbd33 is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 3:53 pm
  #14  
Grumpy Know-it-all
 
Steve_'s Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Steve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Originally Posted by the undutchables
A wee bit drizzle isn't a problem, we are from Scotland originally, and don't even mind cold and snow, but in Calgary, we can get snow on the ground for up to 7 months every winter, and weeks at -30. A novelty at first, but loses its appeal very quickly!
Well you're going to get a lot more than a "wee bit" of drizzle living on Vancouver Island or Nova Scotia. You can get Nor'easters and hurricanes in NS and Vancouver Island isn't exactly known for a lack of rain.

If you want decent weather year round, don't live in Canada. It's pretty much that simple. The Okanagan Valley is always put forward as having the best weather, but because it's a valley it's overcast for months during the winter and they often have forest fires during the summer.

At least in Calgary it's dry so you don't have much snow to shovel and it's also very sunny. Last winter was a bit on the long side I will admit but that was unusual. In fact it's the longest winter on record.
Steve_ is offline  
Old Sep 3rd 2013, 6:59 pm
  #15  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Devon- via Liverpool - Now Shawnigan Lake Bc
Posts: 501
luvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to beholdluvmeboys is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Time for a change, NS or VI

Originally Posted by the undutchables
A wee bit drizzle isn't a problem, we are from Scotland originally, and don't even mind cold and snow, but in Calgary, we can get snow on the ground for up to 7 months every winter, and weeks at -30. A novelty at first, but loses its appeal very quickly!
Please be aware that its not a "wee bit of drizzle" this year has been almost 10 months of rain with grey sky's, it's mind numbingly depressing in MY opinion.
luvmeboys is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.