Just another person wanting to move from ON to BC

[wrolph]

Hey guys & gals...
I know you've probably heard it a million times before, but please if you could give some ideas it would be much appreciated.

I am currently living in Ontario but have wanted to move out to BC for quite some time. I was out there briefly last summer/fall but did not get loads of time to explore all that I wanted. I came en route from Calgary by bus and ended up in Vancouver. Did not get a chance to visit Victoria, but from what people tell me I'm fairly certain I would like the place.

I am contemplating making a move next year this time (April/May) and am hopefully going to be in the position to find a teaching job in French (yes, I know there are not many regular teaching jobs, hence the reasoning behind looking for French in particular). If I can't find a teaching job then I do have a bit of a medical background - office secretary, medical transcription, etc. and would be interested in that if I had to. If all else fails then I have a PADI Scuba Instructor licence which may come in handy.

SO, the big question is much like everyone else's that is pondering a move. Where can I settle that is not crazy expensive for rent but still be relatively close to the ocean (i.e. diving locations). I don't really want to live in Vancouver, but am wondering about the Island and/or Sunshine Coast. Is there anywhere that is "affordable" with good weather/temps, and also not too far away from basic necessities such as hospitals, grocery stores, etc.?

I have heard that Courtenay is not bad, but I really have nothing to go by. I've done some research on the outskirts of Vancouver but none really appeal to me. I'd really appreciate some constructive comments.

Thanks in advance.
Wendy

 

[YukonJack]

Why?

 

[wrolph]

Why do I want to move there? Or why do I want constructive comments? If it's the former then here you go:

Not that I feel like I need to explain my choices, but I am looking for a new beginning. I am growing old of Ontario and want something fresh. There is not a whole lot of things to do here other than shopping, which I am not a huge fan of. I have been to Korea for 2 years and Thailand for 2 years but want to settle back home in Canada, preferably somewhere in BC.

I am big into diving and BC seems to be the only place in Canada that is decent for that so that is one of my reasons. I also enjoy skiing and being outdoors.

 

[taxslave]

Bring Cash. If you are from the East you will also require a work permit,entrance visa and proof you have never voted Liberal. Asking if anyone wants to play Euchre results in immediate expulsion. Being able to smoke four joints a day and still function will get automatic B.C. citizenship.

 

[bill barilko]

The Sunshine Coast is a Dead Zone economically, unless you're a wealthy retiree or a marijuana grower there really is very little work of any kind apart from the Govt/BC Ferries/some retail jobs (mostly part time).

As to French for all intents and purposes that language ceases to exist west of Manitoba some schools teach it but Mandarin and Spanish are much more practical if a person wants their kids to get ahead.

Look @ private schools on southern Vancouver Island.

As to practicalities Craigslist for shared accommodations.

Are you bringing a car?

Because outside of Greater Vancouver/some small part of Victoria public transportation ceases to be a viable option, this really is a small place and the population just isn't there to make transit work, you will see a few busses on the streets in smaller towns but the service is very limited.

For all the doom & gloom where's there's a will there's a way immigrants by the thousand make it here why not you?

With your admin background try contacting eco-tourism outfits for office work with an eye to get guiding certification.

 

[VanIsle]

Bring Cash. If you are from the East you will also require a work permit,entrance visa and proof you have never voted Liberal. Asking if anyone wants to play Euchre results in immediate expulsion. Being able to smoke four joints a day and still function will get automatic B.C. citizenship.

Taxslave, be nice now. You live here too and you live closer to Courtenay than I do even if I have lived in Courtenay/Comox. Wrolph - taxslave is just teasing and Bill - he's just nasty most of the time. He lives in Vancouver from what I understand. Juan and I live in Nanaimo. Talloola lives in Courtenay and Kreskin lives in Campbell River. Taxslave lives up the road a ways from me and Juan.
Next to Victoria , Nanaimo is the largest city on the Island. Talloola loves where she lives but while we only lived in Courtenay/Comox area for just around 3 years, it was not our favourite place to live. Just query each city. I think you can pretty much just do a www.nanaimocity.ca and probably find something about us. Probably the same for Courtenay - try it and see what happens. www.courtenaybc.ca I am truly onl guessing at these addresses and they might not get you anywhere but Google will. French is taught a little in a all the schools and to the best of my knowledge, there is only one full French Immersion school here. Nearly all of both Nanaimo and Courtenay are right on the ocean or near enough. There are not a lot of places that you drive in Nanaimo that you don't have at least some view of the ocean. You might also like Campbell River. I have family and some good friends there. You seem to have enough credentials to get you a job of some sort almost anywhere.

 

[VanIsle]

The Sunshine Coast is a Dead Zone economically, unless you're a wealthy retiree or a marijuana grower there really is very little work of any kind apart from the Govt/BC Ferries/some retail jobs (mostly part time).

