Canada 2012

[westcoastnortherner]

So I noticed that there is a thread for America 2012, and I thought it would be nice to have a Canadian one too. So we can chat or if anyone has any questions I'm sure someone will be able to help...

I moved to Victoria, BC three years ago I have two DC'S and I am a SAHM.

Hi there! We're in Montreal, have been here 3.5yrs. I work and have 2 boys. One born here, one in UK. Thank goodness this winter has been mild so far but missing the lack of snow on the other hand. I remember last year we were shovelling it every other day.

Aaah, missing Canada (we were in Montreal for 15 months 2003-2004). Had the most amazing time despite the coldest winter for a long time (reached -40C for about 3 days). Would love to go back... Have some lovely friends there.

Hi! Montreal sounds lovely, it's on my list of places to visit :)

As for the winter here, it snowed for a couple of days last month, and it was total chaos... The Victorians are not used to snow lol

I was here first time round in 2004 too, for 6mths. I still remember my first winter withe huge fluffy snowflakes coming down and Me walking around with a stupid grin on my face. We lived in BC 2 years ago too for 8mths, so beautiful up there. Quebec is totally different, a bit scruffy and no mountains to speak of, humid in summer too. We're enjoying it and I look forward to the boys learning more French, one starts school in sept, but it itchy feet are almost getting the better of me.

Hi, we moved from uk to Vancouver in 2004 with our then 1 y/o DS. Since then we have had two more DSs. We love it and want to stay.

Am rather jealous that the uk are getting a proper winter though. None of that here.

Nice to chat with other expats in Canada!

Hi! We brought our children to Vancouver four years ago. We have bought a house and the children have settled in really well. I am really looking forward to a trip home next year.

Where did you live Notness? We were in Somerled Ave in NDG, very near that school that everyone wants to get into (we didn't!). The children went to Willingdon, 2 blocks away from our house. Had an absolutely fab year.

We will probably have to move to the mainland this summer for DH's work... I may well be asking advice soon about places to live. We looked at Maple ridge, you seem to get quite a bit for your money in that direction.

Morning all!
We've been here for two and a half years this time, but spent three years here before as well. Three dcs and currently unemployable locally apparently... so have lots of volunteering stuff going on and am finishing my MSc I started in the UK by distance...

Albertan Rockies. Tis beautiful but unseasonably warm at the mo. Plenty of snow on the hills though and the skiing is awesome.

Dh is currently looking for a new job, so there might be a bit of a shake-up chez out soonish, but we probably won't move tbh. The kids are settled and it's a great place. (we have PR so no TWP ishoos)

Am toying with the idea of getting a houseboat on the Shuswap in the summer... Anyone done it before?

We had two weeks of -40 in Jan, duchesse . Tis bee yoo tiful now though. (not holding breath. Three more months of winter yet...)

Hi all I'm in Victoria with DH & DS I am a SAHM moved here 14 months ago. Very homesick at first now I love it here!, never imagined I would say that what a difference a year makes :)

Hi Fizzbungle I was really homesick the first year too!

Where in Victoria are you? We are in Langford.

Feel free to PM me if you are ever in need of any advice (eg. For good schools, a British butchers, kids activities) or a chat x

We're in Victoria village in westmount duchesse. Which school do they all want into? Our eldest will go to Roslyn this Sept. it seems to be a great school, and as our company doesn't pay private any longer, we hope it is!

Hello! We moved to Toronto in Sept 2011 and are loving it so far. It's only for 2 years with DH's job but we're going to make the most of it. He's off to Montreal today for the week on business and I'm jealous that I didn't get to go with him and also a bit lonely :(

Hello!

I've been in Toronto for nearly ten years; I moved here with my Canadian husband, and we now have a 1yo DS. I love it here!

Hey Westcoastnortherner i'm in Vic West/Esquimalt so not to far away I will pm you for some ideas if that ok. :)

No problem Fizzbungle! :)

Also i'm not sure if you did this last year or not but be a tourist in your own town is back on www.attractionsvictoria.com/bat/

As is dine around Victoria ( this was good value last year) www.tourismvictoria.com/content.aspx?f=General/DineAround&p=menu_list.html

I'm very excited, My Mum flys out on Saturday, with marmite, tea, hugs and baby sitting woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Did you say your Mum is bringing over TEA, Westcoast? You jammy thing, I'm so jealous! My Mum is coming over in April with one case full of tea bags, then I can chuck the Red Rose out!

Lol Annie, we had birds last week.

I'm sad to confirm that the ils largely ship bisto gravy granules. We manage everything else....

There are expat shops in Calgary but they are extortionate! And I can't be arsed to do the drive anyway. I did learn that one liquor store stocks pimms though...

Marmite

We do have expat shops here and shops like thriftys have alot of british stuff, but it can be expensive, its free when mum brings it over ;)

Hello! We moved to Toronto last Spring...well, nearly Spring, was Spring when we left Ireland but arrived to Winter here! :)

I have 2 DCs aged 18 mths and 4 now. (well, very nearly 4).

We lived quite centrally during the summer but have now bought and are semi-suburban. Loving Toronto so far and much less homesick than I thought I'd be.

Unfortunately, I am working full-time - lucky to get the job and the work permit but would rather have a day or 2 as a SAHM.