Living in Vancouver or Canada in General

[angel659]

Hi

Sorry its not disney related, but would love peoples perspective on this.

Dh and I would love to move to Canada. We have decided on Vancouver at the moment. We hope to fly out there in the summer 08. I will hopefully be a qualified nurse by the time we move or we will immigrate on my dh's occupation and train in Canada.

Originally we were wanting to move to Florida or LA. With the health scare's that we have heard of, people's insurance companies not paying out for treatment, expensive prescriptions and increased gun crime we have looked into Canada and it looks beautiful.

My question is. How is Vancouver life? The weather? Schooling? etc. I would love to hear from people who are living or have lived in Vancouver/Canada. Any other information that would help us.

 

[calliemom]

We are from Ontario,and have traveled a couple times to Vancouver for vacation, but from what I understand it is a very expensive city to live in....beautiful but very expensive. Have you considered the surrounding area's or are you looking just at Vancouver?

 

[c&m]

Vancouver housing is very expensive. You do not have to live in Vancouver as it is very expensive...but if you must, some areas in Vancouver that are nice and close to hospitals (since I read that you are training to be a nurse) are in the Kitsilano, Kerrisdale, South Granville area, or Oak Street area, which is close to Vancouver General Hospital and B.C. Women's Hospital.

Better to live outside of Vancouver in North Vancouver, Richmond (Steveston is beautiful), Ladner, Delta, Tsawassen, or South Surrey. If you are a nature lover and you love to ski, definitely North Vancouver -- only 1.5 hour drive to Whistler and minutes to the local mountains and hiking trails.

Be careful of moving to Burnaby. There are many pockets of Burnaby that are beautiful and some that are scary. I know lots of colleagues who move to this city, find an inexpensive place to rent in Burnaby, and then discover that they can't go out for a simple stroll in the evening. That can happen anywhere but I seem to hear more of it in Burnaby than anywhere else.

Lifestyle in Vancouver is quite laid back. But, it is based also on your life choices (wanna be a slave to your job or not). My BIL is a lawyer and works LONGGGG hours, 7 days a week almost, and travels a lot for business. My DH and I chose to live and work in Richmond (therefore no long commutes); we meet up for dinner with the family every night, and then take strolls out on the boardwalk in Steveston almost every night, have coffee with friends or meet up with other parents for a playground date. Only drawback is that we don't get paid nearly enough for that lifestyle choice !!!

We get mild weather. There's a lot of rain in the winter months. But we are all used to it. DDs play soccer in the rain; parents watch in the rain. We camp in the rain. But we also get a lot of sunny, comfortable warm weather too.

Lots of good local schools. Some better than others in certain parts of town. You can choose to place your kids in French immersion.

Feel free to ask other specific questions. In the meantime, hope this helps!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I live in Ontario, but have some good friends who just moved to BC last November. They were originally planning to move to Vancouver but because it was so expensive ended up moving to Gibson, which is north of Vancouver in an area called "the Sunshine Coast." They have a wonderful home there with a view of the ocean and are absolutely loving it. So I wouldn't limit yourself to the city of Vancouver, check out the surrounding areas - even Vancouver Island - before you make a decision.

Good luck! I'd love to move out there myself - but can't bear the thought of moving away from my grandchildren.

Teresa

 

[bbangel]

If you own property in the UK you won't find Vancouver that expensive especially after the exchange rate.
Vancouver's weather is actually very similiar to the UK. It doesn't get really cold but the winters can be very wet.
There are a lot of things to do in the city from hiking in the mountains to events at the Art Gallery. Something to fit everyone really.
Let us know if you have questions.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Thank you for your advice I really appreciate it. After speaking to my dh he is looking into an internal transfer although it might not happen. We have a few choices and he takes everything in his stride that it is so frustrating that he wont take any initiative to find information out I sometimes think he feels it will appear on his plate one evening

Anyway here is what we are looking for and want out of the move.

