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Replies in this thread : 8
| Author | Topic : How's it in Canada? | |||
| Frankly Hounds Basic User Posts : 88  |
So, my boyfriend and I are sick and tired of the crowded places and heat of Texas.
And I've always dreamed of living somewhere with cold winters, mild summers, and LOTS AND LOTS of trees and rain!!! We were talking with my grandpa about maybe moving to Washington, and he mentioned Canada. I've never been, so I figured I'd ask here. Do you like living there? How are the colleges? Is that what they're called there? What about employment and the economy? What part do you live in? How are things politically at the moment? We won't be making the move for probably around 2 years. I want to get my associates degree before and save up some money. Any advice? |
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| Race On A Rainbow Basic User Posts : 500+ |
this post has been edited 1 time(s) quoteHmmm...Cold winters and mild summers. I don't know how that will work out for you. The places with the coldest winters also have hot summers (ie, Saskatchewan -50 in winter 30-40 in summer) unless you go really far north (where it is very pretty) However, BC has LOTS of trees and LOTS of rain. The summers aren't overly warm...but then again, the winters aren't too cold either, unless you go further north. quote I like living here very, very, very, very much.  quote We have both colleges and universities up here, and there's a lot of really good ones. And of there isn't one up here that you like, it's possible to go to one in the states too. I'm going to Mount Allison next year, and I'm greatly looking forward to it. quote A lot depends on what industry and province you are in, but in general, I think it's doing as well as it can be expected to be doing. quote I'm originally from BC (Vancouver) but for the past month or so I've been living in Quebec. And before that I was living in Saskatchewan for a few months. My Grandparents live in the Maritimes, so I've spent a lot of time there as well. quotePretty boring actually. Parliament was closed for awhile in January because Harper tried to do something stupid with the budget. Canadian politics are rarely as exciting as American ones though. Edited for formatting |
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| Melee Kennel Basic User Posts : 109 |
I would say WA, just because it has the same things you're describing, but then you don't have to worry about international citizenship or anything like that. But that's just me. I live in WA, like 20 minutes from Canada, so I might as well be in Canada haha. -Melee |
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| Dreisaiah Hundehutte Premium Member Posts : 4,000+  |
I love Canada. I live in British Columbia in Kamloops (the interior), which gets up around 104 F everyday for a month, but stays above 86 F during the summer. This winter we only got snow from Dec 16 and it all melted in March, and it only got so cold as -13 F, even though the norm for Kamloops is like 25 F in the winter. It's a desert here.. I'm originally from Edmonton, which is really warm in the summer and can sometimes get really hot, but it's not dry over there, it's quite humid actually. The winters are ..... insane. One time when I still lived there it was -58 F, no joke. But it's usually around -22 F... I think you would like Edmonton. It's fairly close to the best province in Canada (BC), to the Rockies.. and plus there's West Edmonton Mall if you like shopping.  A warm place with lots of rain - stick to the coast. Not sure about their winters, I'm guessing they're quite warm. Not much snow. Economy: Alberta is the rich province, apparently. It's booming over there. I'm sure that will happen in Saskatchewan soon too. There is lots of cheap land in Sask. BC is pretty expensive but gorgeous. Manitoba: Meh. I would recommend staying in Alberta but on the west border- mountains, winter, warm summers, and precipitation. |
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| griffin Basic User Posts : 3,000+ |
this post has been edited 1 time(s) So, my boyfriend and I are sick and tired of the crowded places and heat of Texas. And I've always dreamed of living somewhere with cold winters, mild summers, and LOTS AND LOTS of trees and rain!!! summers are mild compared to Texas and the cold is unimaginable if you've never lived outside of Texas. British Colombia is the most moderate province and has lots of trees and rain, the Maritimes (PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick) are fairly moderate, and Southern Ontario around the Great Lakes is fairly moderate. The Artic Territories and the prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta) are the most extreme ranging from >100F to -40F most of the time. Do you like living there? LOVE IT. There are few other places in the world I would consider living (the USA is not one of them). Although Canadians are less outwardly pariotic than Americans. How are the colleges? Is that what they're called there? There are community colleges and universities (2 different things). Colleges are 1-2 year practical diplomas, Universities are 4 year Bachelors, 1year Masters, and ~4 year PhD. They are of comparable quality to the USA but tuition is MUCH less for public universities it is usually ~$5,000/year for Bachelors, Graduate school is much more variable but I think it's around $20,000/year but with guaranteed TA ship to cover much of it. What about employment and the economy? At the moment it is better than the USA, it is usually very close to the US because of the huge amount of trade between the two countries. It also depends on where you are, Alberta is booming right now due to the oil sands. Ontario (traditionally the engine of the economy) is going down because it is largely manufacturing. BC and Quebec are doing pretty well too. The Artic is a bit