Emigrating to Canada

[Aglaopheme]

That's going in my Canada file. TY

Let me know if you’re hitting Thunder Bay, cause I would be up for a road trip up there if you are so inclined.

 

[thør]

Let me know if you’re hitting Thunder Bay, cause I would be up for a road trip up there if you are so inclined.

Once upon a time when flying into TB, Air Canada would make an announcement about the roughness of the runway due to frost heaves. I dunno if that's been repaired.

 

[FL30]

Canadian snow people

https://imgur.com/gallery/EazNvs0

 

[Rockymtnman]

My dads side is from Canada. Have second cousins in VC, Regina, Prince Albert and Edmonton. Been to all four areas. I really like VC but it’s ridiculously expensive, Edmonton is ok. Regina is very nice. Prince Albert sucks.

I’d probably stay west of Saskatchewan

 

[Tio_Narratore]

French is a big issue here in Québec, and every few years there is an outcry about protecting French. We're in one of those phases now, and it always means clamping down on English.
McGill is a top uni, and, as such, is far from provincial in it's outlook. Concordia is good as well; I've studied at both of them. The private sector is another story, however, and there, even if your French is parfait right down to the pluperfect subjunctive, you'll still find it hard to get a job if your accent isn't proper.

If you do decide to come this way, Jane, I'd be happy to welcome you and take you around to get a sense of the place. Of course, with the pandemic, things are a bit shut down.

London is 6 degrees further north than Montréal (and a few minutes north of Calgary even), but you know that latitude is only part of the weather story. The Gulf Stream leaves North America to warm you folks before it even reaches the Maritimes. (Since 1903, however, an arm of that warm current found its way up Davis Strait, with interesting consequences for Greenland and the Ungava.)

 

[toeskr]

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?

You have to declare your penis first.

Then pay a shit load of taxes. Not necessarily on your penis.

It shouldn't be that much.

 

[rockcasbah]

Let me know if you’re hitting Thunder Bay, cause I would be up for a road trip up there if you are so inclined.

Dont know why anyone would go to thunder bay on purpose.

 

[rockcasbah]

The Gulf Stream leaves North America to warm you folks before it even reaches the Maritimes.

This is incorrect.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream

 

[ishtat]

If the op thinks Vancouver is pricey check out San Francisco or Sydney. It might be worth checking out the cost of Units/Apartments/Flats because in some cities they are much cheaper than houses.

There is also a resource called Sabbaticalhomes.com which I think may have a lot of useful information. It does not seem that this is exactly what Stickygirl is after but it might be a useful information source and starting point.

 

[stickygirl]

Let me know if you’re hitting Thunder Bay, cause I would be up for a road trip up there if you are so inclined.

Yeay - that would be awesome. That's thoughtful of you

 

[stickygirl]

Where are you in the UK? Coastal or inland? NB, NS, PEI and parts of QB are what might be considered coastal areas. Lots of sea type people, fisheries, etc.

But there are cities also. More densely populated than the plains provinces. Though rare, they get the occasional Hurricane or Tropical Storm.

I'd take a stab at Vancouver Island being similar but I'll check the stats. The UK is famously damp - temperate but damp... much like the people

I'm making some enquiries with HR to see if there could be a job swap at another university... you never know. That way I can work for a year and make a better decision.

I have family friends in Vanc and an open invitation so I'll look at that too.

Thanks everyone

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Stickygirl,

Much would depend on what type of science you're bringing to the table. There are some very solid universities and tech firms across the country. Some time on the net would narrow down your choices.

A road trip would be a good way to see the country, but it won't be quick. The Trans-Canada Highway, if you include the bit in Newfoundland, is 4,800 miles long. You can do the math.

Yes, the northern regions and the prairies can be brutally cold in winter (think Siberia at its worst), but that's just a matter of dressing properly and getting a block heater for your car. The country offers coastal mountains, prairies, dense forests, stark tundra and rolling farmlands - everything you can find the in US except, sadly, winter beaches.

85% of the population lives within 100 miles of the US/Canadian border. The major cities are Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal and there are many slightly-smaller ones. Most cities offer a range of shopping, services and culture comparable to those in the USA or the UK. In 2019, The Economist Intelligence Unit put out its annual report on livability of cities around the world (subjective, but indicative); Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary were in the top 10. Vancouver and Toronto are however crazy expensive places to live.

Canada drives on the same side of the street as the USA and continental Europe and nine of the 10 provinces operate in English. Prices and taxes tend to be a bit higher than south of the border, but some services (eg health care) are tax-based vice customer-pay.

And, just for the record, we don't get polar bears in major cities and the only igloo I've ever seen was on a winter survival course.

Hope that helps.

 

[stickygirl]

Stickygirl,

Much would depend on what type of science you're bringing to the table. There are some very solid universities and tech firms across the country. Some time on the net would narrow down your choices.

~snip~

And, just for the record, we don't get polar bears in major cities and the only igloo I've ever seen was on a winter survival course.

Hope that helps.

It all helps, TY TP! This is going to be a decision based on my heart but has to work financially too. I know plenty people have to move for any number of reasons, so I'm lucky that to have a choice in that respect. I haven't found a reason not to yet - I love everything I've seen/heard so far. I will need to wear some big girl pants though.

I think I could persuade my sister to join at least part of the road trip so that would help with costs.

 

[rockcasbah]

You can drive coast to coast in a week or so, but should give yourself 3-4 weeks to see/consider key locations.

Many europeans fly to Van, buy a used dodge minivan to sleep in, then sell it in Halifax and fly home. Lots of online how-to articles about licensing, insurance etc.

Between calgary and toronto really isnt worth bothering with.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I'd take a stab at Vancouver Island being similar but I'll check the stats.

Be careful to check the local stats for the Island. West winds off the Pacific bring a lot of moisture, but the mountainous spine of the island casts a significant rain shadow to its east. To put that into perspective, the provincial capital Victoria, on the SE tip, gets about 23" of precipitation annually. The small town of Tofino, just up the coast, gets about 130". There's a reason they call a raincoat a 'Tofino tuxedo'.

Have a good trip.

 

[jaF0]

BC is the CA of CA and should be avoided at all costs.

 

[stickygirl]

Be careful to check the local stats for the Island. West winds off the Pacific bring a lot of moisture, but the mountainous spine of the island casts a significant rain shadow to its east. To put that into perspective, the provincial capital Victoria, on the SE tip, gets about 23" of precipitation annually. The small town of Tofino, just up the coast, gets about 130". There's a reason they call a raincoat a 'Tofino tuxedo'.

Have a good trip.

I'm always concerned by volcanoes in a country along with snakes and mosquitoes. Apparently Vancouver Island will be uplifted by any big earthquake, but there's no mention of the subsequent tidal wave. There's not much work there but crime is almost zero. Decisions decisions

 

[thør]

I'm always concerned by volcanoes in a country along with snakes and mosquitoes. Apparently Vancouver Island will be uplifted by any big earthquake, but there's no mention of the subsequent tidal wave. There's not much work there but crime is almost zero. Decisions decisions

I see several volcanoes from my house. We get a little ash falling now and then, but it's just a minor inconvenience. On occasion, we have some decent size earthquakes, too. I have always made sure my home was in an area where there are decent soils that are not prone to liquefaction, etc. Living in a tectonic area can be interesting...

 

[albertaboy]

Calgary and surrounding areas suffer bitter, killing cold and possible blizzards. From there east to Ottawa is flat, flat, flat, nothing for many, many miles higher than a gopher mound.

Look at the Maritmes, PEI, NB, etc.

Calgary isn't cold. Edmonton and Winnipeg are cold. Winnipeg is easy to immigrate to and has significant research facilities, plus summers are great.

 

[albertaboy]

I have lived and worked in Ont, Ab, NB, PEI, SK and MB. The east coast has oppressive winters. All the provinces are seriously broke, AB is in rough shape economically. The last winter we lived in NB, 2015 we got over 17' of snow in 3 months. I moved to Winnipeg where it is very cold because winters are easier to handle

Ottawa to Calgary is almost 2,000 miles, so driving could take several days.


Maritimes are nearly the same Latitude as the UK, so weather will be similar.

 

[rockcasbah]

I'm always concerned by volcanoes in a country along with snakes and mosquitoes. Apparently Vancouver Island will be uplifted by any big earthquake, but there's no mention of the subsequent tidal wave. There's not much work there but crime is almost zero. Decisions decisions

Sounds like your mind's made up; nothing wrong with VanIsland!

Ignore Albertaboy; anyone who likes Winterpeg's a rube.

 

[hobbit.]

Just avoid the french speaking ones. Canadians are mainly very polite, so you can away with all manner of shit. just avoid the french chatterers , should be sweet as a nut then. oh and remind them they are to the frontline of the invasion of USofA as Germany is to the Invasion of Europe (not by Germany this time though) along with Mexico.

 

[Vitriolhack]

Well, I am from Montréal, Québec, otherwise known as “la belle province”.

There are at least 4 universities here, 2 in English and 2 in French.

Chances are you will find the specialty you want to study into.

Compared to the rest of Canada, Montreal does have a bit of a European flair. You will find that most people in Montréal are bilingual but further north you will find unilingual french people.

Wherever you decide to go, enjoy your stay.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I'm always concerned by volcanoes in a country along with snakes and mosquitoes. Apparently Vancouver Island will be uplifted by any big earthquake, but there's no mention of the subsequent tidal wave. There's not much work there but crime is almost zero. Decisions decisions

Well, let’s see...

Volcanoes and such. Yes, British Columbia is not far from the Cascadia Subduction Zone and that’s overdue and it won’t be fun when it happens. That said, the city of Vancouver is pretty well protected from tsunamis by Vancouver Island; any tsunami would have to do a couple of major right-angle turns on the way. Los Angeles and San Francisco have a lot more to worry about in that regard.

I think BC has something like 18 volcanoes, but none of them are particularly active, in the Hawaii or Iceland sense. I’ve never heard of ash or lava or such from them.

Poisonous snakes? Well, yes, we have four species of rattlesnakes in Canada, but, having lived coast to coast for longer than I want to think about, I’ve never seen one, nor met anyone who’s ever been bitten, nor even seen a news item about that. You’ve got sharks in the Atlantic off your coast - ever heard of anyone being attacked?

Now mosquitoes are a problem, depending on where you live. Screens and DEET are your friends.

 

[stickygirl]

Well, let’s see...

Volcanoes and such. Yes, British Columbia is not far from the Cascadia Subduction Zone and that’s overdue and it won’t be fun when it happens. That said, the city of Vancouver is pretty well protected from tsunamis by Vancouver Island; any tsunami would have to do a couple of major right-angle turns on the way. Los Angeles and San Francisco have a lot more to worry about in that regard.

I think BC has something like 18 volcanoes, but none of them are particularly active, in the Hawaii or Iceland sense. I’ve never heard of ash or lava or such from them.

Poisonous snakes? Well, yes, we have four species of rattlesnakes in Canada, but, having lived coast to coast for longer than I want to think about, I’ve never seen one, nor met anyone who’s ever been bitten, nor even seen a news item about that. You’ve got sharks in the Atlantic off your coast - ever heard of anyone being attacked?

Now mosquitoes are a problem, depending on where you live. Screens and DEET are your friends.

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.