dishwashing

Mike - lucky position, ol' chap

JSmth, hang in there OK! Things will improve.

Shelley Bean

Maybe I'm missing something about Ireland, but in England health care is also free at the point of need. Private insurance is completely optional and only about 10% of people have it - what it means is that you can skip waiting lists for certain procedures, you don't always need GP referrals to see specialists, etc. It's not essential by any stretch of the imagination and it wouldn't cover pre-existing conditions anyway (unless it were an employer funded policy).

I've been given private insurance through employers in the past but it's the last thing I'd spend my own money on. I really think you'd be happy with the NHS. The only out of pocket expense on a day to day basis would be prescriptions - they cost a flat fee of maybe 8 GBP (not sure but it's a small amount) and even that is waived for some people.

You could do well in the right area in the UK, housing costs are still very high (especially in the South) - but if outdoor space is important to you I think you might find the type of housing available would suit you more. There are some condo style buildings, but many flats are made by dividing up older houses and the ground floor flats will come with the yard. You can have a 1 or 2 bedroomed flat with a nice bit of outdoor space, you don't have to be able to afford a whole house.

Moses2013

Be it Ireland or UK, you can make a living if you go to the right areas. You'd even find affordable housing in the South of England, especially compared to Canada. As mentioned, no health system is free and the NHS is basically a mandatory health insurance. It's taken out of your salary each month, but most people don't notice that if it's always the case. Every system has pros & cons, but I think any location would be better than Canada for Jsmth321.

Shard

The NHS is effectively free to users. Yes it's funded by tax, but whether you're making salve wages or millions, you don't notice or have any control over that. Equally, if you're not working, the state picks up the tab by way of benefits. There are nominal standard prescription charges, and subsidised dental charges, but by and large the UK NHS is "free" at point of use.

JonboyE

All of Canada?

Moses2013

Of course not the whole of Canada, but if you look at all factors like employment opportunities (not being too far from a city) and build quality then it's not that expensive.

Londonuck

Went to see a place last Sunday opposite my building here in N Van. There were 30 people there by the time we walked around. Memories of Dublin in 2006. And you couldn't swing a mouse in it let alone a cat.

dishwashing

Buying? What was the price range? What's wrong with everyone queuing up?

Eddmac

Real Estate Listings in Vancouver BC - EstateBlock
Do a property search from 0 to $400000, I see over 1000 houses (not condo's). Yes they are may need work, or be farther out that you want, but seriously, put some work into one of these and you will see returns.

I don't understand where all of the "I can't find a house" is coming from.
You can't afford the kind of house you want in the area you want - get over it and move a little further out - I did.

vanity

How is it in MR? I have some colleagues who live there but I imagine the commute is long.

Eddmac

Its great. Im on the mission side, so lots of land and a big house, but a nasty commute, i made my choice and im very happy though!

scrubbedexpat091

I was curious to see what the highest listed house is for Squamish, currently its a house on 13 acres, 7 years old, pool and all the amenities, 6,000 sq feet.

7 million!

Next one in line is on 23 acres, older, for a cool 3.3 million.

vanity

That's the main thing.

Londonuck

It was 380k i think. 2 bed apparently.

Londonuck

Dropped my last passenger tonight at Steveston and it took me 40 mins to get back to under the Oak St Bridge. Picked up my car and spent 40 mins getting from McGill to the other side of the 2nd Narrows. Just wait til all these lovely condos open up and they all arrive with their two cars. Cant wait.