Thursday, April 19, 2012

BUCKET LIST

I haven't talked much about it here because sometimes I get superstitious and think if I talk about something it won't happen and then I'll be embarrassed. But then I think if you don't put something out into the universe how do you hope to make any progress or receive any encouragement about the task at hand.

So with that in mind ...

We're hoping to move to Tofino in a couple of years.*




There, I said it. It's out there.

Portland is a definite back-up should our plans fall through, or not work out, but as long as we keep our eyes on the prize I think this is definitely something we can do. Or should be able to do.

There's only one particular little snag - that whole immigration thing.

I have no problem becoming a Canadian citizen, but it's not as easy as all that as we don't fit nice and tidy into any of the immigration categories - student, spouse/relative, skilled worker, entrepreneur, or independently wealthy playboy. (Okay, so I made that last category up, but if you read the docs, it's actually not that far off.) Because our plans rest with us working remotely for US-based companies, Canada doesn't really have any reason to look too favorably on our applications - after all, a Canadian company won't be sponsoring our employment.

Technically, we could rent a place up there and stay for up to six months and then return to the U.S. for a bit (I can't get a straight answer on how long "a bit" actually is - a week, a few weeks, a month?) before returning back to Tofino. Actually, we do plan to come back to the U.S. quite frequently as Alan's family is here, my family is in Ohio, and I'll have to travel for work. As far as I can tell right now we'll end up with one of those extended tourist visas that lets us enter/exit the country a bunch.  That doesn't feel settled enough though. For heath care especially - which given my state of unwell being - we'll need to travel to the U.S. and visit our doctors. Given that it takes three months for me actually get an appointment with any specialist scheduling those meetings shouldn't be too difficult, but it's the things you don't plan for that you need treatment for - strep throat, flu, torn ligaments, etc. Definitely something we actually need a concrete answer for before we can make any concrete plans.



But yeah, there it is. A bucket list item we're trying our damnedest to make a reality.

*Initially we had said we wanted to do this before we turned 40. Alan's 36 and I'll be 35 at the end of summer. That's four years. Ideally I'd like to compress that timeline to be three years max. We'll see how it goes.

8 comments:

  1. Jenny1:11 PM

    Maybe you should find a general practice dr, and see your specialists here.  The Cleveland Clinic is world renowned and makes same day appointments.  You could schedule one now for your visit in July. :)

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  2. Sadly with all my ailments my specialist visits are at least twice a year for each one. More when my Graves comes out of remission - then it's quarterly.

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  3. wow! thats an amazing goal to work towards! i look forward to hearing about the immigration/tourist via journey!

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  4. I'm going to have to learn to not cuss like a sailor, because I have a major fear that a lot of our experience to get there is going to be frustrating. But the end goal - that's what I need to keep in mind.

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  5. o.O
    It's so amazing to see people going out and making something of their big dreams.
    Good luck with the citizenship.

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  6. That sounds amazing! A bit tricky, but amazing nonetheless. :) I was just in Victoria with my family and I told my husband that a trip to Tofino *must* happen this year. I've heard too many good things about it to let it go for another year. Definitely keep us updated on your plans! 

    Thanks so much for your travel advice on my blog...great tips and also, I found your blog through it!

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  7. Hi Katie - thanks for stopping by! I loved your blog. And yes, you *have* to get to Tofino. It's simply magical. 
    Us moving there will be tricky, but ten years ago we packed up our apartment, loaded the car, and drove from Pittsburgh to Oakland with no jobs and nowhere to live but with Alan's parents, so I know we can do this. I just can't imagine not following our dreams on this one.

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  8. Ca4ole2:00 PM

    Nice post.  You might be interested in my Travel Bucket List

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