Having read up on Canada it looks beautiful. I dont speak fluent French, but will be willing to take classes before we move. My dh doesnt want to move to somewhere that speaks all French. He loves his country and loves his language for him it would feel he would be giving up all his uk rights I love the hot weather and was originally thinking of moving to the US either LA or FL. However with thier gun crime and thier medical health insurance problems dh has been put off. I have always thought of Canada, but the cold weather since Cool Runnings put me off. We are used to the rain and wind so I dont think the wet winters will be any different to the UK. Even summer we have rain virtually all the time. Calgary is way too cold in the winter for me. NYC 32f was very cold when we went. I am sure you get used to the weather.

Anyway sorry I am rambling, but sometimes find it hard to put what we want in a post. Excuse me if this is long and bitty.

The options are:

1) Train as a nurse in the UK, which will be 3 1/2 years away and then have 1 years experience before I could even move plus the 18 month visa and school arrangement time schedule. We would be looking at 5 1/2 -6 years Yes you cant rush such a huge step. I dont really want to wait that long. Mainly because my dd is now 7 and my boys are 3. They start school in Sept 08 reception year, but I think you call it Kindergarten.

2) Move out on my dh being part-qualified accountant. He has had 9-10 years experience. Might not be able to get an internal transfer. He would have to try and find a job before he gets there or would he find one when we arrive He isnt fully qualified and wont be until 3-4 years. I am sure he can finish his studies in Canada.

Canada requires 67 points and I think we might be able to get those points, but not sure if we would unless one of us is qualified. Either way I want to be there within 2 years. To allow us enough time to get a few flights over to Canada to choose our destination, schools, debts paid, house sorted for renting purposes we will only rent in Canada until we find a property I wont find a property before this would lose us valuable time to get everything else ready.

What we dont want to lose and what we like

We like the commercial life and the standard of living. We wouldnt want to live anywhere the medical care is worse, hospitals are poor (I know our NHS hospitals are poor, but I mean unequipped and poor surgeons). We love the cleanliness of resturants, toilets etc. We can go to the cinema, shopping etc. Life over here goes to quick and everyone is stressed. I love the idea of having mountains, waterfronts, beach locations, etc a more peaceful life. Yes I like things to do, but dont like the everyday stresses we have. Also I have 7 weeks annual leave and dh has 5 weeks annual leave. I read that Canada has two weeks annual leave. We have benefits i.e child care, working tax credit, child benefits. I dont know how worse off financially we would be moving to Canada. I want to keep the luxury we have of being able to go to WDW every other year.

I looked into Ontario, but it mentioned Smog issues? I really dont know Canada that well. I love the beauty Canada offers. I would like to live somewhere that has scenery or close by with a nice summer. I dont mind the snow I am sure the kids will love this as our snow is so far in between. I am sure you can handle the snow better than we can.

Any other places other than Vancouver would be great. Also would like to take into account safety as well. I have read that Canada is safe and many people leave thier doors open, however I have also read some conflicting information.

Please help.

 

[drag n' fly]

Hi

Thank you for your advice I really appreciate it. After speaking to my dh he is looking into an internal transfer although it might not happen. We have a few choices and he takes everything in his stride that it is so frustrating that he wont take any initiative to find information out I sometimes think he feels it will appear on his plate one evening

Anyway here is what we are looking for and want out of the move.

Having read up on Canada it looks beautiful. I dont speak fluent French, but will be willing to take classes before we move. My dh doesnt want to move to somewhere that speaks all French. He loves his country and loves his language for him it would feel he would be giving up all his uk rights I love the hot weather and was originally thinking of moving to the US either LA or FL. However with thier gun crime and thier medical health insurance problems dh has been put off. I have always thought of Canada, but the cold weather since Cool Runnings put me off. We are used to the rain and wind so I dont think the wet winters will be any different to the UK. Even summer we have rain virtually all the time. Calgary is way too cold in the winter for me. NYC 32f was very cold when we went. I am sure you get used to the weather.

Anyway sorry I am rambling, but sometimes find it hard to put what we want in a post. Excuse me if this is long and bitty.