iffy but the mining business is starting to take off up there. the Martimes are so-so because they were major fishing industry that has collapsed, but there is also a lot of forestry out there. What part do you live in? I live in Southern Ontario near Toronto. How are things politically at the moment? Not terribly interesting, all the major leaders are boring or weenies. Canadian politics are more policy driven rather than personality driven in the USA. In general, Canada is left-shifted compared to the USA (aka our right-wing would be considered centerist in the US, our centrist would be considered left-wing in the US, and our left-wing would probably be accused of being socialist/communist LOL, note there are infact at least 2 communist parties in Canada although they never win a seat). There are right now three major parties: the Conservatives (right-wing), the Liberals (Centrists), the New Democrates (left-wing). Every prime-minister has been either a Conservative or a Liberal. There are in general three major geographic areas of support: Alberta & the prairies - Conservative, Ontario & Maritimes - Liberal Quebec - Bloc Quebecois (long story, you can PM me if you want to know) Oh, and I almost forgot the other major difference - Canada is still a monarchy and the Queen of England is the head of state represented by the Govenor General. This is a subject of mild debate in Canada but is generally considered of minor importance. We won't be making the move for probably around 2 years. I want to get my associates degree before and save up some money. Any advice? A significant part of the Canadian identity is that we are not Americans so be prepared for a barrage of jokes. And don't call your country America while you are here it is the USA or the US or the States, Canadians are touchy about it because Canada is also part of North America and we don't appreciate you claiming the whole continent. Universal Healthcare is a major source of national pride (the first major proponent of it was voted the Greatest Canadian Ever). Do not move to Quebec it is french speaking (francophone) and the most socially left-wing province. New Brunswick is the only bilingual province (most things and people are in french and english). Alberta is considered the most "American" of the provinces and is the most right-wing part of the country. Also visit where ever you think you might like to move during the winter before you decide, also in summer if possible (Manitoba is black-fly heaven arg...). Because meer numbers cannot express what it is like. grif, |
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| griffin Basic User Posts : 3,000+ |
quoteAlberta is fairly dry actually BC gets all the rain by the time the air gets to Alberta it is all rained out. grif, |
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| Fallen Snow Basic User Posts : 303 |
Do you like living there? I enjoy living in Canada, although the winters can be very cold, but on the nice days, very beautiful, it is well worth it. Winters are long and harsh, summers are shorter and can be hot but there are also misquitoes. How are the colleges? Is that what they're called there? I havn't reached that far, but my mom and dad say they are good and well cared for. What about employment and the economy? Right now the economy is low. But manitoba, i heard, was doing the best so far. Since the economy isn't the greatest, neither is the enployment. Here and there you can find part-time jobs, depending where you look. What part do you live in? I live in Manitoba. Right now is flooding season, and the part we live in, was close to flooding, but luckly, the river went down. Winters are very cold and long. But summers are short, but warm. There are alot of misquitoes, so pack bug spray  How are things politically at the moment? At the moment, things are pretty good. Prices have gone up on things, but politically it is good. I hope you find a good place to move too. Manitoba is a facinating province if you look at it in the right way. There is lots of wildlife where we live, we see deers and jackrabbits and foxes behind our house every day. We live in a small town. But we live on a small block just outside of it where on one side, is a river, on the other, is a field. We live on the field. I wish good luck to you <3 Whisper |
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| clovergirl216 Basic User Posts : 500+ |
Don't forget the health care! |
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| Gaylanstudio5 Premium Member Posts : 84 |
this post has been edited 1 time(s) I live in Manitoba too - Winnipeg actually. The Manitoba economy tends to avoid much of the extreme boom and bust as it is considered to be very diversified. Politically, Manitaba is currently doing reasonably well in the current economy under what might be considered "Left Wing" - we have a long history of "New Democratic" governments. Flooding in the Red River Valley is often an issue in the spring but Winnipeg itself is protected by the Winnipeg Floodway, affectionately called "Duff's Ditch" named after the provincial leader, Duff Roblin, who was largly responsible for its creation after the devastating flood of 1950 when the heart of the city was under water. The Floodway is essentially a big ditch that diverts excess water around the city. Duff was much ridiculed at the time because of the cost but it has paid for itself over the years many times over. Winters can be long and cold, summers short and hot but, in my opinion they are more moderate now than a few years ago - global warming perhaps. Yes, we have mosquitos and West Nile Fever and heartworm. Blackflies are an issue in the bush but not really in the cities or open prairies. As fond as I am of you "Americans" as individuals, I'm happy to be Canadian and live in Canada. |
3/3/2009 12:12:28 PM
3/3/2009 4:27:03 PM|
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