Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Jan 27th 2016, 11:59 pm
#91
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 33
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
If you liked the US so much, why did you come to Canada? Could you not get a work permit for the US instead?
I personally know of more than half a dozen people, in their 20's to early 30's, who have travelled extensively outside of Canada. Two went to live in Australia for a year; one continued on and travelled around the Far East on the way back, the other one went onto New Zealand for a few weeks. Another has just come back from backpacking around Europe - for the 3rd time. My Canadian step-daughter toured the UK and Europe staying at hostels and catching trains; 3 years ago she went to Costa Rica and worked volunteering at a rain forest reserve. My step-son also went to Australia, Hong Kong, then on a separate trip took in Europe including the Greek Isles. None of them consider going on weekend trips to the US as 'travelling' - more a weekend jaunt.
I have to wonder what's behind you wanting to join a forum about Canada just to complain at how much you dislike the people, the country and to denigrate just about every aspect.
I personally know of more than half a dozen people, in their 20's to early 30's, who have travelled extensively outside of Canada. Two went to live in Australia for a year; one continued on and travelled around the Far East on the way back, the other one went onto New Zealand for a few weeks. Another has just come back from backpacking around Europe - for the 3rd time. My Canadian step-daughter toured the UK and Europe staying at hostels and catching trains; 3 years ago she went to Costa Rica and worked volunteering at a rain forest reserve. My step-son also went to Australia, Hong Kong, then on a separate trip took in Europe including the Greek Isles. None of them consider going on weekend trips to the US as 'travelling' - more a weekend jaunt.
I have to wonder what's behind you wanting to join a forum about Canada just to complain at how much you dislike the people, the country and to denigrate just about every aspect.
Are we not allowed to criticize Canada and voice our opinions? Should we only praise it? I didn't realize this was Canada's fan club forum.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:00 am
#92
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Canada's minimum 2-week paid leave (minimum 3 weeks in Saskatchewan) is a disgrace and completely out of step with every other advanced country except the US, where, believe it or not, there is ZERO legal minimum - a US employer can technically offer its employees no paid vacation. Apparently this is one of the issues Obama is said to want to tackle now in his final year.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:04 am
#93
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
No I could not get a working visa to US. And I come to this forum often to read, decided to post since I've made a decision to leave and as per my OP was wondering if anyone felt the same. Judging by the replies quite a few people do.
Are we not allowed to criticize Canada and voice our opinions? Should we only praise it? I didn't realize this was Canada's fan club forum.
Are we not allowed to criticize Canada and voice our opinions? Should we only praise it? I didn't realize this was Canada's fan club forum.
You might find the "moving back to the UK" forum of interest too.
Moving back to the UK - British Expats
Jan 28th 2016, 12:09 am
#94
Banned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
No I could not get a working visa to US. And I come to this forum often to read, decided to post since I've made a decision to leave and as per my OP was wondering if anyone felt the same. Judging by the replies quite a few people do.
Are we not allowed to criticize Canada and voice our opinions? Should we only praise it? I didn't realize this was Canada's fan club forum.
Are we not allowed to criticize Canada and voice our opinions? Should we only praise it? I didn't realize this was Canada's fan club forum.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:10 am
#95
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,847
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
No I could not get a working visa to US. And I come to this forum often to read, decided to post since I've made a decision to leave and as per my OP was wondering if anyone felt the same. Judging by the replies quite a few people do.
Are we not allowed to criticize Canada and voice our opinions? Should we only praise it? I didn't realize this was Canada's fan club forum.
Are we not allowed to criticize Canada and voice our opinions? Should we only praise it? I didn't realize this was Canada's fan club forum.
BE members come and go and those of us who stick around see it all. I have lost count on the amount of Brits who came here and went back to the UK within a 2 year period with the same complaints you have. Some did research others didn't and guess what in another 5 years this will still be a topic just different posters.
Sure some have been shafted by employers or ex spouses but if I was to take an educated guess the most popular reason of an expat going back is that they miss family and friends regardless of if they made friends in Canada.
Unless I win the lottery I won't be planning on moving back to the UK but thats my choice.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:15 am
#96
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,648
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Jan 28th 2016, 12:25 am
#97
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,648
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Yes you can criticize and make comments but also you should be prepared to receive negative feedback as well.
BE members come and go and those of us who stick around see it all. I have lost count on the amount of Brits who came here and went back to the UK within a 2 year period with the same complaints you have. Some did research others didn't and guess what in another 5 years this will still be a topic just different posters.
