British Columbia Group (Vancouver)

[fariza]

Great share for a read and realize Heatspine... Life is not always a fancy specially on arrival to a new country. So any practical guide makes us realistically prepared for what and what not to do... Thanx

 

[kimwayne]

A good read: (lifted from www.byebyeblightly.com)

The Big Mistake

Q. What is the most common mistake in planning a new life in Canada?

A. Spending too much time looking at Canadian real estate websites - spending too little time making sure you will survive financially.

To move to another country, you need strong motivation. Motivation for Canada is easy. Canada simply offers a better quality of life - whether you're moving from a developed country like Britain, or a developing country like India.



Thanks for sharing it and plus 1 for you.It is worth reading after all.I learned something..thank you!!
Canada offers fantastic houses at affordable prices. It does no harm to look at a few houses in Canada - it's great fun, it keeps your Canadian dreams alive, and it gives you some idea of where you might like to live in Canada.

But
Too many people have come to Canada and eaten into their savings, unable to find work. Unless you have an income from investments, your NUMBER 1 priority in planning your move should be to focus on making a living in Canada. More specifically, make sure Canadian employers will accept your qualifications and work experience. More specifically still, ensure you will be able to find work - any kind of work - until your ideal job comes up.

Some migrants, even from developed countries such as the USA and UK have been shocked to discover they need to take extra exams to work in Canada. A further blow many newcomers face is to be offered a job at the bottom of the career ladder, after leaving more senior positions in their home countries. It happens this way for many immigrants. The consolation is that, if you are truly capable in your job, once you have a little Canadian experience, career advancement can be rapid.

The following Canadian employment statistics are sobering:
One quarter of recent degree-qualified migrants are working in jobs that people without tertiary qualifications can do.
After three years in Canada, only one half of degree-qualified migrants get jobs relevant to their degrees.
Average earnings in Y2K for degree qualified male migrants, aged 25 to 54, who arrived in Canada during the 1990's, were $42,000. Average earnings for male Canadians were $66,000.
You should be focused on moving somewhere in Canada where your skills are needed. As far as climate goes, many of us would prefer to move to British Columbia's dry valleys, such as the Okanagan Valley. But will you be able to get a job there? If not, then your "ideal location" is less than ideal. Your truly ideal location is somewhere you will be able to get your first Canadian job and that all-important Canadian work experience to add to your resume.

Only when you have satisfactory answers to the following questions should you even think about applying for Permanent Residence in Canada. Do not assume anything. Check everything. It's your future that's at stake.

Are my qualifications sufficient for me to practise my profession / trade in Canada?
Is there a Canadian licencing authority for my profession / trade? Can I meet their requirements? If not, what will I need to do?
Is there any demand in Cananda for my particular skills? Where?
If you already have the right answers to these questions, congratulations, a better life in Canada awaits you.

If you don't, it's encouraging to note that, despite earlier job losses, in 2010 full-time jobs in Canada are growing in number and the Canadian economy appears to be weathering the economic downturn better than the USA and most other western economies.

A Final Word
I feel a little guilty for writing somewhat negatively. I hope I have not shattered your dreams. By all means, keep looking at houses for sale in Canada. Just make sure you'll be able to earn money in Canada when you get here. Then your Canadian dream may really come true.

 

[queencougar]

A good read: (lifted from www.byebyeblightly.com)

The Big Mistake

Q. What is the most common mistake in planning a new life in Canada?

A. Spending too much time looking at Canadian real estate websites - spending too little time making sure you will survive financially.

Guilty as charged, heatspine! :
I have been looking at real estate websites for over 2 years now! In my defence, though, one of the most important things to consider is; Can you afford a house there?
I started looking initially to get an idea of where we could afford to live, given the equity in our property here. It would be no good to get a job somewhere and then find that we are mortgaged up to the hilt just to survive. Quality of life was the motivation for our move, as I am sure it is for many immigrants, so we needed to know we could get a property we liked in an area we would want to live in for the money we could earn. A mortgage is the biggest expense in a household and borrowing is more expensive in Canada than the UK at the moment, so it is wise to research this before getting ideas. The exchange rate has fallen significantly to the £ in the last year to 18 months which has made things much more expensive, so watching that has been very important for us.
I also think that it has done me a lot of good to look at property for so long. Now I look at house prices and I already know what the market will stand and so would not be tempted to pay over the odds for a property I know is over-priced. I have made several good calls about properties we have seen advertised over the past two years and now I am pretty confident that I can tell which properties will sell because they are priced right and which are going to hang around and be reduced before they sell. I also found out a lot about trends in the market, interest rates, credit scoring, credit cards, renting and rental agreements etc in Canada, all of which has been very useful for my husband starting work there last summer. I was able to advise him on many things.
Anyway, what else would a good wife be doing in my position except planning to spend her husband's earnings? ;D ;D ;D

