Re: where to go?
 

I have learned here that my personal likes / dislikes (and I like it here) have no relevence to others, everyones different. I love the scenery, the relaxed pace of life, the sense of community in my small village, the good value of the property, easy access to Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa.

Belleville offers all the facilities and ammenities I need, and between Belleville and Trenton there is a reasonable job market. The people are mostly friendly and welcoming. It feels like "home". Dont really have any dislikes to be honest. There are some trashy areas...but that just keep the prices down :rolleyes: My main reason if I ever left would be that my job is very specialised, and there are no alternate employers in this area. Perhaps the bigest prob for a newcommer is finding a GP, but that is an issue in most of Ontario. Southern part of PEC tends to get a lot more snow than Quinte due to lake effect as it sticks out into the lake and gets hit whichever way the wind blows. Almost worth it though to be nearer to the Sandbanks park.

If you have any specific quesions Id be happy to answer them.

Re: where to go?
 

Consider what others have mentioned about skills versus local/future demand, labour market info/trends etc.

Then think about what kind of weather you want - how cold come wintertime would you feel uncomfortable in ? -10, -20, -30, etc. Is snow a problem ? Ice strorms, freezing rain ? What about the wet - too much rainfall on the Pacific coast (30% more than Manchester UK, but with 50% more sunshine) might not be for you. Summer temperatures, cool or very hot - if the latter, southern Okanagan area is very nice.

Think about location - do you want lakes, mountains, ocean ? Or (gulp) all three ? Or city life - do you need the metro buzz of a diverse population, cultures etc ? Somke cities are less culturally diverse than others, make a choice. Maybe smalltownsville isn't for you ? Or is it ? What about hobbies and spare time ? If you want to make the move, what are the things you'd REALLY like to do,see, spend time at.

Also, do you want access to international airports - some folks plan to go 'home' to the UK frequently as part of their experience, if so, maybe east coast / Ontario etc are better suited. If it's not an issue, then west coast perhaps.

Housing - is it important to get a huge house with acreage to match ? Or will a smaller place suffice ?

Check employment levels, crime rates, health indicators such as mortality. What settlement services are provided by the province/city. Any education facilities for adults ? Check the local online media - a great way to build up a mental picture of the culture and local identity. What about sports - would you wnat to watch hockey, etc ?

There are many many other factors involved, but to be honest, it's part of the experience to do the research, catch up with others in such forums as this. Plan a visit or two, even if you think you can't afford it, even if you have to wait til you hear some fairly solid news regarding prospects and potential employment - make a trip over to get a feel for it, otherwise, small things which you discover later on can amount to lots of things which pi$$ you off and you will wish you'd found out earlier on in the process.

Enjoy the time checking things out, do what you can to cut down any potential risks and hope it works out for you. Listen to others, respect their views but get your own feel for what you think is right,suitable etc.

Here's a story - when we first started planning, we figured on Alberta. Then after visit #1 we figured the BC interior (Okanagan area) - then it turned into Vancouver, due to province labour needs. Then it turned into North Vancouver due to job offer.The latter three after two visits in 6 months. All pretty comfortable and all part of the learning curve. Don't rule too much out, be flexible, understand that you need to go where the work is/may be, and don't forget that once you get sorted out and can work legitimately, you can move alomst anywhere (unless on provincial program or certain temp work permits restricted by employer) within a very large country.

Hope this helps and good luck !!

Rich.