Sure some have been shafted by employers or ex spouses but if I was to take an educated guess the most popular reason of an expat going back is that they miss family and friends regardless of if they made friends in Canada.
Unless I win the lottery I won't be planning on moving back to the UK but thats my choice.
BE members come and go and those of us who stick around see it all. I have lost count on the amount of Brits who came here and went back to the UK within a 2 year period with the same complaints you have. Some did research others didn't and guess what in another 5 years this will still be a topic just different posters.
Sure some have been shafted by employers or ex spouses but if I was to take an educated guess the most popular reason of an expat going back is that they miss family and friends regardless of if they made friends in Canada.
Unless I win the lottery I won't be planning on moving back to the UK but thats my choice.
If you're not snowboarding or golfing you may as well move to London. More money and prospects, bars and restaurants.
The OP clearly wants the latter.
This forum is a place for all view points. It always has been. Toronto deserves a lot of negative feedback. The city and it's locals spend far too much time trying to blow heat up their own arses. Too many of them need to get out of the bubble.
My experience of Toronto is generally positive but I don't half miss good banter some days and I know my direct approach in the work place is hard for the cradles.
In Toronto you really do need to find a couple of good hobbies with likeminded people to get on. In London you can meet good people through work- that is harder and less likely here.
Jan 28th 2016, 12:30 am
#98
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Granted, the tall glass building thing the have going on in the city does gives it a monolithic look. But there are trees, lakes, mountains, rivers, beaches etc nearby. It might not be your cup of tea, but if you like that kind of nature shit (which I do for the most part) Vancouver is well situated.
Jan 28th 2016, 1:15 am
#99
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Jan 28th 2016, 1:26 am
#100
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
To be fair I quite openly ask Canadians why they live here.
If you're not snowboarding or golfing you may as well move to London. More money and prospects, bars and restaurants.
The OP clearly wants the latter.
This forum is a place for all view points. It always has been. Toronto deserves a lot of negative feedback. The city and it's locals spend far too much time trying to blow heat up their own arses. Too many of them need to get out of the bubble. ....
If you're not snowboarding or golfing you may as well move to London. More money and prospects, bars and restaurants.
The OP clearly wants the latter.
This forum is a place for all view points. It always has been. Toronto deserves a lot of negative feedback. The city and it's locals spend far too much time trying to blow heat up their own arses. Too many of them need to get out of the bubble. ....
The biggest difference, aside from the weather, is that in Charlotte you can get from building to building in the downtown area on the first floor level, not in the basement! 
Jan 28th 2016, 1:53 am
#101
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,612
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
I just can't figure out how anyone pays for all the travel. Boggles my mind, but I guess I am not 20, and I didn't have the ability to travel and work around the world..... I had no idea those type of things existed when I was young enough, now I am too old, so all in the past now.
Jan 28th 2016, 2:30 am
#102
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
"Canadians are introverted" 😂 I have been called a lot of things in my 53 years but introverted is definitely not one of them.
Jan 28th 2016, 3:28 am
#103
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
My daughter has decided her 1st year of travel will be a WHV to Australia, for her 21st Birthday we have said when she's got the money saved we will buy her flights. Following Aus, she is looking at China and the UK - who knows? She was all for going to school before travel, I said if she really wants to travel, do it before student debt, probably odd advice from a Mum
I am not even sure if the US plays nice enough for USC's to get WHV in various countries, but had I even known they existed if they did back in my youngster days, I would have looked into it.
By the time I knew of their existence, I was well into my 30's....and had commitments in life that wouldn't have let me go anyhow....
Jan 28th 2016, 3:35 am
#104
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,612
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Yep. Once that student debt hits all bets are off for a few years...
I am not even sure if the US plays nice enough for USC's to get WHV in various countries, but had I even known they existed if they did back in my youngster days, I would have looked into it.
By the time I knew of their existence, I was well into my 30's....and had commitments in life that wouldn't have let me go anyhow....
I am not even sure if the US plays nice enough for USC's to get WHV in various countries, but had I even known they existed if they did back in my youngster days, I would have looked into it.
By the time I knew of their existence, I was well into my 30's....and had commitments in life that wouldn't have let me go anyhow....
). Now I plan to have enough savings to see places later in life as well as the odd holiday beforehand.
Jan 28th 2016, 3:50 am
#105
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 50
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
FWIW, it took me 5 years to reach the same conclusions as you because I wanted to give it the best possible chance and be sure, but in truth I saw the signs much earlier than that. Best wishes for the future.
Last edited by discouraged; Jan 28th 2016 at 3:52 am.