The options are:

1) Train as a nurse in the UK, which will be 3 1/2 years away and then have 1 years experience before I could even move plus the 18 month visa and school arrangement time schedule. We would be looking at 5 1/2 -6 years Yes you cant rush such a huge step. I dont really want to wait that long. Mainly because my dd is now 7 and my boys are 3. They start school in Sept 08 reception year, but I think you call it Kindergarten.

2) Move out on my dh being part-qualified accountant. He has had 9-10 years experience. Might not be able to get an internal transfer. He would have to try and find a job before he gets there or would he find one when we arrive He isnt fully qualified and wont be until 3-4 years. I am sure he can finish his studies in Canada.

Canada requires 67 points and I think we might be able to get those points, but not sure if we would unless one of us is qualified. Either way I want to be there within 2 years. To allow us enough time to get a few flights over to Canada to choose our destination, schools, debts paid, house sorted for renting purposes we will only rent in Canada until we find a property I wont find a property before this would lose us valuable time to get everything else ready.

What we dont want to lose and what we like

We like the commercial life and the standard of living. We wouldnt want to live anywhere the medical care is worse, hospitals are poor (I know our NHS hospitals are poor, but I mean unequipped and poor surgeons). We love the cleanliness of resturants, toilets etc. We can go to the cinema, shopping etc. Life over here goes to quick and everyone is stressed. I love the idea of having mountains, waterfronts, beach locations, etc a more peaceful life. Yes I like things to do, but dont like the everyday stresses we have. Also I have 7 weeks annual leave and dh has 5 weeks annual leave. I read that Canada has two weeks annual leave. We have benefits i.e child care, working tax credit, child benefits. I dont know how worse off financially we would be moving to Canada. I want to keep the luxury we have of being able to go to WDW every other year.

I looked into Ontario, but it mentioned Smog issues? I really dont know Canada that well. I love the beauty Canada offers. I would like to live somewhere that has scenery or close by with a nice summer. I dont mind the snow I am sure the kids will love this as our snow is so far in between. I am sure you can handle the snow better than we can.

Any other places other than Vancouver would be great. Also would like to take into account safety as well. I have read that Canada is safe and many people leave thier doors open, however I have also read some conflicting information.

Please help.

Gee Calgary is not that cold lol! Oh well we happily give up all that rain and tolerate the cold for this

http://www.morainelake.com/

Moving from the UK doubles your dollar here so even though for example a 3 bedroom house with an attached garage in Calgary is 500,000cad your UK dollar does much further in Canada. In B.C. (bring cash lol) Vancouver area houses are even more expensive. You essentially get what you pay for, there are no good deals here. If you want a nice place in a safe area with good schools you will pay for it.HTH

 

[bbangel]

In terms of climate that would work for you, sounds like Vancouver or Victoria (on Vancouver Island) would be the best bet for you.
Most montly salaried jobs start with 2 weeks vacation and then as you are with a company you get more weeks. (I am at 4 weeks a year after 5 years)
It is hard to tell how you would compare with your situation there in terms of money.
We do have a government health care system but it is a bit different from the UK. Depending on what province you are in different things are covered. Many people also have extended coverage for health/dental etc. through their employers. In terms of quality it is pretty good but you may have to wait for some things.
Any place you live is going to have issues with crime. There are parts of any city that are better than others. I can tell you that they just released crime statistics and Vancouver had less crime (including property crime and auto theft) last year than the previous year.
School will again vary depending on where you live but curriculum standards are pretty high across the country.
You mentioned French. Unless you want to work for the government or live in Quebec, you won't need to learn French.

 

[angel659]

Gee Calgary is not that cold lol! Oh well we happily give up all that rain and tolerate the cold for this

http://www.morainelake.com/

Moving from the UK doubles your dollar here so even though for example a 3 bedroom house with an attached garage in Calgary is 500,000cad your UK dollar does much further in Canada. In B.C. (bring cash lol) Vancouver area houses are even more expensive. You essentially get what you pay for, there are no good deals here. If you want a nice place in a safe area with good schools you will pay for it.HTH

Love the site. Its beautiful. I take the -35c was exaggerated in Cool Runnigs

 

[angel659]

I have also been looking at Ontario. The climate seems good. Cold and snowy winters. The kids will love the snow and warm weather.

