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Original poster

Holy fucknuggets. It's really happening. The Big Bad Move to The Great White North.

232 replies

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 23/11/2015 20:40

I am FREAKING out.

DH accepted a job today in our home country. We have told the kids. I have to tell work tomorrow.

He is starting in January. The DC and I will finish out the school year, sell the flat and follow.

Freaking out doesn't cover it actually. Fuck fuck fuck.

OP posts:
FishOn · 24/11/2015 18:34

whereabouts Hearts?

-10 and snowing in Calgary today Grin

FruVikingessOla · 24/11/2015 18:46

I would think about getting your flat on the market not that long after the New Year. Well, at least start talking to some good agents not long after the New Year - because you have a specific timeline for your move.

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 24/11/2015 18:58

That's so lovely, the smiling as you came in from work thing.

And sleeping well must mean that any worries can be overcome.

I think you're gonna be fine, that's making me smile Grin

Mummylin · 24/11/2015 19:17

"Hearts" it will so nice for your mum after the last few months, I'm sure it will do her the world of good to have you around.

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 24/11/2015 21:21

Fish better you than me honey. We are only going to Toronto - although DBro gleefully told me on Skype just now that it was snowing last night Grin

BBB I missed your suggestion earlier about leaving school early... interesting.... it hadn't occurred to me that we could do that! Definitely food for thought.

OP posts:
Gladysandtheflathamsandwich · 24/11/2015 21:28

Yeah, why not leave school early? You are not taking them out for a holiday, you are moving and they are coming off the school roll so there will be no fines or what have you's.

And if you can get there earlier, you could use the extra time before their new school year starts to get them up to speed on their new curriculum etc, maybe even use a tutor if funds would allow.

Also, the more of the school hols they have the more likely they are to have a set of friends in place when they start school which is bound to be a bonus.

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 24/11/2015 21:44

Gladys and the summer hols in Toronto are a lot longer, but then there is no October half term so they go straight through to Christmas - so good idea to have them rested.

I am thinking Fru is right and we should list the flat earlier rather than later. I was thinking Easter but if we want to complete in June, earlier would be better....

I am making a mental list of stuff to discuss with DH.

OP posts:
Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 24/11/2015 21:47

Mummylin she is SO happy. It was her birthday yesterday, and after we told the girls, we skyped her and they were so excited and she was the most animated I have seen her since DDad died. It was so great. Best birthday present ever.

Friday will be 3 months. Unreal.

OP posts:
BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 24/11/2015 22:06

Well, having made the decision, yes, you may as well crack on with everything.

Selling property can be painfully slow and it's a lot easier to slow it down to suit you (every other bugger seems to) than speed it up.
Even if you're not in a chain which you won't be.

The DCs could even maybe have a couple of weeks at their new school before it breaks for summer, giving them more social opportunities during the holidays.

NOT trying to speed your departure btw Grin

FishOn · 25/11/2015 16:24

ah it's not so bad Grin

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 25/11/2015 18:28

So everyone at work knows now. And the DDs school.

Very emotional few days telling all my colleagues etc but it's done now and it is such a relief to be able to talk about it IRL.

Listed on Au Pair World this afternoon and got 4 replies within an hour!

OP posts:
Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 25/11/2015 18:32

BBB we are now considering not selling up in London - keeping our place here, renting it out, and renting ourselves in TO until we have enough of a credit history to get a good mortgage there. Our flat earns more money than I do every year when you look at property price increases.

DH is a demon with a spreadsheet so no doubt he will be building a financial model where we can work it all out Grin

But there is the hassle of being an absentee landlord too...

Fish - but it's a dry cold right Wink

OP posts:
FruVikingessOla · 25/11/2015 18:49

Hearts. That is good news about your flat here in London. It would certainly make your move back to Canada much easier, because you don't have to worry about the timeline of selling it.

I think that you live in an area where the flat would be eminently lettable. Find a good lettings agent that does 'managed lettings'. Yes, you have to pay a bit more, but when you're 0000's of miles away, then they can deal with any issues.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 25/11/2015 18:50

Marking place because you sound so excited OP Grin. I have cousins who grew up in Toronto and still there, I have a fondness for the place, and Canadians - they're lovely in general.

What do your DD's say about it all?

Keep us posted on your progress so we can be with you on your journey with all its trials and tribulations. Very exciting.

BIWI · 25/11/2015 18:57

Wow! Exciting, Hearts! A long way for us to come for the next meet up though Hmm

madwomanbackintheattic · 25/11/2015 19:04

Oh it's a dry cold all right. My pissing hair froze this morning but only -17 so far. They are currently trucking snow away from our street so there is enough room for actual cars. So far it has taken three graders, two ploughs and four massive trucks two days.

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 25/11/2015 19:13

I remember one time as a teenager or I might have been in uni, we were about 3 hours north of Quebec City, so proper frozen. It was so cold that your spit would freeze before it hit the ground. Never experienced that before.

OP posts:
BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 25/11/2015 19:13

Oh that's an excellent idea. Removes a whole raft of stress, you can just pick a date and have a tenant lined up. No faffing about with uncertainty and last minute pressure.
I'm sure you can get recommendations for a good managing agent.
Being absentee shouldn't be a problem these days.

I can imagine the relief being able to talk about it freely now, lots of farewell parties coming up Grin

Good to have lots of choice of au pairs Wink

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 25/11/2015 19:15

BIWI I have the perfect venue though. Cottage (Canadian definition not the English one) on Georgian Bay with like 6 bedrooms and 120 feet of shoreline. It's pure bliss up there.

OP posts:
BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 25/11/2015 19:16

We'll just have to charter a plane BIWI, don't we have an MN pilot?

BIWI · 25/11/2015 19:45

That sounds like a plan, BBB!

BIWI · 25/11/2015 19:45

HTD - having been to Campobello island to visit Roosevelt's 'cottage' I know what you mean!

magimedi · 25/11/2015 19:52

BBB - put me down for a window seat (& reclining bed) on that plane, please.

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 25/11/2015 20:00

I think it might be a window seat or reclining bed magi?

Having no experience of reclining beds on aeroplanes I need some guidance here please?

When might you be ready for the invasion Hearts?!

Fiderer · 25/11/2015 20:05

Well Hearts I kind of had in my mind that you're in Canada anyway so all's well