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YouTubeI haven’t done much towards my move lately. I’ve had a fair amount of time, but have just been making excuses. At this point I really need to get something done about finding out what is needed to sponsor my wife to become a landed immigrant in Canada as well as bringing the kids over. I also need to ramp up my research and solidify my plans for the trip to Ottawa this summer. Here is a list of things that need to be done.
- visit the Canadian embassy web site and print out the applications necessary for visa sponsorship for my wife
- contact the embassy about any questions not answered on their site or the forms
- find a cheap place to stay in Ottawa (for about 7-10 days this July)
- the size of a closet is fine as long as it’s clean and cheap – I’m only going to be sleeping there.
- see if I can find a deal on car rentals (this one can probably wait a little longer though)
- do more research into the different burbs and areas surrounding Ottawa – I’m actually willing to live in a small town as long as it’s within 30 minutes drive of Ottawa.
- Also need to learn about which schools are good and look into what programs they offer to kids with weak English skills
- learn more about the real estate market
- make an appointment with a bank to talk about the possibilities of a mortgage – am concerned about this as I wont’ have a job when I get back nor will I have a job history, though I’m hoping that being able to plunk down C$150,000-175,000 on a house will help. Pretty sure banks like big down payments as that should mean a lower risk to them.
- business regulations: especially running a business out of your home. What type of business is allowed, taxes, fees etc..
- Is there any advantage to joining a local chamber of commerce now – i.e. well before I arrive.
- I also need to seriously do something about building up a network of contacts in Ottawa.
- would love to hook up with other families with kids around 4/8 years old or with mixed kids – mine are white Canadian (me) and Korean (my wife)
On a completely unrelated note, Friday evening as I was walking to meet a client I saw a truck on the corner selling shoes. Interestingly this is a very low traffic area so I’m not sure why it was there or how it could be making any money.
Comments(3)
Angeli: Sunday Feb 28, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Hello. I just discovered your blog and as luck would have it, I am a Canadian expat originally from Ottawa (I live in Australia).
Nice areas to live within the city are:
1. The Glebe - It’s on the expensive side, but the neighborhood is lovely with older character homes; a plethora of cafes, specialty shops & cafes on Bank Street; and Glebe Collegiate - one of the best public schools in Canada.
2. Sandy Hill is also nicely situated between the Byward Market and the University of Ottawa. Good area to live if you want to be able to stroll to town. Nice parks too.
3. Centretown has some decent pockets, but not a lot of green space.
4. Attractive suburbs are on the other side of the river, in Quebec (yes, English is widely spoken). Wakefield, Chelsea, Aylmer and the villages around the Gatineau Hills are all very appealing.
Wakefield is super. It’s surrounded by nature, has a pleasant village “feel” and has a surprisingly large international community. Housing prices are still fairly affordable, but they are rising steadily as the area has grown very popular over the last few years.
For cheap accommodation try Les Trois Erables Bed & Breakfast in Wakefield: http://www.lestroiserables.com
If you’re set on staying in Ottawa city, then try the student suites at the University of Ottawa for cheaper accommodation. The suites are run like a hotel during the summer holidays and are clean and tidy.
The Gasthaus Switzerland B&B in Sandy Hill is also a good option as it’s just a couple of blocks away from the city centre. http://www.gasthausswitzerlandinn.com
Hope that helps,
Angeli (a canuck down under)