How Do I Move to Canada?

Dear Uncle Dave,

I am a resident of the UK and as the forthcoming referendum on whether we remain or leave in the EU looms ever closer I am increasingly terrified that my fellow countrymen will actually be stupid enough to vote leave.

In this eventuality I have decided to leave the UK and move to Canada, specifically the sea to sky corridor. I think that’s what it’s called? Anyway, any advice on specific areas and locations would be very helpful – as an outsider I have no idea where to start looking. Preferably somewhere with good access to trails, plentiful job opportunities for a qualified carpenter, and low property rental prices.

Yours sincerely,
Don’t want to leave.

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Dear Uncle

Well it actually bloody happened. I have no words.

It has strengthened my resolve to actually do this though. I qualify for Express Entry to become a resident it turns out, and I’m starting to get a grasp on locations and property etc.

Cheers,
Probably going to leave.

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Dear Mixed Messages:

What a topsy-turvy world that we live in. Everybody has an opinion on Brexit, but do any of us really know what the hell we’re talking about? When did the left wing start advocating on behalf of free trade? How are the people who created ads that quite literally stole imagery from the Nazis allowed to scold their opponents for using fear tactics? It seems like madness and it’s impossible to know what to think, do or say. So, I go back to my cardinal rule. If you’re on the same side as the racists, you should put some fresh thought into your position. Yes, we know. You’re only voting that way because of those sweet, sweet tax breaks. Well, he framed me for armed robbery, but man, I’m aching for that upper-class tax cut.

Another interesting point to consider is how the default position in most elections is “if my side loses, I’m moving to Canada.” Unless you live in Canada. And now that you broke the UK, we’ve got nowhere left to dream about leaving to. What’s left? Australia? They seem kind of crazy down there now, too. Anyhow, it’s only a few months before both sides of the US election start threatening in earnest to “move to Canada if Shillary/Drumpf wins,” so your timing is good. Get in before the rush.

Honestly though. What the hell is wrong with you people? Who chooses to leave an organization that allows you to freely move throughout the entirety of Europe? Is Paris too awesome for you? Too many sangria drenched holidays? This feels like a mistake. But then again… Sure, I would love the ability to live and work wherever I wanted in the United States. If I had the ability to live in Hawaii or Portland I probably wouldn’t be living here. But would I be super excited about throwing the doors open to any gun-totin’ yahoo from Texas or Florida who wants to move in next door? No. No I wouldn’t. I would not like that. But then again…I wouldn’t be here…

So, Welcome to Canada, I guess. I’ve got some good news for you. And some bad.

The first piece of good news is that the BC economy is built almost entirely on condominiums, so there’s probably a lot of work for a carpenter. Honestly. It’s amazing. The economy is ticking along in no small part due to the steroid injected construction sector which in turn leads to higher real estate prices and even more construction. Somehow this is not a pyramid scheme. Every tremor or success elsewhere in the World Economy is good news for our BC real estate. Difficulties in the Chinese Economy? Well they’re going to be looking for safe havens for their money! Collapsing Canadian Dollar? Everything just got cheaper for foreigners! US economic recovery? More American dollars flowing into BC! There is literally not a single world event that can’t be spun as a positive for BC real estate and I’m not in any way exaggerating or joking.

Which leads to the bad news. Rental prices. They’re not super great right now. Somehow we’re building all these condos but the rental market is still tight. I think that part of the problem is that places just seem to be eternally for sale. There are two or three houses for sale on every block, so I guess nobody has time to worry about renting them out. Of course, if you do eventually find a rental, it’s somehow far, far cheaper than buying the damn thing. Take this place. Once you come up with your $500,000 down payment, it’s only going to cost you $21k per month to subsidize your tenants. How can you lose on that?

If I were looking for a place, I’d probably start with Craigslist. Padmapper might work as well, but seems to just be a proxy for Airbnb. Under absolutely no circumstances would I recommend committing to a place sight unseen. That’s a recipe for bedbugs and a landlord masturbating to videos he secretly took of you in the shower.

Back to the good news. We’ve got oodles of places filled with members of the Commonwealth riding their bicycles. Based on your requirements, I’d recommend Squamish as a starting point. The trail network is astonishing. There is a fantastic assortment of gas stations and fast food restaurants (I haven’t explored town all that much). And the location smack dab between Whistler and Squamish means…you guessed it…condos and construction! It will blow your mind. I think you can kiteboard there too, if you get bored. I really need to try kiteboarding.

Sorry,
Uncle Dave

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Mixed messages – you win a Renthal 1XR chainring! You’d better collect before hopping the pond though because Renthal is a UK company hailing from Cheshire. You can order these online if your local bike shop doesn’t have them as well.

The reduced frontal profile of the 3.5mm wide teeth increases mud clearance for the inner chain plates and extends longevity. Durability of the hard wearing 7075 T6 aluminium construction is maximised with a hard anodised surface treatment and mud evacuation grooves in the tooth bed.

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It’s not all roses – but the trails make living in B.C. worth it.