Hi there I used this website alot when I was applying and got loads of great help on here. This is my 1st time back on here around 1 and half year on since I moved here.

I just wondered if anyone else has got so down that thought about packing bags and heading back to England. Since I have been here had just bad luck after bad luck and things just seem to not be working out for me but I have been sticking in waiting for things to happen.

I had good career in england and good resume but was made redendant as my company went down so I tried applying. I had a good resume in England but here it seems to count for nothing. Seem like career wise I have gone backwards and having to start from scratch feels like. Also personally had alot of friends and nice enough time in england. Here I have some friends but its not the same and I dont feel at home or settled still 1 and half years on.

I am renting a basements and hoped by this time I would be in good job position and making good money to be owning my own house by now.

Theres a bunch of other things that have happened that make me think its not meant to be. I am at a cross roads and not sure. If I go back this whole time is seen as a failure maybe its like I failed and coming back would leave me with regret later down the line that I did not stick in there.

I just wondered if anyone else been going through same kind of thoughts as me. Anyway its good to say things out load and get some advice from you guys. Its a shame I am back on here with a negitive view of things. Hoped I could be back on here saying it was best thing ever and I am really happy to be out here. Right now it does not feel great.

Sorry to hear you're not truly settled & sounds as if you've given & are still giving it a good go & sticking with it - have you thought about moving to another part of Canada, as we all know, it's a hugh country

Of course, there are probably quite a few people who regret moving to Canada. Some for reasons similar to yours, others because they can't live so far away from family, some because they don't like the food, clothing styles, winter weather etc., etc., etc.
Your situation is not unique. You are doing what many do, sitting on the fence. You do not say anything about whether or not you have OH and/or kids here. If not then your decision should be easier. If Canada is not for you then so be it. Pack up and go back to UK where you had a better lifestyle/less worry/less stress. But before doing so perhaps a little introspection would be in order. What were the driving forces that brought you here? Look at every aspect of your former life. Can you return to that with equanimity?

Well said.

That pretty much covers 90% of new immigrants in the first 2 or 3 years. The country is full of over qualified people doing lesser jobs. It is worth sticking it out to get citizenship, by then you may feel better, or at least it keeps your options open. You owe it to yourself after going through all the hoops to get PR.

If you decide to move back try not to look on it as a failure at least you got off your ass and gave it a go I moved back to the UK last year after 8 years (not all of them fun) but I really don't have any regrets about Canada, it just never felt like home and for us life is better back here.

Good luck with your decision

I took a huge step back career wise, I was running an education centre for a prison, teaching and in a healthy middle management role. I had to go back to being a student! I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the bigger picture.

However, what's kept me here is the kids and the opportunities for them, as in the small prairie city that I live in, I really can't see what career opportunities there would or could be for me after I graduate. So yep, a move is highly likely for us.

I think the move makes you realise what's important in life, and although I always new family in friends were what made me tick, I also realise that I will put the kids above those needs if it means getting them out of a run down, violent aggressive and depressed society. However, had I not had kids, I probably would never have got here.


I looked at moving back in late March early April last year, and to be honest, I am really pleased I didn't. I also know, that this time of year, after what feels like a long winter I may in fact be more inclined to feel low and wonder if the grass is greener. But having gone back in June 08, looked at the actuality of what I had left behind, I drove back from Calgary in tears of relief for not having moved back. And when I say we were going to move back, I mean that we had a job got, a town picked out, the house on the market, a car sold and a cat given away. But I knew in my heart of hearts that it wasn't the right move, and that it was motivated my short term home sickness not long term sense in consideration of family needs.

So in answer to your question yes I have often had momentary regrets and I'll be here two years in June. But what I do is look at how I achieve good days, what is it that I do that gets me that feeling of this is a great place to be? And then I try and increase those days. For example, I know I'm fed up and have cabin fever with being stuck in the city for so long, so we have planned a trip to Edmonton mall in the next week.

Just remember, good days and bad days aren't just about geography, they are about how we interpret our experiences in life. So the next time you get that low feeling, why not list the good stuff and reasons that brought you here in the first place. If this is a feeling that lasts on in to the summer and that isn't aleviated at all, then step back and look wisely at what's going on for you. As a wise woman once said to me, if you don't know what to do, do nothing.............

Take care

Mrs M x

You should take a look at Ruby Murrays posts over the last couple of years, she has struggled with many demons and has now found what she is looking for for now.

I would also suggest maybe another part of Canada may suit you better. I live in Central Alberta, I work with a Canadian from back east (Nova Scotia I believe) but used to live in Ontario, she can't stand the lack of culture around these parts and dreams of going back east.

If you do go back to the UK than don't view your time here as failing, you tried, you tried hard, it just wasn't your cup of tea, many many people dream of living in another country, my parents for example spent many years talking about moving to the States and when that was put on the shelf they spoke about France for many years, now my Mum is too unstable medically to even think of giving up the NHS. Life is far to short to live unhappily or with regrets. I wish you every bit of luck for the future and hope you find what you need.

Thanks everyone so far for the advice in here. Its nice to hear other peoples views. I for all new people out here in the 1st couple years there are good days and bad days. I am just gonna continue giving it a good go of things and see what happens.

I came here by myself and have some relatives here also which makes it easier. In England ever since I graduated I always had a stable 9-5 job in my industry. I am a graphic designer. I worked at printers and then a corporate company in marketing department doing graphics. Then got laid off as other did in the company as the branch got closed down. I loved the idea of Canada as a chance for bettering my future. More opportunities and also I am a 30 year old single man and when I get married and have kids one day I think its a better life family life style out here so moved out here for better overall big picture. Also for business ideas I though would be easier to start my own business out here eventually.

When I 1st came I struggled to find work and ended up doing some labour jobs to start with to support myself. In that time I then came into contact with one guy who run a few printing companies and started a graphic and web design company that would get work from his other businesses. It went horrible wrong and this partnership I was just used for my skills and did not make much. I though it was chance to start my own business but I got involved with dodgy people. So I left after 8 month of that. During all the time I continued my search for a graphic design job but never got any luck as everyone is looking for Canadian experience.

I have got fed up and started my own web design and graphic design company with next to no money and invested in my dream to get something going. I hope finally my luck will change and will start to get busy.

There some other things which have got me down out here which is personal problems on top. My luck has not been great lets say. I am a determined person who does not believe in giving up so I will try and try and hope and hope this all lead to the great Canadian experience I want.

Thanks again for the advice and any more thoughts is always great to hear from you guys.