Re: where to go?
 

hi
we are just starting the emigration process adn are trying to find out information where to go


Then think about what kind of weather you want - how cold come wintertime would you feel uncomfortable in ? -10, -20, -30, etc. Is snow a problem ? Ice strorms, freezing rain ? What about the wet - too much rainfall on the Pacific coast (30% more than Manchester UK, but with 50% more sunshine) might not be for you. Summer temperatures, cool or very hot - if the latter, southern Okanagan area is very nice.

we would feel comfortable in anywhere where it gets not to wet dont mind the snow just the wet with lovely nice warm summers

Think about location - do you want lakes, mountains, ocean ? Or (gulp) all three ? Or city life - do you need the metro buzz of a diverse population, cultures etc ? Somke cities are less culturally diverse than others, make a choice. Maybe smalltownsville isn't for you ? Or is it ? What about hobbies and spare time ? If you want to make the move, what are the things you'd REALLY like to do,see, spend time at.

we would prefer scenery not to far from beaches but in a village not to rural
we like walking and want to learn rock climbing and the kids like the beach and pools

Also, do you want access to international airports - some folks plan to go 'home' to the UK frequently as part of their experience, if so, maybe east coast / Ontario etc are better suited. If it's not an issue, then west coast perhaps.


not bothered about this but need good job oppurtunities

Housing - is it important to get a huge house with acreage to match ? Or will a smaller place suffice ?


would like a nice open plan house with a good amount of land for the kids and dogs but not eccesive like a huge massive place

Check employment levels, crime rates, health indicators such as mortality. What settlement services are provided by the province/city. Any education facilities for adults ? Check the local online media - a great way to build up a mental picture of the culture and local identity. What about sports - would you wnat to watch hockey, etc ?

need good education not bothered about sports low crime good employment levels near hospital facilities

There are many many other factors involved, but to be honest, it's part of the experience to do the research,

does anyone have any ideas where to start ;-)

Re: where to go?
 

Hope I decyphered that OK....Dont really have any ideas where to start though.

Not wet means not coastal BC, not sure how the East coast stacks up for rain either, but it gets lots of snow.

Warm summer...could be anywhere.

Beaches and Scenery...thats coastal BC....
could be East coast, but dont know much about beaches there..and different scenery. Ontario has lakeside beaches too, but if scenery means "mountains" then Ontario is a bit flat. Nice enough bits though (once you escape the concrete jungle) Calgary / Alberta is short on beaches and lakes apparantly, but has scenery in abundance on the doorstep.

Jobs...hard to say. Could me more dependent on you and what you do, than where you are. Anywhere reasonably large should suffice. Ontario is regarded as the driver of canadas economy..rightly or wrongly.

Not sure there is one place that meets all your needs...its the conflict between no rain and access to scenery and beaches thats hard...Maybe the West most interior of BC? not an area I know anything about. AS far as warm summers, houses with space, good education and health care goes, it doesnt really narrow anything down, thats Canada. Jobs are a personal thing, depends what you do, some fields will limit you to the major cites, most jobs thats not the case. Best advice as always is to visit a few places and see what you think, or go where you are most likely to land a job.

Re: where to go?
 

thanks so much for your reply
it gives us some help
my hubby is a systems engineer so would need to be local hospitals and has laboratory experience i am into childcare so it dosent matter for me
my scenery i guess i means nice countryside grass and trees not rural where you have to travel miles to school or shops but not too built up.
we would travel to the mountains so its not a major requirement so long as we have nice scenery i hatew built up towns so would like to live in the outskirts
thanks for your help i appreciate it we are trying to research at the moment
thanks again
nat

Re: where to go?
 

Travel is a relative term here...Canada is HUGE. I'm in Ontario, if I want real mountains..ie the Rockies...that is about a weeks drive or a 6 hour expensive flight. For good skiing we are talking a half day drive to Quebec Laurentian resorts or Upstate NY (Lake Placid) Not really suitable for a day trip. Scenery is nice though round here. Even from Calgary to the Rockies is a couple of hours drive, but in Canada thats considered no big deal, and really its not as driving is not as stressfull (maybe thats just me).

Outside of the large Toronto sprawl, finding a place in the country within easy commute of town is not too difficult.

Check what qualification you hubby needs to carry on his career here. Canada is very stuck on having the right qualifications for things like that, and non canadain experience doesnt count for much Im afraid.