As to French for all intents and purposes that language ceases to exist west of Manitoba some schools teach it but Mandarin and Spanish are much more practical if a person wants their kids to get ahead.

Look @ private schools on southern Vancouver Island.

As to practicalities Craigslist for shared accommodations.

Are you bringing a car?

Because outside of Greater Vancouver/some small part of Victoria public transportation ceases to be a viable option, this really is a small place and the population just isn't there to make transit work, you will see a few busses on the streets in smaller towns but the service is very limited.

For all the doom & gloom where's there's a will there's a way immigrants by the thousand make it here why not you?

With your admin background try contacting eco-tourism outfits for office work with an eye to get guiding certification.

When was the first and last time you were ever on this Island? Your information is completely wrong. You use the words "make it here" yet you show yourself as being from Vancouver. If you live "here" you don't get out much. The city bus stops outside my house so I certainly know that it's around -lots! Do you live down Island in somewhere like Ladysmith where the things you say are non-existant really are non-existant? Lots of the people I work with don't have a car.

 

[talloola]

I do live in Courtenay/Comox Valley, have been here for
about 27 years, and I love it.
The people are very friendly and casual, and it is a safe
place to be.
There are lots of outdoor activities, fishing, mountains,
skiing, hunting, and it is growing very fast.
It is very pretty here, lovely scenery, lots of ocean
areas for swimming, picnicing etc.
Great restaurants, and lots of them.
Weather is moderate and comfortable, not too cold and not
too hot.
There is a very nice theatre here for live performing,
and many musical groups, and plays, it is a nice place
for the arts and entertainment types.
Lots of artists and gardeners and farms and a couple of
wineries.
We have a very good bus service, and it is expanding soon
and you can get anywhere from anywhere in this valley by
bus.
It's a 30 minute drive to Campbell River, which is a smaller
city, with more limited choices.
Nanaimo is a one hour drive, and a nice city to go for a
day trip and lunch.
Victoria is about 2 1/2 hr drive, a beautiful city right
at the southern tip of the island, a little more expensive
area to live, but also very nice.
All of the island is beautiful, and you can't miss when
it comes to scenery anywhere you settle here.

 

[JLM]

Most of the B.C, Interior is nice- Okanagan has warm summers and mild winters and not a lot of snow. If you are into snow check out Revelstoke and the West Kootenay. Cariboo is a beautiful and peaceful area, excellent for young people and if you are into things like hunting, fishing, horses, camping etc. Winters are cooler but summers can be hot and dry, although not as much so as the Okanagan. I've lived in various parts of B.C. but live in Vernon now which quite frankly is as good as anywhere, but then I'm speaking from the viewpoint of an old codger. Vancouver Island is nice too, I lived there for 45 years.

 

[wrolph]

thanks

:smile:Thank you for all of your suggestions and information. I understand that BC means "bring cash", but in all honesty, isn't that most of the same for big cities anywhere? I live near Toronto, ON and it's getting more and more pricey all the time. I would not move out to BC if I didn't think I could find a job. I am educated and a certified teacher, although I realize teaching jobs are hard to come by....except for French. I am by no means a French specialist and am not interested in French Immersion, but of all the jobs that are posted across the country, French is teaming up to be one of the few where there are jobs. So, it's not necessarily that the schools are teaching it, but they want to be, and are looking for teachers that can. So, hopefully something will come up. I am applying to jobs right now, even though I am assuming that they would prefer to hire someone locally. If I have any luck, I might end up with something and that will decide where I will live.

I have an 18 month old son and so it's important to find a place that's got lots for him to enjoy and is safe. Sounds like Courtenay/Comox is a nice place from what I've read here and researched myself...but, so does Nanaimo. I have a few friends in Victoria that say it's better than Nanaimo??? Just, it's more expensive....

Thanks VanIsle for clarifying some issues about the Island. I really do not intend to move to Vancouver, unless I have too. Island life suits me better as I lived on one for 2 years and loved it....still, I know they're not all the same. I'll check out the links. One of the main things that I am very interested in finding, is a place that offers enough opportunities to scuba dive. I am an instructor and would love to be able to dive recreationally again, as well as perhaps entertain the idea of opening my own business one day.

Anyhow...thanks everyone for all the input, and feel free to continue with more

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Bring Cash. If you are from the East you will also require a work permit,entrance visa and proof you have never voted Liberal. Asking if anyone wants to play Euchre results in immediate expulsion. Being able to smoke four joints a day and still function will get automatic B.C. citizenship.

Come on, taxslave, BC isn't that bad, BC isn't Alberta. They do elect a few Liberal MPs. In fact, BC, like Ontario, elects MPs from all three parties, which is what is essential for a healthy democracy.