Originally Posted by vinegarboy

Am unsure where to post, but I'd like to in some small way pay the BE community back by sharing from my actual experiences, having myself taken-up PR here in western Canada earlier this year (after having availed myself of all of the freely-given immigration advice contained here on BE, which definitely saved me a lot of money in lawyer/advocate fees, as various compatriots' kind & helpful BE posts gave me the confidence to DIY for AINP, CIC, etc.).

Well, my AB employer "re-structured" (forced to by their chief creditor bank) just six days after I landed at YEG to take-up PR; so I promptly found myself jobless less than a week after arriving in Canada on my tod (with no family in North America).

Rather than renting a place in a town/city, I hopped onto "Kijiji" to look at houses for sale & I ended-up using $16k of the savings I'd brought with me to pay cash outright for a small cottage (+ the standard house-block it's on) in a small village (<100 pop.), for which the annual 'property tax' is only ~$600-/yr; with me knowing no-one there in the village at all (i.e., being completely 'networkless', if that's a word yet) & having no job/s lined-up in the village/area, at all. This then was my risk-taking "Leap" into the unknown in my new/adopted country.

I also spent (again via "Kijiji") just under $2k of my savings to buy an old 2WD petrol pick-up truck, into which I put an old camper-trailer ($500-) for weight over the drive wheels (i.e., traction in winter), as well as for its roadside 'put-the-kettle-on' convenience, of course.

So for just on $20k (i.e., incl. associated costs such as pre-purchase house inspection, home/vehicle insurance, vehicle registration, etc.) I got myself set up here in western Canada, with no mortgage, no rent, or any payments to have to make, other than monthly running costs (i.e., food, petrol, utilities, etc.).

On the income front, I've steadily managed to pick-up several local part-time jobs (all 'blue-collar') which are all walking-distance from my home, and which altogether will bring in enough money to pay all of my monthly bills, with a bit to spare. So I've gained a first foot-hold in my new country, and am not in debt to anyone or beholden to a landlord.

I've found rural Canadians to be lovely people, and they're definitely more 'British' (respectful, considerate, pioneer-spirited, stoic, kind, etc.) than either Americans or Australians (I've lived & worked in both).

So I guess that the essence of my message here is for anyone who might be frightened/worried by the unknowns/risks of coming to Canada: "Leap and the net will appear." My post's title is what's written-up as a Zen saying on a fridge magnet I have here in my cottage.

Originally Posted by Gozit

It doesn't even need to be "renewed". You just need to get a new PR card every 5 years IF you are planning on traveling outside Canada. If not then you don't even need to bother. Its not a "renewable" status as in you have it forever basically unless you violate the residence conditions. And in 3 years you'll be eligible for Canadian citizenship anyways so its no bother.

Originally Posted by JamesM

I call it "renewed". You still have to complete some forms and pay them quite a few dollars.

Originally Posted by Gozit

Yes, but the renewal is not obligatory, if you don't do it you just can't leave the bloody place

Originally Posted by JamesM

Yes.

Not the sort of thing that you are wise to let lapse if you have family and friends abroad.

Originally Posted by Siouxie

WOW.

You have my utmost admiration for going forth and making a new life for yourself, against all the odds. You have that pioneer 'never say die' spirit!

Well done that man.