BC Help!!

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Hiya,

I need a little bit of help if any of you dont mind. I am a Registered Nurse form the UK. I was originally offerred a job in the USA, but have just been offerred a job in British Columbia through Health Match BC, which is like a dream come true!. They are visiting the UK next week and I have to go meet with them and specify certain areas of BC where I would be happy to relocate (all of it, it looks beautiful!) So, I have been doing a little bit of research, but would appreciate the input of people who either live there or have visited these areas. The only part of BC I have visited is Golden, when I was on holiday.

I have narrowed it down to the following areas:

- Vancouver, obviously the big city, lots of people, easy access for family etc. I am an avid skier though, is there much skiing in Vancouver? I am also a little concerned by the amount of rain they apparently have here, is it really that much? dont want to leave one rainy place for another! also is it a safe city?

- Kelowna, looks like a lovely place, quite easy access for family, only a short connecting flight, doesnt sound to far to drive to Vancouver either. Is it a place for a 25 year old? is there many skiing areas nearby?

- Kamloops, again looks like a lovely place, but is it someone for a young person? is there an airport here?

Cranbrook, my favourite so far, beautiful mountain city, lots of fantastic skiing nearby, but again is it a place for a 25 year old single girl? would there be the opportunity to meet people easily? I have heard its is only a 3-4 hour drive to get to Calgary from here, which is excellent.

- Invermere, Golden, Nelson, Kimberley, Revelstoke, all look like amazing places, but all a little smaller is size, are they realistic places to relocate?

I am a big outdoors fan and love mountain life, I have spent alot of holidays in Banff National Park and have always wanted to live in a mountain community, basically cos I love the lifestyle and sports. I would like to be as close as possible to the Alberta border, so I can hop over to Banff National Park and Calgary is needs be.

I would really appreciate any advice from anyone, and hey maybe if I take your advice i'll invite you for a holiday!!

Thanks

Kate

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Kate:

Lots to see and do for a 25 year in all locations listed.

>Vancouver..........big city......Three good sized ski hills within the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Whister and Blackcomb about a 2 hour drive from N. Van. Rains ALOT in the winter, but when it rains in the city, it snows in the hills.........and yes, it is a relatively safe city.

>Kelowna is about a 4 hour drive to Vancouver - Great place for a single gal..........Kelowna is a party town. Great skiing in the winter, lakes in the summer.............gets hotter than the hubs of H*** in the summer.

>Kamloops........yes they have an airport..........and a reasonably good social life for a single gal. Again, good skiing in the winter, and hot in the summer.

>Cranbrook...a sleepy little town nestled in the moutains.........Good skiing, but not a nice drive to Calgary in the winter...........icy roads.

>Invermere..........a bit of a vacation town...........lots of "summer folks", but sleey in the winter time.

Have lived in the first three, and have had extended stays in the other two. Most places in BC would be ok to relocate to depending on what you are looking for.

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Hi,

So you are moving to BC?? no better place on the earth to be! ;) Unless you are keen on living on the mainland, Vancouver Island is a beautiful place to live and work. There are nice cities here, such as Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, etc (all have airports.) which offer beautiful scenery, lots of outdoor activites and shopping; lots of action on the island, great skiing, lakes, mountains, hiking trails, ocean (eg. Tofino, parkville beaches, Comox), forests... you name it. I grew up here, moved away, and came back b/c I felt that nowhere else could compete with the island! There are lots of job postings here as well, check out www.viha.ca . anyways, just throwing it out there as a consideration, not to confuse you too much! Happy hunting!

Sara

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Longest 13 months of my life were spent on northern VI. Lousy weather, rained for about 9 of those months. Small town mentality, at least an hours drive to Nanaimo for some half decent shopping, three + hours to Victoria.....

Beautiful scenery but after a while you get fed up of bald eagles, finding dead seals on the beach, and the salmon spawning.

Our family tried to fit in, but you'll always be an outsider.

Besides doesn't VIHA still have that policy of hiring new grad RNs from the island for full time for a a year. Some of the seasoned RNs who worked casual and parttime where finding their hours limited because of it.

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Longest 13 months of my life were spent on northern VI. Lousy weather, rained for about 9 of those months. Small town mentality, at least an hours drive to Nanaimo for some half decent shopping, three + hours to Victoria.....

Beautiful scenery but after a while you get fed up of bald eagles, finding dead seals on the beach, and the salmon spawning.

Our family tried to fit in, but you'll always be an outsider.

Besides doesn't VIHA still have that policy of hiring new grad RNs from the island for full time for a a year. Some of the seasoned RNs who worked casual and parttime where finding their hours limited because of it.

Fiona,

Sorry you are so bitter about the island!:uhoh21: its a beautiful place, and it does rain on the mainland too! all the way down the coast in fact. I don't know anyone who would get "fed up" with wildlife... people travel from all over the world to get a glimpse of an eagle; we should be so lucky they are still around.

As for the new grad policy, the RN's at the hospital where I am have not had a problem with it. Besides, I don't see that policy sticking around another year. ;)

Sara

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Specializes in acute care for elders, general medicine.

Bc is wonderful!! I moved here 4.5 years ago from Ontario, and I absolutely LOVE it! So much to see and do, everything an outdoorsy person would enjoy, and it's all so close by!

The rain is really not as bad as I thought it would be, and I have just gotten used to getting a little wet. Walking in the rain can be kinda nice! People here golf in the rain :p

I have no specific suggestions for you, just wanted to add my 2 cents!

Good luck with your move!

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Hi Kate,

I am a scottish nurse and am looking into seriously working in Canada. At one time was swithering between US and Canada but Canada have been actively recruiting in the UK recently. It looks pretty appealing particularly VanCouver! I was just womdering how you were gettin on and why you went with Health Match bc particulalry as I have been in touch with Vancouver Coastal Health? Also how did you find the CRNE exam? And more importantly how are you enjoying yourself?! Look forward to hearing from you

Fiona

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