Typical newbie question
 

Hey guys and girls, me my wife and 2 children (Lilly 6 Oscar 18 months) will hopefully be relocating to Saskatoon in the not to distant future, Is there Anyone on here that has done the same ? If so how do you find it ? How did you find the transition ?

Many thanks in advance

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Hi! My partner and I relocated to Regina 2 months ago! It was really smooth for us! Just be prepared for the cost of living as it is much more expensive than England! Also be prepared tl say hello to flat land! I've never seen somewhere so flat! If you come during the winter, don't let it put you off, the summers are really nice! Also there is a british store in saskatoon! Hope this helps! If you have any questions just feel free to ask!

Stacey :)

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Hi Stacey, hopefully the wages I've been looking at will hopefully cover the higher living costs, if you don't mind me asking how much did it cost to relocate ?

Re: Typical newbie question
 

We brought just over £10,000 but we had things to pay for like the rest of our immigration fee's and bringing over our animals. People we have spoken to said as long as you have enough for 3 months living you will be fine.
If you don't mind me asking are you coming out here to work for a company, it's just thats what we did and my partner works for quite a big company and they have helped us, they found us a house before we got here.

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Hi yes I will be coming over to work (if I get the job) for ens Lexus as a service tech, that's what I imagined I'd need to take as we'l be looking to rent a property for the 1st 12 months then hopefully buy a place.

When you say the living costs are higher what do you mean ?

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Well in England we would spend £50-£60 a week on a shop, over here it's $150-$200 and we don't get as much. House's are more expensive, we pay $1300 on a 2 bed duplex with basement and then bills on top which are so expensive! If you are looking to buy, it's better to look out of the city. Saskatchewan used to be quite cheap, but because there are more people moving here it's getting a lot more expensive, for instance the house next door, 3 bedroom 1 story house with basement (not converted) it's quite small, just over 1200 square foot $450,000. house in Itune (about 2hours from Regina) 4 bedroom log cabin effect lake in you backyard 2700 square foot 4 bedrooms 2 bath huge garden $225,000. Same for renting as well!

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Has it ever been pointed out in any BE thread that the price of cheese is somewhat expensive in Canada compared to the UK?

Car insurance is more expensive.
Flying domestically or internationally is more expensive.
Booze is more expensive.
Gas (Petrol) is cheaper than the UK.
Riding the train is more expensive.
Some things are the same.

Re: Typical newbie question
 

With all that in mind do you regret moving ?

Re: Typical newbie question
 

If referring to my post not at all. If meaning the OPs then I have no idea.

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Nope! The lifestyle is so much better! Saskatchewan is just a foot in the door! once you are in you can go anywhere in Canada! I must admit, it has been hard and very emotional! Luckily my partner is working for a company called Kramer (they also have a base in Saskatoon) and there are a few english people there who have wives/partners so I have managed to meet a few people as i'm not working yet, i'm just in the process of setting up my own dog walking services. The way we saw it, we are only 21, if we don't like it we can always go back!

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Oddly, cheese prices were the thing I noticed most about buying groceries in Canada. Bread is more expensive too, but doesn't seem to be made out of sawdust like British supermarket bread.

And I'm not surprised that insurance is more expensive given the number of accidents I've seen in the last five years.

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Sorry for all the questions guys but I've got loads so please bear with me,
Are any better off financially ? The wages that are on offer are quite literally triple what I'm earning now for less hours which with that and the lifestyle is the major contributing factor in moving, Stacey did you own a house before moving to Canada as we dont and are living in rented accommodation

Re: Typical newbie question
 

We lived in rented accomodation back in England. Yes we are financially better off, like I said earlier i'm not working yet we can afford things here we couldn't in England. In England you do over time to make a living and to pay bills, here you do over time to buy luxuries! What my partner earns is supporting both of us confortably at the min. Ask as many questions as you like, it's always better to ask people who have been there than just guessing!

Re: Typical newbie question
 

That's exactly the kind of reply that I was hoping for ! I just want a better life for me and my family, and hopefully Saskatoon can provide that

Re: Typical newbie question
 

Doesnt Piff Poffs fella work as a service tech at a main brand dealer...

She has posted some useful info on the nature of service tech pay in the past IIRC.

Good luck...

I dont know what a better life really means. life is what you make it, regardless of where you live. Some things are better here, others not so much. I suspect that in many cases a move within the UK can acheive the same thing, with less expense and hassle.

Im not sure what I would do with myself in the winter in SK.