Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)


 
       
Subject: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after
  Hello friends,

Well, it is good to see the Forum is still here. The service is wonderful and helps to ease the frustration and wait, and is sort of a friend supporting you.

It has been one year since we received the great news that we were approved and when we received our Visas. We landed in Vancouver on July 7th, 2005.

We thought we would update you all.

First for those who are frustrated or worried..... generally you all will be fine. CIC approves most of the requests. The Government in Ottawa wants and invites you! You just need to endure the waits, the minor errors on the medicals sometimes, and anxiety in not hearing anything, then all of a sudden, the Visa will be there.

For us, Vancouver is heaven and so is British Columbia. We have scores of new friends, Ben has a great job at a four star hotel downtown and I have gone back to school to get a certificate in addictions. I hope to open my own little therapy practice later this year and Ben hopes to open an import business bringing in Thai products. Opening businesses here is much easier and less expensive than the US.

For those of you who have advanced graduate degrees, in most cases, be prepared to swollow hard and accept that people here really don;t care. You need to get some local Canadian experience and paperwork before you can be in your field; not like the U.S. It is a struggle but worth it.

We have found Canada to be quite expensive and everything is taxed heavily and housing is out of reach for many. Very very expensive.
But if one looks hard enough, one can find a good deal or a reasonable rent, probably less than what you had at home, but who cares?

One thing we have seen --- no one complains here about the high taxes for the most part. "Part getting to live in this great place". And they are sooo right!

From our experience, one usually takes about a year to get acclimated and calm, secure here. One finds a circle of friends, a great neighbourhood, and a routine, then he is fine!

We have heard from many of our friends here = and they have received good news and are coming to Land. We share in everyone´s joy when they get the good news knowing they are about to embark on a great adventure!

So, when you get down and feel sad or frustrated when you encounter the envitable little bumps that face us all as we immigrate to Canada, please know that all of it is worth the wait, and for the most of you out there waiting for the little grey recycled Government envelope from CIC, it WILL come and then it will be time for celebration. When fear sits in and reality arrives, and you are on your way, just remember you, too, may be writing here a year later telling your friends that you too have found heaven and peace and are happy in Canada.

Our love to everyone here. and Good Luck to you all.

Ron and Ben
from the Emrerald City opf Beautiful Vancouver, BC, CANADA

[09-05-2006,00:38]
[**.71.22.242]
Ron&Ben
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
so nice to see your names! where abouts in Vancouver are you living? west end???

thank you for taking the time to report back. I cannot believe it is a year already. Not sure if I should be happy or cry!

[09-05-2006,00:54]
[***.20.170.23]
Sharon
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
Thanks for the encouraging post. Can you tell me if it is feasable to start a small buiseness like a coffee shop or a fast food franchisee in Vancouver and how much initial investment is required in amodest locality?. I am a medical post graduate from India. I am ready to retrain and adopt the Canadian way; not withstanding my post graduate qualifications.
[09-05-2006,01:31]
[***.134.252.58]
hotobhaga
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
Vancouver is expensive for a small business. Lease rates can run $25 to $50 a square foot and then there are triple net costs on top of that.

Is it possible - yes. people do it all the time. Vancouverites love things that are unusual, in interesting surroundings, and with great customer service. Did you know the largest Indian market outside of India is in Vancouver. fast food franchises tend to be expensive. Bring something from home to Vancouver- we will love it. If you are ready to work hard and think creatively - you will do well.

but be encouraged also about your graduate qualifications. The government just announce a large investment to help with acreditation.

[09-05-2006,01:37]
[***.20.170.23]
Sharon
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
Sharon please encourage people to go to Vancouver. Why you always make us....What´s the problem? You don´t want any more people to come here?
[09-05-2006,01:52]
[**.249.33.23]
Anonymous
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
sharon...
Any idea of the percentage success of small ventures in Vancouver even if idea is not original. Like a coffee shop or a wine retail.

[09-05-2006,03:09]
[***.134.252.58]
hotobhaga
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
249.33.23 you post make absolutely no sense.

in BC, wine retailing is a regulated industry and you require special permits to open a retail outlet. They are very hard to come by.

They say half of all retail businesses fail in the first 5 years (that is an industry standard). I don´t think Vancouver businesses would be different from that stat.

[09-05-2006,13:55]
[***.20.170.23]
Sharon
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
Thank You Ron and Ben for taking time to share your experience. I am so happy for both of you. Yes, we all look forward to moving to Canada very soon !

Take care,
Brian

[09-05-2006,14:20]
[***.48.227.164]
Brian
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
Hey Ron nice to see you back here in the form I guess it would be nice for others to see how those PR people doing in Canada, whether they are happy, to be in Canada or not ...

It is nice that Ben got a job but I just wonder what kind of job has he got in that hotel?..

Honestly, I have met some people in Ottowa (Indian and Asian friends) what they tell me is that they would not have immigrated to Canada if they had known the life is that much hard ... Those friends of mine all got some jobs, they do survive but honetly by living outskirts of the town and far from the many beautiful facilities and amenities of the town...

What about me ? Well I got a very good job and can say I am in a better situation compared with other immigrants even with many other canadians,...

Becasue of the nature of my job I meet many immigrants and after seeing those guys I would suggest any prospective immigrants ´ Guys honestly think again and again before making that big choice, life is not really as beautiful as you see on TV or from that part of the world you are living in ... talk to your relatives and friends and then do whaetever you like, but please talk to as many people as you can ...

Good Luck all of you and hope to read more success stories....


[09-05-2006,15:08]
[**.213.200.96]
Anonymous
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
I´ve read literally dozens of threads where people paint Canada as the most difficult scenario to live in! I mean does anyone has any idea what is life in a third world country? or a country where slavery still fresh and alive? or where human basic liberties are completely smash to the ground in the everyday basis? Come on guys! Canada is the best of the best!... oh by the way we haven´t landed yet... so probably you would think I don´t know what I am talking about. But my response to that, you don´t know then what is life in a poor country. My point is, life is a lot harder everywhere else than Canada.
[09-05-2006,16:18]
[***.211.194.151]
G
(in reply to: Report from the Beautiful Vancouver 1 year after)
Thanks guys......

Sharon, we bought a great loft on Upper New Westminster..love it..everything is so handy.

Regardinmg businesses, we have seen some available for $13,000 and aorund $800 rent per mnth with about $350 in sales daily. Businesses are easier to open in New West..would never attempt downtown.

Expenses are lower a few miles outside the city.

Yes, it is true that there is a huge amount of work to do and life is hard when you arrive.... change is hard work but if you keep your focus and eye on the ball, every day is easier. Having a support network and friends is a strong advantage.

Hoto -- I would wait when you arrive until you get accustomed to where you are living before beginning your business venture. I do see hundreds of little businesses all over Vancouver Metro.

Anon... Ben is in the trainee management program at the hotel which will lead to a management position in finance. He loves his job and makes great $$$ while doing it.

Thanks for the great replies.


[09-05-2006,16:38]
[**.71.22.242]
ron&Ben