linz3112

Hi everyone,

My Husband and I are trying to decide at the moment between Oz and Canada - i am having a pull towards Oz and the OH is being pulled towards Canada!
We have a 3 year old little boy too so any info people can offer on schooling etc in Oz would be great.
I have done loads of research on both places but think it is better to get peoples views on their own experiences etc.
Please can you let me know what your likes and dislikes and if you could do it again - would you do anything differently??
My Husband is a Plumber - what are the job prospects like there? I know that nowhere is good at the moment but we are not going to moving for a couple more years yet.
We are looking at WA so any info on Weather, Cost of living etc would be great!!!

Many thanks

Nu-Shooz

Why not book a reccie to both places. Asking on here will be opinions only and surely you can't base a decision on that!

I was told Perth was everything i could wish for, but for me it wasn't, or my kids. From what i have heard about Canada i would stay put but that's all hearsay.

Kassy

We chose Melbourne - I don't think I'd survive the extreme cold for 6 (or more) months of the year (Mel is cold, but not that cold)! At least there's no snow to shovel every morning

spartacus

Funnily enough, I too am having a pull . . .

Officer Dibble

Outside bush weed! K eep ya in perspective!!

Dorothy

What makes you think it's extremely cold for 6 months or more of the year in Canada? Winter where I'm from was from mid December to mid March and very very rarely it was extremely cold. As a matter of fact, as I've said dozens of times, I've never been so cold as living in Australia.

MarkMC

I think you should check both places out as they are so very different. We went to Vancouver a couple of years ago and I hated it couldn't wait to get out of there. Mark has always loved Canada so he was happy. Australia we came over on holiday to check it out can't say I love the place but I don't hate it either. We are happy here in Sydney at the moment but its not where I see myself staying long term. Please do your homework as moving here is very hard and if it is wrong for one of you it will be very difficult to settle. Looking back now on the life we had in England would I move here knowing what I do now, simple answer no but everyone is different it may be the best thing you do. Good luck with where ever you decide to move.

renth

I've never been to Canada but, Hmmmmm - Australia. It's great. Plus Canadians are weird.

mohogony

The weather and the beaches are alot nicer in WA then Canada. l guess asking OZ vs Canada in he OZ forum people will be biased in favour of OZ. Whys your husband in favour of Canada? has he been there before?

Merseygirl

This is a very broad piece of advice but it is one that can affect a persons experience of living overseas.
Are you a summer or a winter person? A lot of people veer towards one or the other.
A lot of expats that I have met in Australia like it a lot because of the warm climate- they like sun, the heat and the beach/barbecue culture which in many parts of Australia is a big part of life.

If like me, you are more of a winter person, who prefers to be cold rather than too hot and is not particularly seduced by the beach and prefers the countryside and more of a variety in climate and seasons then Canada may suit you better.

Kassy

My perception based on what my family living Toronto tell me....and this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/c...ml?tt=TT000900

Average min temps for 6 months of the year is sub zero

Conrad242

Migration in both countries is a money making machine. Australia requires to be a licensed plumber and check how to get this license holding non - australian qualifications first.

Centurion

We did the same. Canada or Australia. Australia = hot, Canada = cold, problem solved.

bananalana

I have just moved to Oz from NZ and I love it.

The weather is warmer, there is always soemthng to do and in all honesty its pretty similar to being home in NZ except Sydney has got our whole countries population in the one city. Great!

I have never been anywhere else, but canada would be one f my dream places to visit, all that snow and wilderness and wildlife - fantasic!

CynOpt

Isn't there a four year wait for a visa to canada, there was when we were considering it a few years back. Depending on life plans, that could have a fairly big impact on the decision.