Joined
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210 Posts
Its been a while since I have been here and would like to tell people I e found since living here
There are jobs galore in Canada depending on where you settle and what you want to do, you must expect to prove yourself and start lower than your grade unless it is agreed beforehand, it takes about 12 months to get to where you were in before settling. You will find the interview process a lot more relaxed than the UK and its not the qualifications its you they are checking out so sell yourself and they might buy.
You can a fast lifestyle
or a slow chilled out life
Cost of living is comparable or more expensive than UK.
Housing is cheaper but expensive to run, depending on what fuel is used to heat your accommodation so balance this up when looking at properties.what you shouldn't forget is that Realtor in principal work for their clients, in truth they both work for the seller. We found that out by being to open when it came to discussing prices and offers in front of our agent. (I asked him if agents are trained in being physic and when I explained it was strange that the other agent knew our offers and what we would expect to pay for the houses before we made them)
he looked very sheepish as he apologized for his transgressions.
The more you pay the more commission they get. If you should buy where the new British have settled be careful the prices have not been driven up by British landed real estate agents to make money off you. Once you have a budget for housing stay within your parameters it is so easy to blow that budget.
We bought a 200 yr old house in a small community knowing it would need some work we had the inspection done and there were no problems we planned a major renovation over a period of 2 years. We got insurance at a cost of 1600cad, this could be reduced once we had a no claims letter from the UK to 900cad.
A month later we got a visit from the insurance companies surveyor who said that the oil tank, roof and chimney had to be rebuilt/replaced immediately and gave us 60 days to complete the work or the insurance would be made void, but due to weather conditions the contractors couldn't work and asked for an extension of time this was refused and the insurance made void.
Petrol is cheaper but if you live in a smaller town away from the cities you will use more to get around for shopping taking the kids to clubs sports etc, so take this into account when looking at the areas where you want to settle ,public transport out of the city zones is limited or non existent.Which of course adds too the cost of running a car, Insurance is comparable if not cheaper tan the UK make sure you take the no claims letter from the UK with you a lot of companies honour the no claims built in the UK. when buying a used car check to see what manufactures warranty is left and if possible purchase extra this could save you a lot of grief.
Food again is comparable but a lot of dairy, chicken and other meat items can be expensive our shopping bill for a a family of 4 can be 900cad per month but if you are willing to scour the shops and use petrol to hunt round it can be cheaper.
Eating out is hit and miss, some of it is cheap and others which you think would be cheaper is more expensive, you must not forget is the tax element when buying unlike most European countries tax is not added to advertise prices so add on the tax when looking at expensive items before you buy also if you purchase certain electrical items there is an added surcharge for disposal at the end of life.
There are shops that offer you British foods at prices that blow your mind and your wallet.
the Canadians are a friendly bunch mostly and are quite welcoming, once they get to know you, but you may find that you have to put your hand out first, they don't suffer fools gladly.and will tell you if you are B*********g. They accept you for who you are and not for what you wear or what you drive and are very community minded.
The most important thing we learned is simple,
You can buy the dream or you can buy your dream, people may say they are the same but if you read and think about it there are vast differences between the statements.
Once you have settled you are spending the Canadian dollar not the converted pound.
All in all we have enjoyed our new experience there have been ups and downs lows and highs but overall the advantages out weigh the disadvantages.
No doubt some one will say I have got it all wrong ,but that is what the forum is all about I can only pass on our experiences
For anyone coming over I wish you luck and hope my ramblings help:confused2:
There are jobs galore in Canada depending on where you settle and what you want to do, you must expect to prove yourself and start lower than your grade unless it is agreed beforehand, it takes about 12 months to get to where you were in before settling. You will find the interview process a lot more relaxed than the UK and its not the qualifications its you they are checking out so sell yourself and they might buy.
You can a fast lifestyle
or a slow chilled out life Cost of living is comparable or more expensive than UK.
Housing is cheaper but expensive to run, depending on what fuel is used to heat your accommodation so balance this up when looking at properties.what you shouldn't forget is that Realtor in principal work for their clients, in truth they both work for the seller. We found that out by being to open when it came to discussing prices and offers in front of our agent. (I asked him if agents are trained in being physic and when I explained it was strange that the other agent knew our offers and what we would expect to pay for the houses before we made them)
he looked very sheepish as he apologized for his transgressions.
The more you pay the more commission they get. If you should buy where the new British have settled be careful the prices have not been driven up by British landed real estate agents to make money off you. Once you have a budget for housing stay within your parameters it is so easy to blow that budget.
We bought a 200 yr old house in a small community knowing it would need some work we had the inspection done and there were no problems we planned a major renovation over a period of 2 years. We got insurance at a cost of 1600cad, this could be reduced once we had a no claims letter from the UK to 900cad.
A month later we got a visit from the insurance companies surveyor who said that the oil tank, roof and chimney had to be rebuilt/replaced immediately and gave us 60 days to complete the work or the insurance would be made void, but due to weather conditions the contractors couldn't work and asked for an extension of time this was refused and the insurance made void.
Petrol is cheaper but if you live in a smaller town away from the cities you will use more to get around for shopping taking the kids to clubs sports etc, so take this into account when looking at the areas where you want to settle ,public transport out of the city zones is limited or non existent.Which of course adds too the cost of running a car, Insurance is comparable if not cheaper tan the UK make sure you take the no claims letter from the UK with you a lot of companies honour the no claims built in the UK. when buying a used car check to see what manufactures warranty is left and if possible purchase extra this could save you a lot of grief.
Food again is comparable but a lot of dairy, chicken and other meat items can be expensive our shopping bill for a a family of 4 can be 900cad per month but if you are willing to scour the shops and use petrol to hunt round it can be cheaper.
Eating out is hit and miss, some of it is cheap and others which you think would be cheaper is more expensive, you must not forget is the tax element when buying unlike most European countries tax is not added to advertise prices so add on the tax when looking at expensive items before you buy also if you purchase certain electrical items there is an added surcharge for disposal at the end of life.
There are shops that offer you British foods at prices that blow your mind and your wallet.
the Canadians are a friendly bunch mostly and are quite welcoming, once they get to know you, but you may find that you have to put your hand out first, they don't suffer fools gladly.and will tell you if you are B*********g. They accept you for who you are and not for what you wear or what you drive and are very community minded.
The most important thing we learned is simple,
You can buy the dream or you can buy your dream
, people may say they are the same but if you read and think about it there are vast differences between the statements.Once you have settled you are spending the Canadian dollar not the converted pound.
All in all we have enjoyed our new experience there have been ups and downs lows and highs but overall the advantages out weigh the disadvantages.
No doubt some one will say I have got it all wrong ,but that is what the forum is all about I can only pass on our experiences
For anyone coming over I wish you luck and hope my ramblings help:confused2:
