PEI Red
Canadian citizen
Forum posts
147
Contacts
14
About me
Canadian
Lives in Burnaby, British Columbia
Speaks English & Spanish
Registration: 16 November 2013
Can you have a Canadian Bank Account if Non-Resident? by adam1001
I'm a Canadian citizen who is no longer a resident of Canada as I moved to Spain. Since I have a long banking history in Canada I can get loans there that I cannot over here. So I kept my Canadian bank account and credit cards at TD ...
TD's current requirements for opening an account include id from the province or territory of residency. (There's a lot of paperwork (tax related) required for US citizens in Canadian financial institutions, so it's likely similar for ... Read More
Data Sim Card in Vancouver?
Canada is notoriously expensive for cell phones and their services in general. At YVR there is a 7/11 convenience store that sells sims. The rate isn't completely horrible, but be prepared to cough over more money than you ever have before. ... Read More
Cheapest cities in Canada by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Budget is an important consideration when moving to Canada. Ideally, expats would settle down in a city in Canada where the cost of living is low but where they could also enjoy a decent quality of life. Would you be able to give ...
Cities that have lower costs of living are usually on the east coast in provinces like New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. There are smaller cities in Ontario that are more affordable, as well. If you search for cheapest cities in ... Read More
Best bargains in Ecuador by vsimple
1. The absolutely delicious chicken empanada that my neighborhood store sells for a dollar. Aside from being absolutely delicious, it meets my breakfast dietary needs - gets me going. That and a cup of Sweet & Coffee house mix Loja coffee, hits ...
I might have to go with almuerzo at the Golden Prague, in Cuenca. You get the standard almuerzo, plus an artisanal beer for $4.50. Good beer, good meal. Can't go wrong. No, it's not the cheapest almuerzo, but it almost always includes a ... Read More
Hard to Find Items in Ecuador by Kasper007
Hello All, I am interested in moving to Ecuador in the near future and operate my own various e-commerce websites. I would like to import hard to find items from the West to Ecuador to resell. Hopefully, the expats here can help me find out what ...
Yes, they are that bad. We ordered a part for our oven from Canada and between courier costs, (heaven knows you can't MAIL stuff to Ecuador) import taxes and duty the price tripled. To another poster's point, warranties from other countries ... Read More
Relocation help
It might help if you specified the area you wanted to relocate to...I believe somewhere in Nova Scotia? (From another post.) Your current tax specialist should be able to take of your US taxes. Canadian taxes are easy to file, we've almost ... Read More
Healthcare in Canada
It might be better for you to ask questions regarding US healthcare coverage on the US expat portion of this site. I don't think Canadian experts can really answer that one. As to the medicine, most US citizens get their medications shipped from ... Read More
Typical life of a full time worker in Toronto by nnawalage
According to the law, Canadians in Ontario are entitled for only 10 personal/sick days which only 2 are paid and rest are unpaid. They only get 10 vacation days(also the pay is less than regular pay) after 1 year of employment. In this case 1.What ...
Wow, that is a lot of questions, but all good ones. 1. Most full time positions are listed at 35-40 hours per week. Toronto is the business capital of Canada and the work ethic there is (by reputation) more extreme. This means that you could be ... Read More
Holiday food in Canada by Priscilla
Hello, End of year holidays around the world are such an exciting time of the year, with holiday food playing a big part of the traditions and celebrations. What are some traditions surrounding holiday meals in Canada? Tell us about a few ...
Multiculturalism isn't the only thing that affects holiday traditions, but there are large regional differences as well. On the East Coast large gatherings of friends and family are much more frequent than on the West Coast. Foods vary as well. ... Read More
If i stay away from Canada to long do I lose my Canadian status?
What would mostly likely be affected is your tax status. If you're Canadian born you can't lose your Canadian citizenship, I'm not sure about someone who has becomea citizen, but was born elsewhere, but being Canadian by birth and out of ... Read More
Sending and receiving packages in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in Ecuador? Is the public ...
My one in-country story about Correo Ecuador: my sister desperately wanted to send post cards from Cuenca, and I told her not to bother. She insisted and when we got to the post office, they had no stamps available and sent us to another little ... Read More
Sending and receiving packages in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in Ecuador? Is the public ...
