1 Year On The Prairies
 

Its hard to believe that 1 year ago we were sitting in Heathrow hardly believing we were on our way to start our new life in Canada. The previous year had been a real emotional roller coaster. We had 2 LMO rejections but thanks to a bloody minded potential employer the 3rd application was successful. We were in a good position to go as we had sold our house and we were renting, so within 4 weeks we had disposed of everything we didn't want to bring, it was still bloody hectic.
Our little adventure got off to a great start as we were upgraded to first class for the flight :thumbsup: (we had flown often and we thought it would never happen to us).

We spent our first couple of days in Brandon Manitoba getting our admin sorted, SIN numbers, driving licences, health cards plus new car and insurance. We then moved out to our rented home in a town (it would be called a hamlet in the UK) with less people in it than our last UK street had!

As my job falls under NOC C my OH was unable to work until we got MPNP which we had budgeted for. She spent her days sorting out the house and yard plus going to the town coffee morning which gave her the opportunity to get to know the locals. I started my Monday to Friday 8 till 5 on my 46th birthday. The guys I work with have been great even if some of them can't quite grasp my Yorkshire accent.

After 4 months we decided to take a gamble and buy our rental. Our offer was accepted and the house became ours.
The young one settled into to school straight away, she was having sleepovers from our second week here! The local kids think her accent if fantastic :blink:.

She has taken up ice dance (appears she is a bit of a natural) and we go skiing during the season, both of which we would have never done in the UK.

After 6 months we successfully applied for MPNP and the OH went off to work, under protest I may add. Oh well, needs must ;).

And thats our year in a nutshell.

Would we do it again? Yes, in a heartbeat :nod:.

Would we change anything? Of course, nothing is perfect.

Do we miss the UK? Just some friends and family.

Would we go back? Only if deported :eek:.

We are surrounded by beautiful countryside with some really great friends and neighbours.

We count ourselves lucky :thumbsup:.

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Well done and many congratulations! What one tends to forget is that 'moving' is hellishly stressful, and then you add a bit of long distance into the mix and it gets unpleasant. I do hope, and am sure, that the second year on the Prairie goes as well.

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Thanks MillieF, I believe that a major part of a succesful move can be put down to good organising (my wife had spreadsheets for everything) and research. I spent every spare moment researching every aspect of our potential move.

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Big con grats on your 1st year,hope you have many more.
One day we will be in your shoes:fingerscrossed:

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Congrats, and glad to hear it's all working out!

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Nice update - great attitude. Best wishes for Year Two! :)

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

We've been here a year on Saturday. Don't you find that when you look back it's just amazing how much you have achieved in what really isn't a huge amount of time?
Congrats and here's to a second successful year :drinkwine:

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Congrats! So nice to read your post.
I feel the same - I would never go back unless deported

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Congratulations!!!!
It sounds as though you are all having a wonderful time:thumbsup:
Hope it continues for many years to come.

We're still on the start of our journey, but, hopefully, we'll be able to see it first hand one day.
Thanks for your advice in the past and good luck for the future.
Andy.

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Congrats, I hope to publish something similar.....in a few years.

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Thanks everyone, to all that are over here now, I hope you have found just what you are looking for as we feel we have. To you guys that are planning on the move over, keep up the dream, its worth it and good luck to you all :thumbsup:.

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

aye living in rural manitoba is not to bad a life..:thumbup:
jimmy

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Congratulations, it'll be 5 years on the prairies for us next month and I'm still happy. Hope the next years are all you want them to be. :thumbup:

Re: 1 Year On The Prairies
 

Very pleased it has been a good year and if we ever pass your way we should met up for a beer and some Yorkshire banter!