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| Subject: finally here II |
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I fully understand wannabe´s situation. The feeling of isolation in a "rural" or remote areas is awefull specially when one is coming from a decent sizes city.
I am not sure if areas like Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops are that rural anymore. Cities like Kelowna have a fair sizes University campus where part time students and inverstors inject quite of bit of $$$ to the local economy which creates a need for expansion and hence a growth in the overall local business. This includes, health care, engineering firms, construction companies, electrical etc....
Of course this won´t happen over night.
What is required to start a new life with the right foot?
A GOOD JOB.
And that doesn´t always come with a good weather or a pretty city.
There are cities in this country where the economy is hard for the locals, what makes people think that is going to be easier for a new landed immigrant?
What is the need of having a pretty mall down the street if one can barely afford the car payments?
One thing at the time, let set prioroties. At the beginning(in most cases) job stability makes a big difference in the quality of life. The pretty malls, nice mountains and nice sidewalks don´t pay the bills. The time for that will come but not now.
Canada is more than (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec city, Halifax, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina.
Moving to a new city or getting a new job should not be any different than hiring someone.
90 days probation... is it doesn´t work let it go and move on don´t try to change it, it won´t work.... Move to another city, province or territory if necessary.
As many of you know, I am from Fort Lauderdale Florida and I didn´t end up in Fort McMurray because of the weather, you can bet your boots in that.
At that time, matched my profession and after awhile I started calling this place home.
I even have my own issues about Kelowna, too many hippies and their sense of urgency is very different than mine and those mountains around HOLY COW I feel that I live in a hole. (Bare in mind that I have been a flat lander my whole life).
There are different colours and different flavours in this part of the world and for ALL kind of taste, we just have to look for it to find it.
Cheers
Bill
[11-08-2008,14:13]
[***.34.111.122]
Bill |
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(in reply to: finally here II)
I want share my cultural shock when I moved to Canada.
One day I was coming from work (My second day) and all the sudden the car behind me just BOOM hit me in the back.
I step out of the car to see what happen. I am an average guy but I am 6´6" and there is this very short Asian lady in the car behind me that when she saw started to screem for no particular reason, I was not sure if she was ok so I approached her vehicule to make sure she was fine.
She looked at me in tears of terror and I was able to see her shaking hand calling 911, I just went back to my car with my head down feeling SO BAD.
1- I just got hit by a car and I didn´t have a whole lot of money to fix it and I had no clue which bus to take to go to work next day.
2- I scared the living heck out of a poor short old asian lady. (IT WAS NOT MY INTENTION BY ANY MEANS)
3- I didn´t have anyone to call and HAD CLUE HOW TO REACT.
The police arrived and asked me to get out of my car with both of my hands where the officer could seen them.
After about an hour the lady realized that she had nothing to be affraid of, she fixed my car and her husband invited me for dinner one day I didn´t go and we didn´t become friends after all I almost got shot for no reason.
But I just wanted to share my first cultural shock.
Cheers
Bill
[11-08-2008,14:31]
[***.34.111.122]
Bill |
(in reply to: finally here II)
good story Bill and your comments about a job are absolutely correct. following your 90 day rule would be a challenge for many but I think you have a valid point.
That part that made me laugh was your ´living in a hole´ comment. Too funny. I have spent my entire life living in a ´hole´ and that flatlander stuff makes me instantly bored and wanting to build a fence or something so it does not feel like the surface of the moon.
[11-08-2008,16:39]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: finally here II)
Lots of speculation from us here, but everyone´s different in what it takes to feel comfortable in what is really one of life´s most major and traumatic decisions. Uprooting oneself is not an easy thing, emotionally and physically.
I´d also add that all of us from the States (as well as most of EU, Australia, NZ, etc.) are indeed normal immigrants. Although it may not be for reasons of basic survival or threats to our personal safety, we still seek a system and society that we can´t find where we´re at. So I have to disagree that we´re not normal or typical.
Finally, hopefully we can hear more from wannabe and how things are going there.
[11-08-2008,19:22]
[***.131.12.0]
Richard |
(in reply to: finally here II)
Hi Richard,
Wannabe,
I really wish you well in your future endevours, making a new place "home" it is not an easy task and very challenging.
