Hello,

How long has everyone been in Canada?

I'm almost at 3 years! I came here for a year, but stayed and I'm now a P.R (got it in August).

I've only been back to the UK once in all that time. I wonder how much I have missed and whether its changed much? I'm going back later this year for a visit, so it'll be interesting to compare life there to life here.

I'm wondering about other peoples experiences of going back the UK after being in Canada for a while. How did you find it? Did you want to stay or could you not wait to leave?

int.

We have been here in Canada for 3.5 years now and went back to England last year for 2 weeks.

Seemed exactly the same as we left it. The cars did seem a lot smaller and the roads not as wide. People still the same, skinhead dads with there skinhead kids, or so it was in the northwest.


Didnt miss anything from there other than family and friends.

Been here six years and only back to UK once after three years. The main thing that struck us (apart from the horrendous prices) was how small and crowded everything felt and how short-tempered people seemed to be ...... it must the effect of living on top of each other. Going back again in a couple of months - can't imagine it's improved any. Nice to see old friends and family but it's a hige reliefe to get here to "home" again.

Bizarre. Exactly the same as my experience! I remember being on the train after arriving at Gatwick at about 8am, surrounded by commuters heading to work, riding past row after row of terraced and semi detached houses in suburbia, thinking how glad I was that I did not have to stay here. No one had a smile on their face, but maybe it was too early in the morning...perhaps they need a Timmys chain over there!

Iain

I have lived in Canada for 37 years, last time I was in England was 20 years ago. Nothing seemed to have changed much but the people seemed to do nothing but moan and complain a bit depressing really.

Was back for a couple of weeks over christmas. Loved it. Loved the vitality and vigour of life there, how much there is to do. Loved walking in the countryside, even in the rain! Checked out wages for my job...loved the wages! Loved how easy it seems to get a job. Loved walking around historic buildings. Wanted to stay. Confirmed our plans to leave canada this summer.

Hmmmm.....went back last july with my wife to London, my place of birth and growing up, nothing seems to have changed much, there are still a lot of people around, especially walking down oxford street, and soho at night.

I tried to get out of London though, so she can see other parts of the country, leeds castle, brighton, blackpool, cardiff and the rest. I sort of miss London in a way, but i don't miss travelling into central London every morning taking the tube !

I also arrived at gatwick in the morning with my cup of TIMMY HO in my hand, only to be greeted by a much of miserable looking faces at the airport.

I'll go back anytime though, i miss H&M where i get my dress shirts for work :-(

Went back last April (after 18 months in Canada).

It was EXCELLENT to see the families. Wonderful trips to London (science museum and natural hisotry museum, London Eye) (What I'd give for those to be in Canada ...)


BUT (sweeping generalisations coming up....) it was very dirty compared to BC, more smoking everywhere, and because it is not disabled friendly - bloody murder to get around with a sleeping (aka jet lagged) child in a buggy. (Any one tried getting through Victoria underground station with a child in a buggy and luggage? I was floored when I realised not a single elevator and all those bleedin' stairs )

And sooo Expensive. Ouch!

Oh, no one seemed to be smiling. I really noticed that when I came back.

Things I did notice in Britain though - phone system better, electirical systems worked consistently, driving skills were miles better, and the shops are better (although way less variety - it seemed that in the space of 18 months a lot of the smaller independants had been sold and taken over by the chains).

My child's take on it? There isn't a week goes by without him lobbying for another holiday in England!! He loved it!

Clare

Id have to say that the food choice is way better in the UK.

We went to ASDA the 2nd week we where there and wished there was somthing in Canada that offered the same choice in food and cheap clothes. Being able to buy wine and beer from the supermarket again was great.

I 100% agree.

The Real Canadian Supid Store does do clothes, but I miss the quality (yes, QUALITY!!) of tescos and Asda ....

But I love the range of ethnic foods in every supermarket. At my local it was a bit freaky being told that Branston Pickle was in the ethnic foods aisle (along with the marmite, digestive biscuits and rich tea ... )

But those shopping trolleies, ugh! ... and to think I used to complain about the ones at Sainsburys...

Clare