Author Topic: Anyone research Canada? (Read 540 times)

cyclewife · « **on:** March 27, 2011, 01:58:14 PM »

Hi guys/gals
Has anyone here investigated Canada as a destination to immigrate to?
Since receiving a "not so positive" email from NZ re LTBV plans for DH's business - he's been contemplating other avenues.
Met up with a guy while cycling who is here from Italy on a contract - married to a Canadian...
He told DH that the best place to go to would be Canada. Huge cycling community...and in the top countries to live.
Now DH has a bee in his bonnet & is researching it. I've done some research of my own....can't say I have seen too many negatives - besides cold weather..Vancouver being on a par with Chch NZ.
Thoughts from my forum buddies here would be greatly appreciated.

Ostrich · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2011, 05:23:40 PM »

Haven't done any research, but I know a lot of happy Canadians. It's sort of the best of both worlds, with some of the economic niceties of the US, but with socialized medicine and less international entanglement. They weren't too hard hit by the recession either. Good luck!

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2011, 05:23:40 PM »

Tui · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2011, 08:42:39 PM »

I too have not done any 'personal' research' but, my cousin lived there for a couple of years.
She

it - She used to tell us of the clean air - fresh and pure! Crime
is extremely low - and they are very jacked up.

As for the white Christmas's -

She said the cold did not worry her, they had a lovely log fire and heating, so all good.

Good luck with all your research!

x

SA3001 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2011, 11:43:22 PM »

Don't know too much myself - just heard that it takes long for the process $:-\$ Everyone I know who is there doesn't regret it. Good luck.

Savayla · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2011, 01:57:17 AM »

We sort of looked into it, but the cold did put us off. However, have friends and family who live there and they love it. For us it was also a bit far from family. Good luck !!

Chan in Wellington · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2011, 07:44:29 AM »

I lived in Calgary (Alberta) for a year and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it! The people are awesome, they are so helpful, friendly and happy. The snow and cold didn't get to me, as the houses are so incredibly well insulated and heated. The clothing is fashionable and warm and the sun shines after the snow falls (not so much in Vancouver though). It is a very beautiful country, with so much to do and see. The parks are stunning, cycle paths, walking paths, running paths. It's so first-world that it took me a while to adjust - so many rules...but you learn quickly. Shops are amazing, so much to buy and so much competition that you can pick up real bargains. Schooling exellent, community centres amazing. I can't actually think of a bad thing to say here, I loved it from the moment I arrived. The houses are big and spacious, with small gardens. Pet rules are very strict over there. I want to say there is no crime, but I know there probably was, although we never read/experienced any in the 12 months we were there. Cars are cheap too, furniture, appliances, ditto. Taxes high, but public services are excellent. Would I live there? Hell yes.

cyclewife · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2011, 04:29:23 PM »

Thanks a mil for your replies... the process doesn't seem to be too much longer than it would be for NZ.. have a wider variety of jobs on skilled list. Each province has their own list of skilled shortage.
Can't afford another LSD trip - after spending a month in NZ - so any further input would be appreciated.
Chan - being their for a year - why did you decide on NZ & not CA?

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2011, 04:29:23 PM »

Nolan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2011, 08:12:14 PM »

I researched CA for three years solid

, the best place for advice is to go to SACanada (I was Gautenger on the site)

cyclewife · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2011, 10:25:38 PM »

"Thanks a mil for your replies... the process doesn't seem to be too much longer than it would be for NZ.. have a wider variety of jobs on skilled list. Each province has their own list of skilled shortage." - my previous comment....
I TAKE THAT BACK... seems that you're quite right - without a job offer PR applications take up to FIVE years...

There are ppl on SAcanada forum that only got PR now and applied in 2005... hells bells...

SA3001 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2011, 11:20:07 PM »

Quote from: cyclewife on March 28, 2011, 10:25:38 PM

I TAKE THAT BACK... seems that you're quite right - without a job offer PR applications take up to FIVE years...
There are ppl on SAcanada forum that only got PR now and applied in 2005... hells bells...

Yip, this is what I'd heard

I also know of people that gave up after 2 yrs of waiting and went to Oz instead.

Chan in Wellington · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2011, 06:46:40 AM »

Cyclewife - I would go back to Canada if it was not such a *&%$# pain to get in and if the process was quicker. We still haven't had feedback from the interview, which has given me a bad feeling, so I think we'll be staying in SA either way. If I did have the choice though, I would go to Canada.

Siouxzee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2011, 08:38:28 PM »

Hi Cyclewife
I did some research into Canada. I was and still am very keen on Canada. OH was more keen on NZ. What made us go with NZ is that we felt it would be easier to integrate. For example NZ recognises SA degrees and the institutions they came from. They understand what an Honours degree is. You can just convert your SA drivers licence. Also OH is no longer on the LTSSL for Canada and if you dont speak french you get less points. so it just seemed a whole lot harder to get into.
Then of course as other people have mentioned the process takes ages if you even qualify which according to one website we did not without a job offer (though it was not the official Govt website).

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2011, 08:38:28 PM »

Tui · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2011, 09:02:24 PM »

Yes, I feel that NZ and SA are very similar when it comes to lifestlyes. The braai's/BBQ's, the backyard cricket, weekend rugby matches, beach activities - all the things us youngsters did - they grew up very similar. So integrating does feel a lot easier....

BUT......Canada is so darn beautiful as well - very though decision to make indeed! $:-\$

BTW - I watch that NZ telly ad with the grown ups doing the whole slip n slide, swingball on the beach, running under the garden sprinkler - and think of SA when I was a kid...

x

Nolan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2011, 09:15:58 PM »

Those days when I was looking into CA, you had to hand in all your documents at the start and then you waited for 3 years till you got to the front of the queue, then they would open your file to see if you qualified, so you gotta make sure you qualify before submitting or you are going to waste at least 3 years. Dunno how long the queue is now.

That is one huge plus point for the NZ immigration system, at least you get a quick preliminary yes or no so you don't waste time wondering if you stand a chance or not.

magusta · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2011, 10:17:12 PM »

my brother has ca residence - took him five years. he lived in nz for a short (12months) time and left for ca, due to his wife not having ca residence he left.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum