I've lived out West here for seven years now, born and bred SE Londoner. Just come off the ski slopes today and funnily enough thinking I can't see myself going back anytime soon (Just got a new permanent residency card - good for another five years).
I came over here on a one year working holiday visa, which is great if you are foot loose and fancy free. But with a family, you're going to need to probably come over on a skilled work program of some sort. It can take a long long time to get the necessary paperwork, etc.
Another option would be to try and apply for a job and have them apply for a work permit for you (this would normally give you 2-3 years). Once you're here it's a lot easier to get permanent residency.
I live a couple of hours North of Vancouver, in the mountains. Would recommend Vancouver as a city for sure.
As others have said, happy to offer any advice if you have specific questions.
As an aside, the immigration process is undergoing some changes in the next few months to make it more difficult to get citizenship - but you would need to get PR status first anyways.
You certainly can't go wrong with Vancouver, Canmore or Edmonton, although the Vancouver housing prices would make even a seasoned Londoner's eyes water!
I'm terribly biased, but it is a wonderful country within which to live, work and play. The only serious downside from my point of view? It's terribly expensive to travel within Canada, and I'd like to see even more of it than I have!
Jamescafc... I live in northern BC (moved from Ashford Kent). Feel free to message me; I would be more than happy to chat over the phone or net to give you my perspective. Canada is a wonderful place with very good people (in general). You would not go wrong moving here.
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I came over here on a one year working holiday visa, which is great if you are foot loose and fancy free. But with a family, you're going to need to probably come over on a skilled work program of some sort. It can take a long long time to get the necessary paperwork, etc.
Another option would be to try and apply for a job and have them apply for a work permit for you (this would normally give you 2-3 years). Once you're here it's a lot easier to get permanent residency.
I live a couple of hours North of Vancouver, in the mountains. Would recommend Vancouver as a city for sure.
As others have said, happy to offer any advice if you have specific questions.
As an aside, the immigration process is undergoing some changes in the next few months to make it more difficult to get citizenship - but you would need to get PR status first anyways.
I'm terribly biased, but it is a wonderful country within which to live, work and play. The only serious downside from my point of view? It's terribly expensive to travel within Canada, and I'd like to see even more of it than I have!