I was told that it was privately owned by a local Ecuadorian, which seemed to make sense to me, but I recently saw a government building that oversees the correo, so my info might be incorrect. (Perhaps they meant something like a crown corporation ... Read More
Travel insurance for Canadian lost OHIP coverage by Wayne Chance
No sure but i may not be covered any more with OHIP. Which companies will give me travel insurance for outside of Canada? I see there hospital insurance for Thailand, i wonder if they have option for travel to other countries too?
There are lots of on-line providers that offer travel insurance for those living abroad or wanting to travel. You mention Thailand hospital coverage, we used a policy we bought for out trip to Australia for going there. Australia offers travel ... Read More
Sending and receiving packages in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in Ecuador? Is the public ...
My general experience is that it's difficult to get packages in Ecuador. The postal service is privately owned and completely unreliable. (I've sent myself postcards from various locations and none have ever turned up.) Courier services into ... Read More
Moving to Victoria BC
Most apartment buildings in Victoria should be wheelchair accessible, as required by law. Some older buildings, as well as single family homes, would be excluded from the requirement. If you search for "property management companies in ... Read More
Life on PEI by laspezio
Hello everyone I came to PEI few days ago as I ‘ve got a contract with a local company for 2 years .would anyone advice, what is the life pace on the island ..how to integrate in a local community?How to find local friends? I am newbie in ...
I think you'll find the people of Prince Edward Island to be welcoming. If you are of the Christian faith, a great place to meet people is at church. Charlottetown had a mosque when I left, not sure if it's still there. I'm not familiar ... Read More
Medical Questions about Living in Ecuador by Joe Gaglio
I am planning to move to Cuenca in a few years. One aspect could be a deal breaker. I take a medication that costs $1100/month w/o insurance. The generic is$600 w/o insurance. With insurance, the copay is $100/month. I need to understand how ...
The 17.6% (plus another 3.41% for a dependent) based on your actual income is under constitutional challenge at this time. The current mode of thinking, is claim the lowest income amount allowable and pay that, which comes to $67.94 for an ... Read More
Bank loans in Canada by Priscilla
Hello, Finances and banking can sometimes be a headache for many expats, especially when it comes to taking out bank loans. Is it difficult for an expat to get approved for a bank loan in Canada? What are the types of bank loans available ...
Expats from the United States might have an easier time accessing credit as some financial institutions are able to access US credit bureau reports. If I was a foreigner in Canada, I would stick to credit unions that have a more open door policy to ... Read More
Vancouver BC Living cost by trianil
trianil wrote: Hello, I live in Richmond, close to Vancouver International Airport with my family (we are both professionals in our 40's)and 2 children. Just thought I would post and let everyone know what it costs to live in Vancouver (voted best ...
Maple Ridge and Mission do have their benefits, but if I had to choose, I'd pick Victoria over the two, simply because the weather is moderately better (less rainy) and Victoria offers a truly comfortable and slow paced way of life that I've ... Read More
Best season to move to Ecuador
As always, vsimple has excellent advice. Season doesn't make a huge difference in Ecuador, to be honest, but holiday celebrations make it hard to get things done. I haven't noticed any price variations when it comes to seasons, but hotels ... Read More
Cooking like a local in Canada by Priscilla
Hello, Enjoying the local food of your expat country is great, but learning to cook the dishes yourself is even better. Please share what it's like cooking like a local in Canada. What are some of the most popular local dishes that are easy to ...
There are many regional differences in cuisine, as our country is so large. There are specifically French -Canadian recipes, Maritime recipes, Prairie recipes and West Coast recipes they will also vary from area to area in each region. Many of these ... Read More
For 2018 - Crime in General, Crime around Cuence ... Experiences ??? by Guest3265987
Second post of the day, hello to everyone again. My wife and I plan on moving to Ecuador in 2020. First we plan on living around Cuence for around 3 months, and if things feel right to us we'll be making arrangements for selling our home where ...
Just to give an opposing view of vsimple's housing. We live in a four story apartment building (constructed in 2014). Contrary to every building in our neighbourhood, we do not have a high wall around the building, nor electric fencing. Anyone ... Read More
Speaking Spanish in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Spanish is essential for a successful integration in Ecuador. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Spanish? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
I agree vsimple. Nothing helps expand vocabulary and increase comprehension better than talking with the locals. Having Ecuadorian acquaintances pushed me over the hump of "baby" Spanish to a more fluid level. (I don' t think I'll ... Read More
Job opportunities in Prince Edward Island by Kushal11
Hello to everyone, My name is Kushal. I live in New Delhi, India. I am looking forward to settle in Canada. I have a Bachelors Degree from the University of Delhi. I am a working professional; have 8 years of experience in the Service Industry ( ...
Prince Edward Island is the smallest Canadian province with a population of under 200,000 people. There are two main "cities", Charlottetown and Summerside. Neither can be mistaken for large urban centres. The nearest "big"(ger) ... Read More
Bringing cash to Ecuador by Alberta Chris
Good day all, I will be travelling to Ecuador in the near future and my situation requires that I bring more than the $10,000 cash limit with me. From my reading online it is my understanding that it is not illegal to bring more cash than the ...
On a side note, with regard to wire transfers, when I wire funds it always shows up same day or early the next day. (That's only happened once, usually it's same day.) That's working with the West Coast time difference, of course. Also ... Read More
Changes to banking with limited access to US Dollar supplies by PEI Red
Hello! We've been having major issues getting funds out of the ATM here in Cuenca lately. The machines will either not process the withdrawal, or take the funds from our account but not dispense the cash. I know there have been restrictions ...
Update on my travails. I've received one refund of the missing funds, after 5 months. So that's good news. I'm hoping for the second to appear in a few more months. We've sent ourselves money to our local account to avoid further ... Read More
Changes to banking with limited access to US Dollar supplies by PEI Red
Hello! We've been having major issues getting funds out of the ATM here in Cuenca lately. The machines will either not process the withdrawal, or take the funds from our account but not dispense the cash. I know there have been restrictions ...
I don't know about "plenty", but Salinas is a resort town, to there should be sufficient. I recall at least three along the strip. I'm assuming (you know what they say about that) that there will be more in places like the mall, ... Read More
The best apps for expats in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share information regarding some of the apps that have helped to facilitate your move abroad in Ecuador. This will help expats-to-be who are making the move as well. Which apps did you use while preparing your move to ...
Moovit works quite well in Cuenca, or so I've been told. And if you don't have WhatsApp, you may as well check your smartphone at the airport. Read More
Anyone moved their family to Alberta from England? by greggleon
We are a family of four. My wife and I are in our early 30's and our trip wo children are under 4. My wife is a paediatric nurse and I am a self employed shopkeeper. It has been a long held desire of mine to live in Canada and at this time in ...
You neglected to mention where you live in the UK: rural, urban, sub-urban? If you want to live in a log cabin in the Rockies (I'm imagining soaring tors, pine trees and babbling streams is what you're looking for.) you'll be a couple ... Read More
How do you survive as an expat "Throw a gamble to be an expat" by Naura Nuralyn
Hello, I just would like to hear some stories from someone who have done "throw a gamble to live abroad" with nothing in hand, not a job but with limited money in hand and came in as a tourist but want to live and be an expat in your ...
I think success depends on how adventurous and adaptable you are. Who hasn't gone on a holiday and though "if only I could live here"? For my husband and I, nothing is permanent, we're always moving and willing to make sacrifices ... Read More
Changes to banking with limited access to US Dollar supplies by PEI Red
Hello! We've been having major issues getting funds out of the ATM here in Cuenca lately. The machines will either not process the withdrawal, or take the funds from our account but not dispense the cash. I know there have been restrictions ...
Funny, that's where we've had the problem recently. Could just be a Canadian Credit Union thing, who knows. :D Read More
Veteran moving to Ecuador by veteran35
I am giving serious thought to moving to Ecuador even at a young age (35). I have a pension from the military that gives me 4,000 dollars a month. I want a life of solitude where I can be at peace with myself and enjoy the simpler things in life. ...
Solid advice, as always, cccmedia. Another side note. Ecuador is a noisy country. I know of a few veterans that couldn't stand the constant explosions of fireworks, "sonidos" (fireworks with no colour and only a big boom), as well as ... Read More
lifestyle by imtiaz ali khan
I want to know about Canadian life their culture, people and norms.. studying with works and settled with life partner their .. Racial discrimination and life standard.
