Can you pick a "best" place to live in Canada?

[paakbaak]

I´m a single mom to my 2yo son, we´re back in Mexico with my mom but looking for somewhere to live, with my partner. i would love to move to canada.

to go to canada and stay, do you need to ask for inmigration approval?

can you tell me where a good place to live would be?
child-friendly, nature-friendly, safe and beautiful. i don´t ask for too much do i????? i don´t like big cities, i like towns, mountains, river, etc...
i love canada, but can´t put my finger on a single place!
thanks!

[woaters]

The province of British Columbia is beautiful. Mountains, rivers, lakes everywhere.
Canada is a big country, and I have only lived in BC. But the interior and the okanagon have lots of towns.

I have no idea about immigration.

[paakbaak]

thank you!

[dawncayden]

Bc!!! :)

[bluepetals]

Pretty much any province in Canada has lots of nature not too far away, so I guess it depends on what type of climate you are looking for....BC is more moderate, for example.

As for immigration, here is a link....
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp

[Sage.Naissance]

Montreal! But it isnt a great place to find work, unfortunately.

[Alison's Mom]

I love BC and have lived here most of the life, but due to its natural beauty and relatively moderate climate, jobs can be competitive, and the cost of living can be high is some places. Here's a thread compiled by someone in the Vancouver thread talking about affordability in the Vancouver area, for instance.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=10043191#post10043191

Montreal is fabulous, but I think the super cold winters turn some people off.

[paakbaak]

yes, i looove bc, but there are so many great cities!

thanks for the inmigration link. i´ve been thinking: if i look for a job from mexico, it´s alot easier to get legal residence

[JERENAUD]

I imagine that you're already somewhat familiar with the Canadian climate (and the range of temperatures from coast to coast), but if not, do some research into it. My husband's Aunt is from Mexico, living in Windsor (pretty much the most southern part of Canada) and finds it really cold on all but the hottest days of the summer. Even those she doesn't find hot, just comfortable.

The weather network has some good statistics on average temperatures and precipitation each month www.theweathernetwork.com.

Good luck!

[Kinguk]

Nelson, British Columbia :thumb

[paakbaak]

thanks! nelson is beautiful!

[Len]

Hola Paakbaak,

I'm originally from Mexico city as well, came to Canada more than a decade ago..... you say you don't like big cities, but compared to Mexico City any city in Canada will be like a small town, LOL!

We chose Vancouver because we liked it so much here. And the weather is not as cold as elsewhere in Canada. A lot of people that come to live here from Mexico like North Vancouver, I guess because it's more the picture of city within the forest, and not too far from downtown. Vancouver has become very popular lately for tourism/students from Mexico too.

There's a lot involved in the immigration process, may or may not be possible, depending on several conditions. We found it easier to pay an immigration lawyer to help us with all that stuff.

Good luck!

[paakbaak]

gracias elena! north vancouver is close to the forest? that´s something i would love!!

[Zan&Zav]

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

[linsybyster]

To agree with most of the PPs, from what you've described it sounds like you would love BC. The western half of Alberta is also nature-filled and close to the mountains. You do have to be a bit more careful in Alberta because it is more conservative, but from what I know BC has almost as many rednecks anyway, they just also have more AP pockets. The Kootenays, the Okanagan, around Vancouver or on Vancouver Island (or the Gulf Islands) would all probably be great choices. Vancouver and Victoria will have nice, fairly mild climates though rainy in the winter. Alberta is a lot colder in the winter (a LOT) but it is also sunnier! I prefer that but it's what I grew up with. :)

[Baby Makes 4]

We live in Nanaimo, BC. It's an hour and a half from Victoria but it has a lower cost of living, is smaller and is more family friendly. We lived in Victoria for 18 years and loved it but we've been very happy with the move.

We have beautiful parks, beaches, lakes, rivers, mountains, markets and we're driving distance to countless beautiful places. We can drive to Tofino to surf and to Mount Washington to snowboard.

[BCmommy]

I vote for BC as well, but for affordability I'd say stay away from the lower mainland.

You do need permission to say here permanently. I am not sure of the specifics, but I have heard there are immigration procedures for people that want to live in parts of Canada that aren't as populated. So, if you have skills that can apply to more rural communities that might be a plus?

Canada is essentially a country of immigrants, some of our families have just been here longer than other others. :lol

I googled immigartion Canada:

https://ssl.rsscanadaimmigration.com/en/form/skw.php?en=google1

http://www.immigration.ca/assessment.asp?gclid=CMfu3tf-5JUCFQv7agodd34LfA

Official CND gov't site:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp

HTH!! PM me if you want me to look anything up for you or answer questions.