 

[heatspine]

That's great queen. Hubby figures how to earn, wifey figures how to spend

Seriously, you're doing a great job in your scouting. Tying the finances into a long term commitment for house mortgage requires careful planning. There are so many who take the plunge who do not seriously consider its consequences. You're so fortunate to have time to analyze the market. Where do you plan to get a property there? Can you give us some quick tips?

 

[heatspine]

Lifting from a post by SAKI:

New project to help immigrants in B.C.

Canada, 3rd February: A new immigrant project is being initiated by Canada to help newcomers in B.C. get jobs in their chosen field of expertise and to make economy of B.C. more competitive.

The project titled ‘Embracing Cultural Diversity in the B.C. Workplace' aims to bring positive developments both for the new immigrants as well as for the employers in B.C.

The new employment project was launched by DIVERSEcity Community Resources, an immigration services organization based in Surrey.

Many of the employers accept the fact that a large number of skilled immigrants are needed in B.C. to solve the problem of labor shortage.

According to Ian Cook of the B.C Human Resources Management Association, a local group that took part in this project, many of the businesses, especially the small and the medium-sized businesses don't have policies required in the today's economy.

And, the newcomers too face significant obstacles after entering the workforce of Canada. Here, in Canada, success of their career is not just based on their ability to undertake any particular job; rather, it's based on the ability of the new immigrant to successfully integrate in the culture of his new workplace.

New immigrants in Canada are simply unaware of the significance of the connections established during informal meetings like having coffee with co-workers etc, states Jody Johnson, a project consultant with Peers Employment and Education Resources, Burnaby.

Hence, one of the foremost aims of this new immigrant project is to break down such barriers in the way of successful integration in the new workplace by newcomers in Canada, Johnson added. This is done through education and information, quips Johnson.

From 20th January, all latest tips and tools can be browsed by potential employees as well as employers, stated Cook. Strategies highlighted through this new project do not just related to issues of recruitment, in fact, integration and retention are its key-notes, Johnson clarified.

The project encourages the employers to have a bias-free interview for the potential job seekers and to make use of simple language in order to ease communication issues with new immigrants. Funding for this new immigrant initiative was provided through the Welcome B.C initiative by the provincial government.

 

[heatspine]

On a personal note regarding saki's post. There is an orientation held in our country called CIIP (Canada Immigration Integration Project). The orientation gave us a preview on what to expect in the labor market's point of view. An output of it is a MAP (My Action Plan) which is also forwarded to the CIIP's partner organization for the different provinces. For BC for example, the partner is Diversecity as mentioned on SAKI's post. I was contacted immediately by the a Diversecity program coordinator providing me links and contact numbers which I can call upon my landing. Personally, I think this is a great program which can help us new comers. Check if you have a similar program in your area.

 

[queencougar]

That's great queen. Hubby figures how to earn, wifey figures how to spend

Seriously, you're doing a great job in your scouting. Tying the finances into a long term commitment for house mortgage requires careful planning. There are so many who take the plunge who do not seriously consider its consequences. You're so fortunate to have time to analyze the market. Where do you plan to get a property there? Can you give us some quick tips?

We are hoping to live either on the southern Gulf Islands or the Sunshine Coast, the choice has not been made yet. My OH will be looking again in the Spring and then we will try to make a decision.
Tips - Use http://www.mls.ca/splash.aspx to look at the property for sale across Canada.
The listings give lots of links to Realtors and their pages have lots of additional information, such as mortgage calculators and local information for the area. This is enough to keep anyone going for quite a while!
It is also good fun and whets the appetite for moving there!
Craigslist is the place for rentals.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/
You can see what is for rent in various areas of B.C. (as well as loads of things for sale and given away for free!) Things go very fast when they are posted on here but it gives you an idea of price, size and location.
BE WARNED, though. It takes over your life!!!!
Happy viewing!

 

[Pippin]

Here is one of the loveliest Vancouver Cams you will find....On weekend mornings around 6am after the middle of May you can see the cruise ships coming into the harbour as well. http://www3.telus.net/earthone/webcam.html
There is also the ability to look at archive pictures. Enjoy!!!

