Emigrating to Canada

[Mutau]

In Scotland they have midges, which don't sound like much - in fact they're silent, arriving over a campsite like mist. They're only tiny, but do they ever itch?! Once camping in Glen Coe, we were cooking breakfast outside and the frying pans ended up black with the buggers. In short, they are a misery and the ruin of many trips. We've an Avon product called Skin So Soft, which is over questionable benefit to your skin but is great at keeping all but the most determined fliers off your skin.

I long to see a bear... from a safe distance. My friends in Vanc see them occasionally and carry bear scares when they're hiking.

Pfft pfft ... seems so much a dream in 2021, but it gives me time to plan for next year.

Your midges sound like our black flies. A real pain to the body but of short duration.

 

[Mutau]

Canadians, if I was to move to your country, where's the best place for someone with science ( academic ) skills. I like the idea of Vancouver because it has the sea and mountains, but I hear it's super expensive to rent/live. I confess Ontario and Montreal are two big cities in the middle somewhere and I don't know much about them except O-level geography. Are there Litsters from other centres... like Calgary and Kicking Horse. Who wouldn't want that on their address?

I need to take a good look, right? Rent a wreck and drive across?

Having lived in four provinces, and travelled the country extensively during family holidays, for work purposes, and holiday times, our country is huge. Born in Vancouver and returned in later years to work there. It is expensive, but a delightful spot.

Driving the country will take some time. In the early 80's drove from Vancouver to central Ontario and it took 10 days.

Get in touch via PM and I can provide more details.

 

[mayfly13]

You can find this information on the web. Look up the cities government pages and see what they have there. They will probably have a section for people/business' that are looking to relocate. Also, look up the tourist info. It will give you an idea of what types of pastimes are there, local parks, activities, etc. Don't forget the weather either.

Don't forget the Canadian government website, either. Should give you info on moving to Canada in general and what is required.

thanks for the life-saving advice, ronmcc3445.
I'm sure stickygirl had no idea about these things.

rofl, you're such a moron.
You do it in every single thread of this sort.

 

[Champakian]

This has been an interesting thread.

I still have no desire to move north of Topeka.

 

[jaF0]

Ottawa is pretty.

Toronto is quite diverse.

Guelph is good for animal sciences but their research department is expansive.

Waterloo is the tech capitol of Canada.

You're still talking Ontario which can have winters far more extreme than the OP is used to in the UK. Potentially many weeks of subfreezing temperatures and snow cover.

OP will have to consider if that climate is acceptable.

 

[rockcasbah]

Ottawa is pretty. Montreal is artsy and historic. Toronto is quite diverse. Vancouver has good weed. Guelph is good for animal sciences but their research department is expansive. Thunder Bay is racist af. Waterloo is the tech capitol of Canada. Stay the hell out of Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary.

Canada: I've seen most of it for business and pleasure, lived in lots of it... I like Salt Spring Island, West Van, Canmore, Banff, Forest Hill/Rosedale, Queen St West, the Lakeshore from old Oakville to the Beach, Caledon, Fergus, the Bruce Pennisula, the Kitchener/Waterloo/Guelph corridor, Kingston to the Bay of Quinte, Westmount and the Plateau, the Gatineaus, the Kawarthas, the Eastern Townships, Quebec City, Rothesay to Quispamsis, Chester to Sheburne, Mabou to Cheticamp, Alberton to Cape North and about an hour or two north of Corner Brook.

 

[Champakian]

I've been everywhere man,
I've been everywhere...

 

[rockcasbah]

I've been everywhere man,
I've been everywhere...

(I've also spent time in more American cities than most Americans.)

Canada is a big country. I've seen most of the best bits, skipping the chunk between say London and Calgary.

Nothing there except genetically modified wheat, potash, bitumen and the other exports to China.

In fact, China now owns most of the resources and industries in that big flat cold part of Canada.

Winter's bad everywhere in Canada but BC. BC is the closest to Britain weather wise.
The East coast gets hit with some of the worst blizzards and ice storms and real estate is inexpensive cuz there are no jobs and everyone wants to get tf out of there. It is pretty, tho.
You could always try the Yukon where the average winter temp. is -55°C.

Most Canadians stay away from Atlantic Canada, a fact that is quietly celebrated by Atlantic Canadians.

See:

https://youtu.be/z1OqqelrGys

Most Canadians in this thread clearly know nothing about anything east of Montreal and that's okay.

But in terms of someone from the UK considering Canada, the truth is that the weather, culture, geography and genetic profile of atlantic canada is closer to life in the UK than anywhere else in Canada.

 

[Champakian]

(I've also spent time in more American cities than most Americans.)

Canada is a big country. I've seen most of the best bits, skipping the chunk between say London and Calgary.

Nothing there except genetically modified wheat, potash, bitumen and the other exports to China.

In fact, China now owns most of the resources and industries in that big flat cold part of Canada.

Now that travel restrictions are quickly becoming a norm,
we might return to the medieval state where nobody travels more than 50 miles from home.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled (Canadian) programming...

 

[rockcasbah]

Never been out West. Have family in Banff, that's my first destination post covid.
Rosedale? Ever been to Summerhill Market?

Yes, of course, but I've always had a soft spot for Kensington Market.

I have a cousin in Banff, and an author friend who did an "artist in residence" gig there for a year. What an outstanding place, winter and summer.

 

[jaF0]

But in terms of someone from the UK considering Canada, the truth is that the weather, culture, geography and genetic profile of atlantic canada is closer to life in the UK than anywhere else in Canada.

That's kinda been my point. But we don't know if the OP wants more of the same or something different. And unless they're from London or another major city, Toronto and surrounding areas will be a major culture shock. That whole area sucked 30 years ago when I was there. I can't even imagine how miserable it is now.

Oh, and fuck off luk-ish.

 

[silver gurl]

That's kinda been my point. But we don't know if the OP wants more of the same or something different. And unless they're from London or another major city, Toronto and surrounding areas will be a major culture shock. That whole area sucked 30 years ago when I was there. I can't even imagine how miserable it is now.

Oh, and fuck off luk-ish.

I am from Boston and Montreal was a huge culture shock.

 

[Vitriolhack]

Worked there for years as a pastry chef. That's where I met Gord Downey and Geddy Lee.
Love Kensington Market. It's a bit gentrified now. Courage My Love etc. have been replaced by upscale t shirt shops aka avante garde designer boutiques. At least some of the stores haven't been replaced by hipster coffee shops. You can still buy green coffee beans and the Spice House was still there last time I looked.

You had me at “pastry chef”.

 

[stickygirl]

I can see I need to start a spreadsheet to evaluation these replies! It's still early days but this is helping, so thanks again.