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Canada
Dave2l
Posts: 8,866
I saw PL54's thread on Toronto and reminded me would be a good idea to ask myself.
I'm going Canada for 2 years in December, starting off in Ontario.
For people that have been Canada before what do you make of it and what's your personal experience?
Advice and on things to do etc.
Cheers
I'm going Canada for 2 years in December, starting off in Ontario.
For people that have been Canada before what do you make of it and what's your personal experience?
Advice and on things to do etc.
Cheers
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My wife and son are there at the moment. Staying in Calgary but have had a couple days in Edmonton.
Lovely place, you won't want to come back.1 -
2 years?!? How did that come about?Dave2l said:I saw PL54's thread on Toronto and reminded me would be a good idea to ask myself.
I'm going Canada for 2 years in December, starting off in Ontario.
For people that have been Canada before what do you make of it and what's your personal experience?
Advice and on things to do etc.
Cheers0 -
@Exiled_Addick @Oakster and quite a few others on here should be able to help.
Why 2 years? Work contract ?0 -
Vancouver Island is unbelievable. Cities of Victoria and Vancouver are stunning. Baldybonce is right. You won't want to return. Never been on the eastern coast but I'm sure it's just as impressive.2
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A nice generally prosperous country populated by tough, pleasant, generally nice people .. lovely, I had a great time when I was over there for a few months, coast to coast, both east and west are spectacular, the middle is mile upon mile of prairie which I quite enjoyed ... BUT .. it aint England ((:>)2
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Suspect it'll be to do with the length of his temporary work permit.AFKABartram said:@Exiled_Addick @Oakster and quite a few others on here should be able to help.
Why 2 years? Work contract ?
Been here 4.5 years now, living in Edmonton and have travelled a little bit down to BC and other areas of Alberta. Not made it across to Ontario yet. You get people for all over here in Edmonton and I have found that there can be a bit of a variation in attitude depending on where in Canada folks are from (much like the UK but more spread out) but generally everyone is friendly and welcoming. I think of it as being how America might have turned out if they hadn't turfed us out. I think you get a lot of the good stuff from the states, plus public health care and minus the gun toting religious zealots (well a lot less zealots anyway).
Over here in Western Canada there is still a little bit of a get 'er done frontier spirit that is refreshing coming from England where it can all feel a bit worn out and doom and gloom at times. I love it and for all the things I miss about home there are no plans to move back (wife and I have permanent residency now, waiting to be eligible for citizenship, we've bought a house and had a baby here). I got a good pay rise for coming here (moved sideways in the same company). I think the cost of living here is less than in Ontario (thanks to the GTA housing prices) and we're not quite wiping our arses with bank notes just yet, but I feel less pressure on my bank balance and am able to save more than I ever could back home.
Edmonton is considered a kind of grubby industrial city by a lot of people, kind of a Birmingham equivalent, but even here, by European standards, is a clean vibrant city and there is a big festival scene etc in the summer. I find it a great place to raise a family.
Get outside and enjoy the great outdoors - summer and winter. Just avoid the days with crazy wind chill and wrap up well and you'll probably find you don't mind the cold as much as you thought you would. As I say, not been to Toronto yet but sure there are a lot of fantastic bars and restaurants to enjoy.
Get a CAFC Player subscription. Toronto has a team in all the major North American sports leagues as well (although the maple Leafs are arguably even worse than the Oilers right now) so get out and enjoy (or at least try) those.
I miss the live matchday experience at the Valley, the sane half of the family, a good British style ruby and a pint on a summers day in a nice rural beer garden, but apart from that I can get everything else I want here plus a bunch of things I can't do back home and we've made some fantastic friends to help make up for losing some family.
When planning a journey, remember to factor in that everywhere is effing miles and miles and miles away. Learn to enjoy road trips.
I can give you some other tips on getting setup and settled in - which bank to choose and stuff like that. Feel free to PM me with any questions you may have.
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Canada is a great country filled with lovely people. Really considering moving there one day.1
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Word of advice - don't have an affair with a Canadian girl. They're absolutely f***ing insane. HTH9
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Wonder if @thecrazyaddick is still Facebook stalking the Wench from Whistler ??Leroy Ambrose said:Word of advice - don't have an affair with a Canadian girl. They're absolutely f***ing insane. HTH
Come on fella, give us an update :-)
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A work permit that was originally 1 year changed to 2.