Use each day as an opportunity to get closer to the goal whatever the goal is.
If have made it this far, there is no question that you will get to the top of the hill in no time.
Best wishes.
********************
Hi Richard,
What do you mean by Uprooting oneself? I didn´t quite get that and what do you mean with "So I have to disagree that we?re not normal or typical"?.
I´ll look forward to hear from you.
Cheers
Bill
[11-08-2008,20:00]
[***.34.111.122]
Bill |
(in reply to: finally here II)
I think Richard was referring to my comment. I tend to think that most immigrants are motivated by pure economics rather than social philosophy or intrinsics. If economics was the only consideration, I suspect Richard would stay exactly where he is.
[11-08-2008,20:54]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: finally here II)
Thanks Bill for the advice and good wishes. You were pretty determined I think and therefore made a successful transition. You may also not have been tied down as much by family and other considerations, as I sense you were a free spirit at the time of your move.
Yes, I was referring to an earlier comment from Sharon. True, if it were pure economics, the move wouldn´t be as pressing or as much of a need. I only disagree with the conclusion that this circumstance defines a not normal immigration. My point is most skilled worker immigrants (as myself, wannabe, Bob, and countless others) from 1st world countries are not moving for basic survival or refuge needs, but rather for the intrinsic social or other lifestyle values Canada has to offer.
Were we comfortable enough where we were at? Probably in terms of food and shelter. Were we happy with the system and life choices, no. After all, Bill could also have had a comfortable life in Florida had he stayed, I suspect.
[11-08-2008,21:50]
[**.47.173.225]
Richard |
(in reply to: finally here II)
when you subtract the spousal sponsorships out of the total influx from the UN´s top 15 first world countries... it starts to suggest that the motivation to uproot becomes much less. Same sex marriage rights would also be a significant immigration motivator. I can´t see money being in the top 3 reasons to immigrate for most of these people because there is little or no added benefit to moving compared to the costs.
[11-08-2008,22:03]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: finally here II)
I never forget moving to Halifax thinking it was a major city but what a surprise.
When your a small town person you can adapt better to a large centre then vice versa.
Give it some more time.
Roy
www.cvimmigration.com
[11-08-2008,22:08]
[**.52.218.93]
Roy |
(in reply to: finally here II)
Hi Richard,
Oh I see what you mean, I completly agree with you, immigration is not always related to economics. Different life style plays a big factor for sure. It is quite complicated.
I could have a comfortable life in Florida if would have stayed I guess, but there is nothing there for me anymore other than relatives, I started a beautiful family here, my home is here and so on, going back is not even an option to consider and has nothing to do with economics as you said. I just can´t stand the life style down south but that is a different story all together.
Somehow we write our own destiny.
Catcha later mate.
Cheers
Bill
[11-08-2008,22:12]
[**.70.95.206]
Bill |
(in reply to: finally here II)
What a great conversation that´s been going on! Yes, yes, yes, and yes: I agree with all the statements made on isolation, the "needs" that we get accustomed to coming from the States or similar places, economics vs lifestyle choices, etc. Sorry I haven´t been able to participate in this fantastic conversation.
After a minor breakdown, the fog lifted and I am now able to see my circumstances in a more realistic and sunny light. We are located in a lovely suburb of SJ and I can see that it will offer us everything we need. The library, 2 hockey rinks (plus an outdoor rink in the winter!), great schools, the groceries, a fantastic coffee shop are all within walking distance or a quick bike ride from where we are.
We decided that the best way for us to give this place the best opportunity to become our new HOME is to buy a house so we can really become part of the community. Yesterday we accepted an offer on our house in the US and our offer here on a lovely home was accepted so it seems that things are looking up.
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. I know the process will be long, and it´s anyone´s guess whether this will become home forever, but we´re glad to be here getting our start in Canada.
More definitely to come. :)
Thanks Sharon for the "virtual hugs". You can´t imagine how much it helped. And thanks to everyone who shared their stories; to know that this isolation and unexpected culture shock has been experienced by my friends here has helped immensely.
I will be checking in and adding more as I get the chance. For now I´m at the mercy of free internet access at the coffeeshop, and the patience of my 5 year old is limited. :)
[12-08-2008,11:04]
[***.166.78.243]
wannabecanadian |
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