My Dream to Move to P.E.I

by Nancy
(Ottawa)

I have a strong sense of draw to retire in PEI.

It started several years ago. My husband and I go back every year hoping each year that passes is one closer to the move.

We are from Ontario - no children and not a very close family so the move would not involve a great family loss.

One thing holding us back is many articles indicating the poor health care and the unfriendliness from islanders.

We would love to hear feed back on those two factors.

We are about two years away.

Comments for My Dream to Move to P.E.I

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I wish I was making this up.
by: Anonymous

We moved here from ontario 14 months ago to the western part of PEI.

We regret it everyday. I have never experienced more racism in my entire life than I have in 14 months.

The education is very poor. Articles I read before moving here said otherwise but when we got here my son was doing the same assignments he did in grade six in Ontario in grade eight in PEI.

Just to be clear the racism here is not just based on colour or culture. Anyone who is not an islander will be treated badly. This was shocking to us since like you we spent many summer vacations here and dreamed of someday living here since islanders were so nice to us when we were tourists.

Lack of job opportunities and no doctors is a very real problem. Everybody is involved in everyone else’s business down here. What your last name is and were you live is also very important down here.

I wish I was making this up. Poor education and lack of interest or opportunities for higher education has made this population here in West Prince very ignorant.

This obviously affects the work environments where people are gifted jobs and titles based on family connections instead of education, experience and abilities.
Hopefully this dream will fade.
by: Anonymous

Me too! I dream of moving to P.E.I when I am older. I wish to become a healthcare worker and help the lack of healthcare workers. My family unfortunately lives far away from P.E.I and will probably miss me dearly as much as I miss them. Hopefully this dream will fade.
Work remote
by: Traveler

I and my family are considering moving there. We are reaching 35 years old and our daughter is 3 years old. We have both remote work, we are Software Engineer looking for a place with quiet life. We are willing to move from another country. How feasible is it?
Moving to PEI, Renting, and Working in the Non Profit Sector
by: Linda

Hello Anonymous,

Thank you for contacting us.

How exciting that you are ready for a change/move in your life and what better place than Prince Edward Island?

The situation here in PEI with the Covid-19 issues has made it a little more complicated to enter the province and find a job but it is not impossible.

First, you should contact the PEI government to find out what you must do to apply to enter the province as a permanent resident. You can find pre-approval for travel information here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/justice-and-public-safety/pre-travel-approval-process

Second, If you are looking for a job in the non-profit sector, these sites might help you.

List of Non-Profit Organizations in Prince Edward Island: https://volunteerpei.ca/nonprofit-organizations/

A Website that may give you a little more direction: https://employmentjourney.com/industries/community-sector-network-of-pei-representing-non-profit-organizations/

Third: Rent prices are comparable to Ontario prices however, rental units are in extremely short supply. I suggest that if you are contemplating eventually purchasing a home here that you choose a real estate agent who would be willing to find you a place to rent first.

Hope that helps a little!

Be sure to contact us again if you need further help.

All the best with your new adventure.

Linda
Move From Ontario To PEI
by: Anonymous

Hello Linda,

I would like to move to Charlottetown from Ontario. I am a female in my mid fifties and would need some employment such as in the non-profit sector or customer service. I would be a renter to start with and I would be bringing two cats.

Any advice would be most helpful.
Health Care in PEI
by: Linda

Hi Nancy,

Thank you for posting to our Life in PEI website and for your questions about making friends and health care service.

First of all, congratulations on your desire to retire here. That is exactly what happened to my husband and me.

I read a poem by Rachel Field that sums up our sentiments about the island pretty accurately. It's probably how you and your husband feel as well.

It goes like this...

If once you have slept on an island
You'll never be quite the same;
You may look as you looked the day before
And go by the same old name,
You may bustle about in street and shop
You may sit at home and sew,
But you'll see blue water and wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.
You may chat with the neighbours of this and that
And close to your fire keep,
But you'll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell
And tides beat through your sleep.
Oh! you won't know why and you can't say how
Such a change upon you came,
But once you have slept on an island,
You'll never be quite the same.

We visited the island several times throughout the years and each time we came we tpp felt the desire to move here increase.

We too heard that the islanders were not friendly and that the health care system was poor.

Let me assure you first of all that since the three years we have been here, we have not encountered one incident where we would say that the islanders were not friendly toward us.

Our experience has been quite the opposite. We find friendly people wherever we go whether that be the grocery store, out for dinner, visiting attractions, going to church, or any other activities.

However, the health care system is another matter. There is definitely room for improvement just as there is right across Canada.

Specifically, in Prince Edward Island, there is a shortage of family doctors, specialists, and nurses.

The ones we have are very caring, compassionate, and professional but we need more. Currently there is a drive on to recruit health care professions to PEI.

Our main hospital is located in Charlottetown (The Queen Elizabeth). If you have pre-existing health issues, it would be wise to contact the hospital to find out if they provide the care you might need.

Many times, people are transported to the hospital in New Brunswick for specialized care that is not provided on the island.

I've provided a link for you here.

You most likely will have to go on a waiting list to get your own family doctor but depending on where you decide to locate, you may have access to a walk in clinic. There are a few scattered throughout the province.

My husband and I were aware of the health care issues before we moved here but it didn't stop us from making the decision to retire here.

Hopefully by the time you move here, things will have improved.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions. We will be happy to help.

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