Vancouver BC booming

[Kye GC]

I just got back from vacation in the Pacific NW and man what an awesome city Vancouver is. BC in general just totally exceeded our expectations. My wife made a comment about living there and we've been toying with the idea since. From what I've read as well as people I've talked to, the building market is on fire. Any forum guys from there?

Vancouver Craigslist has more carpenter jobs listed than SF, LA, and San Diego combined. I know it turns into a watery mess in the winter, does the building slow considerably in the winter?

Also what about contractor licensing?

Thanks in advance.

Kye

[David Meiland]

We have friends who emigrated to Canada from CA. It was a long and difficult process. Dunno if they'd let you in as a skilled tradesperson or not. Van is definitely a wonderful city. We're going to spend a few days up there early in the fall. Did you make it to Stanley Park?

[Kye GC]

We did David. We spent a lot of the time in Stanley park. My daughter really loved it as did we. The sunshine coast really blew our socks off. Heading out of horseshoe bay on the ferry was stunning.


We were going to take the ferry from Victoria through the San Juan islands but it left at 6:00pm and we were ready to get away from all those tourists by 2:00 so we headed back through Tsawwassen. I've seen pictures of your area and it looks beautiful.

From what I've gained from the CIC website, it seems as though the process to permanent residency takes 12-18 months. They have a points test and we qualify if I get a job offer. Also they have whats call a provencial nominee program that fastracks certain professions or trades in need. BC has "carpenter" listed as one of these needed trades. They will fast track the work permit and allow you to live and work there while the CIC approves your permanent residency.

I don't know if we will really pursue this but just putting it out there to see what kind of feeback I get. Though I have plenty of work lined up now, I can feel the market slowing around here and that coupled with the massive influx of illegals and several other factors has me considering other options.

Kye

[Dick Seibert]

Kye:

Don't forget to visit Salt Spring Island and while you are there be sure to pick up one of their famous calenders?

Many women on the island took it all off, young and old alike, to preserve and protect the island from development.

Kind of sounds like the Canadians protect their southern border better than we do.

[Phil H]

I enjoyed my first trip to Vancouver last April. But, I wonder if the construction will slow down after they host the 2010 Winter Olympics.

[helpimarock]

hey Kye,
don't know if this will help, but just a bit south of there in Seattle, I've got associates that have figured out how to pour 'crete almost all year round. You ought to see the tentage they make for their jobs! If you can pour in the rain and snow, don't see what else can slow a job down much

[bread and roses]

hey Kye,
don't know if this will help, but just a bit south of there in Seattle, I've got associates that have figured out how to pour 'crete almost all year round.

Seasons? We don't got no stinkin' seasons!

I don't notice any slowdown in the winter in Seattle. If it snows, sometimes work gets called off for the day- every few years.

[rogerg]

I'm on Vancouver Island just a few miles north of David. He's right about emmigrating here, or anywhere for that matter. It's not as easy as people think about moving to another country. Residents(in any country) think anyone can come into their country really easy. I know, I tried Australia. Didn't work for me. For the average person trying to get into any country is a long drawn out daunting experience which explain why there are alot of illegal aliens in EVERY country.
Yes BC is a fantastically beautiful Province and around every corner is a Kodak moment. Economically the province hasn't been doing too well because we have over fished and over logged our trees. Whatever the reasons for the decline there are few jobs in the blue collar sector. Building is pretty strong but mainly due to the winter olympics. The house prices are VERY high and the average person couldn't even think of buying a home with the wages that are offered. The main influx of people are retired people from east of the Rockies and have brought money with them to buy houses and they are the people who are spending. Your building bubble has burst and ours will soon. Very soon. It's inevitable.
Having said all of the above, I moved out here 5 years ago and think it is the best place on earth. I have travelled the world and I have found every place has a"but" and Vancouver Island has less of them than anyplace.

roger