Immigrating to Canada in 96 hours!
Discussion
Leithen said:
Do you still have to speak/pass a French (or something resembling French) exam?
To get PR or Permanant residence you have to take either or both: English and French language exams. they provide points towards being drawn.You don't need it for a Visa, Work Permit etc. (Thank god!)
bmwmike said:
Well done and congrats on the move. I lived in Toronto (North York area) for 4 years and loved it. Was there 2004 to 2008.
Not much else to cover beyond what others have said.
Good luck.
Thanks bmwmikeNot much else to cover beyond what others have said.
Good luck.
May I ask, did you move back through choice or were you seconded for 4 yeras?
dsgrnmcm said:
Thanks bmwmike
May I ask, did you move back through choice or were you seconded for 4 yeras?
Ah that's a touchy subject hehe. I moved there with work and with my then girlfriend (now wife) and she wanted to move back to Europe after about 4 years, so we did a 4 month rtw trip enroute back. I didn't really want to leave but in hindsight I'm glad we did, as lots of family stuff happened and I got to be around for that. We had a good innings and I wouldn't change any of it. Fantastic experience, made lots of good friends and Canadians in general are just brilliant on the whole. May I ask, did you move back through choice or were you seconded for 4 yeras?
bmwmike said:
Ah that's a touchy subject hehe. I moved there with work and with my then girlfriend (now wife) and she wanted to move back to Europe after about 4 years, so we did a 4 month rtw trip enroute back. I didn't really want to leave but in hindsight I'm glad we did, as lots of family stuff happened and I got to be around for that. We had a good innings and I wouldn't change any of it. Fantastic experience, made lots of good friends and Canadians in general are just brilliant on the whole.
Ahh sorry bmwmike maybe this should have been a PM...we at least it was not because Canada is a terrible place!
Another fellow Brit in Canada here, however i'm in BC, the more beautiful mountainous part of Canada.... 
I've been here over 3 years now, lived in various countries beforehand. I'm PR and currently waiting for my citizenship to come through. Love the outdoor lifestyle, vast mountains and having a decent sized house, land and an all important big garage for the toys. Skiing in winter (proper snow and winter), dirt biking, mountain biking in the summers. Ease of access to California as well.
No real gripes, other than cost of some cars are high, choice of decent cars can be slim on the ground (here on the west coast anyway), and paying tax on used cars is annoying. But then again, I've imported a car from the US as well, so not the end of the world if you're prepaid to handle the red tape.
Decent estate cars (aka Wagons!) are very few an far between. BMW Canada won't bring in the newer 3 series touring (last ones were the F31 and no 335i or 340i flavours) and no 5 series touring neither, unless you can find a ropey old 2006 model. No RS4 or C63 estates neither. Certainly no new M3 touring. Boohoo
'British style' Heinz baked beans you can buy here ain't that bad, but still not as good as those back home.
on the latter part of this. Very true.
I've been here over 3 years now, lived in various countries beforehand. I'm PR and currently waiting for my citizenship to come through. Love the outdoor lifestyle, vast mountains and having a decent sized house, land and an all important big garage for the toys. Skiing in winter (proper snow and winter), dirt biking, mountain biking in the summers. Ease of access to California as well.
No real gripes, other than cost of some cars are high, choice of decent cars can be slim on the ground (here on the west coast anyway), and paying tax on used cars is annoying. But then again, I've imported a car from the US as well, so not the end of the world if you're prepaid to handle the red tape.
Decent estate cars (aka Wagons!) are very few an far between. BMW Canada won't bring in the newer 3 series touring (last ones were the F31 and no 335i or 340i flavours) and no 5 series touring neither, unless you can find a ropey old 2006 model. No RS4 or C63 estates neither. Certainly no new M3 touring. Boohoo
'British style' Heinz baked beans you can buy here ain't that bad, but still not as good as those back home.
fttm said:
Haha all three items available in my corner store , and I live in buttf@ck nowhere Saskatchewan, generally most Walmarts have international isles , Branston HP Hobnobs etc . BTW don't pay too much attention to Ontarios view on Western Canada , few have ever been here and most think Toronto is the centre of the universe , it isn't .
on the latter part of this. Very true. Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 26th January 00:49
OP , I have seen it happen too many times before so here goes . Rule #1 do not go spending fortunes on cars skidoo’s boats or whatever until you in are totally settled and established in your own property. Buy a cheap and cheerful Grand Cherokee/Durango or similar, few years old , small depreciation and decent running costs , suit you both fine , reckon I was 5 yrs in before toys started arriving. Best of luck , Canada is a breath of fresh air despite that Trudeau git .
