JamesM

I passed my 5 year mark last week.

Since I've been here I've had 5 jobs, lived in 3 places and been out with too many girls and drunk endless beers. It's not been too unstable I have lived in the same neighbourhood for 4 years and know a tonne of people.

I've also managed to tear my stomach lining drinking. Damage my hand nerve slipping on ice and put a hairline fracture in my foot. I am 10 pounds heavier than when I arrived!

I only arrived with $4,000 and have managed to make it work with out needing to dip any further into my UK funds. I now rent my own condo and have enough for a deposit for my own place should I feel that the Toronto condo market was more stable.

Overall I've enjoyed my time here. Socially the place has been great and I have really enjoyed doing some snowboarding and playing more golf.

Professionally I have found Canada to be frustrating. Companies just don't see Toronto and Canada as strategical enough in their global ambitions so in my profession I have had to put up with less choice and less money.

In the latter stages of last year I felt home sick for the first time. Two weeks in the UK over Christmas has cured that for now. I saw how different the lives were of my friends and family and even though I could earn more financially I'm not sure I could get back on to the tube or build a life all over again.

Today I handed some more checks over to my landlord covering me for 2015. I'm contemplating a move next winter either to a new neighbourhood/ Waterloo/Kitchener or being bold and driving across Canada to Vancouver.

A move back to the UK is not out of the question for me although I'd still love to try and get to the US at some point.

That's it really.

Pizzawheel

This is my biggest gripe, after four years.

Generally a good place to live, bad place to work.

Tirytory

Interesting about the UK- in what way would it be too hard to go back??

JamesM

I find people here are very formal at work, talk a good game but very slow on deliverables and productivity. I've seen this nearly every where and I'm finally learning to just keep my mouth shut and slow down a little.

A lot more egg shells and politics here. I find employers and management teams to be incapable of honesty and fear can be the big motivator.

In the UK there was definitely more banter but stuff got done. People just approach work differently and it's more pleasant. Happy ship and efficiency and all that.

But yes outside of work no real complaints. Nice local bars with nice locals. Fun hobbies and good friends.

JamesM

For me personally the frustration would be finding a decent neighbourhood where people actually know each other and socialised in and around London. I'd also have to build a new network of people who enjoy doing the things I do. Then it is getting to grips with having to "commute".

It's very easy to talk to people here. People in England are odd, almost socially incapable. On my visit over Christmas I walked through Farnham Park to the town centre. I must have said good morning to half a dozen people. Most of them couldn't look me in the eye let alone respond. In that sense I've always found England or South East England odd. The other side of the coin is that when you know people properly in England they have more depth and awareness and a proper sense of humour so there is a rough with the smooth.

Anyway I'm pretty happy to be back and not envious of the lifestyles of any of my former peer group. I'll see how this year plays and perhaps change up next year.

Shard

I agree with that. It's the humour and political correctness which divide the two workplaces. I think it's especially noticeable (in the workplace) if you happen to enjoy the odd pint.

KW might suit a socially active energetic guy like yourself, especially if you get the lobotomy before you go. Otherwise, driving to Vancouver sounds like a better plan, especially if you're into the mountains.

Congrats on the five years.

JamesM

Agree totally.

In Toronto in the half dozen work places I've experienced, over PR and work holiday visa, it seems to be the norm that one should not make too many friends or socialize to much with work colleagues. Not always the case but usually when you make a friend in the work place here it is because you are the pawn in some game.

You do have to meet people outside of work. That's where 80 percent of my friends are from and that part is easier than in London.

In the UK it was very common for most people to hit a pub on a Friday and then you may end up moving on to other places. My best friends in London coming from work.

None of this troubles me particularly but if people are considering moving to Toronto from London this is one of those intangibles you really don't know until you have lived it.

Tirytory

Congrats on the 5yrs by the way....

Maybe Vancouver is the way forward or somewhere where the work situation is more stimulating? I don't think Vancouver fits that particular request from what I can gather on here, maybe over the border would be the best fit right now?

BristolUK

Not a mention of Hooters?

Shard

Maybe the novelty wears off after five years?

JamesM

I reserve filth talk for the Maple Leaf. This is a family section.

If you want the honest truth Hooters is not the "beacon" it once was.

Earls, Moxies, Houstons, Hunters Landing have stolen the mantra. Just in a less blatant way.

It's not the first bar you head too although the "All You Can Eat" wings specials are still fun and the rooftop patio ain't bad either!

JonboyE

I think that is right. It is a generalization of course. Vancouverites tend to work to live not the other way around. In fact, we pity Torontonians for their New York wannabe work culture. We have to work, of course, but mainly so we can do lots of fun things afterwards.

ExKiwilass

agree with JBE

Lychee

Move to Vancouver for the spring flowers in February, the year round greenery, the fresh local seafood and produce, the restaurants, the lack of snow, the lack of freeways in the city, the walkability, the mountains, forests, islands, and beaches. Don't move for the work culture. It's a work-so-you-can-play culture here, with play at the forefront. Playing includes leaving work early to hit up the mountains to ski after work, or to leave early to join your beach volleyball team in Kits, or to do the Grouse Grind with your mates, or to bike around the seawall and have a picnic supper with your family. It's a lovely lifestyle but it's not a high strung work lifestyle, that's for sure. It's a fitness and health culture that's mainstream.

JamesM

Lower Salary + Higher rent = Less fun money

That has always been my fear of Vancouver. As a visitor I really like the place. None the less I may take the punt. I think finding a job from here first is not unthinkable.

I'm going to figure out some stuff later in the year.