Our first year (of many)
Aug 8th 2009, 4:56 am
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,549
Our first year (of many)
On August 6th 2008 we arrived in Nova Scotia to begin our new lives. A year on we are settled beyond our wildest dreams. We have a great house in Musquodoboit Harbour and all of our friends and neighbours are fantastic.
Although our children were in great schools in the UK, they have settled here better then we could have hoped and have developed new interests and hobbies that they never considered in the UK. They have also made the nicest group of friends we could have wished for.
Myself and both of our children learned to skate last winter (the kids much better than me), and the whole family began to learn to ski. During the summer we all swim in the ocean several times each week, our older son (age 14) has taking up sailing and is loving it and our younger son (age 8) has taken up golf and came home yesterday with a medal from winning his first tournament. We have all been kayaking which we really enjoyed and are hoping to do much more of it. Both of our children are learning to play the guitar having had no musical inclinations before.
We bought a speedboat recently and now that we are getting confident at handling it we are planning to buy some water skis and have a go at something new.
Last Saturday we had a BBQ party for all of our new friends to celebrate our first year. The weather was glorious and we partied well into the early hours. We felt incredibly lucky to have made so many good friends in one short year.
Two weeks ago we attended our first wedding in Canada. It was a real privilege to be invited to celebrate the marriage of 2 people that we had not even met this time last year.
As for work. I am unbelievably happy in my job here, after spending a miserable 2 years in my last job in the UK where I really hated every day.
We have had a couple of visitors from the UK so far and despite having promised that we will visit sometime in the next 12 months, I have really no desire to go back. It would be good to see some of our friends and family, but I would much prefer that they visit us here.
I know that emigration is not for everyone and that some people suffer more from home sickness so I wouldn't want say that our experience is typical, and I do remember all of the trials and stresses that we went though before our move. If we hadn't had the support of the people on BE, I think we would still be sitting in the UK now waiting for our (incompetent) immigration consultant to give us the right advice.
However, all that stress is in the past and as far as we are concerned, life is just perfect and we feel truly blessed.
Although our children were in great schools in the UK, they have settled here better then we could have hoped and have developed new interests and hobbies that they never considered in the UK. They have also made the nicest group of friends we could have wished for.
Myself and both of our children learned to skate last winter (the kids much better than me), and the whole family began to learn to ski. During the summer we all swim in the ocean several times each week, our older son (age 14) has taking up sailing and is loving it and our younger son (age 8) has taken up golf and came home yesterday with a medal from winning his first tournament. We have all been kayaking which we really enjoyed and are hoping to do much more of it. Both of our children are learning to play the guitar having had no musical inclinations before.
We bought a speedboat recently and now that we are getting confident at handling it we are planning to buy some water skis and have a go at something new.
Last Saturday we had a BBQ party for all of our new friends to celebrate our first year. The weather was glorious and we partied well into the early hours. We felt incredibly lucky to have made so many good friends in one short year.
Two weeks ago we attended our first wedding in Canada. It was a real privilege to be invited to celebrate the marriage of 2 people that we had not even met this time last year.
As for work. I am unbelievably happy in my job here, after spending a miserable 2 years in my last job in the UK where I really hated every day.
We have had a couple of visitors from the UK so far and despite having promised that we will visit sometime in the next 12 months, I have really no desire to go back. It would be good to see some of our friends and family, but I would much prefer that they visit us here.
I know that emigration is not for everyone and that some people suffer more from home sickness so I wouldn't want say that our experience is typical, and I do remember all of the trials and stresses that we went though before our move. If we hadn't had the support of the people on BE, I think we would still be sitting in the UK now waiting for our (incompetent) immigration consultant to give us the right advice.
However, all that stress is in the past and as far as we are concerned, life is just perfect and we feel truly blessed.
Aug 8th 2009, 4:14 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Blackpool
Posts: 220
Re: Our first year (of many)
Thank you so much for your post. I've been doing research on this website for a while now and we're planning to send in our first forms at the end of August. I have been so excited about the move and this last week have been feeling down. I've been wondering whether it's right to ask the children to start all over again in new schools and making new friends but your post has really made me feel better. I've always hoped that they will try new sports that are hard to get involved with in the UK. We're planning on moving to the Toronto area so water skiing will be more difficult but skating, baseball, football and soccer are all a possibility.
