Life is too short....

minimeeze

minimeeze

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Cheryl
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For regrets. Soooooo.... I have just started the application process to emigrate :D
I have felt restless for about the last 5 years, and now I have really itchy feet. We looked at going to California, but decided that the USA immigration system is far too longwinded and complicated (although still going there on holiday later this year), with it taking anything up to 5 years for an application to go through.

After lots of research, we've decided upon Canada (British Columbia), and I've just sent off my midwifery transfer application in order to get registration in Canada. The funny thing is that I've never been to Canada before :lol: but I'm all up for adventure..... nothing ventured, nothing gained etc. I'm at an age where I am easily able to move back to the UK if it doesn't work out, but then I figure that it can't really be as bad as here... can it? :shrug: I have no kids, so I'm just gonna take a big breath and go for it! There is a 'fast track' application process for much needed professionals like myself, so hopefully we'll be there withing a couple of years - if not before.
 
Wow, brave move Cheryl :clap: Very best of luck with the application :thumbs:
 
Canada is an excellent place to live. My wife & I had never set foot in Canada until we emigrated 30 months ago. We had thought about the States but then 9/11 happened and it became even more difficult. So, Canada it was and after waiting nearly 18 months for an answer we were granted Permanent Resident status. It's the best thing we have ever done, and don't regret leaving the UK for one second. Very rarely even think about the UK, even going back for a visit. This is home now and the lifestyle here is so easy to integrate into, the cost of living is excellent; well in Toronto it is, not too sure on the West coast. It's just a great place to be. You won't regret coming over here at all.

What made you choose the West coast, by the way? I know there is a nursing shortage in Ontario, too. Plus you're closer to the UK for family and friends.

Good Luck :thumbs:
 
Good for you! And what will the other half be doing.....lumberjack?? :D
 
It'll be great i'm sure you'll love it.

I have relatives in Canada (Vancouver) and Australia (Wooli Gooli something or other). Not been to either yet but i would love to move to Canada one day.
 
Jason said:
(Wooli Gooli something or other).
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Jeeez, just wait till Janice sees that, she'll have flights booked today :nuts:
 
Go Girl, Go Girl. Great News Cheryl.I am sure your skills will be much more appreciated in Canada than over here. Hope the process is not too long for you. At least you can keep in touch with all of us over here. :D
 
Here's hoping for you :thumbs:
 
mindcrime said:
What made you choose the West coast, by the way? I know there is a nursing shortage in Ontario, too. Plus you're closer to the UK for family and friends.

Good Luck :thumbs:
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British Columbia seem to have a good midwifery system and don't require midwives to have been nurses in their previous life (which I wasn't). The weather system sounds ok too, so we just plumped for there. We've been looking at housing prices, and we are amazed at what you can get for much less than in the UK.
Jobwise, I'd probably be earning about the equivalent of my UK salary, but doing half the work, with a better standard of living. Here, I have a caseload of about 200 women (despite goverment recommendations of 60 :eek:) and am restricted by staff shortgages and NHS politics, whereas in Canada, they seem to have caseloads of about 80 women, give PROPER 1-1 care in labour (ie not running between 3 women at once) and seem to be pretty much self employed.
 
go for it and good luck. very little left in the uk for my wife and i either and although my wife is well qualified i ain't and there is no way i could match my salary anywhere else without starting at the bottom (again) and working my way up.
pbh
 
woo BC rocks, when I went to Canada (Alberta, banff) I met a lovely girl who I'm still in contact with. She just got a job and house in BC she is loving it!

Go for it girl!
 
Wow, brave move. Something I'd love to do, just haven't got the guts or money to do it right now.
I'm sure you'll keep us all informed! Good luck! :D
 
minimeeze said:
British Columbia seem to have a good midwifery system and don't require midwives to have been nurses in their previous life (which I wasn't). The weather system sounds ok too, so we just plumped for there. We've been looking at housing prices, and we are amazed at what you can get for much less than in the UK.
Jobwise, I'd probably be earning about the equivalent of my UK salary, but doing half the work, with a better standard of living. Here, I have a caseload of about 200 women (despite goverment recommendations of 60 :eek:) and am restricted by staff shortgages and NHS politics, whereas in Canada, they seem to have caseloads of about 80 women, give PROPER 1-1 care in labour (ie not running between 3 women at once) and seem to be pretty much self employed.
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Sounds fantastic compared... More money left for equipment purchases ;) and more time and energy left for developing your photographic skills...wahay :D ...what about you’re A level course and that..? Can you still carry on the same route or are there alternatives.

Go for it Cheryl, as you say life’s too short to keep pondering in it... :thumbs:

The only downside I can se is you won't be able to come on so many TP meets...hmmm, tricky one. :lol:
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
Sounds fantastic compared... More money left for equipment purchases ;) and more time and energy left for developing your photographic skills...wahay :D ...what about you’re A level course and that..? Can you still carry on the same route or are there alternatives.

Go for it Cheryl, as you say life’s too short to keep pondering in it... :thumbs:

The only downside I can se is you won't be able to come on so many TP meets...hmmm, tricky one. :lol:
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It all depends on how long the whole process takes, but it may mean i have to quit my photography course half way through :( I'm sure they will do something like that over there though!