 

[fariza]

Here is one of the loveliest Vancouver Cams you will find....On weekend mornings around 6am after the middle of May you can see the cruise ships coming into the harbour as well. http://www3.telus.net/earthone/webcam.html
There is also the ability to look at archive pictures. Enjoy!!!

Great for a share Pippin... a fabulous view of the dreamland...........Life takes so precious when we have chance to soothe our eyes with such a beauty!!!

 

[heatspine]

i love this pippin! thanks!

 

[shaon31]

Here is one of the loveliest Vancouver Cams you will find....On weekend mornings around 6am after the middle of May you can see the cruise ships coming into the harbour as well. http://www3.telus.net/earthone/webcam.html
There is also the ability to look at archive pictures. Enjoy!!!

Thank you pipin for a great shot !!!

 

[STS2Canada]

Here are another 2 webcams on the Times Square Suites Hotel...in Vancouver. These are live.
http://www.timessquaresuites.com/content/webcam.asp

Enjoy the view!

Regards,
STS

 

[BCguy]

To all of planning to move to BC We are more expensive because We are the more desirable place to live in,For example Google Vancouver under most livable cities on EARTH.We always come out in the top 10.Google Most Romantic City in Canada You will get Victoria.Temprature today Vancouver 6 Victoria 8 Toronto -25 Montreal -29 Manitoba -32.Toronto is fine if all you care about is work,but if you have a choice you will pick BC.Remember Official CIC statetistics show the majority of Investors or people with the money to settle anywhere pick BC only the workers go to Toronto.I am not saying my province is best province to settle if you need a job quickly.But I dont think many can argue against the fact that the rich people who have the money to settle anywhere in Canada pick Vancouver A proud British Columbian

 

[BCguy]

Mundo Sorry to burst your bubble,but I know work with a Business Immigration after leaving Goverment,There are a quite a lot of rich and well off Filipinos here in Greater Vancouver living here who moved from the Philippines.Many of them live quietly in West Vancouver and Shaugnessy etc.For example statistics show hundreds of Filipinos in the Investor category moved to BC in 2010.Since I have to respect client privacy I can only say they own malls,office buildings ,businesses etc.They went here to have quiet peaceful lives in comfortable anonymous lives

 

[queencougar]

To all of planning to move to BC We are more expensive because We are the more desirable place to live in,For example Google Vancouver under most livable cities on EARTH.We always come out in the top 10.Google Most Romantic City in Canada You will get Victoria.Temprature today Vancouver 6 Victoria 8 Toronto -25 Montreal -29 Manitoba -32.Toronto is fine if all you care about is work,but if you have a choice you will pick BC.Remember Official CIC statetistics show the majority of Investors or people with the money to settle anywhere pick BC only the workers go to Toronto.I am not saying my province is best province to settle if you need a job quickly.But I dont think many can argue against the fact that the rich people who have the money to settle anywhere in Canada pick Vancouver A proud British Columbian

B.C is beautiful but it is miserable living anywhere with no money. Recreation opportunities are great if you have time when you do not need to work and can afford them, but if you have to work long hours just to make ends meet you may as well live anywhere.
I would advise those with limited funds to settle elsewhere in Canada to begin with, especially if they have to try to find a job when they get there. Money will be eaten up fast in the Vancouver area and getting a job is a lot harder. Once they have a job, savings and Canadian experience to draw on, then try to secure a post in B.C. Not everything needs to come all in one go - get to Canada, establish yourself in an inexpensive area first and then later move to the place of your dreams - if you lack funds or a job, that is a good plan for success.
I have lived in expensive places whilst being poor and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Quality of life is about having some free time and some spare cash in which to spend it. Having none of either is a nightmare!
The weather is not a very sensible way to judge where is best to live IMHO.
I also must say I do not like the suggestion that Vancouver is full of rich people - it isn't. There are lots of ordinary people there being priced out of the place by rich immigrants (especially from the Far East) and that isn't doing local ordinary Canadians any favours as they can't afford to buy a house. If B.C and the areas around Vancouver and Victoria specifically were full of rich people, we wouldn't be interested in living there from a community point of view. Rich areas are often soulless and security-overdosed glorified estates with no character or community spirit.
Being happy for us (as most normal people, I expect) is about community, safety, job and financial security and a good work life balance, not being surrounded by rich people and things we cannot afford while working all the hours God sends.
There are places in B.C and even near Vancouver where you can find this, but without a job at the start I would advise settling elsewhere initially.