Migrating to Canada from Dubai?

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Annette T

Hi,
I do not fully understand your job "statistics analyst (Real estate)" or what work you do but there may be some options in the real estate development field (commercial and residential developers creating new buildings and offices) for you.
On of the ways that you may consider coming to Canada is to seek employment with a Canadian company on a contract for a couple of years and then apply for citizenship if you want to stay here.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.asp

As a former immigrant myself I remember that I was frustrated because I could not work for the provincial or federal government as I was not a Canadian citizen.

Check out this website as I think they might help you with some of your questions http://www.lookingahead.bc.ca/immigrant/ I came across it doing research for my clients and my website.

A note to you about weather. Yes it is rainy here on the West Coast a little like the weather in Paris or London however we do not get as much snow as Toronto - no shovelling in downtown Vancouver except the occassion day or two.

As far as rent goes - downtown it is approximately $1100-$1300/mth for a one bedroom - 500-650Sqft. 2 bedroom apartments are about $1800-$2100/mth for the smaller ones.

I was doing some checking for a client this afternoon and here are some actual rentals in Downtown Vancouver!
1000 Beach 2bed/2bath 1347SqFt $2500/mth
1331 Alberni 3bed/2bath 1189SqFt $2800/mth
Very close to Downtown
Kitsilano - 1bed & Den ??sqft $1950/mth
Granville Island - 1bed & Den ??sqft $1800/mth

However if you were living outside of the downtown area rents tend to be less in East Vancouver, Burnaby & Coquitlam.

I hope some of this information helps
Annette Thomas

shannlen

You can rent a 1 bedroom in Vancouver for $10 to 15,000 CD/year.
I would think the big thing for you is what work would be available. Real estate in Vancouver is just starting into a negative trend. As far as statistical analysis in real estate, not sure what jobs would apply. Probably something with the Canadian Government, and you shouldn't have any problem getting a job with them. Visit the Canadian Consulate at home - great place to start your research.

stucknarabia

As a Canadian living in Dubai, trust me you are much better of where you are. You have to consider these factors:

1) given your industry, you may have a difficult time getting approved by immigration (easier if you are a doctor or engineer). this can also be a costly process.
2) your basic salary could be the same (or more likely) less than what you currently have in the UAE
3) approx. 30% of your salary will go to the socialist government.
4) most companies DO NOT provide living allowances like they do in the UAE
5) cost of living is significantly higher.

6) BUT, if you do get citzenship, your children will go to good public schools for free (or close to it)

consider how much you are sacrificing with the first 5 points, the sixth hardly seems worth it, if you ask me. There are plenty of good international schools in Dubai! I know some of them can be expensive, but trust me you will have SO MUCH MORE disposable income by NOT going to Canada.

Erik B

This might not be what you are asking but you should know that it is a lot colder up here than what you are used to. Vancouver is cold and rainy, well Toronto is cold and snowy. It might be in your best interest to come to visit us, before you move up here and find out that you don't like the cold. Why be stuck somewhere you don't want to be. I have spent a couple of years now in Iraq and UAE, working with Indians, and I have found that I do not like it when the temperature goes above 40 degrees, and the Indians don't like it when the temperature starts to go below the freezing mark.

chuckles951

You do understand you have to get approval from Immigration Canada before you can move to Canada?

And with the real estate market in recession in Canada and the USA right now, and thousands of real estate professionals out of work in Canada that it will be very, very hard to find a job in your field. You will end up as a parking lot attendant or taxi driver.

Also note that Canada is a little bit cooler than Dubai.

John W

Yes, you have a very difficult decision to make. As you are of Indian extraction you will find the Greater Vancouver area quite suited to you as there are many people of Indian and Pakistani decent living in this area and I am sure your family would have no trouble befriending some fellow countrymen. However, you might find the weather not to your liking and difficult to accept as our winters on the Pacific Coast tend to be quite wet and very little sunshine. As well, we can at times get considerable snow which makes for interesting times.
Vancouver is an expensive city to reside in but there are social agencies in place to help get you established. I would suggest contacting the Canadian embassy or council in Dubai for professional advice and they will also start the immigration process for you.
I wish you and your family well.

freeside49

http://www.cic.gc.ca

jobs;
http://www.monster.ca
http://www.workopolis.ca
http://www.vancouverjobshop.ca

http://www.vancouver.ca

http://www.mls.ca for links to realty orgs

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