Very OT: Moving from UK to Canada

[STeADi]

Hello all

This is a very off topic question but as there are so many different nations represented (and you are all so friendly), I thought this might be a good place to ask some questions.

I'm thinking of moving from the UK to Canada and I was wondering if anyone on here has already done this or knows someone who has.

I've got the usual items like computers and games consoles and I'd love to take them with me if I went.  I know how to check the voltages to see if they can be used in Canada but how about the ones that are set to around 230v.  I've been looking at transformers that allow the use of these items in Canada but I'm not sure of how good they are to use.  Anyone got any experience in this?

I'm sure I may have some more question if there is anything else I think of and if anyone has some suggestions.

Thanks very much :-)

STeADi

[uncleted]

I moved from Australia to Canada, not quite the same situation, but I can try to help.  Australia has the same voltage and standards as the UK for what it's worth.  

Since you're just thinking about it, be aware that if you don't have a wife/girlfriend/partner or parent from Canada, immigration will take a long time.  Skilled migration is a couple of years minimum and the UK office is very busy.

Canada is ~120V/60Hz and NTSC.  Most PC PSUs have a switch between 240 and 120V, so that's pretty easy.  I think many LCDs have auto-switching power supplies, other monitors probably not.

Transformers for anything beefy are going to blow your budget.  For tiny appliances (stuff that runs off of those little wall wart DC adapters) they're OK, but transformers for bigger hardware can cost a bit.  Some devices don't like transformers because they generally don't do a proper sine wave.  Your consoles _should_ be OK with a transformer, but you'll need a TV that can do PAL - we had to hunt these out specifically, but most of the new plasma or LCD TVs seem to be able to do PAL.

Shipping can get expensive, especially because you may have to pay GST+provincial tax for what you import.  If you kept your receipts for stuff you bought, you may be able to get VAT refunds when you leave.

If you have a UK drivers licence, you should be able to convert it to a Canadian one without much trouble, but they will take your UK one away.

Any ideas where specifically you might want to live?

[STeADi]

uncleted wrote:

Since you're just thinking about it, be aware that if you don't have a wife/girlfriend/partner or parent from Canada, immigration will take a long time.  Skilled migration is a couple of years minimum and the UK office is very busy.

Thankfully this situation is covered for me.  I have been offered a job by a company based in Canada so they will take care of the immigration and sort out the Visas for both myself and my partner.

Canada is ~120V/60Hz and NTSC.  Most PC PSUs have a switch between 240 and 120V, so that's pretty easy.  I think many LCDs have auto-switching power supplies, other monitors probably not.

That's cool.  I thought that was the case but I'm at the point now I think that I'd leave my PC's and just take my Mac Mini and maybe buy a new PC out there (I need a new one anyway ;-) )

Transformers for anything beefy are going to blow your budget.  For tiny appliances (stuff that runs off of those little wall wart DC adapters) they're OK, but transformers for bigger hardware can cost a bit.  Some devices don't like transformers because they generally don't do a proper sine wave.  Your consoles _should_ be OK with a transformer, but you'll need a TV that can do PAL - we had to hunt these out specifically, but most of the new plasma or LCD TVs seem to be able to do PAL.

Ah okay, this is the interesting bit.  I'd like to take my LCD HDTV out with me that is locked to 230v and of course my consoles.  I'm looking at the transformers listed at the bottom of the page here:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Necessities_Index/UK_to_USA_Converter/index.html

to possibly power my LCD TV and one console at a time.  I think that the 1000Va transformer near the bottom could power my TV which is 190watts and a console which I'm sure wouldn't have a high wattage.  I'm thinking of emailing the website to ask.  I think I'm willing to pay their prices if they are an adequate solution.

Of course region locking is then an issue but I'm not too bothered by that at the moment.

Shipping can get expensive, especially because you may have to pay GST+provincial tax for what you import.  If you kept your receipts for stuff you bought, you may be able to get VAT refunds when you leave.

Shipping is also handled by my potential new employers too so hopefully that should be fine.  However we might want to ship more than the budget allows so that is some useful info, thanks.

If you have a UK drivers licence, you should be able to convert it to a Canadian one without much trouble, but they will take your UK one away.

Wow! :-? I didn't know that one.  I'm not sure I fancy giving up my UK drivers licence.  I have a feeling I may stick to public transport out there as from my short visit it seems very good.

Any ideas where specifically you might want to live?

Vancouver :-)

Thanks very much for your help.  You provided me some useful answers and probably some further questions ;-)

STeADi

[GadgetMaster]

STeADi wrote:

uncleted wrote:

Thanks very much for your help.  You provided me some useful answers and probably some further questions ;-)

STeADi

Don't forget to tell us of your migration experience when you get there. I would be interested to hear of how it compares to the UK.

