Location Transport

I'd like to emigrate to canada!?

We would like to know basic price comparisons of everyday things, food, utilities, public transport etc against those of the UK. Also what the schools are like in general (level of education etc) and really anything else that would be helpful. many thanks OK...to solve any confusion..we completed the self assessment test and scored 82%...so I am presuming we would be eligible for entry into canada. We have done this through correct routes, so know this to be accurate. Any cost of living comparisions, from those that already live there would be really helpful, as well as any general info too, that you may feel relevant to new comers!

Public Comments

1. Before you can come to Canada, as Immigrants, you have to apply and qualify, thru testing, to see if you are what we in Canada, are looking for. It is a competition, not a lottery, and your score on the "self assessment " test has to be greater than 67 points out of 100, to even be considered. Here is a link to that test. Take it and see what score you get. The test is based on your formal education ( the higher the better ) and your actual years of work experience, plus your past credit and financial history, your medical condition, having a clear Police record, and your ability to adapt to life in a new country. Here is the link. http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/immigrate/skilled/assess/Education.asp This is the link for general information about the Immigration process in Canada. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp Good Luck . Jim B. Toronto.
2. Well, it depends on what you plan on living in: apartment vs house, and size. I'm in Quebec (where your kids would have to attend a French school if you came here, btw, but English anywhere else), and for a 3 bedroom house with 3 floors (basement/main/upstairs), I pay $100/month for heating with a heat pump/oil system. Food for 2 adults and 2 kids runs me about $800/month (but that all depends on what you eat). Public transport is in all main cities and is generally very well priced. (roughly $75/month for a transit pass) Schools vary greatly based on the city and neighbourhood that you choose. Winters can be brutal, again, depending on the area. Hope that helps a bit!
3. Before you ask questions about things like the cost of living, level of education and public transit costs et cetera here in Canada, you need to determine if you even qualify to come here. It is extremely difficult to immigrate here but impossible if you don't have the education, skills and experience in professions/trades that are in demand here. If you are in the UK, go to the nearest high commission and speak with someone there.
4. You need to make sure you can get into Canada if you've not already applied. The emigration system is done on a points system, so you get more porints for your education, age, skills etc. Also if you have a job offer you get more points for that. There are also other ways to emigrate to canada like under the PN program etc (but then you are stuck in that province for a while). You can also come over on a work permit while you wait for your application to be processed for permanent residence but this is risky as there's no guarantees it will be approved. The best way to find out information is through one of the emmigration fairs that they hold in a few of the cities in the UK throughout the year. There are also newspapers that have articles and all the companies that you need in order to emigrate as there's a lot to organise!. It all depends on where you're going to live in Canada, as all provinces apart from Alberta have a provinincial sales tax as well as the Government sales tax (5%). So items vary a bit in price from province to province. Public transport also varies from being good in cities to non existant outside cities. Education i think is similar to the UK, there are English only schools or French immersion schools - where classes are taught in English and French. In some provinces children start school a year later than in the UK. But they end up with the same education at the end of it. There are also many universities here too. Most items are cheaper than in the UK, cars are cheaper, petrol is cheaper (but cars are larger) and most grocery items are cheaper or comparible to the UK. Travel within Canada is stupidly expensive compared to what you are used to paying in comparison in the UK for flights to Europe (theres lack of competition). Travelling outside Canada is also more expensive than the UK, there is way less choice for package holidays. But its a great country with so much to see and do and there's so much space compared to the UK - I love it and would not return to the UK.