Imtiaz Ali Khan, because Canada is such a large country, there are many different societal norms in different areas. How people socialise in Vancouver, is different from how they socialise in Toronto. City culture differs from suburban and rural ... Read More
A general question regarding airports
They have one control for all foreigners. I've never seen separate controls for different nations. Read More
Changes to banking with limited access to US Dollar supplies by PEI Red
Hello! We've been having major issues getting funds out of the ATM here in Cuenca lately. The machines will either not process the withdrawal, or take the funds from our account but not dispense the cash. I know there have been restrictions ...
I was just curious to see if anyone else has had this issue, It certainly wasn't my intention to cause any panic, Jade River. The fact does remain that we're out money and waiting for the bean crunchers to find the outage somewhere in the ... Read More
Changes to banking with limited access to US Dollar supplies by PEI Red
Hello! We've been having major issues getting funds out of the ATM here in Cuenca lately. The machines will either not process the withdrawal, or take the funds from our account but not dispense the cash. I know there have been restrictions ...
Great advice. The bank in question just referred me to my own institution. While I appreciate the thought on that, I have to say no. I checked the machine for false fonts and other devices. (I always do, as I worked in the industry for years.) My ... Read More
Changes to banking with limited access to US Dollar supplies
Hello! We've been having major issues getting funds out of the ATM here in Cuenca lately. The machines will either not process the withdrawal, or take the funds from our account but not dispense the cash. I know there have been restrictions ... Read More
Anywhere in Canada , British Food !
The Hudson's Bay Company used to carry stuff like that on their food floor in the big downtown store. Not sure if they have it anymore, though, as the downtown Vancouver store has gone through so many changes. Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
All the Islanders that I met were kind people. Immigration is growing and, while they don't always have lots of experience with "foreigners", I've never known then to be prejudiced. They don't have the whole politically correct ... Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
But nutty, the temperatures vary widely, season to season. The summer is usually in the mid teens (15) to low 30's centigrade during the day and cooler at night. In the winter, wind is always a factor, so the air temperature may be -10 ... Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
All elementary schools offer kindergarten and the cost is part of income taxes. Supplies are extra. I can't think of any private schools in PEI, but my kids were grown when I lived there. Charlottetown and Summerside are the only part of the ... Read More
Ecuador's New Immigration Law (2017) by Attorney Sara Chaca
The new 2017 Immigration Law of Ecuador, also called the “Human Mobility Act” (known in Spanish as “Ley de Movilidad Humana”), has now been officially implemented, and is currently in full force in virtually every respect. ...
Yes. Residents have 90 days from a decree number 111 made on August 3rd (I believe) to present proof of health coverage to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (provision 5 of the newly instated regulations). What the penalty is for not doing so, is not ... Read More
Speaking Spanish in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Spanish is essential for a successful integration in Ecuador. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Spanish? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
Good luck, vsimple! I love your goal. I'm probably somewhere near level 2 and while I learn new vocabulary all the time (situation specific: building repairs, politics, going to the seamstress, doctor, dentist etc) I've abandoned all hope of ... Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
We don't feel that it was a problem. We could always get medical care when we needed it. Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
There is one commercial airport on PEI that serves two airlines: Air Canada and West Jet. A few years ago (I've been away for a while) I did see job postings occasionally. It is a small airport that offers flights to major hubs in Canada and ... Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
Canada has a single pay medical system, so there are no private doctors. There are walk in clinics and the emergency room available for treatment, should it be necessary. It took us over two years to get a family doctor, but we did get one. Read More
The best things to discover in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What have you discovered in Ecuador that you would recommend to other expats? Are there any places that you enjoy visiting on the weekends, be it areas of natural beauty or shopping malls? Are there any Ecuadorian dishes that ...