Good luck. :-)

[alenppc]

Welcome! :-D

I work for a British company here in Montreal, and we've got lots of Britons working in our office, some of them even moved here permanently. I guess they must like the winter. ;-)

All the problems regarding electronics (power converters etc) are easy to solve. The power up/down converters are usually sold in most electronic component shops and range from 50W to over 2000W with price ranges between $100 to $250 (CDN). Divide by 2 to obtain an equivalent in UKP.

All the PAL consoles (PS2/Xbox/GC/etc) work fine with power converters - we've got 100s of each (consoles and converters) at our office. Hardly any TV supports PAL unless you look for a specific multisystem one - or bring an lcd one with you.

Oh, and don't go to Futureshop to buy your PC, like most newcomers do. :-) You'll end up paying it twice as much. Since you are going to Vancouver I might recommend ncix.com as your one stop shop for all pc related stuff. Futureshop and occasionally HMV usually have some good deals on games and movies.
British comedies are outrageously expensive though. It is cheaper for me to buy them from the UK and pay the import duties rather than buying them here (I have a region free DVD player).

Hope this helps.

[aardvark]

I think sales taxes only apply to any thing purchased in the last six months or so, otherwise whatever kit you have shipped here should be tax and dutyfree. You can get voltage converters easy enough, but things like record players and vcrs are hertz sensitive. 60 Hz here and 50 Hz in Europe.  Anyway, you can get a cheap DVD player for 50$ or so here. For most computers only a change of cord would be needed. For an LCD TV, a new power adapter would be easy to come by, but I don't know if there are any frequency issues.

[STeADi]

GadgetMaster wrote:

Don't forget to tell us of your migration experience when you get there. I would be interested to hear of how it compares to the UK.

Good luck. :-)

 :-)   I shall do that.  I certainly will be keeping close tabs of Amiga.org once over there.

And I see you're from Lancashire.  I shall miss Lancashire the most as it's my home county :boohoo:

[Karlos]

STeADi wrote:

GadgetMaster wrote:

Don't forget to tell us of your migration experience when you get there. I would be interested to hear of how it compares to the UK.

Good luck. :-)

 :-)   I shall do that.  I certainly will be keeping close tabs of Amiga.org once over there.

And I see you're from Lancashire.  I shall miss Lancashire the most as it's my home county :boohoo:

Whereabouts? It's my "adopted" county :-D

[STeADi]

alenppc wrote:
Welcome! :-D

All the problems regarding electronics (power converters etc) are easy to solve. The power up/down converters are usually sold in most electronic component shops and range from 50W to over 2000W with price ranges between $100 to $250 (CDN). Divide by 2 to obtain an equivalent in UKP.

Thankyou.  It sounds cheaper than buying one here.  That's made me slightly happier about it all.

All the PAL consoles (PS2/Xbox/GC/etc) work fine with power converters - we've got 100s of each (consoles and converters) at our office. Hardly any TV supports PAL unless you look for a specific multisystem one - or bring an lcd one with you.

Again, that's put my mind at ease.  I hope to take my LCD TV over so that should sort out the PAL problems.  What kind of company do you work in?  Sounds like a games company perhaps?

Oh, and don't go to Futureshop to buy your PC, like most newcomers do. :-) You'll end up paying it twice as much.

Now that's advice I like to hear :-) Advice to save me money.  It's actually a little daunting to be honest. When I was over there a few weeks back I bought a couple of CD's I've struggled to get from the UK from HMV.  In the UK I tend to avoid HMV usually and use the net for cheaper stuff.  The prices of games in HMV there seemed quite high too. More than I was expecting anyway.

Knowing where the best places to get things froms will be 'interesting' to say the least.

Since you are going to Vancouver I might recommend ncix.com as your one stop shop for all pc related stuff. Futureshop and occasionally HMV usually have some good deals on games and movies.

Great, thanks for that. Mental note made.  

British comedies are outrageously expensive though. It is cheaper for me to buy them from the UK and pay the import duties rather than buying them here (I have a region free DVD player).

Any TV programmes that belong to the BBC are expensive on DVD in the UK too.  They can charge a stupid amount for a series that only has 6 episodes when you can pay the same for an American comedy with 24 episodes.  Typical rip off BBC!! I certainly wouldn't miss the TV License. ;-)

A region free DVD player would certainly be a must for me I think too.

Hope this helps.

It certainly has, thankyou very much.

