Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
#16
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
Hi Happy Hammers, Yes, a lot of my frustration is about being so skint but also as much with being BORED out of my tiny(and rapidly shrinking) mind! I know we could be doing so much better somewhere else. I am not so much 'down' as frustrated. However, as we have plans to move that's keeping us going! A few more coats of paint, then house is on the market..yeeha!
What colour are oompa loompas now then? I am shocked that I am 'out of the loop?' See.... I rest my case. That is how backward NS is.....
What colour are oompa loompas now then? I am shocked that I am 'out of the loop?' See.... I rest my case. That is how backward NS is.....
Good luck with the sell of your house
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 82
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
Hi anders101,
If you are seriously considering a move but not yet sure where, I absolutely suggest you take a look at Winnipeg... I am recommending Winnipeg as I can talk about this city. Sure there are other beautiful places in Canada and Winnipeg can be the butt of some jokes at times and the winters are harsh (summers are absolutely beautiful), it is a great city and a wonderful place to bring up kids with lots of things to do. It is a decent sized city without too much of a big city feel. Winnipeg is also booming at the moment with a number of new construction projects underway not to mention new plans being unveiled every other week... Seriously, if you don't mind not being on the coast, you should consider it. Admittedly for me, one of the hardest adjustments was not having the coast, the sea, the crashing of the waves and the salt air but I have adapted.
I am here 10 years and am very happy. Of course this is my experience but when you see that those who left Winnipeg after university and came back after they got married to bring up their kids it says something positive too.
Anyhow, I read your post with interest, you have made a lot of valid points which I think many BE immigrants can relate to as part of settling into new life in Canada and yes, it can take a few years for these feelings / observations to fully materialize.
I wish you the very best of luck...
If you are seriously considering a move but not yet sure where, I absolutely suggest you take a look at Winnipeg... I am recommending Winnipeg as I can talk about this city. Sure there are other beautiful places in Canada and Winnipeg can be the butt of some jokes at times and the winters are harsh (summers are absolutely beautiful), it is a great city and a wonderful place to bring up kids with lots of things to do. It is a decent sized city without too much of a big city feel. Winnipeg is also booming at the moment with a number of new construction projects underway not to mention new plans being unveiled every other week... Seriously, if you don't mind not being on the coast, you should consider it. Admittedly for me, one of the hardest adjustments was not having the coast, the sea, the crashing of the waves and the salt air but I have adapted.
I am here 10 years and am very happy. Of course this is my experience but when you see that those who left Winnipeg after university and came back after they got married to bring up their kids it says something positive too.
Anyhow, I read your post with interest, you have made a lot of valid points which I think many BE immigrants can relate to as part of settling into new life in Canada and yes, it can take a few years for these feelings / observations to fully materialize.
I wish you the very best of luck...
#18
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Rossburn, MB
Posts: 853
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
Or is it simply city versus rural (and not so much the country you live in) ?
I came from rural (Germany) and moved to rural (over time have been in Quebec, SK and now MB) and found in every province I was able to do more than I would have ever being able to do/afford in Germany.
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 223
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
Someone somewhere in rural Saskatchewan is reading this and going pffft.
BC you have the coast and mountains and a more temperate climate and an abundance of weed to get you through the difficult times.
NS you have the coast as well and again a more temperate climate and when things get tough you have a chat with Alexander Keith.
What has Saskatchewan got?
Sure between June and Nov they can dress up in green and wear water melons on their heads and shout Go Riders Go. They can watch their dog running away for days as they see it running west towards the Rockies or if its a dumb dog running east towards Winnipeg.
BC you have the coast and mountains and a more temperate climate and an abundance of weed to get you through the difficult times.
NS you have the coast as well and again a more temperate climate and when things get tough you have a chat with Alexander Keith.
What has Saskatchewan got?
Sure between June and Nov they can dress up in green and wear water melons on their heads and shout Go Riders Go. They can watch their dog running away for days as they see it running west towards the Rockies or if its a dumb dog running east towards Winnipeg.
This is why I get my periodical dose of civilisation and hills in Alberta! I feel Canadians don't have as much drive or sense of adventure as Brits. So many people I have met have barely left their Province, let alone the country, if they do its one of very few destinations(I think anyone can name them). They find it strange that we do. We have 3 kids and one income right now, but I'll be darned if I'll let that stop us. Camping, is thankfully cheap and the kids are not opposed to several hours in a car!
#20
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
People here in rural NS seem to be very happy socialising with their family and friends at the cottage, out boating or relaxing at the beach and firing up the BBQ in their backyard in the summer because there is no need to go anywhere else really since the weather is fab. Local events also seem very well attended so they make the most of what goes on in their community.
I have asked many Canadian friends if they won a large sum of money would they move elsewhere and nearly all have said no. It must be very nice to be so happy and content with your life - quite enviable really. Not everyone needs adventure to feel fulfilled.
Me, I love to travel and if I won a bucket load of money then I want to travel the world very slowy
I have asked many Canadian friends if they won a large sum of money would they move elsewhere and nearly all have said no. It must be very nice to be so happy and content with your life - quite enviable really. Not everyone needs adventure to feel fulfilled.
Me, I love to travel and if I won a bucket load of money then I want to travel the world very slowy
#21
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 331
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
I moved from Alberta for all those reasons, bored, depressed I think and the long endless winter------ and I skied twice a week.
Winnipeg and Edmonton I frequented regularly with work---- you couldn't pay me to live there.
BC-- bring cash!!!
About to give up on it all before homing in on NS, yes there are challenges but for us we have found our peice of Canada!!!!!
