What do you wish you had done before you landed?
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Canmore AB
Posts: 107
What do you wish you had done before you landed?
With the benefit of hind sight, its easy to think of things I wish we had done before we arrived, that would have made life so much easier:
1. Got proof of no claims from car insurance companies.
2. Got my dental work up to date.
3. Brought more household items, garden tools, TV, DVD's and videos etc.(??)
4. Not bought a house (some pros and cons to this one)
5. Created a 3 month plan, to not work, for getting settled and familiar with new areas.
6. Been more realistic about what we could afford house-wise.
1. Got proof of no claims from car insurance companies.
2. Got my dental work up to date.
3. Brought more household items, garden tools, TV, DVD's and videos etc.(??)
4. Not bought a house (some pros and cons to this one)
5. Created a 3 month plan, to not work, for getting settled and familiar with new areas.
6. Been more realistic about what we could afford house-wise.
#2
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
Because I had found this website, I can tick all the boxes you listed. This was definitely the best place to get first hand info from people who had made the big move themselves.
My biggest tip, especially for families, is take a container. You may not think so but it will cost you far more than the price of a container to replace everything you built up over the years. Especially take all the little items from your garage (tools, gardening equipment/furniture) and also lots of kitchen equipment right down to your garlic press, cheese grater etc. That way you can leave your savings to buy costlier items like new electricals and vehicle(s).
My biggest tip, especially for families, is take a container. You may not think so but it will cost you far more than the price of a container to replace everything you built up over the years. Especially take all the little items from your garage (tools, gardening equipment/furniture) and also lots of kitchen equipment right down to your garlic press, cheese grater etc. That way you can leave your savings to buy costlier items like new electricals and vehicle(s).
#3
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,609
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
I wish I hadn't listened to the young estate agent and overpriced my house so it didn't sell. Am still stuck with it now. Thanks Fox and Sons.
#4
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
This is the sort of stuff I need to get sorted out.
But I cannot at the mo, wife at work and I have to make this place sparkle like a wee palace for her so I will start the list in 5 mins
It is this sort of information that is so helpful to us, who are just starting out on our dream move.
Thanks
But I cannot at the mo, wife at work and I have to make this place sparkle like a wee palace for her so I will start the list in 5 mins
It is this sort of information that is so helpful to us, who are just starting out on our dream move.
Thanks
#5
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 2,484
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
don't listen to an estate agent and get what you feel right for the house
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: N.Wales
Posts: 195
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
Because I had found this website, I can tick all the boxes you listed. This was definitely the best place to get first hand info from people who had made the big move themselves.
My biggest tip, especially for families, is take a container. You may not think so but it will cost you far more than the price of a container to replace everything you built up over the years. Especially take all the little items from your garage (tools, gardening equipment/furniture) and also lots of kitchen equipment right down to your garlic press, cheese grater etc. That way you can leave your savings to buy costlier items like new electricals and vehicle(s).
My biggest tip, especially for families, is take a container. You may not think so but it will cost you far more than the price of a container to replace everything you built up over the years. Especially take all the little items from your garage (tools, gardening equipment/furniture) and also lots of kitchen equipment right down to your garlic press, cheese grater etc. That way you can leave your savings to buy costlier items like new electricals and vehicle(s).
#7
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
We wish we had brought the sofas from the old house rather than sell them to the guy who bought our house. They weren't great but would have bought us a bit of time at this end rather than rush buying things (outside sale time) to get the new house some-way furnished.
On the flip side...we're glad we did the blog as this has been a fabulous tool for keeping the family and our friends connected with us here. We're glad we got Skype sorted on the computers to allow us to connect easily with folk back home, likewise a Facebook profile. All these things have helped to reduce the sense of distance.
E&J.
On the flip side...we're glad we did the blog as this has been a fabulous tool for keeping the family and our friends connected with us here. We're glad we got Skype sorted on the computers to allow us to connect easily with folk back home, likewise a Facebook profile. All these things have helped to reduce the sense of distance.
E&J.
#8
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 2,484
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
Also another one to add if you havent already done
Get family sorted with webcam, i managed to sort my mum and the kids see here every weekend, my OH family we did not, although they talk on the phone, there is nothing like face to face contact
We love the webcam and its helping the kids settle better
Get family sorted with webcam, i managed to sort my mum and the kids see here every weekend, my OH family we did not, although they talk on the phone, there is nothing like face to face contact
We love the webcam and its helping the kids settle better
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Hamilton, ON
Posts: 185
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
Definitely agree re. webcam, etc.
Got my mum kitted out with Macbook (no-brainer with the massive edu discount on applecare!), broadband (perfectly timed 3 dongle 1/2 price offer!) and skype (obviously).
She can now see her granddaughter (age 2) growing up
Got my mum kitted out with Macbook (no-brainer with the massive edu discount on applecare!), broadband (perfectly timed 3 dongle 1/2 price offer!) and skype (obviously).
She can now see her granddaughter (age 2) growing up
#10
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
i'm abit premature on this thread as we're still here in the uk.....but we've just knocked a £100,000.00 off our house......if you say it quick it's not sooo bad.....crickey....:ma d::curse
#11
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
I'm afraid it's not the £100,000 grand back but karma to you anyway
#12
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Canmore AB
Posts: 107
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
Yes that's a good one, especially for the older gen! thanks Moondevil!
Also another one to add if you havent already done
Get family sorted with webcam, i managed to sort my mum and the kids see here every weekend, my OH family we did not, although they talk on the phone, there is nothing like face to face contact
We love the webcam and its helping the kids settle better
Get family sorted with webcam, i managed to sort my mum and the kids see here every weekend, my OH family we did not, although they talk on the phone, there is nothing like face to face contact
We love the webcam and its helping the kids settle better
#13
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Canmore AB
Posts: 107
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...=560337&page=9
#14
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
The housing market in Canada seems to be slowing too. Get less for your UK home and you may pay less for your new Canadian home than if you were buying it before now.
The £ isn't in freefall anymore either so altogether, the blow may be cushioned.
#15
Re: What do you wish you had done before you landed?
OH DEAR, don't say that! My house is due to go on the market before Dec 1st, I can't afford to lose loads. I am, as we speak, getting a new kitchen installed to make it more attractive to buyers. I am hoping 6 months is enough time to sell and I am literally on my knees praying for the price we need. I'm not asking for a lot am I?
I'm afraid it's not the £100,000 grand back but karma to you anyway
I'm afraid it's not the £100,000 grand back but karma to you anyway
it's such an awful time at the mo but i can only wish you very good luck, back at you.....we have done the same, new kitchen, new flooring nearly every where, new paint on the whole outside of the house, new drive......we will have still made money on the house overall, if we sell at this new price (got viewing tomorrow) but it's getting tight.....fingers crossed...
why are you waiting until dec?....and hermione says 'hi' and looking forward to seeing you at capilano.....x