Well it looks like we're finally exchanging on our house today with a view to it completing on 3rd December. Which is pretty good news considering we took a gamble yesterday and booked our flights for next Wednesday (28th) with Zoom as our solicitor had already advised that we don't need to be present to complete.

Anyway, I've read people's experiences about going through the landing process at Vancouver but what I was wondering about was getting things like SIN numbers and whatever else we need to do. How long did that take and is everything in the centre of Vancouver? Just that we're staying with a friend for a couple of nights and will then be heading up to Whistler where we've got a rental arranged for 3 months so we'll only have two full days to sort it all out.

Can't believe it's finally happening! This time next week my husband and I will be our way!!!!!

Many thanks

Zoe M. x

Very easy. We got our SIN cards (the word "number" is superfluous here) downtown - took about 15 minutes. If you need to open bank accounts you should be able to do this while you're out; again won't take long at all. If you want to pick up PAYG cellphones, then you should easily be able to pick up Virgin Mobile stuff at HMV, also bang in the middle of downtown. I'd recommend this if you're not heavy users as the contracts can be quite expensive with lots of hidden extras.

Anything else you need to sort out there?

Check out the Wiki article called Arrival To Do List.

Good luck with everything.

Not sure!

I suppose the SIN card is the main thing, unless there's anything else you can think of.

Good tip on the mobiles - I'm PAYG although my husband may get a new contract phone. We need to buy a car but will probably hire for a couple of days - I understand that when it comes to insuring a car the garage can arrange for the insurance people to come out to them.

We wanted our main bank to be at the branch in Whistler so may have to wait until the following Monday for that one.

Obviously we aren't covered by provincial health care until we've been there for 3 months but I'll arrange insurance before we go - just in case!

Thanks

Zoe M. x

Thanks - sorry I didn't think of looking in there!

Zoe M. x

Don't forget the skinny decaf latte in the morning, sushi for lunch and a box of timbits in the afternoon. Then you will almost be a local.

I must be practising - never have caffeine in anything!!! :-) Not sure about the sushi though!

Zoe M. x

You might want to look at what banks there are in Whistler and check out their charges for different accounts. Easily done with a bit of PC research from home.

You'll need to get your new BC driving licenses. There are ICBC offices in Whistler and Pemberton, but you could always pop into the ICBC office in Robson Square to pick up the theory books to revise with, or even give it a shot and sit your theory test. Once you've passed your theory test you'll have an on-line user ID and log-in to access the practical driving test booking website, and book your actual test. http://www.icbc.com/locator/results....stance=30+kms#

Make sure your skies are waxed and you've got full frostbite protection - this time last year they were checking everyone before they let you up, and didn't you allow you on the lifts if your face wasn't covered enough.

Hi Zoe

Gosh we are jealous of you - going next week - Mike and I are new to this - we have had our medicals and are just waiting for the final paperwork. At the moment we are undecided on what area we actually want to stay in - each time we visit we like that place better than the last - we really are in a dilemma, but vancouver is our preferred place. Can you advise on job situations/housing/local residential areas - any information you can give would be greatly appreciated - or anyone else's help would be greatly appreciated. We have purposely put off vast amounts of research as we didn't want to get our hopes up in case - but we think now is the time to start in ernest.
We are also looking at Alberta aswell as other areas in BC - any information about these areas would be again greatly appreciated.
Mike and Lesley

...and a joint (only need one) in the evening

Ahem

There are lots of other Wiki articles. There is one on housing. You should really read them all.