The Last trip before the move

I rebooked my flight from Prague to London and flew from there to Vancouver. A girlfriend from Holland, Ilse, wanted to join me on my trip to Vancouver. Under one condition! That we would go to Whistler to ski. She already visited Vancouver and BC once, 13 years ago. We met up in London and flew together to Vancouver. I had booked a hotel in North Vancouver. We had a very busy couple of first days. We went around with the real estate agent, Carolyn, who showed us 8 houses on the first day, not to forget, while suffering from jetlag. We drove around the various areas in North Vancouver. We decided this is “the place to live”, from our previous trips, unfortunately also the most expensive place to live. The ideal location, we concluded, 10 to 15 minutes from the ski slopes, 15 minutes from downtown, 10 minutes from the beach and wild nature right at your doorstep, with occasionally a bear in your back yard.

Photo taken by Ilse, North Vancouver with the snowy mountains in the back.  

We checked out some schools and various other things. In the meantime we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in the evenings and in between our daily schedule of appointments and checking things out. One night a Dutch girl, who Ilse knew, introduced us to the “Oranjeclub”, a bunch of Dutch meeting up once a month in Vancouver. I learned that evening that networking is very important for finding a job etc. 

We also visited Cyprus Ski Mountain as well as Grouse Mountain. The amount of snow, over 4 meters, and the quality of the snow really amazed us, and just minutes away from where we want to live. There was only one house which could have been the house for us, but I concluded that I did not want to make a decision on my own to buy a house there and then, especially after seeing Agathe’s place, which we can rent for a short period when we arrive. It is more sensible to take our time and make the right choice, then deciding on a expensive house, under pressure, without Tony or the kids seeing it. After coming back to France, we heard the house, which i liked, has had 5 offers and was sold. Well priced houses in the right area are going very rapidly.

We fitted in 2 days Whistler, as promised to Ilse. On Thursday night, the 1st of March, after having had a great night in an Irish Pub, we went back to the hotel. Ilse reminded me to check my sms, in case Tony had heard from immigration. I saw the message: Job done! Were in. I screamed and jumped in the air, the tension and stress wether or not we would get the go ahead from immigration, had fallen of my shoulders. Especially since we had already sold our house in Toulouse. The whole 10 days we were there we were so surprised how friendly and helpful people are, not to mention the level of service in the restaurants and shops you get. Compared to France this was heaven. I went back with a very good feeling, although it was raining most of the time I really enjoyed the stay. One day the sun came out, I went to a little beach in West Vancouver (where i met up with Yvonne a Dutch girl), all Vancouverites immediately go outside on a sunny day. They have a very positive view to live, it seems to me, and most of them are real outdoor people.

Ils and Ton at the airport, going home. We forgot to make any pictures of ourselves!

All by all, a useful trip, I have a far better picture of the areas where we would like to find a house and also what kind of houses are available at what price. Back home, the stress period has begun. From arranging a container, packing, booking flights, thinking of all the administration concerning bank accounts, insurances, to getting the dog and cat on the plane and organising farewell parties for the children. We aim to leave the 3rd week in April 2007, which leaves us 6 weeks. Not a lot of time for a move to another continent, but it is important to be there before the summer season starts. Me and Tony will try and update this blog as much and possible, friends and family and whoever is interested can follow our move, arrival and living in Vancouver.

Ton