I moved to Canada from the UK, AMA

[Ferdagirls]

I saw another thread that was 'i moved from US to UK AMA'. This is (kind of!) a reverse. I have lived here for 5.5 years and doubt I will ever leave.

You wouldn't go back for all that breath taking scenery. I hear its beautiful.

What first surprised you when you came here?

I spent a month there about 20 years, stayed all over. I really left my heart there - will go back when the expensive DC have left home!

Where do you live, and why did you move there?

(Am I allowed two?)

Whereabouts in Canada OP? Did you have a job to move to?

Oh I would love to visit Canada. My parents have been and my aunt and uncle live there right by the Ottawa river in Fitzroy harbour. Their photos of the place look amazing. I would love to visit if I could afford it.

What first surprised me when I came here? How kind everyone was! I was taking public transport and I didn't know i needed exact change for the fare so I was trying to give a $5 note for a $2.50 fare and the bus drivers wouldn't take it. They let me ride for free instead. If they had taken the $5 note they wouldn't have been able to give me any change.

Where do I live? I live in a town in BC, lots of mountains and lakes and huge trees.

Did I have a job to move to? I did not, I came here on a working holiday visa (you are eligible under the age of 31) and so I came with no job. I got one a couple of weeks after arriving.

For everyone saying it's beautiful here. . .it really is heaven on earth :)

Why?

Why? Easy. I went on a ski holiday to Canada when I was a teenager and literally f e l l I n l o v e with the country. I went home back to the UK and had a burning desire to go back but to live there and experience it properly. It never quite left my mind over the years.

How funny op. I am on hols in a mountain town in BC. Travelling around. I adore Canada and can totally see why you love it. We keep coming back. People are so friendly and the country is stunning. Have some amazing Canadian friends and colleagues.

What do you miss about Home?

How did you manage to stay on a working visa?

Following

What do I miss about home? Hmmm prawn cocktail crisps!! British tv (but we can watch that here over the internet)

How did I manage to stay on a working visa? So I applied for a one year working holiday visa when I was in the UK. That was successful and I went to Canada. Whilst here I decided I wanted more time so I applied for another year and that was also successful. But two was the maximum. So I applied for residency through my job (supervisor in a small family owned retail store) and I became a resident! In a few months I can apply to be a citizen and I will have a Canadian passport :)

You are living my dream. I adore Canada and have travelled extensively on the west coast. My question is how do you cope with the winters?

Winters can be quite mild where I am. Worst I ever endured was three weeks of minus 17. But that's toasty compared to other parts of Canada! Proper boots and clothes are all you need to stay warm. I have walked to work in my snow pants before :)

I was starting to wonder whether you lived near me (Northern BC) until you mentioned mild winters - I'm a bit jealous now! I love living in the mountains but the novelty of -30C on a regular basis, and sometimes below -40C, is wearing off a bit after 13 years... Unfortunately anywhere that looks like where I live, but with milder climate, is naturally sooooooo much more pricey!

Do you ever see yourself moving back to the UK?

No, I never see myself moving back to the UK. It never crossed my mind. Do you?

Am on hols in Canada at the moment. Can also totally see why you chose to settle here. Why do they tie ribbons to trees sometimes?

By ribbons I'm guessing you mean the bright plastic "flagging" tape? It's multi-purpose, but used to mark trails, surveyors use it to indicate boundaries (property/logging areas/etc.) We also use it sometimes on our own property to mark a tree that needs to be felled - e.g. beetle kill, or one that's too close to the power line.

Ferdagirls - Nope, I love it here, but I would definitely like to move somewhere with less harsh winters (within Canada) when I get old.

Do you find it more laid back in Canada?

Do you have to fulfil any criteria to be allowed to stay OP? DH and I fantasised about moving to Canada years ago. But I assumed as I wasn't "useful" ie doctor, engineer etc I wouldn't be allowed to stay?

The question about ribbons was already answered :) as an avid hiker, ribbons always mean a trail to me!

Mmer. . . Yes I think Canada is generally more laid back. I don't see a 'lad' culture amongst young men in Canada that you get on the UK. They do tend to be more polite.

Puppymouse.. . On the working holiday visa that I initially arrived on the only criteria was to be under 31 and to have a couple of grand in the bank. Once I was here and had a job and was in a more senior level (which my employer created for me just so I could stay in country) I was able to apply for residency. My job was just a supervisor in a family owned retail store (not a chain) so hardly as important as a doctor etc! I only have a degree in English lit ;)

That's really interesting! I would fail the 31 age bit but I also have a degree in Eng Lit!

Ooh we’d love to move to Canada - which sounds very naive given we’ve never visited (well, except Niagara Falls 😄). I’m glad it seems to live up to it’s chilled, friendly reputation. I have no idea what we’d do there, although the cake industry is amazing there and I teach decorating so 👍🏻 It looks like such a gorgeous country!

Do you have kids - how is the schooling?

No kids so I unfortunately can't answer that one!