Ecuador is so ripe with amazing things! The fruit is incredible (which make for some amazing juice!), the people are amazing and the countryside is breathtaking. Personally, I love the chocolate, where else can you buy a kilo of 70% cocoa, organic ... Read More
Living abroad - being burned out
I love how everyone's experiences are different. We find it way less stressful being away from our (very large) family and we have a good social group here, so that helps, as well. There are many causes of stress in the expat life trying to deal ... Read More
Apartment to rent nearby 701 West Georgia Vancouver
Just to add to that. Usually you must put down a damage deposit of a half (to full) month's rent and occasionally, the final month's rent as well. An apartment for $700 month is going to be challenging (especially downtown where the address ... Read More
Best usages and practices in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Ecuador means learning new ways of doing things and incorporating to your daily life unique practices. We invite you to share unique practices, tools or methods that could also make a difference in other countries. ...
I think cccmedia pretty well has the answers covered, but I would add (in light of vsimples very common experience with the custom order) that patience is key. Ecuadorians will tell you that something will be ready on a certain date, but it will not ... Read More
Following fashion in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hi everyone, Do you follow fashion trends in Ecuador? Every country and every culture has its own dress code. As far as you are concerned, have you changed the way you dress? Can one easily find fashion boutiques in Ecuador? Are clothes ...
Cuenca has an interesting mix of styles and fashion. Much of it is based on social class. There are tons of overly tight t-shirts and leggings on the tienda and mercado women. Men of the same socio-economic class seem fond of free t-shirts that ... Read More
Speaking Spanish in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Spanish is essential for a successful integration in Ecuador. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Spanish? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
I totally agree. There are so many different types of ways that people learn. I think for people that learn better with set parameters and rules, the most frustrating part of learning Spanish is that - sometimes - there is no answer to their ... Read More
Speaking Spanish in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Spanish is essential for a successful integration in Ecuador. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Spanish? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
You made me laugh...the other favourtie error is ah-no versus an-yo...(the world ano vs. año) very very different, but I managed to avoid that one. Aca does seem to be used when using the command form of a verb (similar to subjunctive). As to ... Read More
Speaking Spanish in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Spanish is essential for a successful integration in Ecuador. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Spanish? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
Thanks vsimple...so glad to know others feel the same. For full disclosure, I did take one semester of Spanish in college 20 years ago. Once we realized we were going to relocate, I started with Duolingo, online, which is more like a game than a ... Read More
Speaking Spanish in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Spanish is essential for a successful integration in Ecuador. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Spanish? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
I came to Cuenca, Ecuador with "tourist" Spanish. (It's basically useless in day to day living.) I started with some online applications and then took Spanish classes after a month of having "settled in". There is ... Read More
Hello /Looking for Information about Canada by Caribbean-son
Hello Everyone, I am currently living in the Bahamas and I would like to know a little about the culture of Canada and I would like to know a little of Nova Scotia community, and is this community a high end community? Thanks Guys.
There are good post secondary schools in Nova Scotia, some might be better than others, depending on your field of study. I would encourage you to search the internet for the courses you are hoping to take to find the best option for you. Canada has ... Read More
Hello /Looking for Information about Canada by Caribbean-son
Hello Everyone, I am currently living in the Bahamas and I would like to know a little about the culture of Canada and I would like to know a little of Nova Scotia community, and is this community a high end community? Thanks Guys.
Canada is a very large country and the culture varies from region to region. Socializing in Toronto and the eastern side of Canada is quite different from the west coast. Nova Scotia is a smaller province on the east coast of Canada where the ... Read More
visiting for 3 weeks ! by Cynthiammckeown
Any suggestions about scuba certification Programs? Thoughts on public libraries? Are there any socials for expats? Cheeers and thanks, Cynthia
Your SCUBA diving certification will depend on what course you want to take, as there are a few different types of certification. (PADI, SSI etc.) I think the majority are PADI in Vancouver. It will also depend where you're staying (proximity ... Read More
Citizenship by heritage
There have been many changes recently to the Canadian Citizenship by Descent Laws. (In 2009 and 2015) Here is a link to the Canadian immigration site that refers to the changes. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/rules_2009.asp (it has ... Read More
Ten Things to Check About Canada by kirriemuir
Contrary to the very limited and often biased information provided by media and government departments, Canada is not a country where it's easy for immigrants to prosper. You have to do your own research thoroughly before deciding to come here. ...
