Margareth's Immigration Story
This is the story of Margareth. She tells us how she has started a new life in Canada without being a landed immigrant.
It was 1972 when I went to Canada for the fist time to visit my sister in Ontario. I liked the country a lot but because I had a boyfriend in The Netherlands, and a good job, I did not want to emigrate.
During the next 30 years I visited Canada every year.
We liked the differences between Ontario and The Netherlands. The hectic pace, de rush everywhere and that small place in The Netherlands you can call your own was in stark contrast with the friendliness, the peace and quietness and the space we found in Canada. We had our own business at home and were busy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A visit to Canada would recharge our batteries.
Because we came here so often we decided to buy a house here. We renovated an old farm house, keeping its original character. We are winding down our business in The Netherlands and now more and more we are enjoying the peace and quietness, the space, the nature and the climate in Canada.
As long as we don’t have landed immigrant status, we have to follow certain rules. We can stay in Canada uninterrupted for 6 months. Then we have to leave the country. We checked with customs and they are not aware of rules for how long you have to leave the country, so after a few days you can return.
If you are not a landed immigrant, you are not eligible for a Medicard. Our Dutch insurance company covers all medical costs. We pay the cost for any medical care we receive in Canada and send the receipts to our insurance company who reimburses us.
There are however different rules for elective, or larger medical procedures, which depend on the coverage you have with your insurance company. We have year round insurance, much cheaper than insurance per trip.
Because of the internet, borders are no longer a problem when it comes to doing business anywhere in the world.
Making new friends is no problem, the people are very willing to help you and invite you to a party, so you can meet new people. It also helps to become a member of an organization like the Red Hat Society.
Our daughter is not coming to Canada; together with her boyfriend they are building their own life in The Netherlands. However, you never know what happens in the future, the move to a more peaceful and quiet country is a possibility. Distance is no problem nowadays. With a web cam, the internet and “Skype” we have contact with each other several times a week.
The world is getting smaller all the time. We look for cheap airline tickets via the internet and booking online is very simple. We started our second life here in Canada and enjoy every minute of it.
By Margareth.
If you would like your immigration story on our website, just like Margareth did, Contact The Happy Immigrant.
