boiali

Hi everyone. We are going through the process of getting our qualifications assessed for a move. Just want to know which areas to concentrate on to look for job opportunities. We will be moving as 2 hospital consultants/specialists with 3 young kids. Where in canada has a milder climate? I dont like snow and would rather avoid -30 degrees in the winter. I like being near cities or big towns to allow easy international travel. Anywhere to recommend for good family life (with good schools) and not so harsh winters?
Thanks in advance.

Former Lancastrian

If money is no object then its either Vancouver area (Victoria is on an island but fairly close to Vancouver) or Windsor, St Catherines, Niagara Falls area for mildest winters. Vancouver (Victoria) probably get the least snow as well saying that guess what Vancouver has just recently got snow. All areas are subject to snowfall. There again lots of Vancouverites complain about how much rain they get compared to those in Windsor. Are you sure Canada is the right country for you?

boiali

Thanks for reply......
As to question about Canada being right for me....I just want a change, to move out of UK. We recently visited Dubai and struggled with the heat, then we were in Salzburg when there was the avalanche and I thought the snow was beautiful. Kids definitely prefer snow to sun but me being originally from a hot country don't particularly like it. I just want to strike a balance where they can have (mild) snow in the winter and I have a nice summer. I hope I am making sense.

Former Lancastrian

Nothing wrong with wanting a change but your biggest concern should be will we even be accepted in Canada for a job? Many in the medical field have found it hard to secure employment in light of having their qualifications assessed to meet Canadian standards and each Province/Territory has different requirements as opposed to a Canada wide standard. Some have successfully moved over in these fields and have done quite well.

You will need to provide a few more details about yourselves eg ages, consultants and specialists is some what vague, areas you might be looking at, which route to apply under ie are you looking at a permanent move or just coming on work permits. We have a few medical people who post on here but they would also be asking these questions before they can give more insight.

boiali

Thanks again,
Our specialities are Infectious diseases and geriatrics. We are both dual trained in Internal Medicine. We have submitted our documents to Royal College of Physicians of Canada for assessment. Also have talked to Healthmatch BC(who have said our training looks comparable but still need to wait for final decision obviously), Nova scotia, SK, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario who are happy to help with looking for suitable job opportunities. The initial applications goes via a central website (physiciansapply) and we grant the provinces permission to look and get docs from there. So I just wanted to narrow it down. We will most likely come under provincial nomination as it sounds easier.
kids are 7, 8 and 11 years.

Former Lancastrian

Although its early morning in most places here are the latest temps for 256 places and our temps are in Celsius and yes there are minuses in front of them

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/canada

carcajou

You don't like snow or cold weather, but want to move to Canada? Have I misread your post?

boiali

lol. I see the minuses alright! I can tolerate some of those temperatures but not -30.

boiali

You have misunderstood me, or maybe I wasn't clear. I don't like extremes......As I said we have been to Austria at the height of winter and I found it beautiful. I couldn't tolerate the extreme heat of Dubai either.

boiali

I used to enjoy my xmases in Geneva, so I can tolerate some level of snow

Former Lancastrian

Then IMHO you should discount Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northern Ontario, Ottawa, Montreal and most of Atlantic Canada and especially the 3 Territories.

BristolUK

Austria and Switzerland in snow, yes, very nice. Picture postcard. Canada in snow, not so much. Maybe Quebec City, but then you'd get the extremes too.

Incidentally, the humidity in Canada is fairly extreme too. Stifling. An air conditioned home may be essential.

R I C H

peasmold

We live in Comox on Vancouver Island which has a maritime climate with no extremes. We moved from Alberta which has very cold winters and short, hot summers.Winter here lasts from about November through February, seldom with any snow and with daytime temperatures well above zero. Rain and grey skies some of the time are about the worst you can expect here. Crocuses and snowdrops start to come out in late January followed by a couple of nice spring months. Summers aren't very hot but it doesn't rain much until fall at around mid-September. Comox and adjacent Courtenay have a total population of about 35,000 and the nearest larger city is Nanaimo about a half hour drive away. There's a a new hospital in Courtenay and a large population of seniors who have moved here because of the mild climate. Comox is regarded as the retirement capital of Canada. Because it serves a large rural area, Courtenay has big box stores you wouldn't normally expect in a place this size, such as Canadian Tire, Superstore, Walmart, and London Drugs.Can't say much about schools but the kids seem well-behaved and there's little evidence of vandalism or littering. If you want to know more about property in the area, I recommend the realtor who sold us our house - Tracy Fogtmann at ReMax.
Best wishes with your move.

BristolUK

It's very much looking like BC or not Canada for the OP.