Foreign Perspectives

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Whilst moving from one European country to another is as easy, at least legally, as moving from one American state to another, it’s a whole different matter when you want to emmigrate to a completely different jurisdiction.

Aside from all the normal differences in taxes, social security and health systems that moving countries always entails, you add the complication of needing to apply for a visa, residence and work permits which adds considerably to the time that it requires to make the move as well as increasing uncertainty somewhat.

For example, take the relatively simple case of a British citizen wanting to move to Canada.

Canada is, of course, in the British Commonwealth so, in theory, that should make the move easier. However, even if you have a pretty much perfect points score for the move, it currently takes around four years from initial application through to the point where you have your Canadian visa and can actually move.

That’s a very long time and a great deal can change during it. For example, four years ago I had one son and now I have two. The second one would obviously need to be added to the visa application for a start and there’s the complication that he has even more nationalities than the first little guy.

Such a long lead time seriously complicates matters in other areas. For one thing, you’ll be working in your existing job and not know in advance how long. You may be wanting to move house too over that kind of time. It’s even possible that the visa categories which you’re eligible for could change too if, for example, you had an inheritance you might find that you could apply under one of the investment categories or perhaps you added a qualification (eg I picked up a university French diploma within the last four years which adds significant points to my Canadian application) or skills. The list is endless.

In fact, over that time period your life could change radically so you need to be really set on moving to a particular country if you’re talking of application periods running into years. Yes, of course, you should be that determined but over such a long period many things can crop up to change your mind even if you originally were really set on making that particular move.

And, remember, that’s just for a relatively simple move!

Popularity: 15% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

When you get into scenery like this, the only appropriate accommodation is a log cabin and that’s just what you get at Blueberry Lake.

However, Tremblant cottage rental doesn’t offer a pioneer style log cabin but are very much luxury cabins. They’re set in 300 acres of private forest and only 25 minutes from Mont Tremblant if you’d like to go ski-ing too.

The 55 cabins available are a range from 3 to 5 bedrooms, ranging from 1400 to over 3000 square feet in size, all with balconies offering panoramic views and, of course, log burning fireplaces. Naturally, they come fully equipped with everything from sheets to entertainment centres (not that you’ll use it much in this scenery).

Although notionally self-catering, you can make use of the private chef to provide 5 star cuisine right in your own cabin and use any of the onsite facilities from the restaurant to the gym.

Popularity: 7% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

If you’re thinking of a snowmobile based vacation this year, Lanaudière in northern Quebec, Canada is one place you should be considering.

Starting just north of Montreal, the area is easy to reach from the New England and New York state areas via road. Or, of course, you could fly in to Montreal and be pretty much there right away.

With more than 1400 miles of trails and average snow coverage of over six feet this area it’s very much an ideal area for snowmobile vacations with heavy snowfalls can give you a different experience nearly every day. Co-operation between clubs and police ensures that the trails are well marked and that the snowmobile trail maps are reliable.

Complete snowmobile packages are available with accommodation in local auberges (small hotels) or vacation rentals which takes out the hassle of tracking down accommodation that’s open in the winter season.

Popularity: 5% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!