Kirriemuir, thanks for the break down of things to think about. I believe that it's important for immigrants to know what they are facing when coming to a new country. Canada is all of those things, even for natural born citizens! It is hard to ... Read More
Gyms in Ecuador by vsimple
[b][u]Quito Gyms[/u][/b] Today I visted a few gyms and I´d like to share my findings. First I googled gyms in quito and a few were in my vicinty. I was most interested in Monster Gym because it´s advertised as being open 24 hours. So I ...
I'm in Cuenca and there are a range of gyms to choose from. You get (for the most part) what you pay for. If you're okay with mostly free weights and some basic body building equipment, you can actually get a reasonable fee. (My husband and ... Read More
trying to figure out where to move to in Canada (from US) by chochie
we are thinking of retiring to Canada from the US. we are wondering where we could find affordable housing near Vancouver. (300,000 or less). We would like to live somewhere where there is an artistic community.
If you have no ties to Canada, I believe that you will need to apply for permanent residency, prior to applying for citizenship anyhow. I don't have any legal contacts for that in Victoria, but you should be able to browse the "Victoria ... Read More
trying to figure out where to move to in Canada (from US) by chochie
we are thinking of retiring to Canada from the US. we are wondering where we could find affordable housing near Vancouver. (300,000 or less). We would like to live somewhere where there is an artistic community.
Victoria is slightly lower than Vancouver, it really depends what you're looking for and how far out you're willing to go. If you want something more than 1,000 sqft, you might be out of luck. (Case in point we sold our 788 sqft condo in ... Read More
Quiet towns surrounding Vancouver?
White Rock is an option, as is Ladner, Deep Cove, the Gold Coast and Port Moody. Some are farther out of the city and cost will definitely be a factor - the closer in you are the more expensive things get. There are also suburbs that are larger, but ... Read More
Are you happy in Ecuador? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Ecuador? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
98% of the time we're happy in Ecuador. The other 2% is complete madness trying to deal with issues (cable/internet/water) and other things. The trouble comes mostly from the language barrier. No matter how proficient I seem day to day, when a ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Ecuador can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people. What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Ecuador? What are the ...
What I was trying to get across (obviously poorly) is that while the cost of living IS cheaper, you can't come here with $800 USD a month and live like a king, which is what some ill-advised people believe. If you are married to North American ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Canada by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Canada can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people. What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Canada? What are the most ...
Life and death cases are always given priority which affects those who are suffering from non-life threatening issues. For example, you're waiting for knee replacement surgery and it finally gets scheduled, but you get bumped from the operating ... Read More
Can canadian nurse with Portuguese certificate get job in Canada?
Nurses are in high demand in Canada, but the verification process can be rigorous. I think that working in England will help. The following places might help be able to help; The Canadian Nurses Association, the Canadian Department of Immigration ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Ecuador can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people. What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Ecuador? What are the ...
Mostly spot on. One side note, we did our own visa without a mediator or lawyer and while it took longer (mostly due to "expired" documents) it wasn't completely horrible. Spanish is an excellent idea. Now in year three we have a ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Ecuador can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people. What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Ecuador? What are the ...
I'd say the biggest misconception is how "cheap" it is. Many people come here thinking they'll be able to live like kings with a pauper's income. Granted, it isn't as expensive as many places as Europe and North America, ... Read More
Moving from one province to another / one city to another by philipyeo
Hi guys and gals, I haven't created a thread for quite sometime. But recent experiences has provided me with some knowledge of what to expect with regards to the subject above: "Moving from one province to another / one city to ...
That's a great list - many moving companies will offer a list of how to prepare for your move, including some of the things mentioned above. In the current job market, I would definitely ask about help with moving costs etc, but wouldn't be ... Read More
Living arrangements in BC, Victoria Area
Affordable is a relative term and it would be handy to know what budget you had in mind. Victoria is fairly expensive, both to rent or own. You can live in the outskirts, heading North along the highway towards Nanaimo, at a lower cost (but will ... Read More
Spanish Language Necessity for Citizenship by DXBDINO28
Hi Is it true that to apply for Citizenship One must speak and write Spanish Fluently. What kinds of Questions do they ask ? What if someone cant learn Spanish , do they simply reject the application? Has anyone applied for Citizenship? I am ...