[quote=Rich_AR]Another fellow Brit in Canada here, however i'm in BC, the more beautiful mountainous part of Canada....
.
Decent estate cars (aka Wagons!) are very few an far between. BMW Canada won't bring in the newer 3 series touring (last ones were the F31 and no 335i or 340i flavours) and no 5 series touring neither, unless you can find a ropey old 2006 model. No RS4 or C63 estates neither. Certainly no new M3 touring. Boohoo
[quote=fttm]
They are however bringing in the Audi RS6 wagon which is very cool
.
Decent estate cars (aka Wagons!) are very few an far between. BMW Canada won't bring in the newer 3 series touring (last ones were the F31 and no 335i or 340i flavours) and no 5 series touring neither, unless you can find a ropey old 2006 model. No RS4 or C63 estates neither. Certainly no new M3 touring. Boohoo
[quote=fttm]
They are however bringing in the Audi RS6 wagon which is very cool
fttm said:
OP , I have seen it happen too many times before so here goes . Rule #1 do not go spending fortunes on cars skidoo’s boats or whatever until you in are totally settled and established in your own property. Buy a cheap and cheerful Grand Cherokee/Durango or similar, few years old , small depreciation and decent running costs , suit you both fine , reckon I was 5 yrs in before toys started arriving. Best of luck , Canada is a breath of fresh air despite that Trudeau git .
We sold our properties cars etc , left 2 perfectly good jobs , and dragged two young children plus a German Shepherd over here . Was it worth it ? Hell yeah . Could I do it again ? Doubtful Welcome to Canada!
Moved to Vancouver last February and don't ever want to go back to the UK.
My tips are make sure you get your SIN as soon as possible after you land and keep your addresses up to date for government documents if you need to Air BnB as they cannot deliver to PO boxes I believe. If you want to stay here long term, you'll need to build up credit history which is tough to begin with, mortgages need 3 years of tax returns to be able to apply as well and it's expensive. Lastly car related, you'll get awful finance rates in vehicles so second hand maybe your only option for the short term. At least car insurance in ON is cheap!
Moved to Vancouver last February and don't ever want to go back to the UK.
My tips are make sure you get your SIN as soon as possible after you land and keep your addresses up to date for government documents if you need to Air BnB as they cannot deliver to PO boxes I believe. If you want to stay here long term, you'll need to build up credit history which is tough to begin with, mortgages need 3 years of tax returns to be able to apply as well and it's expensive. Lastly car related, you'll get awful finance rates in vehicles so second hand maybe your only option for the short term. At least car insurance in ON is cheap!
WoolyFox said:
Welcome to Canada!
Moved to Vancouver last February and don't ever want to go back to the UK.
My tips are make sure you get your SIN as soon as possible after you land and keep your addresses up to date for government documents if you need to Air BnB as they cannot deliver to PO boxes I believe. If you want to stay here long term, you'll need to build up credit history which is tough to begin with, mortgages need 3 years of tax returns to be able to apply as well and it's expensive. Lastly car related, you'll get awful finance rates in vehicles so second hand maybe your only option for the short term. At least car insurance in ON is cheap!
I got a great mortgage with only 1 year tax return filed (in 2020) and i'd only been in the country 4 months at that point. Moved to Vancouver last February and don't ever want to go back to the UK.
My tips are make sure you get your SIN as soon as possible after you land and keep your addresses up to date for government documents if you need to Air BnB as they cannot deliver to PO boxes I believe. If you want to stay here long term, you'll need to build up credit history which is tough to begin with, mortgages need 3 years of tax returns to be able to apply as well and it's expensive. Lastly car related, you'll get awful finance rates in vehicles so second hand maybe your only option for the short term. At least car insurance in ON is cheap!