[STeADi]

aardvark wrote:

For an LCD TV, a new power adapter would be easy to come by, but I don't know if there are any frequency issues.

Yes that is a concern.  I shall be double checking my TV to see what it takes. I may even mail the manufacturer to see if they have any suggestions other than buying another TV.

Thanks.

[uncleted]

There's no TV licence, but you really have to have cable - although you get much more from it.

Futureshop isn't the worst amongst "electronics" stores by any means.  Best Buy is the worst.  Neither are great places to buy computer parts from.  NCIX is good and so is Tigerdirect.ca if you can't find it locally.

You'll probably enjoy the lower prices for just about anything electronic too, and probably most other stuff compared to the UK.  It's also much roomier, especially if you've lived in a big city like London.  

You'll maybe miss some home TV (although BBC Canada is tolerable apart from the stupid renovation shows) and home food.  They seem to have only 5 flavours of crisps here, bland "cookies" and crappy "candy".  It may be hard to get a good curry.  Winter is obviously an adjustment although Vancouver is very mild.

I'd say the reason people like it in Montreal is that it's a single man's paradise  Montreal is a great city if you can get past the winter.

[alenppc]

Again, that's put my mind at ease.  I hope to take my LCD TV over so that should sort out the PAL problems.  What kind of company do you work in?  Sounds like a games company perhaps?

The company I work for offers mostly games functionality testing services plus general pc, console and mobile EU languages localization/translation and testing. Since I am fluent in a couple of languages, I work in the localization department. :-)

The prices of games in HMV there seemed quite high too. More than I was expecting anyway.

Sorry my fault, I should have been more specific. HMV is usually good for DVDs, they often have these "3 movies for $20" specials and sometimes you can find some very interesting titles for that price (i.e. not just those in the bargain bin).

Futureshop and Wal-mart are the best place for pc & console software but not hardware.

Any TV programmes that belong to the BBC are expensive on DVD in the UK too.  They can charge a stupid amount for a series that only has 6 episodes when you can pay the same for an American comedy with 24 episodes.  Typical rip off BBC!!

Well that depends on your point of view. IMHO 80% of  American TV programs are trash. There might be an average of 25 episodes per season but there's hardly any quality at all.

I certainly wouldn't miss the TV License. ;-)

I am willing to bet that you will. ;-) Here you don't pay the licence but you have to pay for cable. For instance, Rogers or Vidéotron charge anything from $30 to over $70 per month for cable service and offer you 70 channels of nothing! All you get is endless commercials with bits of tv shows sliced inbetween. I stopped paying for cable and generally watching TV a long time ago. I would certanly be willing to pay a TV lincence and have commercial-free high-quality stuff like the BBC rather than be forced to watch that crap on cable.

Much easier to rent/buy a DVD and watch it at your convenience, that's what I say.

A region free DVD player would certainly be a must for me I think too.

I admit I am not up to date with the latest plasma/lcd tv technology, however for standard NTSC TVs it is not enough to get a DVD player that can be unlocked or made region free. It has to be capable of converting PAL to NTSC otherwise you won't be able to see anything (except perhaps a rolling picture). I don't know what percentage of DVD players does this nowdays, but I suspect that a $39 player from wal-mart might not be up to the task. All of the European players do that out of the box but that's easy since the NTSC resolution is lower. The other way round is a bit more complicated.

Regarding power supply frequency issues that someone else mentioned in this thread, in 95% of the cases that should NOT be a problem. I used lots of different EU based equipment over the years, including PAL VCRs, 14" CRT TVs and lots more with a power converter and never had a problem. Generally speaking anything manufactured after 1995 should work fine. Modern TVs never sync to the power source frequency rate anyway and AFAIK haven't done that for at least a couple of decades. :-)

Oh btw, what's the company you are going to work for, if I might ask?

I hope for your sake it's not EA. ;-) From what I hear they might not be the best software developer to work for.
Relic/THQ on the other hand is an awesome company, I worked there on-site for two months.

If you want to bring along your GSM mobile phone, you can use it over here as long as it's unlocked and supports 850/1900 Mhz frequencies (1900 should be sufficient although you will not get the full coverage). Then just go to the nearest Rogers or Fido store and get a sim card for $25. Bell/Telus use proprietary CDMA standard so you won't be able to use them unless you buy one of their crappy phones.

Regarding Montral, in my opinion this is one of the most beautiful cities in North America, or at least the most European looking one. That's why I love it and I hope I will never have to move. Cheers! :cheers:

[uncleted]

Almost all DVD players should be able to do PAL nowadays, but unless you can set them up to output PAL, you'll get PAL converted to NTSC on the fly.  Maybe the more expensive players do a good job of it, but for the most part, PAL converted to NTSC looks washed out and sluggish - picture it being played underwater.

