geordiebloke

Aye, you'll stand out coz you've got two ears and an IQ above 70, stay safe mate and let us know when you've survived your adventure[/QUOTE]

Speaking of surviving my adventure we're having a bit of a do to celebrate (I hope I've managed > 70 on the IQ) my last return from the mother country on about the 20th Feb (also my belated birthday). Your welcome, and family, if you wish. It should be an interesting bash.

Keel[/QUOTE]

I've sent you a PM

airlineguy1980

Just for discussion which of these two countries provide excellent retirement benefits and lower crime rate. When I say retirement not in respective countries.let's say 15 years As pr in both these countries and retiring bk in Europe.which of these two choices you guys will choose and why?

Dorothy

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=699035
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nada+australia
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nada+australia
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nada+australia
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nada+australia
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nada+australia
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nada+australia
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nada+australia

Is your search function broken?

Sam

lol Dorothy

i was going to reply with

go to Canada!!! Australia is full lol but then thought that would be too rude!

Budawang

Both countries offer among the best standards of living on the planet. Which country is "best" really depends on your personal circumstances.

I lived in Canada during the 1990s and moved to Australia in 2000. Financially I am better off than I would have been had I stayed in Canada. Wages are higher here, but so is the cost of living. However, when I moved to Australia property prices were still reasonable and, on paper at least, I've made a bundle on the value of my house. The Australian dollar has also strengthened against the Canadian dollar during that time.

There is much more to life than how much equity you have. Some things are better for me here and some things are not as good. I think it's fairly meaningless to say one country is better than the other. What counts is what's best for you. Do you like cold weather or hot weather? Do you like being closer to Europe or Asia? Do you like sailing or skiing? Do you prefer a culture with a predominantly American influence or an English influence? When I asked these questions, and many more, the answers stacked up marginally in favour of Australia. I don't regret moving here but I still think Canada's a great country and I think I could make a great life for myself there.

Sherlock Holmes

My dad was born in Canada. I've been there. Very nice. I lived the USA when younger. A wonderful time. Had a brief stay in Spain. Wish it had been longer. Born and spent most of my life in the UK and loved it. Now love Australia. They are ALL great places if you basically happy with yourself.

Persia

I think you'd have to go some to beat the standard of living found in Australia, provided you have a secure home and income.

I heard the term "Aussie Battler" for the first time today, apparently its widely used here but I've never heeded it before. It does imply that not everybody finds it easy going in Australia, as with other countries there are inequalities and hardships aplenty.

Pollyana

Threads merged

keel

I love Canada, but ended up in Oz.

First time in Canada was in 92 on R and R when we went to Montreal from New york State with the US army. I loved it.

Next time was 96 for my honeymoon in BC and Alberta, again I loved it.

97 3 weeks in the Rockies with the army adventure training.

98 for a second Honeymoon to the same places again.

AS I say, loved the people and country but wild horses would not drag Mrs Keel from here, and to tell you the truth I'm starting to think the same.

Keel

Adriane

[QUOTE=Budawang;9078906]Both countries offer among the best standards of living on the planet. Which country is "best" really depends on your personal circumstances.

I lived in Canada during the 1990s and moved to Australia in 2000. Financially I am better off than I would have been had I stayed in Canada. Wages are higher here, but so is the cost of living.

I find this interesting because we've found the exact opposite. In IT at least my husband makes a lot more here and the bonuses are way better compared to Australia! Maybe it depends on career?

comet555

While we enjoyed Australia very much and would definitely live there again it is pretty far from everywhere else. I think the countries are very similar for the most part so moving to Oz was a pretty easy transition.

Would love for you to move to Kingston Dorothy as I still haven't met you after all these years! You'd finally be only 45 minutes away and I'd have no excuses then Let me know if you make it back someday!

Japonica

I've lived in Canada all of my life...my husband, for 20+ years...

We've been in Australia for almost 18 months now.

No, good weather does not guarantee a great life, but it depends on your lifestyle and how you do in the climate. When we lived in Alberta, we were not one of those hiking, snowshoeing, skiing type of families. We hibernated all winter...except for occasional strolls in the sunshine during the days it got close to zero. After a whole life there, I still felt -20 and -30 were miserable...and I was tired of Edmonton's seasons: winter from end of October to end of March; flying grit season: April (streets get swept in May); trees finally get leaves season: April-May; summer (season of long nights--hooray-- and a million mosquitoes--boo): June -August; Autumn (as in oh, crap here comes winter again): Sept-Oct.

Since we moved here, we're outdoors consistently year round. We're always in the parks with the kids, going for walks...even the 40C days...we walk in the mornings or evenings. The climate in Perth seems to appeal to us more.

We like the laid back lifestyle (yes, annoying trading hours, but if things were open 24-7, then it would just be Canada), local produce (don't like the prices though). The Aussies we've met have, in general, been pretty friendly and welcoming. Wages...we're doing better here than we did in Canada...that's mostly due to my husband's line of work though and all the overtime he gets.

Yes, there are a number of things Canada does better. I don't like being nickel and dimed (ha) for healthcare (gap fees)...I miss not having to shell out something at every appointment. Yes, there are many bulk billing GPs etc. but our family doctor is not one of them. And the gap portion of specialist consultations is sizable here too. We also never needed private insurance until we moved here.

Prices are shocking. You could add that up to transport costs I guess, but then why are imported bananas from Chile 0.69/kg in Canada but domestic ones in Australia about double that price? I had sticker shock when I was back in Canada in October and realized how much more food costs in Oz. The video games my daughter plays were about 20-30% cheaper in Canada.

Houses...well, that could be a whole other thread. It's funny that Aussies have every reason to be energy conscious here with construction standards but that seems to be really behind the times...and they view you as some kind of eccentric if you want to insulate your house.

I was back in Canada in October and I knew that Perth was home to us now when I didn't feel any pull to move back. Ha--maybe it was because once we were back, we weren't driving by a Tim Hortons every two minutes with calls of "MOM!! Timbits!! Stop, stop!" from the backseat. Sure, we miss family and friends like crazy, but going back to Edmonton...we have no desire to at this time. Who knows...that may change. I know that we're not staying in Australia forever, but in the meantime, we're content here and it suits us fine.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

I questioned, in a thread on the Canadian board, why somebody would actually choose to move to a freezing cold climate. People get so defensive about where they chose to live that I had people trying to claim that it wasn't actually that cold in Canada.

comet555

I grew up in Canada and wasn't fond of the winters either. Our family also hibernated most of the winter and did nothing outdoors.

We loved the climate in Australia although my husband did miss the different seasons and being able to wear jeans and a sweater more often (we lived in Brisbane).

Since moved back to Canada though we're making more of an effort to do stuff outside. We've just started snowboarding and will try and get the kids out on the sleds more often. Given the choice though I still prefer Australia weather although my husband prefers Canada.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

There are parts of Australia that I wouldn't fancy, climate wise, either. Not convinced I could handle the heat and humidity in the top end, nor the heat extremes of the interior, but, on the whole, I think most people would have to except that the climate, in most of Australia, is a great deal move livable than Canada.