Hi Everyone

I thought I would share our first two 1/2 weeks in Vancouver with everyone. My husband and I landed on October 6 at YVR - After loosing sleep for days before about the immigration process - I worried in vain, it was very easy - we had done all the necessary paperwork etc within 20 mins, everyone was extremely nice, very welcoming and ultra efficient.

The next step was finding our rental apartment in North Vancouver driving through downtown - again I was slightly nervous, luckily my husband is a good driver. After a good nights sleep we realised that we had landed on Thanksgiving, so the list of 'Things to Do' was put on hold for 3 days.

So once everywhere was open again the 'list' came out of hibernation and we began ticking things off - first the SIN - went to office in North Van and came out a fully fledged 'Canadian' well, legal to work anyway. Next was opening a bank account - we walked into the HSBC on Broadway (someone recommended on this forum) 1 1/2 hours later we walked out with Checking, saving and GBP saving accounts plus Mastercards (although we did have to open a GIC account as we dont have any credit history in Canada - a GIC is an account that hold whatever amount you pay in and this becomes the limit on your card for 12 months).

Next was looking for a car - we only hired one for two weeks. After searching for a few days we have found the perfect one - it was easy to buy but the insurance is a minefield - you have to be really careful about the type of insurance you need - its not like the UK. Make sure you get a really good Insurance Agent - the showroom where we bought the car had a agent come to us - I suppose they get a commission but it was easier, having looked round since we havent been ripped off with costs etc. Car Insurance is expensive but we did have NCD letters from the UK which they accepted to give us a 35% discount.

Next was finding a more permanent home - this is a difficult process - everyone wants employer references and accommodation references - having not lived or worked in Canada its not easy - we were turned down for one apartment because we dont have a credit history in Canada - it doesnt matter if you have one in the UK - You are in Canada now! After searching on Craigslist endlessly we took a chance and went into an apartment building we passed almost on a daily basis - we came out with a two bedroom/two bathroom on the 24th floor over looking Stanley Park and Downtown, we move in on November 1st. Called BC Hydro(electricity) and Shaw (telephone, tv, broadband) to say we were moving in - no problems Another weight lifted.

Driving test was next on the list - we went to ICBC and they informed us that the slip of paper you get in your passport when you land is not sufficient documentation as proof of landing therefore we have to wait until our Permanent Residency Cards come through (6-8 weeks) before they will let us take the test. Being that we have 90 days to take the knowledge test and driving test we will be cutting it fine - although they did say that the wait for a driving test is about 4-6 weeks so fingers crossed we should be able to make it in time. If anyone has any other ideas how we could get round this time please let me know.

My husband has applied for a job on Grouse Mountain, so keep your fingers crossed please. Although saying that, he has been offered work everywhere we go - so there are jobs to be had.

Bought new furniture, being delivered on Nov 2nd - not sure where our shipping is - should be arriving this week but I'm not holding my breath.

In between all this, I am still working for my UK employer so I now have to find an accountant - any recommendations will be greatly received.

Now its time to take a breather and we are going to go to Whistler for a couple of days. Good luck to all of you still waiting. If any of you already here in Vancouver want to meet for a drink - get in touch.

Errr, paragraphs wouldn't hurt you know.

Anyway... regarding the driving test. You can book it online, which will tell you the next available slot. However, once you've booked, you can keep checking the site and watching out for cancellations - this way you might be able to get in a lot more quickly.

Is that better? Plenty of paragraphs.

Thanks for the info - will pester ICBC once we get the Knowledge test out of the way.

Hi and welcome to Vancouver.

Other than the floods this time last year, this rain is the worst that I have seen here. Soemthing about October in Vancouver, but I suppose on the plus side it means snow up there!!!

Yes, same as bazzz - keep looking for calcellations on the ICBC driving test booking website. I don't think you can book your practical test until after you've done the theory. You can just do walk-ins for the theory test, with practices on the ICBC website. So make it your first stop after getting PR cards.

No idea about accountants I'm afraid. We did our own tax returns last year, and got $4,000 depite only having been here 3 months, so I'm happy with our DIY approach.

What job has your husband been offered at Grouse? I work there p/t in the winter, and was there last Satuday trying to recruit people to help out with the diabled skiing groups?

Finally but most importantly, the early bird specials at a lot of the ski hills / resorts are coming to an end soon so get them quick. We get a 15 days season pass for Whistler, but most friends get either the 10 or 5 day Edge Card.

Well done on getting everything sorted so far

Are there any particular tax issues you are worried about? As LTS says, it is generally quite straightforward to do it yourself.

Expect to get a letter in about six weeks from ICBC saying that they do not accept your no-claims letter after all and advising you that your premium has been adjusted accordingly. Almost everyone in BC on this forum has had the same experience.

Driving test - take it somewhere else outside the Lower Mainland. Once your 90 days expires, you have no valid insurance. I would not take the risk of getting a late date.

They accepted ours and we have had no problems.

Many, and I mean many BC posters over the last few years have not been quite so lucky. There was a thread recently on this very subject.

Thanks so much for posting this thread we arrive in Vancouver 6th December and will be in exactly the same position as you. Bit anxious about finding accomodation but will take heart from your experience.
Rena

Hi Everyone

Thanks for the advise - sorry I havent got back to you all sooner, we took off up to Whistler for a couple of nights.

My issue with an accountant is because I am getting paid from the UK I am not sure how I do the forms etc, so I need someone to show me the first time and I can then do the return myself, so if anyone knows of an accountant who could do this that would be great - otherwise, I will start checking the yellow pages.

Please learn....you can not say something like that and NOT give me a snow report - look at my name!!!!


There is a part on the tax form about listing your worldwide income. I'm no expert at all at tax stuff or accounting, but we just filled in all the forms the best we could, and added a basic cover letter just laying everything out.

Maybe down load the tax forms and have a look to see if you think you can cope with them. (If you can't find them on the Canada tax agency's website let me know and I'll try and find them for you)

But as you say, if you do hire an accountant, then just photocopy everything and use it for the next tax year!!

Driving Test - now, I've put that off until the last possible moment, but finally took the computer test last Wednesday at the Point Grey office on Macdonald, booked a test later that afternoon (which came up as a date in four weeks' time), rechecked at 7pm (which is when the cancellations are on the system) and was able to take a slot which comes up this Tuesday - so, assuming I don't humiliate myself after 29 years of driving in the UK and Europe, I will hopefully have a BC licence in a process which has taken under a week. So as soon you get your PR card, you should be able to sort yourself out very quickly. If by any chance you have a licence from South Korea, Japan, Austria, Switzerland and one or two other places, you won't actually have to take a test at all, which is very unfair! Good luck - and did you take a look at CAN, the car co-op, before you bought? So far it has saved us a fortune.

Apologies Live to Ski - there was very little snow in Whistler - not enough ski as yet. Thanks for the Tax advice, I will check out the forms.


Hi Laura Q

Good luck with the test.

How did the driving test go Laura?

Whistler has got 3 weeks and 2 days to have enough to ski on....I'm not feeling confident

Don't worry - there's lots of snow on the upper slopes. Whistler will be open on time, maybe a week early....