Small update, there was an interview, conducted in Spanish, but my neighbour achieved citizenship with minimal Spanish. Read More
Buying a house in Canada without being a Canadian citizen. Possible? by markreed
What are the "surprises", positive or negative, when buying a house in Canada? Does anyone have experience buying a property without being a Canadian citizen? I know it is possible and legal but I am unfamiliar with any restrictions except ...
My understanding of the inheritance tax (with regard to housing) it that taxes will not be paid until the asset is sold and the tax will be based on the increase of value from when the house was inherited. (Capital gains tax.) You might be able to ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Canada? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Canada, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
I haven't spent a lot of time in Hamilton, change is always hard, but at least you've found another job, others aren't so lucky. Oil prices have really affected Alberta, but I hope that you can settle in, get your work permit and get to ... Read More
Adapting to the climate in Canada by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to Canada is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of Canada? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...
Canada is a huge country (geographically) with many different climates that have there own benefits and challenges. I know everyone thinks it's cold almost all of the time, but that's actually quite far from the truth. Most of Canada gets ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Canada? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Canada, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
Sorry to hear that you are having problems getting comfortable in Canada. How long has it been? Where are you living and what is the hardest part for you? Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
Just to add a different perspective, we had fairly good luck at the evening/walk in medical clinics, but that was in Summerside. The weather allotment cause health issues, but you must be prepared for it. Lots of layers on the winter, real winter ... Read More
looking foward to live and work in Vancouver
Haydaro is right, by saying that manners are important to Vancouverites and that it can be difficult to form friendships outside of work, but they also embrace many cultures and are very tolerant, as a whole. There are racists, unfortunately, but ... Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
No, we only lived there for three years, but enjoyed it, except for the nor'Easter storms in the winter. Clearing a long drive way of snow can be exhausting! Read More
Prince Edward Island (Anyone here?!) by robinsonjoel84
Hello All, Greetings! Great to be part of Expat community group. Me and my family recently got an opportunity to immigrate to Prince Edward Island, Canada. This is through their Provincial nominee Program. We haven't chosen it yet. I'm ...
Hi Joel, PEI is a very small province of under 200,000 people. The main industries are farming, fishing and tourism. There is a large tech company on the island whose name escapes me at the moment. The province is stunning in the summer, but a ... Read More
How and where to find people to socialize
Dear Doris, It will depend on what you like to do. Most people meet through work, or have sustained relationships from school, so having an "in" with the Filipino community will be helpful in finding social groups and activities that ... Read More
renters and homeowners insurance in Ecuador by johnplov
Hello, I am living in Portland Oregon, and planning to retire with my wife in August 2016. We would like to retire in either Cotacachi or Cuenca, starting in Cotacachi, and moving to Cuenca if Cotacachi is too small for us. We have visited both ...
Our solution was to install a well fortified laptop sized safe in our suite. When we're away we stash stuff in it. It's more about deterrents here than anything (just like the high walls topped with glass etc.) The money we would have spend ... Read More
Healthcare in Canada by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Canada ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Canada? Thanks in advance for sharing your ...
The upside of the Canadian healthcare system is that it will not impoverish you, unlike the United States. Can certain services be streamlined? Absolutely. But there is something comforting about not having to worry about money when you walk through ... Read More
Info on Free Walking Tour of the City in Cuenca?
Thanks so much Divinna, I'll keep it on file for our guests! Read More
Insight into Vancouver, BC. What is it like to live there. by lancastrian
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 ...
I think the view point on night life in Vancouver stems from the Bars and Clubs closing earlier than in a lot of cities. I think that some of the restrictions have eased, but haven't lived there in 5 years, so I'm not sure. There are tons ... Read More
Info on Free Walking Tour of the City in Cuenca?
Thanks just the same, Nards! Read More
Info on Free Walking Tour of the City in Cuenca?
Hello All, Does anyone have any solid information about the free walking tour of Cuenca?(I have guests coming and they've heard about it, but can't find out location or start times.) I'll try at the tourist office, but they usually just ... Read More
South America or Ecuador, alone, let me know how it was for you by 06michael018
HI-this is my first post- I am Michael-I live in Wa. now-but I am looking for a nice warm place to retire, and I here South America, mostly Ecuador, is where a lot of folks go to retire. I have not been outside the US yet, so when I visit there it ...
