Hey everyone I'm living in Florida right now, but I am just not happy here. I am thinking about making a pilgrimage to British Columbia. Some things I really value in life are nature, snowboarding, and Cannabis. BC seems ideal for someone like me. I guess I just have no idea how to even approach the idea though. Is it hard to live there as an American? Could I get a job and establish residency to finish my degree just like if I moved to another state here? Are jobs hard to find? And also, a roommate would probably be needed. Is anyone here looking for a roommate, or is it relatively easy to find one there? I don't know much about the region, but the city I would probably go to is Vancouver. Thanks for any advice.
What kind of jackass comment is that? FYI, I have lived in Florida for 15 months out of 23 years. Does anyone have anything to actually contribute here?
k....you need to calm down, take a deep breathe and HAVE SOME FUCKING PATIENCE.....now dont we all feel better? anyways, living here aint very hard at all....tho i've never lived in america so im unaware of the vast amount of luxuries available to you...getting a job shouldnt be much of a problem, the thing about school might be a little bit more difficult but i dont really have an idea as i have never been to college or university i dont think jobs would be to hard to find in bc...never lived there either..... and askig people on the internet all around canada and the world about how easy it is to find a roommate is, well i.m.o., kinda stupid (no offence), best thing to do is trying looking for a directory on the internet that might have something like that or just wait til you get there and check the papers cuz theres sure to be someone out there
BC is goddamn expensive to live in. Figure out if you can move. Canada has an equivalent of an INS you can't just walk in - you have to apply for residency. It's easier than Canada->US but they'll want to see evidence of a job, family, and the ability to speak English and French.
french on the west coast? i really doubt if thats a big deal...in fact here in ontario the only people i have met that i can think of that speak fluent french and englich are teachers...so really sont worry about that
Drew - they may speak Mandarin more than French on the West Coast, but immigration is a FEDERAL affair and therefore run by the Frenchies in Ottawa. Who give weight to whether or not you speaka da FRENNNNCHHHHH
While being bilingual would certainly put you in a more favourable light it is not a requirement for work visas or even citizenship for that matter. Having a working knowledge of either of our official languages (meaning english isn't necessarily a requirement either) is sufficient. So in short, no, you don't have to speak "da french". In the end BC is just like any other place, jobs are still jobs, school is still school and the cultural divide between Canadians and Americans may exist but probably won't be an issue as you try and settle into things there. If finding a job and transferring your studies to a school out there is what you'd like to do then I'm sure you'll find a way to do it Your best bet is to just go there and feel things out, Vancouver is great but BC is chalk full of wicked mountain towns and coastal villages, so I wouldn't make up your mind just yet if I were in your position. I'm sure you can go through the motions of the government red tape while you're there, if you even bother going through it (though if you want to study there you'll have to). I've met tons of people who were from out of the country who were just kind of going with the flow, finding work as it came and taking it all in. Basically, no worries, BC is chill, and with that in mind the best way to aproach BC is with a chill mindset peace and good luck, it's a great place and I'm sure you'll find what it is that's waiting for you out there
RE: While being bilingual would certainly put you in a more favourable light it is not a requirement for work visas or even citizenship for that matter. Having a working knowledge of either of our official languages (meaning english isn't necessarily a requirement either) is sufficient. So in short, no, you don't have to speak "da french". Well, if you're gonna come in illegally who cares. But if you want enough "points" to get residency, without family here or a degree, years of experience or work skills, you better get that English, French and bilingual bonus.
Thanks for all the insight everyone. I do not speak French, or have any family there, but I am over half done with a bachelors degree and have 4 years experience as an auto tech. So I guess there is no need to speculate too much, I would just have to start the official process..
Depending on how many auto techs Canada needs, you might or might not get in. For what it's worth they probably do.
Yeah it's not a trade that young people are really getting into anymore. I heard for every 10 guys retiring or leaving the industry, there are only 2 coming in. It's not something I want to do for the rest of my life.. but it's probably an asset in a lot of ways.
Heh I hate how the french language is being pushed on people living in Canada and entering Canada, as Homer once said "Did we lose a war?!" Anyway you won't be dissapointed with the bud up here its great!....yeah and most everything thing else is swell too, cept the rising "white rapper" and "thug" population....Damn Mtv...
Well, BC has everything you're looking for - except I think you need to realise that BC is a very laid back place. There aren't a lot of uptight people and everyone is kind of just chill (like a toned-down jamaica). Judging your reaction to the first poster's obviously humourous joke, you don't belong here ... especially if you come here with that kind of attitude and compliment it with a nice, "I'm American". You'll be eaten alive. I'm not trying to rag on you. It's just some informative advice.
