Visa through for Canada - cold feet -normal?

[lamprey42]

I accepted a job in Canada in October and after a long Lmia process my work visa came through today. I'm suddenly having massive cold feet (hence awake and on here at 3am!). It looks like a great job and we liked the place we'll be going to. I got made redundant from my old job so my hand was forced slightly but both myself and my husband are excited about the move. I do have another job offer here but it is a five year contract wheras the Canada job is permanent (if we get PR). I guess with the visa coming through it just became real but really feeling nervous about going now. Anyone else get this?

[Want2bSupermum]

Yes. I moved to the US. I was in full panic mode the whole flight over. For the two weeks before flying over the panic was building. 10 years later I'm still here. Married with 3DC. Who knew I'd actually like it here?!?

It's totally normal to experience that stomach turning panic when you are moving to a foreign country. What helps is finding out as much as you can. So..... Canada is a big country, where are you moving to?

[lamprey42]

Thanks supermum - not just me then! We're moving to new Brunswick.

[Want2bSupermum]

Def not just you and me. Take a look through the board here and there are lots of people just like you who have a 'oh shit what I have agreed to?!?'moment.

I'm not very familiar with the New Brunswick area. My family are in the Kitchener Waterloo area and down to Burlington and Stoney creek.

[FishWithABicycle]

I'm sure it's normal and I'm sure it's going to be brilliant. I have been idly pondering about moving to Canada lately - their current prime minister is the only politician in the English speaking world who gives me any hope that it is possible to run a country without being an utter bastard. Good luck!

[MooseBeTimeForSnow]

There are plenty of people in Canada who still think he's a twat, just like his father.

[madwomanbackintheattic]

Dd1 is spending the summer at UNB. We are heading east to pick up her up and explore a bit. There are a billion mners in canada.
Oi less hassle for my boy Justin - he cuddles pandas ya know!

[Kuriusoranj]

I think you'd be unusual if you didn't have that "ooooh oh shit" moment. I've been here (SE Asia) for 3 years and I still remember the exact moment we got the visa news.

My approach is to go with the flow, knowing absolutely that nothing is forever. You hate it? Move on, move back, do something else. It's a big world, a short life and there are adventures out there for all of us.

Sometimes I even believe those bullshit platitudes, for weeks at a time!

[nooka]

We left the UK almost eight years ago now, initially for a two year try out, one major hiccup and then we found somewhere that feels like home. Totally the other side of Canada than where you are headed, but like the Maritimes, pretty beautiful, and very different to the UK (especially as we moved form London to a small town in interior BC).

I agree with Kuriusoranj, it might be helpful to think of the move as being just for a few years, takes the pressure off a bit. It is scary stuff though. Exciting, but a massive move (in every sense of the word). Good luck!

[MooseBeTimeForSnow]

I was in your shoes almost exactly 5 years ago. What made it slightly worse was that DH had to fly out 2 months earlier, leaving me to deal with the sale of the house, packing/shipping etc.

Things will feel odd for a while. There's lots to get used to - driving on the other side, different words for stuff (going outside to smoke a fag means something completely different!).

It's natural to be worried. Give it a bit of time. You'll be fine.

As for Justin, I quite like him. Surrounded by many that don't though. And they're even less keen on Notley.

[lamprey42]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. Feeling a bit better about everything now it's not the middle of the night. Justin aside nearly everyone who we've met has told us what a great place it is to live. We're selling our house so it feels pretty permanent (due to work situation we'd be unlikely to come back here even if we returned to the UK). However good to remember as you said doesn't have to be forever if it doesn't work out. I guess I'm just feeling the pressure that it needs to as taking husband and kids over and it's me that instigated the move (to be fair husband very excited about it though).

[Want2bSupermum]

If you can get enough rent to cover your mortgage it's a very good idea to keep your home in the UK. Once you know what you are doing then sell. I will always keep a home in the UK, in part because it is an excellent place to retire to during the winter months.

[Vagabond]

You will LOVE living in Canada and your DCs will thank you forever (if and when you have them). Don't get the comments about Justin Trudeau or his father....not a helpful post (why do people bother?). Good luck!

[madwomanbackintheattic]

Lol vagabond, Justin is marmite. don't take life so seriously.

Moose, in your neck of the woods I'd be careful about admitting you like him. You'll be run out of town I think he's ace in a completely 'how on earth did this nice boy get elected?' sorta way. Dd1 met Notley at a thing last month and was mildly interested but not overwhelmed with enthusiasm. I can't see her lasting much longer in any case!!

Op, when do you fly? If you are in Fredericton we'll pop round for tea and cake in August.

[lamprey42]

Just wanted to say thank you for all the reassuring comments. Feeling much better about it all and have things booked for heading out start July. Good to remember it doesn't have to be forever. Supermum we looked at renting but our property is in NI so expat mortgages almost impossible to get (tenants have different rights here) - shame as rental market v good. Madwoman we're going to be in St Andrews - getting my head around geography still too far for ?

[Want2bSupermum]

I didn't know that about NI. My mortgage had a clause to say if you move abroad you pay 0.125% extra interest. I have had mortgages taken out since I moved away and yes those are expat mortgages (which are a nightmare).