I have been trying to get some ideas from this site.

http://www.livingin-canada.com/canadian-climates.html

Windsor, Ottawa and Toronto in Ontario. Windsor mentioned smog. Dh friends family lives in Ontario it looks beautiful. So many beautiful places. Its hard.

 

[drag n' fly]

Love the site. Its beautiful. I take the -35c was exaggerated in Cool Runnigs

Oh no that is no exaggeration. If it does get like that it will be anywhere from a few days to a week and then like magic a chinook blows in and it goes from -35c up to +11c sometimes in less than 30 minutes. It is dry here. It has it good and bad like any other place.

 

[damo]

I have also been looking at Ontario. The climate seems good. Cold and snowy winters. The kids will love the snow and warm weather.

I have been trying to get some ideas from this site.

http://www.livingin-canada.com/canadian-climates.html

Windsor, Ottawa and Toronto in Ontario. Windsor mentioned smog. Dh friends family lives in Ontario it looks beautiful. So many beautiful places. Its hard.

Many people in Canada move around several times during their lives. Remember that if you aren't totally happy anywhere, you can always move. Getting yourselves settled first in jobs is most important. By the sounds of it, you will be very employable and can live pretty much anywhere you please.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Canada is a big country with something for everyone. Come on over and I'm sure you'll find a place you like!

Teresa

 

[angel659]

Hi

I would love to come over, but I wont be able to come over until June 08 the earliest. Also its where do we choose to fly to? We could book a coach tour holiday, but it wont give us enough time to get know the place or locals. When we do come over I really want to get know the place. I was going to fly to Vancouver, but Ontario is looking good at the moment. I dont mind snow and warm summers. I think my children would prefer snow they can sledge and have fun in the summer.

 

[angel659]

Hi

What is the education like in Canada. Is there anywhere I can get an idea of what the education is like any statistics?

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I live in Guelph, which is just west and north of Toronto. I can tell you anything you'd like to know about this area (I've also lived in Peterborough and Oakville).

Canada has public education free to everyone (actually, I believe that in some provinces there is a fee), as well as separate schools (Catholic) which are publicly funded in some provinces (including Ontario - I'm not sure about BC). There are also many private schools, and quite a few people homeschool. Schools are elementary (usually from Junior Kindergarten - age 4 - to grade 8) then secondary or high school (grades 9 to 12). (In some places, they have elementary to grade 6, then a junior high which is 7,8 and 9 and then high school. Or other variations.)

I don't know for sure how the school system stacks up against education in other countries, though. I know that some of my friends' children have opted to go to university in other countries and had no trouble getting accepted with a Canadian public school education, so that would indicate it is reasonably good.

Teresa

 

[bbangel]

If snow is a motivator, Vancouver has several "local" mountains that you can be at in 90 minutes and have all the snow you want (including skiing and snowshoeing) There are sometimes brief snowfalls in the city, especially higher elevations like Burnaby, that last a few days and are great for playing in.
I used to live in Alberta and the snow gets old. Shovelling it is the worst.

 

[angel659]

I do like Vancouver, but I think dh would prefer Ottawa. Not sure really why.

Love the idea of the mountains.

Can anyone recommend any property rental sites. I have been looking on the net all day and have found a few solutions to our visa prob. Worst case scenario I can move to Canada on a student visa and apply for permenant residency when I have finished or temporary residence visa for 3 years.

 

[Northstar]

Angel659, I've got to say you'll have a way easier time getting your nursing license if you do your training in Canada... it's always a pain trying to get your credentials from abroad recognized... you can do it but it's loads of red tape and always takes longer than people think it will. Usually not a problem getting your academic degrees recognized, just anything that leads to a professional license.

Vancouver... lovely place. We are looking into retiring somewhere on the Sunshine Coast 10, 15 years from now.

 

[damo]

The public education system in Canada is very good.