You and your family sound so happy and settled even after only a year. I am so happy for you and just hope that it all works out for me and my family.
You and your family sound so happy and settled even after only a year. I am so happy for you and just hope that it all works out for me and my family.
Aug 8th 2009, 4:16 pm
#3
Bon Vivant
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,956
Re: Our first year (of many)
On August 6th 2008 we arrived in Nova Scotia to begin our new lives. A year on we are settled beyond our wildest dreams. We have a great house in Musquodoboit Harbour and all of our friends and neighbours are fantastic.
Although our children were in great schools in the UK, they have settled here better then we could have hoped and have developed new interests and hobbies that they never considered in the UK. They have also made the nicest group of friends we could have wished for.
Myself and both of our children learned to skate last winter (the kids much better than me), and the whole family began to learn to ski. During the summer we all swim in the ocean several times each week, our older son (age 14) has taking up sailing and is loving it and our younger son (age 8) has taken up golf and came home yesterday with a medal from winning his first tournament. We have all been kayaking which we really enjoyed and are hoping to do much more of it. Both of our children are learning to play the guitar having had no musical inclinations before.
We bought a speedboat recently and now that we are getting confident at handling it we are planning to buy some water skis and have a go at something new.
Last Saturday we had a BBQ party for all of our new friends to celebrate our first year. The weather was glorious and we partied well into the early hours. We felt incredibly lucky to have made so many good friends in one short year.
Two weeks ago we attended our first wedding in Canada. It was a real privilege to be invited to celebrate the marriage of 2 people that we had not even met this time last year.
As for work. I am unbelievably happy in my job here, after spending a miserable 2 years in my last job in the UK where I really hated every day.
We have had a couple of visitors from the UK so far and despite having promised that we will visit sometime in the next 12 months, I have really no desire to go back. It would be good to see some of our friends and family, but I would much prefer that they visit us here.
I know that emigration is not for everyone and that some people suffer more from home sickness so I wouldn't want say that our experience is typical, and I do remember all of the trials and stresses that we went though before our move. If we hadn't had the support of the people on BE, I think we would still be sitting in the UK now waiting for our (incompetent) immigration consultant to give us the right advice.
However, all that stress is in the past and as far as we are concerned, life is just perfect and we feel truly blessed.
Although our children were in great schools in the UK, they have settled here better then we could have hoped and have developed new interests and hobbies that they never considered in the UK. They have also made the nicest group of friends we could have wished for.
Myself and both of our children learned to skate last winter (the kids much better than me), and the whole family began to learn to ski. During the summer we all swim in the ocean several times each week, our older son (age 14) has taking up sailing and is loving it and our younger son (age 8) has taken up golf and came home yesterday with a medal from winning his first tournament. We have all been kayaking which we really enjoyed and are hoping to do much more of it. Both of our children are learning to play the guitar having had no musical inclinations before.
We bought a speedboat recently and now that we are getting confident at handling it we are planning to buy some water skis and have a go at something new.
Last Saturday we had a BBQ party for all of our new friends to celebrate our first year. The weather was glorious and we partied well into the early hours. We felt incredibly lucky to have made so many good friends in one short year.
Two weeks ago we attended our first wedding in Canada. It was a real privilege to be invited to celebrate the marriage of 2 people that we had not even met this time last year.
As for work. I am unbelievably happy in my job here, after spending a miserable 2 years in my last job in the UK where I really hated every day.
We have had a couple of visitors from the UK so far and despite having promised that we will visit sometime in the next 12 months, I have really no desire to go back. It would be good to see some of our friends and family, but I would much prefer that they visit us here.
I know that emigration is not for everyone and that some people suffer more from home sickness so I wouldn't want say that our experience is typical, and I do remember all of the trials and stresses that we went though before our move. If we hadn't had the support of the people on BE, I think we would still be sitting in the UK now waiting for our (incompetent) immigration consultant to give us the right advice.
However, all that stress is in the past and as far as we are concerned, life is just perfect and we feel truly blessed.