Unless the rules have changed (or it's different for those on working visas?)
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 26th January 14:55
dsgrnmcm said:
phumy said:
What did you do in the RN and what job are you doing now in Canada?
Hi phumyI was a Dabber then went SUY in the MOB. I'm doing a bit of Business Development, Contract management and Ship Brokering in Canada. Which probably means loads of bag carrying and tea making. (no change there then)
phumy said:
Is SUY a bit like Mid-shipman <spit>, I was in the RN `71 to `78 and not heard of SUY. Congrats on the move and hope it all goes well for you and your family.
Morning phumyApologies for the matelot slang, still getting used to being out.
Loved the "Officers Spit" line. You got to love them, who else is going to keep the stewards busy when everyone else is working!
I joined as a rating in 1999, Became a Chief Buffer (Seaman, let the jokes start....then crossed to the dark side to SUY Senior Upper Yards man or Officer Commissioned from the Ranks . Al the old fart senior Ratings start as subbies, then go to LT after a year. It keeps changing. I got to the dizzy heights as a Lt Cdr, then left the month the signal came out.
I loved every minute of it, and I would explore everyone and anyone to join the Armed Forces (Even the RAF) and also the Reserves!
What's not to like, you get a free hat, loads of tea, get to clean toilets around the world and no matter what climate you are in there will be a roast on Sunday!
Wow even more PH'ers
sounds like the making of a monster road trip! (mainly the west coast....)
So the van is here (I think they have over estimated our "stuff")
Rich Ar
Thats good news to hear about the mortgage, I'm seconded to Ottawa for 12 months' ish, then will go to Quebec or stay here and will need to buy a house.
fttm
Thats a good point, I think luckily we are constrained by a single parking space, and we just want something we are used to, will eventually become the Mrs car. so a 2017 / 2018 BMW or Audi 4x4 thing.
Although we met some friends out there who have the whole set up: Big truck, Jeep thing, snow mobile, jet ski, boat, quad bike.
I'd be happy with 2 cars and a garage......
RDMcG
I did find a RS6 on Car Gurus but that price... Link
I don't seem to be able to find many cars on Ebay Canada, unless I'm being a bit thick.
WollyFox
Ahh nice so you are fresh off the boat!
How have you found it so far?
How was getting SIN / Drivers Licence / car insurance / Health care etc.
Are the mortgage requirements different state to state?
As ever thanks for the interest and input!
sounds like the making of a monster road trip! (mainly the west coast....)
So the van is here (I think they have over estimated our "stuff")
Rich Ar
Thats good news to hear about the mortgage, I'm seconded to Ottawa for 12 months' ish, then will go to Quebec or stay here and will need to buy a house.
fttm
Thats a good point, I think luckily we are constrained by a single parking space, and we just want something we are used to, will eventually become the Mrs car. so a 2017 / 2018 BMW or Audi 4x4 thing.
Although we met some friends out there who have the whole set up: Big truck, Jeep thing, snow mobile, jet ski, boat, quad bike.
I'd be happy with 2 cars and a garage......
RDMcG
I did find a RS6 on Car Gurus but that price... Link
I don't seem to be able to find many cars on Ebay Canada, unless I'm being a bit thick.
WollyFox
Ahh nice so you are fresh off the boat!
How have you found it so far?
How was getting SIN / Drivers Licence / car insurance / Health care etc.
Are the mortgage requirements different state to state?
As ever thanks for the interest and input!
Cheers for sharing and good luck with it. I've considered it but not bitten the bullet for various reasons that are mainly around my family/mum that i would leave behind.
My Dad moved with his wife and my 3 half brothers in 2008 to BC / White Rock area. I visited and loved it. I went travelling when I was younger and BC is the only place I would consider moving to from the UK
He then got a new job Toronto way (well miles away actually - Sault Ste Marie) and whilst a lot cheaper and under snow for half the year I didn't like the area as much as BC. I get the impression my half brothers opportunities would have been a lot better for them in BC (or the UK).