Will be a line cook in a hotel in Ontario. As you would expect the money ain't great and not the kind of work I would specifically enjoy but it's certainly live-able and about the overall experience of just being there.
I will be accommodated but of course will be in company most likely living with at least 15 other people I've been told. I don't know how big the house is yet and I'd imagine the loss of personal space to be a challenge to adapt to even for the most socialised person...which I am not.
No word of a lie I ain't been on holiday since 2010...which was also one of those eventual regrettable "lads holidays" that create good memories but also mostly just point out the many occasions of when I was an idiot.
I thought I would like to go somewhere that is more optimistic for a change and that would hopefully rub off on me.
I'm not a lover of hot weather and Canada sounds more peaceful then the states.
Nice to read the pleasant experiences, most notably @Exiled_Addick cheers.
I need to get more prepared but looking forward to it. Certainly need a good camera I would think.
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As long as you're not a Seal you should be fine.2
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Indeed. They put a whole new meaning into going clubbing.C_A_F_C said:As long as you're not a Seal you should be fine.
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Been here 10 years...am now a citizen with my wife and two boys...my youngest was born here so officially is a Canuck! People in general are genuinely good people, not up their own arse, friendly and welcoming. I live in the middle of BC...amazing place. Have travelled lots around Ontario...amazing place. I used to commute from Ashford to Brixton everyday of my life; longest commute I had was 4.5 hours, M2 and M20 accidents, totally gridlocked....also almost got my head kicked in by some chav driving through Dulwich because I was driving the speed limit. Last week my commute to work was disrupted by a moose and calf at the end of my drive way...poxy moose. Great micro brewery beers here. Canadians have no idea regarding driving etiquette. Do not have a clue about roundabout navigation; very infuriating at times. You can fish anywhere you want and catch salmon and trout. The great outdoors is amazing here. Went back to England for my nephew's wedding in May...do love England, saw the Addicks get done by Bournemouth, got my dose of friends family pubs and history and then loved coming back to my new home. Snow Boarding in a few months. Cabin at the weekend. Pretty awesome place. The hockey is flippin awesome. Enjoy...you will not want to go back.
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It can still get pretty hot here in the summer. In Alberta you are looking at a 60 or 70 deg C swing in temp between the coldest and hottest days of the year! Invest in some good thermals and layer upon the winter and you'll be okay though.
Early days to be talking about this, but if you find you like and think you want to stay, start looking at you visa options early, I have a few expat friends on temporary permits who have run into issues because they underestimated how complicated and lengthy a process it is to get PR. They have changed the rules recently on temporary foreign workers as well.0 -
Currently on holiday touring in western Canada. At present in Banff which is the most gorgeous scenic town you can imagine. The most amazing scenery and wildlife, lovely people. Hugely recommended for a holiday or extended stay.1
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Canada? FAR right wing government, and the horrific yearly seal bloodbath - Sure the country is picturesque, however, I dare any of you Canuck fans to watch the horrific baby seal clubbing footage.0
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Glad you're enjoying Banff Davo55 - am just 15kms up the highway in Canmore although currently on hols in California.Davo55 said:Currently on holiday touring in western Canada. At present in Banff which is the most gorgeous scenic town you can imagine. The most amazing scenery and wildlife, lovely people. Hugely recommended for a holiday or extended stay.
Actually that's one of the good things about Canada - you are so close to the US - on the Western side Washington, Oregon and California are all very accessible by air or road.
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Cheers Oakster. We thought about trying to get to Canmore but we are on an organised tour and timing just didn't work. Back to Vancouver via Kamloops on the Rocky Mountaineer train on Wednesday/Thursday. You're a lucky guy living here. I love my home in England but could easily envisage a great life in Canada. We'll certainly go and tour the eastern side another time.Oakster said:
Glad you're enjoying Banff Davo55 - am just 15kms up the highway in Canmore although currently on hols in California.Davo55 said:Currently on holiday touring in western Canada. At present in Banff which is the most gorgeous scenic town you can imagine. The most amazing scenery and wildlife, lovely people. Hugely recommended for a holiday or extended stay.
