Q: I kind of wanna make a big change in my life. My choice right now is to move to Winnipeg while I'm young (21) and have not started a family. I am wondering what is a very good process in doing this? I would like details on where to look in Winnipeg or the Winnipeg area (or if there is a better area) and how I would go from Step A to Step Z. Thank you for all comments!
A: If you want a process the first thing you should probably consider is getting a job in Winnipeg. Now I don't know what your education/experience is but there are several websites where you can look for jobs. The city, province and federal government all have job listings on their websites. If you are in a particular field then check out what companies do work in that field that are located in Winnipeg and check their websites for job postings. If they don't have any postings try giving them a call anyways and sending a resume as many jobs here never get posted (unemployment is pretty low right now). Also talk to you contacts to see who knows of jobs available up here. Along with monster.ca there is a federal government website for job postings www.jobbank.gc.ca and check the online edition of the Winnipeg Free Press in the classified ads. Next you need to find some place to live. If you are looking at renting then google Winnipeg renters guide and there are over 5 good sites to check out in the top 10 to find apartments. Being young and not settled down yet I would look in the downtown, Osborne Street Village, and Corydon areas (check out a google map of Winnipeg) as these are where many other young people live and there are clubs, cafes, and restaurants nearby. If you want to buy a house then check out www.mls.ca for pretty much all the real estate listings in the city - this will also help you find a real estate agent. The last thing you would need to do is figure out how to come to Canada as an American citizen to live here. If you want Canadian citizenship thats a big process. If it's just to work or go to school for a period then I think you need a visa (not sure though). Check out Citizenship and Immigration Canada at http://www.cic.gc.ca as all the info should be available there. It might be easier to call the 1-800 number from the webpage. If you have a job lined up and a place to live and documents to come to Canada then that's the hard part. After that it's just the moving of you and your stuff and changing all your address records. Good luck!