They all seem happy enough though aside from his wife missing friends and family. I rarely see any of them and cannot justify the expense on my family budget to go out there with any regularity so for me that is the sole consideration that would hold me back on what I leave behind i.e. I have zero relationship with my father as we're the type of people that look at the floor over a glass of wine but are content in our company rather staring at each others faces making conversation on skype.
My Dad moved with his wife and my 3 half brothers in 2008 to BC / White Rock area. I visited and loved it. I went travelling when I was younger and BC is the only place I would consider moving to from the UK
He then got a new job Toronto way (well miles away actually - Sault Ste Marie) and whilst a lot cheaper and under snow for half the year I didn't like the area as much as BC. I get the impression my half brothers opportunities would have been a lot better for them in BC (or the UK).
They all seem happy enough though aside from his wife missing friends and family. I rarely see any of them and cannot justify the expense on my family budget to go out there with any regularity so for me that is the sole consideration that would hold me back on what I leave behind i.e. I have zero relationship with my father as we're the type of people that look at the floor over a glass of wine but are content in our company rather staring at each others faces making conversation on skype.
dsgrnmcm said:
Wow even more PH'ers
sounds like the making of a monster road trip! (mainly the west coast....)
So the van is here (I think they have over estimated our "stuff")
Rich Ar
Thats good news to hear about the mortgage, I'm seconded to Ottawa for 12 months' ish, then will go to Quebec or stay here and will need to buy a house.
fttm
Thats a good point, I think luckily we are constrained by a single parking space, and we just want something we are used to, will eventually become the Mrs car. so a 2017 / 2018 BMW or Audi 4x4 thing.
Although we met some friends out there who have the whole set up: Big truck, Jeep thing, snow mobile, jet ski, boat, quad bike.
I'd be happy with 2 cars and a garage......
RDMcG
I did find a RS6 on Car Gurus but that price... Link
I don't seem to be able to find many cars on Ebay Canada, unless I'm being a bit thick.
WollyFox
Ahh nice so you are fresh off the boat!
How have you found it so far?
How was getting SIN / Drivers Licence / car insurance / Health care etc.
Are the mortgage requirements different state to state?
As ever thanks for the interest and input!
SIN is easy - just go to a Service Canada (if still possible, it was pre-Covid) or apply online: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-develop...sounds like the making of a monster road trip! (mainly the west coast....)
So the van is here (I think they have over estimated our "stuff")
Rich Ar
Thats good news to hear about the mortgage, I'm seconded to Ottawa for 12 months' ish, then will go to Quebec or stay here and will need to buy a house.
fttm
Thats a good point, I think luckily we are constrained by a single parking space, and we just want something we are used to, will eventually become the Mrs car. so a 2017 / 2018 BMW or Audi 4x4 thing.
Although we met some friends out there who have the whole set up: Big truck, Jeep thing, snow mobile, jet ski, boat, quad bike.
I'd be happy with 2 cars and a garage......
RDMcG
I did find a RS6 on Car Gurus but that price... Link
I don't seem to be able to find many cars on Ebay Canada, unless I'm being a bit thick.
WollyFox
Ahh nice so you are fresh off the boat!
How have you found it so far?
How was getting SIN / Drivers Licence / car insurance / Health care etc.
Are the mortgage requirements different state to state?
As ever thanks for the interest and input!
In BC, drivers license exchange was easy, 20 mins max. Not sure how that is in other provinces, but no doubt the shame. You will need to give-up an hand in your UK license however.
In BC, there is only one insurance company, ran be the BC gov (and its not cheap), but in other provinces you can choose from a few companies. Others in Ontario will be able to comment on this.
Cars - worth looking on Autotrader.ca, but also search the BMW/Audi (for example) pre-owned network. Also contact the local dealerships, chat with a salesman and tell them what you want and keep you posted on end of lease cars. My last BMW wasn't even advertised online, it was about to come in from off-lease and they called me as it met the spec I wanted.
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 26th January 15:08
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