A day on a beautiful beach, feeling the sea breeze, walking the Halifax board walk, saying hello to a local and still chatting 20 minutes later, eating lobster, hiking or whale watching, having a house that comes with a parking space, watching the tall ships, tattoo, festivals, going to wineries, 45 minutes from skiing, deep sea fishing and a host of kids activities that they wouldn't, couldn't do so easily in the Uk------- batten down for the worst part of winter then enjoy the rest!!!
Everybody is different, with different needs and outlooks----- we found our place.
Will it be home for ever---- I doubt it as we explore and change but for now it suits and fits the requirements.
Winnipeg and Edmonton I frequented regularly with work---- you couldn't pay me to live there.
BC-- bring cash!!!
About to give up on it all before homing in on NS, yes there are challenges but for us we have found our peice of Canada!!!!!
A day on a beautiful beach, feeling the sea breeze, walking the Halifax board walk, saying hello to a local and still chatting 20 minutes later, eating lobster, hiking or whale watching, having a house that comes with a parking space, watching the tall ships, tattoo, festivals, going to wineries, 45 minutes from skiing, deep sea fishing and a host of kids activities that they wouldn't, couldn't do so easily in the Uk------- batten down for the worst part of winter then enjoy the rest!!!
Everybody is different, with different needs and outlooks----- we found our place.
Will it be home for ever---- I doubt it as we explore and change but for now it suits and fits the requirements.
#22
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
This is exactly how I feel too, it really does suck the life out of you for sure! I can't wait to escape and if I had my time again I absolutely wouldn't have moved to NS, good luck with your future endeavours
#23
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
We all have different experiences. Both hubby and me love it here, we have the rural setting we always wanted, he is lucky to work from home and I work in a long term care facility. We don't have many friends, hubby is very much a hermit, however I always find things to do including learn new hobbies like stain glass and pyrography. Although I do at times get frustrated in the layout of my house Big and Awkward to heat we don't want to move
#24
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
We all have different experiences. Both hubby and me love it here, we have the rural setting we always wanted, he is lucky to work from home and I work in a long term care facility. We don't have many friends, hubby is very much a hermit, however I always find things to do including learn new hobbies like stain glass and pyrography.
#26
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
I moved from Alberta for all those reasons, bored, depressed I think and the long endless winter------ and I skied twice a week.
Winnipeg and Edmonton I frequented regularly with work---- you couldn't pay me to live there.
BC-- bring cash!!!
About to give up on it all before homing in on NS, yes there are challenges but for us we have found our peice of Canada!!!!!
A day on a beautiful beach, feeling the sea breeze, walking the Halifax board walk, saying hello to a local and still chatting 20 minutes later, eating lobster, hiking or whale watching, having a house that comes with a parking space, watching the tall ships, tattoo, festivals, going to wineries, 45 minutes from skiing, deep sea fishing and a host of kids activities that they wouldn't, couldn't do so easily in the Uk------- batten down for the worst part of winter then enjoy the rest!!!
Everybody is different, with different needs and outlooks----- we found our place.
Will it be home for ever---- I doubt it as we explore and change but for now it suits and fits the requirements.
Winnipeg and Edmonton I frequented regularly with work---- you couldn't pay me to live there.
BC-- bring cash!!!
About to give up on it all before homing in on NS, yes there are challenges but for us we have found our peice of Canada!!!!!
A day on a beautiful beach, feeling the sea breeze, walking the Halifax board walk, saying hello to a local and still chatting 20 minutes later, eating lobster, hiking or whale watching, having a house that comes with a parking space, watching the tall ships, tattoo, festivals, going to wineries, 45 minutes from skiing, deep sea fishing and a host of kids activities that they wouldn't, couldn't do so easily in the Uk------- batten down for the worst part of winter then enjoy the rest!!!
Everybody is different, with different needs and outlooks----- we found our place.
Will it be home for ever---- I doubt it as we explore and change but for now it suits and fits the requirements.
I think this winter has almost sucked the life out of me - too cold for too long. Thank goodness it's not the norm. Due to health issues I haven't been as active this winter and can honestly say if it hadn't been for hockey it would have sucked big time - yes, 50 year old British woman loves hockey, attends all the local junior A games and travels to Halifax to see the Mooseheads. Also went to Ottawa a couple of weeks ago and to our first ever NHL game, Sens Vs Blackhawks. The love of hockey puts a positive spin on winter.
Last edited by Cookie; Apr 12th 2014 at 11:11 pm.
#27
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 1,371
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
Believe me that is not just an NS thing. I find it all the time here in Ontario. Many people return year after year for their bubble vacations where everything is sanitized and you never have to interact with the locals...just sun and sangria and turn your brain off for a week or two.
#28
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2013
Location: ontario
Posts: 79
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
..so much has now been said of it being boring and not stimulating (doesn't seem much to matter which province?!) .. so what exactly does that mean? What is it, that had you stimulated and not bored in the UK?
Or is it simply city versus rural (and not so much the country you live in) ?
I came from rural (Germany) and moved to rural (over time have been in Quebec, SK and now MB) and found in every province I was able to do more than I would have ever being able to do/afford in Germany.
Or is it simply city versus rural (and not so much the country you live in) ?
I came from rural (Germany) and moved to rural (over time have been in Quebec, SK and now MB) and found in every province I was able to do more than I would have ever being able to do/afford in Germany.
Right now.....even the thought to a trip to Ikea fills me full of endorphines to the point I feel I might act inappropriately with euphoria if I ever actually got there again!
#29
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
Reading the OP's post it sounds like yet another person who moved to the back end of beyond who is surprised to find they live in the back end of beyond. Nearly-nowhere-Nova-Scotia is where you retire to.
Calgary can be pretty dull but it ain't that dull.
Calgary can be pretty dull but it ain't that dull.
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 223
Re: Nova Scotia is sucking the life out of me!
That will soooo be me this summer, when I spend a couple of days in Edmonton on the way back from camping in the Rockies!