Re: where to go?
 

hi
thanks for the reply
we are going with a migration agency and my dh has a hnc qualification which is recognised .
a few hours drive is nothing to him and he would easily commute as he drives most of his day to his jobs all over and 2 hrs to a site is a normal drive for him.

ontario sounds really nice for scenery also like the sound of north van but worried about the lack of jobs and trouble to commuting
so long as the kids have a beach to go to they will be happy!
thanks so much it all helps
nat

Re: where to go?
 

My advice: go where the job is. Everywhere looks nicer with money, and anywhere can be bleak and desperate without it.

Re: where to go?
 

Sorry, you are missing the point. CIC recognise everyones qualifications...but employers dont, thats the cruel irony of "skilled worker" migration. Employers dont know what an HNC is and they dont care. If its not a canadian qualification or union ticket that they recognise, its not going to help you get a job, hence the need for so many expats to convert or retrain for qualifications here.

Not surprised your agent didnt mention it though...not in there interest to discourage applicants or to paint a realistic picture. Have to do your own homework about the realities of emmigrating. Sorry to sound so negative...I love it here in canada and wouldnt move for the world, but you have to come with your eyes open.

Re: where to go?
 

I'm originally from Ontario and now live in BC. In my opinion BC is prettier and there is so much to do, but it can be a bit expensive. Alberta is cheaper, but dead :zzz: and Manitoba is way too cold in the winter and even worse than Alberta. I guess it's just what you prefer.....

Good luck!

Re: where to go?
 

thanks for you reply
i understand what you are saying but my agency seems really clued up and they have the main consultant actually in canada as well as in the uk ,the agent will pass our cvs to him in canada to see if he agrees with him to continue so he should know if they are recognised i hope!
nat

Re: where to go?
 

I have traveled up and down the country and my favourite place was Victoria and the Island.

I currently live in Calgary Alberta which is very right wing and anally renitent. Laws for everything from walking your dog to the colour of front door.

Yes they can fine you in certain part of the city for painting your front door an elaborate colour.

Stay away from Calgary as I have met very few EX brits who like it here.

Re: where to go?
 

Sorry to burst your bubble but I love Calgary and have had the option of moving away from it twice. I've also got many expat friends that feel the same way.

Why?

People are friendlier than other cities I've been to. It's not too big yet to be impersonal.
Sunny days. Sunniest city in Canada.
No PST.
Chinooks in the Winter which mean you can get out and really enjoy the snow.
Proximity to the mountains.
Affordable housing.
Less crime than other large cities.
The stampede and the flames! :beer:

Not really bothered about the colour of my front door.

Your advice of "Stay away from Calgary" is based on the fact that you have met a few unhappy ex-pats, find the people anally retentive (which I totally disagree with) and that you can't paint your door a certain colour? :confused:

Can you elaborate a bit more on why people should "stay away from Calgary" with examples and examples of how the people are anally retentive?

Sorry but I find your advice inaccurate, misleading and poor to potential immigrants.

Re: where to go?
 

While Calgary is not my favourite place in the world, if you think Victoria is free of anal people and stupids laws, you're fooling yourself. Politically yeah, it's much more to the left - but it used to be a lot more to the left.

As an aside - I once took swimming lessons at the Y in Calgary and it was the same time Ralph Klein use to "swim laps" (bob around, getting it the way, is more like it). God the sight of him getting out of the pool -- "just say 'no' to crack" :eek:

:D

Re: where to go?
 

I used to live in Calgary, and what I miss about the place is floating (on a raft) down the Bow on a hot summer's day, going to Drumheller, the badlands and the Big Rock, an excellent Ukrainian restaurant (not sure if it's still there), going to a Flames-Oiler game, skating on the winding lagoons at Bowness Park, the amount and variety of drama/theatre that was so easy to be involved with and the amazingly positive affect chinooks had on my mood.

I should really visit the place, I haven't been there in ages. I'd probably be stunned by the changes. :eek: