Thinking about coming to Canada!

[Grog]

Grog's back! Sorry for not seeing this thread earlier, I've been quite caught up with work recently.

I live in Vancouver currently (and hopefully for a long time).

It does not always rain. I'd dare say the climate is slightly better than London. Summers can be nice but not too hot. However it rains a lot between October and... May. But not every day, and not the whole day. In my environment (I work in academia) people are known not to be around on a sunny day. It may be a bit different in the corporate world...

It really seldom goes under zero in the winter nowadays. Friends have told me of years long gone when they would cross country ski on the beach trails in the middle of the winter, but that's over. I've seen snow about seven times in almost three years here. I'm from Quebec so perhaps it's hard to impress me.... But generally it's really not cold.

Many, many cyclists keep riding in the winter. It takes good fenders, some gear, perhaps a winter bike if you really prize your "summer bike." If it's raining I'd rather be running. Lots of glorious trails...

Relatively busy triathlon scene. Simon Whitfield lives and trains in Victoria (across the Georgia Strait from Vancouver, on Vancouver Island).

Yes, Toronto is cold, but a LOT warmer in the summer. In Vancouver, summers are never quite hot, seldom over 25C, most likely around 20C. If you're a heat bug you may be disappointed in Vancouver.

I assume that you have checked that your teaching qualification will be valid in British Columbia. Education is under provincial jurisdiction so to be really sure you should check with each province's ministry of education.

I think it would probably not be too difficult for your partner to find some work in biotech in Vancouver. The job market is pretty busy here.

But the real estate is really expensive, and the salaries don't quite follow. Have a look at http://vancouver.craigslist.org/apa/ but, if you were to come here, DO NOT arrange anything in advance. There's lots of scam artists out there, and lots of places that don't look too bad on the screen are actually dreadful. If you're just going to be here for a year, I strongly recommend staying in Vancouver, not in a suburb...

PM me if you'd like more detailed information.

[light_sabe_r]

Cool! LBTC Yup. We're gathering more info Vernon now. Thanks for the extra info.

CC thanks for that website. there's a wealth of information there! (even some Aussie teachers trying to get over there) Alberta - Another place to look up... Damn I'm gonna have to get a map and start taking notes.

Trekhawk - JAL? One of the places that's very HIGH on my to do list is Japan. I think I can convince BF to stop over there for at least two weeks! LOL

kelownagirl - OOOOH! That sounds like fun! BF would LOVE to know about that one from your BF or from you when you do it. (he's a hill-o-holic)

Grog - Cool to hear about the Tri scene! ^_^ Haven't checked it out 100% as yet because I haven't even gotten into the course yet. We're delaying packing up and leaving ASAP for me to get the GradDip (which takes a year).

It's one of those things that we'll be finding out when we go to arrange Visas.
Even if the teaching falls through I've a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Diploma of Business to fall back on whilst looking for Jobs - And if all else fails I could alwys go Retail. ^_^

WOW that real estate is expensive!!!

Thanks again for the tips girls!

[Popoki_Nui]

You could always come to Victoria. Mildest climate in Canada. Laid-back island lifestyle. Great cycling. Screaming hot economy. Spectacular scenery.

Did I mention island lifestyle?

~Sherry.

[shootingstar]

I lived and worked in Toronto for over 25 years, of which last 12 years included cycling.

I have been living in Vancouver since 2002.

If you wish to teach in any public primary or high school, you do need a teacher's certification...certified according to BC or Ontario teacher's professional qualifications. I have several friends who have are qualified and teach at high schools and primary schools.

Of course, teaching experience gives you great skill transfer for other types of jobs...markting, employee training, etc.

Toronto is colder and probability of snow/slush is higher. Their summers are more humid and hotter. However all of this does build up great endurance/conditioning for regular cyclists. The air quality during summer in Toronto is not always good. THere are smog alerts.

Here in Vancouver, I seem to mount hills better and go farther, because it's not as humid and air is generally clearer/cooler. Yes, the rain in winter is a drag, etc. But always remember you are a municipal bus ride (after doing a short 10 min. sea ferry ride) to local mountains for snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding. It is cool to go from no snow and in less than 1/2 hr. winter wonderland!!! Yes you can cycle on dry pavement and ski/snowshoe/snowboard within 1 afternoon/day.

Right now VAncouver's accommodation is the most expensive in Canada. THere is public transit (Skytrain) which serves it's purpose and there are bike racks on buses. Toronto's subway system is much better, accommodates more and you go farther on less fare.

Food choice/cost...in Vancouver you just need to shop carefully to get deals. I find overall, even during height of summer with local fruits and veggies, it is a wee bit more expensive than Toronto. I know...I was visiting family in Toronto this past summer and did some price comparison myself.

Both cities are cosmopolitan however Toronto is way more diverse since there are very large ethnic neighbourhoods (Greek, Italian, Carribbean, Eastern European, Asian, etc.) whereas Vancouver's diversity is based on people from Pacific Rim countries. I'm speaking with some perspective since I'm a proud Chinese-Canadian myself.