Anyone moved to Canada (Greater Toronto Area)

[babbi]

Hi

We have submitted an application to emigrate to Canada, we have an eye on the (Greater Toronto Area).
We just wondered if anyone has any info/advice that they can share.

Tia

[madwomanintheattic]

any news on exchange date rodgershawk?

waiting for police checks to come back as the final bit. everything is a bit of a rush now as we are actually moving to alberta in august for work... we weren't expecting the pr stuff to happen until we were out there so we've been caught totally on the hop...

i'm glad you all sound more organised than we are!

my worst nightmare is that they turn us down and we have just moved... eek.

good luck all!

[rodgershawk]

The survey has highlighted some damp in the bathroom so have to get that sorted before contracts are exchanged.. our solicitor has drawn up the contract so just have to shell out more money on fixing the bathroom.
Dont really want to leave before pay day in June as need the money!

What police check did you get done madwoman? Im only asking as the normal £10 data protection one is not the right one for Canada anymore, its the ACPO one which is more expensive. This check is only for emigration to Canada, Oz, NZ and USA, you have to send off your photo and get it endorsed (similar to passport) with the application. It takes no more than 10 days to get back.

At least you have job to go to!

[madwomanintheattic]

yes, we've applied for ACRO or whatever it's called now, waiting for them to come back... also need german police checks as we lived there for a couple of years, so have just shelled out to get the applications for them notarised (yes really.) apparently when they get back i also have to get them translated. lol. i can see 6 may appearing on the horizon before i know it!

bad luck on the damp thing - at least it hasn't stopped the sale and should be easily (if financially) fixed... i too am counting pay days... and i definitely don't have enough, job or not lol!

am now starting to panic about medicals, but know that won't be until at least july, so no point really! bit of a gamble as to whether meds will be in UK or canada now lol!

[rodgershawk]

its funny how quick these things are.
One minute its all a waiting game and then its full steam ahead..

[SallyDawson]

Hi, this is my first visit to Mumsnet so hope it's OK to just tag onto an old thread? Hubbie has got a job in Toronto, I know nothing about the area and you guys seems to be a font of knowledge so hoping you'll share some ;) Can anybody offer me any specific advice on residential areas? I don't yet know the location of hubbies office but I'm guessing we want to be within 30-40 minutes of downtown. I want chi-chi neighbourhoods with great schools please! I have one 4 year old daughter. TIA

[madwomanintheattic]

sallydawson - you'll get more replies if you start your own thread in this section i think!

we are in alberta long way from toronto lol, but there are loads of people on britishexpats.com from all over. a good place to try if mumsnet doesn't come up with the goods

(from your other thread though - your daughter is probably junior kindergarten i think - school doesn't really start until 6 but depends on the birth date (it's feb 28 here, not sure about toronto, each province can be slightly different) so you might end up with her at home/ daycare for an extra year....

[rodgershawk]

Hey MWINA

so you are in alberta now!? Hope its going well for you.

We are in Burlington, Ontario, about 45 minutes outside Toronto.. so far so good!
Finally sold the flat in the UK and left a week later..

Sallyd - Oakville and Burlington popular and lovely places to live outside Toronto.

[Buddy80]

Hi RHawk

Hows it going! I was glad to read that you are over in Canada. Hope it's going really well.

[madwomanintheattic]

rhawk - yep, only two weeks in though and on a two year work permit. we had our immigration medicals a week ago though, so maybe (fingers crossed) we'll find out whether we will get pr fairly soon!

how are you finding it? did you manage to hang around until you got your june paycheck? have you started work already? i've got another month to go, so am still unpacking boxes lol... i have no idea why i brought all this stuff with me... and i've got a second shipment coming, too...

[rodgershawk]

MWINA

hey there! arrived three weeks ago! 31st July!
We have done sooo much, got all our banking stuff done (now members of RBC!), got our SIN numbers, got our Ontario drivers licence (license!!) found a place to live (month to month rental until we can find our dream home!) and got our cell phones (using lingo already!)

Only problem is no jobs as yet... Hubby did police tests but dipped on written part.. bloody frustrating as we having been in the job for 14 years!!! didnt do the tests myself as defo would not pass physical... baby fat still there 18 months on!! oh dear..

Going to try to join temping agency.. will let you know!!

let us know how you are getting on!

[rodgershawk]

Buddy - any news your end???

[madwomanintheattic]

we still had our bank account from before lol so one less thing to sort out! i'm going back to the same job i had before, so start my retraining in 3 weeks. pay isn't great but dh is the 'main' earner until we get pr and get the opportunity to move where we want to be instead of where his work is lol. the only issue is i probably have to flagpole to change my status so that i can actually start... i have my letter of approval in principle, but it's probably quicker to head off to coutts rather than post it all and wait....

bad luck on the police thing. do they let him retest after a certain period or not? we have a friend who joined up and gets to wear his cowboy hat every summer when he's on duty at the Stampede, (which he claims to hate, but you can tell he really loves it )

i have to register the dcs for school tomorrow, then they all start the following week (yay). still waiting for our alberta health numbers, but not much we can do about that.

i got persuaded to sign up for skate school and hockey school with a brits laydeez team (mostly total newbies lol) so that should be hilarious. all i have to do now is go and buy skates etc. gulp. i suspect my glorious hockey career will be over by, oo, october? apparently you have to try these things though lol...

well, fab news that you beat us to it (by a week lol)! and you sound soooooo organised!

good luck with jobs

[rodgershawk]

You sound as though you know what you are doing!!!
Its so funny we have been here for 4 weeks today! It has gone so fast but it feels like we have always been here!

Its good you have got your jobs, fingers crossed for your PR's, although it doesnt sound as though you will need any help or luck!

We looked at two nurserys today (should say daycare, as when I say nursery they think ive come to buy plants!)

Very similar to the UK but I think they think that I am being very over the top with the security side of things, im too used to living in London! My 18 month old son will soon have an accent and saying "eh" im sure!

Keep me updated with your news!

[babbi]

Rodgershawk - long time no speak - so delighted that you made it over !! As I said way early in this thread - we wanted to move to Burlington !! You lucky thing !

We still haven't got a plan B for getting there ... seems so long ago since I started this thread ....

anyway good luck with your new life ... keep us all posted on how things are going !

Also good luck to the rest of you !!

[rodgershawk]

Well, things going good and bad here.
The life is great, we have a rental apartment in downtown burlington which is month to month so we are not tied in. Our 18 month old DS is loving it.. But we are having problems with jobs.. It looks like we are going to have to change our direction, my DH says "trust me" and I believe him.. next post will bring some good news.

[Pepa]

Rodgershawk - just wanted to say congrats on getting over here. I was on this thread near the begining and just wanted to pop back to see how things were when I saw it come up in Active Convo's.

You are just down the highway from me in Burlington - maybe its time for a Mumsnet GTA get together!!!

[rodgershawk]

Hey pepa! yes you are in Oakville!
Love that place!!! you have two DC's right? our DS is 19 months tomorrow!
Still job hunting... DH has apt with Halton Regional police on monday.. fingers crossed.. good news soon!

[Buddy80]

Hi Rodgershawk

Just a quick line to see how things are going on the job front and in Canada in general?

[rodgershawk]

Hey Buddy, things here great.. all apart from jobs! We were brought here as skilled workers, and our chosen profession seems to give no credit to our skill/history.. Still job hunting.. Im doing some temping work but not ideal and certainly not stable.. Its good to spend so much time with DH and DS but need money!

Hope next post brings good news..

[babbi]

Hi Rodgershawk

Just wondered how things are going ?
I also wanted to with you all the best for your first festive season in Canada !

XX

[rodgershawk]

Hey Babbi!

good to hear from you!

It really feels like home here now, even though we have only been here for 5 months.
Still no jobs... now THAT is scary...
Have been applying left right and centre for jobs. Hubby has now passed police tests and awaiting to hear if he has passed the paper sift of his application.. fingers crossed big style there.

Apart from no jobs I really like it here. Love Burlington (sorry! ) and love being able to walk along the lake front. My DS is not 22mo and his favourite saying is "hockey eh!" makes me laugh!

It was snowing last week and was cold. Scary on the roads too. It has become milder this week but keep getting warned as to the big chill!

Have you had any more ideas on how to get over? Met a couple yesterday who are here on work permits. They are hoping to apply for PR while they are here.

Will keep you updated! Thanks for the enquiry!

x

[Buddy80]

Hi Rodgershawk,

Glad to hear things are great. We are considering that my hubby takes a 3-month career break from work and we go over to Canada in spring. Try it out for 3-months!

Glad you love Burlington! My LO is a similar age to yours, so really glad he is enjoying it. Have you tried any mum and baby groups? Thats one of my considerations for when we come over, is to see what is about for my LO. I have heard good things!

[rodgershawk]

Hey Buddy.

How did the medicals go?

Good idea for the 3 months. That way you get to travel about. I love Ontario but would consider many other places, including Alberta and BC.

I havent tried any groups.. Really should look into that as need to get out there more IYSWIM. There are alot of other activities that you can sign up for but didnt want to get him enrolled and pay up when I may be working (with any luck!)

Will have a trawl of the net now to see if there is anything nearby. Good time of year to be finding indoor activities!

[Buddy80]

We got PR! Will be flying out to activate it in the new year.

We are looking at Waterloo, initially. But have to see how things go. We think 3-months will let us know how things will go work-wise. Esp as his occupation is 'in-demand'. I'm so glad you are having a good time.

Good luck on the jobs front. Probably pick up in the new year. You must let us know. Btw, how easy was it to secure accomodation?