chrissyb

Hi there,

Me and my partner are looking into emigrating but first we need to know the exact place we should go.

Having been to neither we really can't decide. If Canada had Australias weather it would be canada if Auz was only 8 hours away it would definetly be Australia.

Having done some research I would say either place is on average (but again it really depends) 30% more expensive than the U.K

I know the amount I would need to earn to break even .

I am a HGV mechanic/ driver.

Most Important factors for us:

To enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, being local but not in the city centre.

Our son enjoying his up bringing and having more oppurtunity in later life.

To experience a different life style.

We would also like to take our dog and I would like to carry on my hobby of horse riding so the outdoors life is more suited to us.

Would like peoples honest opnions please.

Thanks

Japonica

Well, having done some research, you must have an inkling of which one would suit you better.

Both have an outdoors lifestyle, but in Canada, the severity of the winter affecting that lifestyle will depend on where you end up. Winter on the BC coast and Vancouver is very different from say, Edmonton or Regina. If you move to many typical Canadian communities, snow on the ground from November to end of March is a fact of life. We were never the skiing, snowshoeing, hiking in -20C types, so we emigrated to give living somewhere else a try.

Prices...Canada is cheaper than Australia in most consumer goods and services. Food too. I was back last October and have seen the huge difference.

If you are looking at proximity to the UK and cheaper flights for going back to visit, I'd say Canada is the better option. It takes me 21.5 hours flying time alone (then add stop overs) just to get back to our city in Canada for visits and the cheapest airfare I've seen just to Vancouver runs around AUD$1500.

Dorothy

Search is your friend


http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...nada+australia

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ghlight=canada

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ghlight=canada

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ghlight=canada

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ghlight=canada

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ghlight=canada

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ghlight=canada


Those are just from the Australia forum. I'll let you do your own search of the Canada forum.

Pollyana

Do you qualify for a visa for either country?

Bermudashorts

I would start with which country can you get a visa for. A HGV mechanic might get a visa for Australia but I am pretty sure a driver won't. No idea about Canada.

Don't let your perception of which is a more expensive country come into it because salaries and cost of living reach equilibrium anywhere in the world; e.g. Cambodia (say) is pretty cheap and salaries are pretty low..

I think you are not the first to ask this question, when we decided to move I think the distance versus weather was one of our dilemmas but Mr BS was not at all keen on a cold winter. I don't think the weather is fantastic here though, rains a lot, and I think Sydney is more unpredictable than UK!

I don't think that it is possible to make an objective comment on which country offers more opportunity, people live happy lives and have plenty of opportunities in all three countries.

calliope

The best thing for you to do is make sure you can get into both countries before taking yourself down this road. If you feel confident you could get into either country, then is the time you can start comparing. I know Canadians here in Australia and they prefer the climate to Canada's but find that it is very expensive compared with Canada. Also, I think housing is cheaper in Canada. I have spent time in both countries and like them both.

ectomorph

We migrated to Canada (Calgary) in 2002. Endured the winters for 4 years before deciding that was enough and emigrated to Australia. Nothing wrong with Canada, just the winters.

Amazulu

The 53rd state, AKA Canada

calliope

You could say that about Australia!

Amazulu

51st state - UK
52nd state - Australia
53rd state - Canada

MrJenkins

When you say here, I take it you are talking about Sydney? Even so it has a lot more sun and longer summers than the UK and it isnt damp and grey 8 months of the year.

KJCherokee

Easy ways to choose between Canada and Australia

• Do you prefer your dangerous wildlife to be large and furry or thin and slithery?
• Do you think of hockey as a game played on ice or grass?
• Would you rather crumble crackers into your soup or smother your meat pie in tomato sauce?

If you picked the first option each time then Canada is for you, if the second then come to Australia. Not sure there are any other significant differences - apart from the weather of course!

calliope

Australian summers can be just as difficult to endure if you're in a place without air conditioning. People talk about the cold of Canada but Aussie heat can be very draining when dealt out over four or five months. The difference between Aus and Canada and Britain is that Britain never has extended periods of extreme weather, but the other two do.

IvanM

Celine Dion. Brian Adams. Say no more.

januarymix