大咖福利影院

mtlgal6 wrote:

Hello, I am from Canada (although currently living in France) and I spent 5 years in BC. I did not live in Vancouver, however I spent 5 months living there temporarily for work and visited 10-20 times over the 5 years I lived in the Kootenays (an area east of BC, 500 km's east along the US border). I believe Vancouver is very multicultural and is very open to different cultures. I think Canada is generally very open to other cultures, and in fact we have to be because the number of immigrants living in Canada is quite large. I wouldn't be concerned about not being treated properly in Vancouver, I would be very surprised if that occurred. Vancouverites have grown accustom to the rising asian population. It's a way of life there in Vancouver and if anyone doesn't like it, they realize quickly that there is nothing to be done about it because that's just the reality. Vancouver (as you know) is a gorgeous city and if there is any animosity, it is mostly due to the rising prices of housing and cost of living, which is driven up by immigrants who can afford to pay more than some Canadians thus pushing Canadians outside the city limits. I think that is source of any negative thoughts towards immigrants, but I do not believe that it is dominant in any way, and there are always unhappy people wherever you go! Canadians are pretty polite and welcoming people, and I am sure you will be very well received there.
Now you are also asking about gang related issues, I think that you should choose your neighborhood accordingly and you shouldn't have to worry at all about your kids. Vancouver is safe. There are problems in every city which appear to be more dangerous than reality thanks to the media.
Good luck with your immigration!

Thanks mtlgal6! Your post is very reassuring.

Suzie Que wrote:

i've lived in vancouver and think you should try it. it is expensive however provides greater quality of life in terms of recreational activities. the physical surroundings are majestic and personally i enjoyed the multicultural element. i would investigate what areas your husband may wish to set up practice; then consider living within walking distance. the main artery getting in and out of the mainland (downtown) is the lion聮s gate bridge and the sea bus. can be restrictive. otherwise, i think vancouver offers quite a lot. (and i found the locals to be very friendly as most people are transplanted; very few born and raised vancouverites)

Thanks Suzie Que, there are lots to think about before making the huge leap across the pond. Schools & housing are my main concerns. Will have to wait and see where dh can apply, it's more likely to be somewhere rural as the doctor shortages would be high. I'm thinking West Vancouver and my dh says dream on I'll be chuffed if he gets to work West or Norrh

lancastrian wrote:

Hi we are planning to immigrate to British Columbia, Canada. I'm Indian and I have lived in England for 12 years. We visited BC few years ago and totally fell in love with the place for the scenery and beautiful mountains, we throughly enjoyed our canadian road trip. After all these years in the UK, we are seriously thinking to immigrate to Canada. We have a pretty good lifestyle here, my husband is a Family practitioner (GP), decent wages, a nice house and two young kids. But the quality of life in UK is slipping.聽 We like to spend more time with the kids, outdoors, skiing, nature trails etc. There are plenty of opportunities for my husband in Canada, we have checked health match BC and Canada immigration and they are desperate for UK trained family physicians and the pay is decent too.

We loved Vancouver and how multicultural it is, but after doing lots of research the 'Multicultural' aspect seems to be a bit overwhelming, I have read lots on the internet about how Canadians are not very welcoming to Asians etc...We never felt any racism when we visited and we always commented how nice and friendly the Canadians were. This was in 2007, has something changed since then? Or was I just a tourist and these things didn't affect me? I totally despise living in ghettos and love to integrate with the community. Working and living in UK we have been able to do that to a great extent and have numerous friends from all backgrounds. What quality of life can I expect in Vancouver? I'm also worried about the gang related crimes, would it be safe for my children? Should we just cross Vancouver off the list and look somewhere like Victoria or even Calgary, Alberta? Any advise would be great.

broadacre wrote:

did you finally taken the plunge? we are exaclty in same shoes, I would really appreciate to find out your final status.

broadacre Not yet! we are getting there slowly (snails pace) but we are emotionally ready! Whats your position? Are you moving to Vancouver too?

piperpeter wrote:

Hello there, I am originally from Yorkshire and have emigrated to Canada. I live about a 40 minute drive just outside of Vancouver. I love Vancouver. It is safe and you will make friends. The gang related crimes are internal fighting, not aimed at the generally population and I walk freely in Vancouver and never think about it. The kids will not suffer from racism or isolation, at all. We have strict equality policies like in the UK about those matters and racial bullying is not tolerated. I am not Indian. I am Caucasian and understand we may have some different experiences, but I would not think so and certainly not in a professional environment. I find Canadians to be non controversial, and they tend to be aloof and聽 sometimes not easy to make friends with, but it is not about聽 racism, its more to do with them being reserved until you know people. Besides, most Canadians in Vancouver are from somewhere else, anyway. Being a Cdn these days is about having another heritage.

I have been to Calgary. There is less diversity there and you will be too cold in the winters. Victoria is very nice and warmer than the rest of Canada, but it is on the island. I am not sure how you like that. The island is very large, though, and lots to do: kayaking, hiking, sailing and visiting the Gulf Islands. The ferry across to Vancouver from Vancouver Island is $140 return with two passengers. You could live in Victoria and come over here a few times a year? I have a daughter that goes to the University in Victoria and loves it there. I really would ideally prefer to live in Vancouver, myself, than other parts of Canada. It is close to Whistler, has lots to do there, is very environment conscious, and attracts critical thinkers and people with a world view.

If you do decide to come, I would be happy to be a contact for you here near Vancouver if there is anything logistically that you need me to help you with. I'm not sure if there is a way to private message on here?

Best Wishes.

lancastrian wrote:

Hi we are planning to immigrate to British Columbia, Canada. I'm Indian and I have lived in England for 12 years. We visited BC few years ago and totally fell in love with the place for the scenery and beautiful mountains, we throughly enjoyed our canadian road trip. After all these years in the UK, we are seriously thinking to immigrate to Canada. We have a pretty good lifestyle here, my husband is a Family practitioner (GP), decent wages, a nice house and two young kids. But the quality of life in UK is slipping.聽 We like to spend more time with the kids, outdoors, skiing, nature trails etc. There are plenty of opportunities for my husband in Canada, we have checked health match BC and Canada immigration and they are desperate for UK trained family physicians and the pay is decent too.

We loved Vancouver and how multicultural it is, but after doing lots of research the 'Multicultural' aspect seems to be a bit overwhelming, I have read lots on the internet about how Canadians are not very welcoming to Asians etc...We never felt any racism when we visited and we always commented how nice and friendly the Canadians were. This was in 2007, has something changed since then? Or was I just a tourist and these things didn't affect me? I totally despise living in ghettos and love to integrate with the community. Working and living in UK we have been able to do that to a great extent and have numerous friends from all backgrounds. What quality of life can I expect in Vancouver? I'm also worried about the gang related crimes, would it be safe for my children? Should we just cross Vancouver off the list and look somewhere like Victoria or even Calgary, Alberta? Any advise would be great.

wjwoodward wrote:

[img align=l]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSRR4sni_AgxRLmnGQaLAwrRztuYmDK7x8-1h6Wi-uC0cX9T0si[/url]Hi Lancastrian,

As someone who resided in Vancouver for twenty-eight years before I came to Brazil I can tell you without any reservations that it is paradise on earth. I'm not alone in my feelings for the city... it has been voted the Best City in the World to Live In several years running.

Cheers,
William James Woodward - Brazil Animator, Expat-blog Team