Dear Michael, Congratulations on considering a HUGE life change! It's very exciting to think about a new life in a new place. There are many things to consider, when thinking about moving abroad. Of course, safety is one of those things. ... Read More
Living outside the cities by Moonrman
My husband (who is a paraplegic )and I are planning to retire in Ecuador in next five years. We would like to live in a smaller town but close enough to a larger center in order to access medical care. Could anyone recommend some towns that would ...
There are certain ingrained problems with being a paraplegic (or having most types of handicap) in Ecuador, both in small towns and big cities. While the government is making strides in accessibility for wheelchairs and encouraging acceptance for ... Read More
Guayaquil flight early November
You can also try hipmunk.com, apparently a lot of professionals use that site for exploratory info. I'd do Montreal, JFK, JFK Guayaquil if I could. (Paying a bit more would be well worth it...better than 3 hoppers across the US etc. We found ... Read More
Making phone calls in Ecuador by Maximilien
Hi, When settling in Ecuador, one of the priorities is to be able to make phone calls. How to proceed to get a landline installed in Ecuador? What are the mobile operators? What is your average monthly budget? Thank you in advance for ...
As long as you have internet access and the app or program on you laptop, you have Skype. You can "call" face to face at no cost, but calling to telephones (landlines, cells) requires you to buy minutes from Skype. Like cccmedia says, ... Read More
The Arrival
If you're looking for reliable internet, Cuenca may not be the place for you. (That's a little Ecuadorian joke...the internet isn't bad, per se, but it isn't mind blowing either.) The least expensive way to find a rental is to deal ... Read More
Chicken Wings?
There is a place called "Wings" in Cuenca on Avenida Solano, but I have yet to go. In general I can't imagine that Ecuadorians would like hotwings/buffalo wings as they are spicy. Spicy is not the favourite experience for most local ... Read More
Nuts about nuts!
I have seen almonds, cashews, walnuts, macadamia nuts and peanuts, but haven't come across any hazel nuts so far. (There must also be Brazil nuts, but I can't recall seeing them.) All the nuts tend to be on the expensive side (except the ... Read More
Your experience of culture shock in Ecuador by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Ecuador. What ...
Patience, patience, patience. That is the very best advice I can give. (Plus deep breathing.) As MikeGB noted, service standards are not always what we've come to expect. They don't have a "build a relationship with the customer" ... Read More
Top Reasons Why More USA Citizens Re-Locate to Ecuador than Canadians by cccmedia
Ecuador is popular for Canadian Expats, but they are far fewer than USA citizens in terms of full-time relocating to EC.... Top Reasons Why More USA's Than Canadians Move to EC Full-Time 6. The U.S. population is much larger than ...
I'll agree with everything you said, except for item number 2. Most Canadians down here hate our current government. Another reason that was touched upon is the exchange rate. When we first arrived the Canadian dollar was at 97 cents USD, ... Read More
Driving in Canada by Maximilien
Hi, What do you think of the way people drive in Canada? How different is it from your home country? Respecting the road safety rules, driving etiquette such as general courtesy, speed excess what are the characteristics of the driving style ...
I have to agree with the assessment about Canadian drivers not using passing lanes correctly. Driving issues vary from province to province. BC drivers are very aggressive, but know how to drive on roads that have lots of curves and hills. Prairie ... Read More
Moving to Ecuador !! by vpbuzz
A Big hello to all the Ecuadorian friends on this forum. Let me start by apologizing if the same question has been asked on this forum a multiple times. I will try to be more precise and would appreciate specific answers. I'm a professional in ...
If you search exactly what cccmedia wrote, it's the fourth post down and will take you to a secondary link (PDF file) with a list from last year...hope that helps. Read More
Canadian cuisine by Priscilla
Hi, When living abroad, tasting the local cuisine is part of discovering the country. What is your favorite food in Canada? What is the local speciality? Share with us the local tastes of Canada and why not your best recipe. Thank ...
I'm with Philip! This is a frequently asked question (we live abroad) and it's hard to explain to people the depth of food choices in Canada. Out west there is a heavy Asian influence and it is said that Vancouver has some of the best ... Read More