Anyone ever worked in Canada?

[MickeyP]

Don't go to Montreal it's a dump.

[BigTime]

contract rates are crap. you'll barely make enough to survive.

[Fred Bloggs]

Lots of jobs canned due to the slump in the price of oil.

[norrahe]

Am curious about this thread as I wouldn't mind giving Canada a go.

Same here, the boyf and i have earmarked Canada as a "would be nice to move there for a few years". A couple of friends have lived there and loved it.

I do pm/ba and he is a tester/developer type, what's the contract market like?

[portseven]

Am curious about this thread as I wouldn't mind giving Canada a go. I have a brother in Edmonton and we go over every other year.

So do you do contracts over there and come back here between gigs? How do rates compare?

I am a Solutions Architect by trade, though doing more of an Enterprise Arch in the current gig. Whats the market like for the likes of me?

[Cyberman]

Unless you have something lined up, I don't think you'll find it easy to get a contract there. I was angling for years to get something in VC.

What is it you do exactly?

Not into fishing myself, otherwise I would be angling during the downturn !!

[bogeyman]

My pounds aren't worth much anywhere!!! I'm just thinking it'd be a good place to work and build up a decent amount of money in a strongish currency. Over the years it's meant to have been a good place to get work, but I accept things may be different now. To be honest I'm far more interested in getting a decently paid contract, than in whether I can see cityscape or mountain from my apartment window.

Unless you have something lined up, I don't think you'll find it easy to get a contract there. I was angling for years to get something in VC.

What is it you do exactly?

[MrMark]

As for saving money - I have no idea. Your pounds won't be worth much.

My pounds aren't worth much anywhere!!! I'm just thinking it'd be a good place to work and build up a decent amount of money in a strongish currency. Over the years it's meant to have been a good place to get work, but I accept things may be different now. To be honest I'm far more interested in getting a decently paid contract, than in whether I can see cityscape or mountain from my apartment window.

[bogeyman]

Is it a good place to save money? Or do all your earnings go on heating bills and winter clothing?

Depends where in Canada - it's a fairly large country!

I work mostly in Vancouver (but back home in UK until mid Jan.). It's chilly and a bit snowy there, but not that extreme at the moment (i.e. it's above zero). It's supposed to be getting colder soon though.

In my experience, the Eastern side (e.g. Toronto) is generally colder for longer. You won't be going to the middle bits (e.g. Winnipeg) if you have any sense.

Houses and apartments tend to be better built to withstand the cold. Utility charges are normally less than in UK and Euroland.

Appropriate clothing is essential but then that's the same wherever you live.

Have you never been there? Where are you thinking of going?

As for saving money - I have no idea. Your pounds won't be worth much.

[MrMark]

Is it a good place to save money? Or do all your earnings go on heating bills and winter clothing?