Aug 8th 2009, 4:19 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
Re: Our first year (of many)
Congrats on your first year - sounds wonderful. Long may it continue 
Aug 8th 2009, 5:56 pm
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Location: Nanaimo BC from Lancashire
Posts: 317
Re: Our first year (of many)
Happy first aniversary, you sound like you have settled really well.
Aug 8th 2009, 8:34 pm
#6
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Regina Beach, Saskatchewan
Posts: 3,885
Re: Our first year (of many)
Congratulations, Canada's a wonderful place eh! Hope you have many more good years.
Hope you have many more good years.
Aug 9th 2009, 12:44 pm
#7
Citizenship Nov 10 2016!!
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Stewiacke Nova Scotia
Posts: 6,659
Re: Our first year (of many)
Congratulations, great to hear that eveything is going so well, a great positive post!
Best wishes, look forward to catching up with you sometime
Best wishes, look forward to catching up with you sometime
Aug 9th 2009, 1:04 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 288
Re: Our first year (of many)
Lovely post. Positive people like you make me want to live
Have a wonderful new life.
Have a wonderful new life.
Aug 10th 2009, 12:08 am
#9
Life is great!!
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Glen Haven, Nova Scotia
Posts: 102
Re: Our first year (of many)
Hi Lynn, Great post, its fab when it is all so positive. We have been here 3 weeks now and have enjoyed every minute and hope it continues. We are hopefully moving in to our new house on 21 August in Glen Haven so cant wait for that.
Sounds like you have had a fab year and I hope it gets even better for you (if possible).
Lisa
Sounds like you have had a fab year and I hope it gets even better for you (if possible).
Lisa
Aug 10th 2009, 12:51 am
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: From Essex England to Marmora Ontario
Posts: 28
Re: Our first year (of many)
Thank you so much for your post. I've been doing research on this website for a while now and we're planning to send in our first forms at the end of August. I have been so excited about the move and this last week have been feeling down. I've been wondering whether it's right to ask the children to start all over again in new schools and making new friends but your post has really made me feel better. I've always hoped that they will try new sports that are hard to get involved with in the UK. We're planning on moving to the Toronto area so water skiing will be more difficult but skating, baseball, football and soccer are all a possibility.
You and your family sound so happy and settled even after only a year. I am so happy for you and just hope that it all works out for me and my family.
You and your family sound so happy and settled even after only a year. I am so happy for you and just hope that it all works out for me and my family.
)) I am like you moved to Ontario in 2001 & just love everything about being here, have a great job, friends & even a new husband !!! I became a Canadian citizen in January 2006 & this May my son married a Canadian girl & they have a gorgeous baby boy now , everything in Canada is perfect, so it was lovely to read your success story as well, congratulations xx
Aug 10th 2009, 2:58 pm
#11
Scottish Canuck
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Auld Scotia > Nova Scotia > Calgary
Posts: 3,703
Re: Our first year (of many)
Happy 1st Canniversary
Your first year reads almost like our first year except I have yet to don skis on snow or water
.
Glad you have also settled in really well and met some good friends. It makes a whole lot of difference into how you settle in your new community.
Newcomers have to (try to) remain positive and go out there embrace their new country. You soon reap the rewards. You have gone out and done just that so well done and congratulations to you all
Your first year reads almost like our first year except I have yet to don skis on snow or water
. Glad you have also settled in really well and met some good friends. It makes a whole lot of difference into how you settle in your new community.
Newcomers have to (try to) remain positive and go out there embrace their new country. You soon reap the rewards. You have gone out and done just that so well done and congratulations to you all
Aug 11th 2009, 7:32 am
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: One foot in Calgary, one in London
Posts: 1,102
Re: Our first year (of many)
That's wonderful DNS... here's to the next one (or 50...)
Aug 11th 2009, 7:11 pm
#13
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,457
Re: Our first year (of many)
Many congratulations, you've settled so well, here's to many more
Aug 12th 2009, 4:20 pm
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 448
Re: Our first year (of many)
Glad to hear everything is working out nicely for you Lynn. I'm going to have to try the beach you swim at. The water at Martinique is far too cold to swim in 
.
.
Aug 12th 2009, 4:29 pm
#15
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,549
Re: Our first year (of many)