Moving to Canada question

[Molly Meow]

I asked this on the community board, and it was suggested that I ask here. My DH and I have decided we'd like to move to Canada from California sometime in the next year, and we're unsure how to go about it.

Does anyone have any advice or info to share? I would greatly appreciate it.

Oh - and another poster thought that in order to move to Canada, officials want to see quite a bit of liquid assets - can anyone confirm or deny this?

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[disney funseeker]

try this government of Canada link
www.canada.gc.ca/main_e.html

It tells you what the entry requirements are to apply for permanent resident status. There are different immigration programs that you can apply under.

What type of occupation would you and/or dh fall under? One of the programs is the skilled worker class immigration program. It works on some kind of point system too. All of the detail are on the website.

Don't really know much more. dh had been trying to move to the U.S. and he probably knows more about U.S immigration than Canadian.

Good Luck!

 

[ChisJo]

Here's my advice...If you are moving from California, move somewhere where the shock of winter won't be too much for you. I don't know what area you live in as I know some places do get snow, but if you move somewhere where the temperature dips into the -30's, be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment.
Jo

 

[damo]

If you can arrange employment you do not have to show liquid assets. Here is a link about it http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/qual-4.html

 

[Mortlives]

Where in Canada were you planning on moving to? Are you pursuing a specific job market, climate or culture? That may also have something to do with what you need to immigrate, since some places have better opportunities than others, depending upon what you do.

Personally, our dream is to move somewhere warm, like Florida in the States, so I guess the grass is always greener...

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Perhaps the OP wants to engage in a profession that is not viable in the States, like maybe Marijuana grower or something? I would imagine that BC would be the most hospitable, climate wise, for a Californian.

Seriously tho, I was hard-pressed to return to the States after my undergrad career at McGill, and missed Montréal badly for over a decade. If there had been decent job opportunities for me in the mid-80s, I'd be one of you by now. I've gotten used to Boston, but still can't stand all the whining about the winters or any kind of difficult weather. On the plus side, I've had great job opportunities, I'm near the ocean and I have ready and cheap access to direct flights to WDW.

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
......... On the plus side, I've had great job opportunities, I'm near the ocean and I have ready and cheap access to direct flights to WDW.

Why we live in Cape Breton...well, except for the part about cheap flights!!LOL!!

I'm sitting at the computer..and oh, look...there's the ocean...and out the living room window..there's the Bras D'Or Lakes...and I have to go finish my resume

Life is good

....My sincere apologies to all you landlocked Upper Canadians!!LOL!!

 

[Molly Meow]

Thanks so much for all the advice, guys!

Unfortunately, neither my husband nor myself qualify for immigration under any of the programs, we'll have to save a lot of money - looks like 5-10 years instead of 1 year for moving.

We weren't sure where to move to. To be honest, I don't know a lot about the geography of Canada - they don't teach you that in school in the U.S.

We just want to get out of this country. We're not happy with the government, the economy, you name it, we're tired of it.

Thanks again for all of your advice. I guess we'll be moving around 2014 then!

PS - I think that the US should control their immigration more like Canada does - I like how you have to "prove that you will be an asset to the country".

 

[Quadman]

The US IS very similar in their attitude anout immigration..... At this moment if we show that we are willing and capable of investing about 1 000 000 USD and that we have the potential to employ 10 Americans then we would qualify to 'sponser' ourselves.....

Other than that the only way is to be sponsered by an employer for a position that you have some kind of uncommon knowledge or skill that can not be easily supplied by an American citizen, and you have documentation to prove this.

We are in the process of making inquires, already opened the business in Nevada, now just working on the million......

Gee Molly Meow, I wonder if there is just a way for us to conference call our two governements and transfer our residency??? HECK, I did it with a CRT reservation, and it worked, so why not!!

 

[Mortlives]

Originally posted by Molly Meow
We weren't sure where to move to. To be honest, I don't know a lot about the geography of Canada - they don't teach you that in school in the U.S.

Well, if it's going to take a few years, you have lots of time to find out, but we could probably all describe the high points of our local geography and climate, and that would give you something of an overview.

I'm from Toronto, Ontario. Toronto (T.O. for short), is on the shore of Lake Ontario. In a normal year, temperatures will range from lows of -30 in the winter, to highs of 95 in the summer. This last year wasn't normal. We're known for summer humidity, and a moderate amount of precipitation. T.O. is the capital of Ontario, and a major financial centre. We have a good zoo, museum, and theatre district. We're a multicultural city with a number of distinct neighbourhoods where you can a good souvlaki, curry or dim sum meal. An hour's drive north will get you to Paramount Canada's Wonderland. Another hour will get you to cottage country, with abundant lakes and mosquitoes.

That's us. Hopefully someone from other places will chime in to give you a complete picture. Oh, yeah, we're in the Southern part of the country, near Detroit and Buffalo, if you need a US reference.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[ChisJo]

I'm from Sherwood Park, which is a bedroom community right outside Edmonton. I love this city. It has easy access to all ammenities and areas, and unlike TO, it only takes 20 to get from one side of the city to the other. The city is a smaller one, but we are growing rapidly. Our economy depends on oil and gas revenues. We have the largest shopping center in Canada (they say the world, but I've travelled and know that it's not true).
The North Saskatchewan River runs through the city and the river valley is breathtakingly beautiful, as has great festivals each year surrounding it. The downtown also has a beautiful park with lots of activities in it each year.
We are a 2.5 hour drive to the Rocky Mountains where there is an abundance of winter and summer sports, camping, and amazing scenery. Jasper and Banff each have quaint little shops and excellent eating, as well as some great spas.
Our temperatures aer warm and generaly dryer in the summer, normally mid 20's, but in the winter, it can get to -30. We too are a mulicultural city, but not as much as TO. We have a great art district and we have more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in Canada.
We have an excellent and very well respected University and trade schools as well.
Drawback to our city, to give complete honesty, is some services are not available because our city is a smaller city. But in all honestly, I would not enjoy living in a larger city.
That's Edmonton.
Au Revoir,
Jo

 

[Sillyminny40]

We are always looking for more people, especially Disney fans in the land of Winnie the Pooh (Manitoba).

Well, never heard of anyone wanting to pack up and move to Canada without knowing too much about it.

I love it here but that's me! Big thing is you need a job and one that is not needed by or able to be filled by a Canadian.

You need skills that are essential so yes, you need to plan well.

 

[Mortlives]

Originally posted by ChisJo

Our temperatures aer warm and generaly dryer in the summer, normally mid 20's, but in the winter, it can get to -30.

If you're Celsius impaired, mid 20's is the same as in the 80's. Although, if you're joining us, knowledge of the metric system will be essential. -30 is pretty much the same in either system.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[trivial]

Originally posted by Molly Meow
We weren't sure where to move to. To be honest, I don't know a lot about the geography of Canada - they don't teach you that in school in the U.S.

We just want to get out of this country. We're not happy with the government, the economy, you name it, we're tired of it.

It has to be hard to make that decision to leave your friends and family behind, but in all honesty, I would likely be making the same consideration as you if I were in your shoes.

I've lived in Ontario all my life, and will likely stay here until I die (assuming the government doesn't go much further south, if you get my meaning). It's a nice place to live, regardless of what climate you prefer and what size of city you prefer; there's a wide range. Personally, I prefer the southern part of the province, as I don't like my winters to be *too* cold, hehe. All the best on your move, whenever it happens .