Moving to Canada

[Premi5]

Dear Sangat

I am thinking of moving to Canada - specifically around Vancouver area. There are job opportunities for me

I would like to be near the city, but not living in it. Up to 25 miles

I am aware that there is large Sikh community which will be helpful.

What are good areas to live, but which are not ghettoised ? I am only aware of Surrey which seems to be a nice area. Mission apparently not a great place

Anyone made the move? What about getting housing, food etc

[Ranjeet01]

First question is where do you live at the moment?

Second question is have you been to Canada?

Third question, do you have any relatives/friends in Canada?

Fourth question, are you looking to go there on points system?

[Premi5]

54 minutes ago, Ranjeet01 said:

First question is where do you live at the moment?

Second question is have you been to Canada?

Third question, do you have any relatives/friends in Canada?

Fourth question, are you looking to go there on points system?

I live just outside London

I have not yet been to Canada- plan to visit within a few months

I only have friends of friends or relatives of relatives in Canada. One of these is in Surrey and is a 'Realtor'

I will have no problems with points system due to nature of my job which will mean it's easy for me to go to any province

[Ranjeet01]

57 minutes ago, Premi5 said:

I live just outside London

I have not yet been to Canada- plan to visit within a few months

I only have friends of friends or relatives of relatives in Canada. One of these is in Surrey and is a 'Realtor'

I will have no problems with points system due to nature of my job which will mean it's easy for me to go to any province

It is best to visit.

Go there with an objective mind.

It is important to look from several factors:

-Employment  (remember that Canada likes to have something called 'Canadian Experience ', they may not recognise your qualifications and experience. You may need to re-train or go to a more junior role)

-Housing (it is very expensive out there, probably more expensive than the UK)

-Cost of Living (some things are more expensive there)

-Schooling (if you have kids)

You will have a different perspective to someone going from Punjab.

Therefore your thinking is going to be more from a British perspective. 

There is a show on BBC called Wanted Down Under. Even though this for British Expats looking to Australia and New Zealand, there are a lot of useful pointers and you can adapt that to Canada.

There is also a website called Britishexpats.com, quite useful.

Also when you go out there talk to apneh who moved from the UK, that will provide the best insight.

Best of Luck!

 

[MisterrSingh]

Promise us you won't change your name from Premi to Pauly.

[kangw]

4 hours ago, Premi5 said:

Dear Sangat

I am thinking of moving to Canada - specifically around Vancouver area. There are job opportunities for me

I would like to be near the city, but not living in it. Up to 25 miles

I am aware that there is large Sikh community which will be helpful.

What are good areas to live, but which are not ghettoised ? I am only aware of Surrey which seems to be a nice area. Mission apparently not a great place

Anyone made the move? What about getting housing, food etc

Why would you want to move to a crap country? If you are that desperate to move come to NZ instead. 

[Premi5]

2 hours ago, kangw said:

Why would you want to move to a crap country? If you are that desperate to move come to NZ instead. 

What is c*** about Canada ?

Thanks

[MisterrSingh]

23 minutes ago, Premi5 said:

What is c*** about Canada ?

Thanks

It's Little Punjab.

Will your spirit withstand the eventual crushing realisation that you've surrounded yourself with morons? Wealthy, upwardly mobile, and a few other "pleasing" surface accoutrements, but morons nonetheless.

[Dsinghd]

I have cousins in Canada and NZ.

But i prefer Canada (5 hour flight) to NZ (24 hour flight).

[Guest jigsaw_puzzled-singh]

7 hours ago, Premi5 said:

Dear Sangat

I am thinking of moving to Canada

OK Good. You've obviously visited alot - liked what you experienced and have now decided to make the big move ?

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I have not yet been to Canada

Oh Jesus Christ !!!  

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I would like to be near the city, but not living in it. Up to 25 miles

You've just described 95% of the Canadian Sikh community. Only 5% actually live in big, internationally known cities, such as Toronto or Vancouver. The other 95% live in totally different and separate cities that are close to the aforementioned cities, such as the City of Brampton or the City of Surrey. However, once you become Canadian you will become like them and tell the rest of the world you live in Toronto or Vancouver.

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I am aware that there is large Sikh community

I would hope you were "aware". It is, after all, the largest and most well known Sikh community in the world. Even sheep farmers in Bulgaria are "aware".

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What are good areas to live, but which are not ghettoised ? I am only aware of Surrey which seems to be a nice area.

 You really do need to visit Canada before making the decision to emigrate mate. Surrey's national reputation in Canada is one of drugs, homelessness, crime and chavs.

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Anyone made the move? 

Yes you know full well I lived there. I've written so extensively here about the neighbourhood we lived in (the old traditional Sikh neighbourhood of the City of Vancouver - the Sunset neighbourhood) - that I really shouldn't have to write about it again. Shouldn't and won't.

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What about getting housing, food etc

Everything except petrol and coffee cost a lot more than the UK. And I mean a HELLAVA LOT MORE !!   

 

Finally. Ranjeet is actually absolutely correct with what he said about the employment situation. It's not like the UK where getting good jobs is so easy. In Canada, even Canadian born graduates spend ages and literally hundreds if not thousands of applications before they land a decent job. And, it's not like the UK where international qualifications are counted the same as domestic ones. Canada quite simply does NOT in any shape or form recognise international qualifications, including from the UK. I know highly educated and experienced people there from places like Germany, the UK and Poland etc that work as cleaners there because Canada doesn't recognise their qualifications. It's hard enough getting a good educated job there even when you're Canadian. You'd be very naive if you think they're gonna make it easy for you.