Actually that's one of the good things about Canada - you are so close to the US - on the Western side Washington, Oregon and California are all very accessible by air or road.1 -
the Valley express service isnt what it used to be, and takes ages3
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look out for a Charlton shirt in Banff today. It'll be my boy.Davo55 said:Currently on holiday touring in western Canada. At present in Banff which is the most gorgeous scenic town you can imagine. The most amazing scenery and wildlife, lovely people. Hugely recommended for a holiday or extended stay.
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What's the process like for getting citizenship out there?0
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at the moment nigh on impossible unless you have some very desirable skills.CrayAddick said:What's the process like for getting citizenship out there?
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I don't believe it's "that" difficult. Obviously becoming a new citizen anywhere is very tough, but I believe from looking it up a few weeks and from memory, you can start the process after about 4 years of living there. You'd need to get a job there obviously beforehand that is skilled. It's far easier than becoming a USA citizen which won't happen unless you've been there for a decade and have a shit tonne of money in the bank.Baldybonce said:
at the moment nigh on impossible unless you have some very desirable skills.CrayAddick said:What's the process like for getting citizenship out there?
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www.cic.gc.ca
gives all the relevant info.0 -
For anyone that is interested in a working holiday to Canada I can advise you on how to obtain the visa. It's quite a surprisingly long process and feels quite tense and pressurising but (hopefully) worth it.
A lot more detail involved then getting an Australian one etc.0 -
Only problem is those pesky family visitors bruv!!!Bcaddick said:Been here 10 years...am now a citizen with my wife and two boys...my youngest was born here so officially is a Canuck! People in general are genuinely good people, not up their own arse, friendly and welcoming. I live in the middle of BC...amazing place. Have travelled lots around Ontario...amazing place. I used to commute from Ashford to Brixton everyday of my life; longest commute I had was 4.5 hours, M2 and M20 accidents, totally gridlocked....also almost got my head kicked in by some chav driving through Dulwich because I was driving the speed limit. Last week my commute to work was disrupted by a moose and calf at the end of my drive way...poxy moose. Great micro brewery beers here. Canadians have no idea regarding driving etiquette. Do not have a clue about roundabout navigation; very infuriating at times. You can fish anywhere you want and catch salmon and trout. The great outdoors is amazing here. Went back to England for my nephew's wedding in May...do love England, saw the Addicks get done by Bournemouth, got my dose of friends family pubs and history and then loved coming back to my new home. Snow Boarding in a few months. Cabin at the weekend. Pretty awesome place. The hockey is flippin awesome. Enjoy...you will not want to go back.
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I think temporary work permits are still reasonably easy to get, although they recently tightened the rules on those and I know quite a few people ended up having to leave the country as a result.CrayAddick said:What's the process like for getting citizenship out there?
I know permanent residency is getting tougher and taking longer to get - we got ours just in time before they tightened the rules on those as well and I know a couple of British expats who have been here for 2 - 3 years and have jobs but are struggling to get their PR under the quota system or because delays to their applications have caused them to timeout. They're not about to be deported or anything like that but they are stuck a bit in limbo.
Citizenship is relatively straightforward to get I think. As I understand it you have to wait something like 1000 days after you get PR (used to able to count 0.5 days for every day you were in Canada prior to getting your PR card but they tightened the rules on that too) and I think you then just have to pay a fee, take a test and then get sworn in at one of the ceremonies. There's not a lot of difference between Citizenship and PR except you get to vote, can't wriggle out of jury service so easily, and don't have to reapply for your status every 5 years. I have another 18 months or so before I can apply but intend to do so as you can hold dual nationality with the UK and my daughter is a Canadian citizen so it'll just make things simpler with passports etc.
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Our entirely non-representative sample indicates that Canadian girls are:AFKABartram said:
Wonder if @thecrazyaddick is still Facebook stalking the Wench from Whistler ??Leroy Ambrose said:Word of advice - don't have an affair with a Canadian girl. They're absolutely f***ing insane. HTH
Come on fella, give us an update :-)
A - absolute filthmongers
B - totally tonto
If I was under 30 I'd move there in a heartbeat
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Leroy so the Deptford ladies are all sane and virgins then ?0
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You lose credibility referring to 'Deptford' and 'Ladies' in the same sentence. 'Females' is only barely accurate
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