Hello!

It is my first time posting on the Canada board, and I hope you can help (apologies in advance for the huge post!).

We have just applied for our PM to Canada and are currently living in New Zealand. We would like to do a reccie to Canada, but want to get some ideas on where to live from people who are actually there and living it (and because it is such a huge country to do a reccie to!). I have done loads of reading about different parts of Canada, but cannot get a real feel for it through loney planets and council websites!

I am sure that similar threads have been done a thousand times, however there is a difference here. We are difficult, high-maintenance people with short attention spans and demand a LOT from where we live or else we get bored very quickly.

Background:

Family: Myself, Wife, three daughters (4, 2, and 6 months).

Current Work/Income: Business Analyst Consultant, High income (approx. NZ$300k-$400k = C$250k). Educated to Masters level.

Not interested in public transport or clean air or saving the environment.
We like to take long weekend drives (up to 3 hours each way) and would like different scenes in at least 4 directions (Vancouver is out because we cannot drive West for long!).

We don't want to be in the heart of a city, or a surburb, but would like all the amenities and advantages of a city - so preferably live close to a city that we can escape from in 30 minutes (like London).

Very good options for healthcare and education.

We like to have a lot of choice when it comes to good restaurants/cafes, supermarkets (not cheap, bargain bin ones), department stores, and everything we could need within easy reach.

We would like to be near professional families who earn good incomes and like the same things as we do!

We need to have seasons - snow in winter (a given really), sun in winter, not much rain, and perhaps most importantly autumn colours in autumn.

In the last five years we have lived in:

Auckland, NZ - Hated it because it was impersonal, too much traffic, no culture or history, too expensive, difficult to get around, 'plastic', and could only travel North or South.

Darwin, Australia - Hated it because it was too isolated, too hot, no changes in seasons, people were slow and lazy, no executive/professional families, no culture/class, no where to go but south.

Mexico City - Loved it. Great lifestyle, weekend trips over the mountains, pine forests, lakes, beaches, great restaurants, could drive in any direction and see or experience something different, Professionals, Great business relationships, Easy to make friends, interesting culture, old buildings, history.

Berkhamstead (UK) - Liked it. Country pubs, within 30 minutes of centre of London, but still in the countryside (could escape the city easily). Professional families, culture, history, easy to drive to anywhere.

Wellington (NZ) - Hated it after 6 months - have great ocean views, easy to get in and out of city, good money, secure work, BUT awful healthcare, only two roads out of the city so have to drive for at LEAST 3 hours to get anywhere nice, too small, nothing to do.

Phnom Penh (Cambodia) - Loved it. Great expat community, good business relationships, great lifestyle, culture, history, and interesting people

...So, if anyone has any suggestions about where we live in Canada, it would be much appreciated!

Cheers!
Steve.

Umm, nowhere round here that's for sure.

Sorry, heaven doesn't exist, not even in Canada.

How's your French?

On that salary, you can't afford Canada. Except of course, Iqaluit.

Highly recommended for chillin'.

I normally steer clear of personal comment, however, it's early and this is the most irritating thing I've read on this forum in years.

Just occasionally you get a glimpse of why the world is in the state it's in.

Poor kids, plonked in a car every w/e.....lovely, whilst basically learning that their parents' enjoyment is the only priority, sod the rest of you.

Nice...thanks for your help. At least not plonked in front of the telly without any interaction from parents or stuck on their playstations though!

They love going with us to different national parks, mountains, the beach, ski resorts - who wouldn't? 3 hours is not a long time to be in the car so get off the soap box.

Yes, it is. Plonked in the back of the car from an early age, risking DVT by being sat in one place for too long. They don't get much time at the actual place, do they? Pathetic. Poor wee kids, particularly the baby, way too much time in the back of a car.

Anyway, sweetie, I don't think you would like Canada, too many tree huggers and not enough action to meet your demands.

No soapbox, you asked for opinions....diddums.

Not a word! But if there are autumn leaves to be had, I'll learn!

Yes what is?

I didn't ask for those opinions. That is our requirement - travel in all directions as I want to see the country and not sit at home. I could do that in the UK!

Also, I did say UP TO 3 hours... surely you are looking for an argument?

That's the thing, you would plonk the kids in the car, look at the road ahead and the trees for 6 hours and go home. You've not been to Canada, have you?

It's fab, but there is a long way between places. I really think there isn't enough there for all your demands.

No, I'm not as I said I've never really argued on this forum as it is pointless but arriving in the Canada forum, announcing you hate the environment isn't really the way to make friends and get lots of useful help.

Lots of us like Canada for the environment. Mind you, you should fit in as they do like their trucks!

I'm afraid I don't really have anything useful to contribute but out of curiousity, why on earth did you leave the two places that you loved?

EDIT : OOPS! Just to let you know this is jjuerss's other half - I am using his laptop and didn't realise I was logged in as him!

I think Montreal is your best bet. Leaves all around, interesting city in itself and NYC is driveable.

I'm baffled by the use of this tag line.

"Efficient market mechanism and price signals without the negative externalities associated with capitalism?? ...What more could you possibly want?"

It's not obvious to me what the first bit means but the answer to the latter is plainly leaves.

I can't believe you want to come to Canada, yet don't give a monkeys about conserving it's beautiful scenery and nature. If you don't contribute to saving the environment your kids won't have much left to explore as adults. I couldn't recommend anywhere for you, it wouldn't be fair on those already living there.