As for TP meets, we'll just have to have a big one in Canada :D Jewel & Mindcrime can come too then :)
 
Thats great news, go for it, like you say lifes too short that why I spent £15,000 yesterday :eek:
 
minimeeze said:
As for TP meets, we'll just have to have a big one in Canada :D Jewel & Mindcrime can come too then :)
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Seeing as Jewel & Myself are in Ontario, you'll have to do the travelling :razz:. Or we could meet in the middle? Where it's flat and lifeless...........

I've always fancied a trip to BC, especially Vancouver, the Islands and Stanley Park.

You'll love it over here. We are roughly on the same salary as we had in the UK and we have so much free cash every month, it makes it all worthwhile. Camera's and accessories are expensive though :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:
 
Congratulations, I hope the emigration process is easy. I'd love to go to Canada rather than the US but it is almost impossible for American's to move there... Oh well. I've only been to Ontario so I don't know much about the west coast but I'm sure it is just as beautiful and welcoming.
 
Look Min if you don't want to come to the Surrey Hants Berks Club meets you only have to say! Joking aside this is a great opportunity & I'm sure you'll be a huge asset to the NHS equivalent in Canada - lucky them & good luck with the process - wont stop the sharp wit you bring to the forum obviously but sorry you wont be around for the local meets etc
Regards Paul :thumbs:
 
minimeeze said:
As for TP meets, we'll just have to have a big one in Canada :D Jewel & Mindcrime can come too then :)
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Now wouldn't that be kewl eh!!,lol

Good luck to you Cheryl sounds like a chance of a lifetime. With no kids bearing you down your right, life is just too short not to take on an adventure.

Jewel :)
 
Good on you Cheryl, it will be a fantastic move for you both, I'm sure......and you will love the better conditions for Midders. I can just see you now....heading out to a home confinments by dog sled!! I envy you the freedom to just up sticks and go..........roll on retirement!:clap:
 
If she moves to Vancouver then she'll more than likely need a good pair of wellies and a big umbrella for the rain. And maybe some waders, too! Not much snow for Vancouverites, unfortunately.
 
Isn't it Canada that the taxes are around 50%? Although school & medical is absolutely free.
 
Taxes are low, lower than the UK. You're money just seems to go further. Basically, what we see in dollars the UK pays in pounds. I'm still getting used to adding tax to stuff I buy, as the price advertised it less tax for some reason, and that tax is currently 14% in Ontario, but it differs from province to province.

The medical system here is pretty much like the NHS, only better. Dentistry is another matter, though. Very expensive but you do get an appointment very quickly.
 
I tip my hat Cheryl - Brave but great decsion. Life is indeed too short. Mark Twain once said: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover......Very best wishes !
 
Good for you Cheryl - you've been thinking it all through for long enough to know you're making the right decision too.

Keep us all up to date with how your application is going.
 
Vancouver is one of my all time favorite cities! I am from the west coast USA, Portland and Seattle, and will definitely be back there to stay soon. Good luck!
 
just get ready for how AWESOME everything is!!! lol
 
whitewash said:
BC is awesome, its my dream to emigrate there at some point!
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Just Do It. If you have no ties in the UK what's stopping you. There's no time like the present. You won't regret it, I promise you that.
 
Good luck Cheryl, hope it all goes smoothly for you.
I have never been to Canada but have rellies in Ontario, so keep meaning to go over & check it out.

My feet are always itching ... and no I dont have athletes foot!
Im presently thinkng Spain, I have a friend emigrating in the next couple of months (opening a beauty salon there) so I may follow her out for a rekkie.
I also know a few peeps who already live there (Valencia & Benissa) and they say they dont miss old Blighty one bit.
 
mindcrime said:
Just Do It. If you have no ties in the UK what's stopping you. There's no time like the present. You won't regret it, I promise you that.
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ive considered it, but i have a girlfriend, house etc to think about first, also i dont really think theres a shortage of motorsports mechanics in canada! thus id probably struggle to get residency!
 
whitewash said:
ive considered it, but i have a girlfriend, house etc to think about first, also i dont really think theres a shortage of motorsports mechanics in canada! thus id probably struggle to get residency!
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Don't makes excuses Jamie - go for it. They have something called a 'Provincial nominee program' HERE where they will fast track applications from people belonging to trades / professions that they need (the list is HUGE). I have a boyfriend, house, etc - I'm selling the boyfriend and the house is coming with me.... or something like that ;) :thinking: :lol:
 
whitewash said:
ive considered it, but i have a girlfriend, house etc to think about first, also i dont really think theres a shortage of motorsports mechanics in canada! thus id probably struggle to get residency!
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I had a house, a wife and no kids in the UK, we had pretty good jobs but were stuck in an awful rut. So one day we just applied to come to Canada, I was 33 and the wife 36. 18 months later we were here. House sold for a tidy profit, new exciting life, and now we are actually LIVING. If you want it, it's here. Oh, and there are a lot of car/bike/skidoo/boat racing events & series to keep any mechanic happy! Just take the test on the website and see how you fair, that's what we did.
 
You could be double fast tracked once they learn of your dinkle spotting skills and who's going to spot our dinkles when your gone.:shake:
 
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