Q: With 5 children in tow, all school age, and a husband eager to find a decent job
A: I can't speak for Toronto, as I've only visited there, but I am currently job-searching in the Vancouver area. I think Vancouver is a beautiful, gorgeous city. And I agree with a lot of things that the other posters have posted, but I'm going to offer you some of the "other side".... Vancouver is EXPENSIVE. Very expensive. The vacancy rate for rental suites is low right now, so finding a quality apartment for a family with kids may be a challenge. I'm not saying impossible.. just a challenge. Be aware of locations that you are looking in for homes. While the price might be right, you will want to ensure that the area isn't rough and you aren't buying into a problem. There are a lot of job postings, but from my experience the vast majority of the postings are for the entry level, lower paying positions. Vancouver does have a high crime rate. It doesn't affect everyone, but certainly you and your family will need street smarts - more so in some areas than in others. But.. Vancouver IS beautiful. there is a wide variety of ethnic communities, so if you, your husband or your kids feel home-sick, there's plenty of ways to meet up with people with similar ethnic backgrounds - and experiences when it comes to immigrating. My understanding is that Toronto is equally diverse. Good luck with your decision. I'm sure it can't be an easy one!