[paakbaak]

I googled immigartion Canada:

https://ssl.rsscanadaimmigration.com/en/form/skw.php?en=google1

http://www.immigration.ca/assessment.asp?gclid=CMfu3tf-5JUCFQv7agodd34LfA

Official CND gov't site:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp

HTH!! PM me if you want me to look anything up for you or answer questions.

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!!

[BCmommy]

No problem! :shy

[courtrn]

we live in yellowknife and we LOVE it here. there are so many well-paying jobs and so much to do.

[just_lily]

You do have to be a bit more careful in Alberta because it is more conservative, but from what I know BC has almost as many rednecks anyway, they just also have more AP pockets.

I am conservative politically (but not socially) and AP. So they aren't mutually exclusive concepts.

Canada is a really giant country. So many beautiful places. I have lived in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta, and there are pros and cons of each. We also just went to visit my brother who just moved to the lower mainland of BC, and I was desperately jealous of their scenery.

The most important questions to ask yourself are 1) what are you / your partner / family / etc. planning to do for work as each region of Canada tends to specialize in different industries, 2) how much are you willing to pay to live, as cost of living also differs dramatically, and 3) what environmental, regional, climate and cultural aspects are important to you?

Right now we are living in a small community outside of Calgary, Alberta. I enjoy it here very much for the most part, but the downsides (for me) is that there aren't a lot of trees in the prairies and I really miss forests, and there isn't a lot of fresh local produce available. Beef we have lots of, but most produce, fish, etc. has to be shipped in. But we are an hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains, and there are lots of economic opportunities. Living outside of the city gives us the best of both worlds.

[Chronic Chrissy]

Wow she says no big cities and everyone says BC????

I'm Manitoban and absolutely love it! We live and hour form the largest city Winnipeg, right on the lake, surrounded by rivers, lakes, and beaches. Our area of the interlake is compared to being inland oceans. There are so many different types of ecosystems within a few hours drive, from wide rolling prairies, to lakes rives and forests then their is the canadian sheild which is filled with rock formations. The people are friendly, the schools haven't yet manifested. And the cost of living is so incredibly low compared to most parts of the country. We have access to a variety of local foods from gardens farms and lakes(yes lots of fish). As well as your basic meats like beef poultry and pork, also bison. And most foods can be purchased strait from the farmer around here. They city is about to go through a large boom with a new port being made in our airport, and there are always a wide variety of jobs to be had from most every profession. Everyone helps everyone else out, and there are enough smaller cities and towns around that you really never have to go into Winnipeg. Also the climate has some of the most extrem changes going from 35+degrees in the summer(but it feels much hotter with the humidex) down to -40 in the winter. You can expect about 2-3 storms a winter, and no real climate emergencies in the summer. If you want lots of different things to explore and go on adventures while having your space and removing yourself from society while enjoying the convienences this is the place to be, it really has something for everyone. Oh we live on a single income of $30,000/yr, our food costs $70 a week, our hydro bill is $85 a month, and our mortgage on our gorgeous house(with 1400sqf, 3 brm, hot tub, skylights, deck, garage, and 5 minutes from the lake) only cost us $129, 000, which puts our mortgage payments at $360 every two weeks.

[dawncayden]

Wow she says no big cities and everyone says BC????


BC is a huge place and full of smaller towns and small cities :wink


ETA, my cousin lives in Brandon and LOVES it. She bought it for crazy cheap too.

[Megamum2008]

I say BC too, just not necessarily the lower mainland! The Kootenays, around Nelson, are awesome, as is the Okanagon. I live in Kamloops, and it's ok. I love the north too, and the island. It's a great province all around!
That being said I grew up in the Yukon, and if you want forests and beautiful scenery and wonderful people, Whitehorse is a great little city to live in!
Good luck!

[JessieBird]

No votes for Quebec yet? I have to jump in. I've lived in BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia, and have roots in Newfoundland, but I'll never leave Quebec again. Exciting weather and exciting politics, there's always plenty to talk about and you've never met more engaged people in your life! Quebec is generally very socially and environmentally progressive and our small towns will melt your heart. Don't be scared off by the high income taxes, in my experience you get what you pay for and it is nice to feel so well looked after by a government. Also there are far more English and bi/multi-lingual pockets than most people realize so speaking French is not a requirement if that daunts you. Economically, it is a bit hit and miss (like anywhere in Canada these days) but jobs are still plentiful and entrepreneurship thrives here, if you're the sort who likes to carve out your own living. There is lots of government and community support for small businesses. Like all other provinces and territories, Quebec offers huge variety in landscape, climate and culture so there is a lot to choose from.

[Scarborogal]

I can't say I've ever been to British Columbia but I hear it is so beautiful. But personally I would never live anywhere other then Toronto. There is so much to do here and some really amazing places for children.

I think anywhere you go in Canada you will love it.

K.