I use a modded XBox to play DVDs on, and a rather cheap but large "Prima" CRT TV that does proper PAL on a couple of inputs.  It took some hunting to find it.

Pretty crap really that we have such a hard time getting TVs that do PAL in North America, considering if you're in a PAL region practically every TV from the last 15 years will do NTSC.

[Ral-Clan]

Regarding Montral, in my opinion this is one of the most beautiful cities in North America, or at least the most European looking one. That's why I love it and I hope I will never have to move. Cheers!  

Montreal is nice, but it sounds like you've never been to Quebec City then?

[STeADi]

alenppc wrote:

The company I work for offers mostly games functionality testing services plus general pc, console and mobile EU languages localization/translation and testing. Since I am fluent in a couple of languages, I work in the localization department. :-)

Is the company Babel by any chance.  I think that's who we once used.  Hmmm, I think that was the name. :-?

The prices of games in HMV there seemed quite high too. More than I was expecting anyway.

Sorry my fault, I should have been more specific. HMV is usually good for DVDs, they often have these "3 movies for $20" specials and sometimes you can find some very interesting titles for that price (i.e. not just those in the bargain bin).

Futureshop and Wal-mart are the best place for pc & console software but not hardware.

Okay great thanks.  I'll be sure to check them out.  Is Futureshop a big superstore chain or a small outlet chain like Electronics Boutique/Game?

Any TV programmes that belong to the BBC are expensive on DVD in the UK too.  They can charge a stupid amount for a series that only has 6 episodes when you can pay the same for an American comedy with 24 episodes.  Typical rip off BBC!!

Well that depends on your point of view. IMHO 80% of  American TV programs are trash. There might be an average of 25 episodes per season but there's hardly any quality at all.

I know what you mean.  There is some American TV I really don't enjoy.   But things like Lost and 24 IMHO have just surpassed UK tv.  The days of Cracker and Fawlty Towers seem to have gone :-(

I certainly wouldn't miss the TV License. ;-)

I am willing to bet that you will. ;-) Here you don't pay the licence but you have to pay for cable. For instance, Rogers or Vidéotron charge anything from $30 to over $70 per month for cable service and offer you 70 channels of nothing! All you get is endless commercials with bits of tv shows sliced inbetween. I stopped paying for cable and generally watching TV a long time ago. I would certanly be willing to pay a TV lincence and have commercial-free high-quality stuff like the BBC rather than be forced to watch that crap on cable.

So is the only way to get TV through cable?  I would like to get broadband to keep in contact with people in the UK but I'm not interested in spending lots of money on cable TV.  I don't have cable or satellite TV here and simply use the freeview box to receive the free to air digital channels (and I don't watch those much).

Much easier to rent/buy a DVD and watch it at your convenience, that's what I say.

I'm right there with you on that one :-D

Regarding power supply frequency issues that someone else mentioned in this thread, in 95% of the cases that should NOT be a problem. I used lots of different EU based equipment over the years, including PAL VCRs, 14" CRT TVs and lots more with a power converter and never had a problem. Generally speaking anything manufactured after 1995 should work fine. Modern TVs never sync to the power source frequency rate anyway and AFAIK haven't done that for at least a couple of decades. :-)

That's good news. That is one thing that worried me slightly.

I wonder if anyone could provide me a link in fact for a suitable transformer from a Canadian website?  I've found the one in the link I posted further up the thread but I'd prefer to get one out there if possible.

Oh btw, what's the company you are going to work for, if I might ask?

I hope for your sake it's not EA. ;-)

Um, it's funny you should say that ;-) I have a friend who works there and he's been really happy there for a while now.  Hopefully I will be too.

If you want to bring along your GSM mobile phone, you can use it over here as long as it's unlocked and supports 850/1900 Mhz frequencies (1900 should be sufficient although you will not get the full coverage). Then just go to the nearest Rogers or Fido store and get a sim card for $25. Bell/Telus use proprietary CDMA standard so you won't be able to use them unless you buy one of their crappy phones.

I was thinking of getting a phone whilst I was out there.  Do they do pay-as-you-go or do you have to have a fixed contract?

Regarding Montral, in my opinion this is one of the most beautiful cities in North America, or at least the most European looking one. That's why I love it and I hope I will never have to move. Cheers! :cheers:

 

It sounds like so many people are happy in Canada.  It's good to know :-)

Thanks your help  :-) I'm getting quite excited :-D