Originally Posted by clynnog

Back in 1989- 1992, despite the number of indian people in Brampton, it didn't seem to have a lot of indian restaurants (this may have changed now).

Originally Posted by steve666

Any chance you can send me a cutting from that thing? Also, may I borrow your wardrobe?

Originally Posted by Rich_007

It's a real beast isn't it ? I was expecting to see Christmas decs hanging from it.

And, what, casual jeans and a redneck vest top ? What the heck for ? That's everyday attire round these parts. I haven't seen a kaftan since I left the Midlands in 2005. I do see rasta hats tho. Should I get you one ?

R.

Originally Posted by dbd33

So, Steve, are you homesick?

Originally Posted by Judy in Calgary

If I had the choice to emigrate again, I would walk barefooted over broken glass to do it. But I'm not British. I come from Swaziland, which has the lowest life expectancy in the world and an absolute monarch who has a private jet, a fleet of luxury cars and a reported fortune of $10 billion socked away in a Saudi Arabian bank in his own name.

I've only been to the UK and Continental Europe as a tourist, so it's really hard for me to judge what I would do if I were British. It's so common for people to want what they don't have.

I was in Italy in April 2008. During one of my day tours, I was on a bus with other people from "new" countries (the USA, Australia, etc.) as well as people from other European countries (Sweden, Spain, Greece, etc.). Every single one of us from the new countries was drooling over the old buildings, the art, etc. Every single one of the Europeans said I was so lucky to live near the Rocky Mountains.

I've only ever lived in "new" countries (or at least new from the point of view of European settlement). I've lived in Swaziland, South Africa, Canada, the USA and Australia. I would love the opportunity to live in a place that had old buildings, gorgeous churches, great museums. I also would love to live in a place that was very close to other places that were really different.

During that same trip to Italy, I met an American couple who had been transferred to London. That weekend they were in Rome, and the previous weekend they'd been in Paris. They told me they were lapping up the cheap flights and the proximity that enabled them to see more of Europe during their expat assignment in London than they otherwise would have been able to see in a lifetime. And, on top of that, they loved doing touristy things in London itself.

So, you're contemplating giving all that up for the scenery in Canada which, I grant you, is stunning. But will the scenery always float your boat, or will its draw on you fizzle out? That is something that is very difficult to know in advance.

The photos in your profile and in your signature suggest that you're an outdoorsy person, so perhaps the outdoor pursuits that are available in Canada really will hold you.

But even then, you may be surprised that Canada lacks some of the outdoor freedom that you have in the UK. Are you aware that Canada does not have the system of rights-of-way through farmers' fields that you have in the UK?

And then there's the matter of family. Some people feel okay living far away from their families, and some people do not. Again, it's sometimes difficult to assess what your family means to you until you don't have them nearby.

The fact that my Canadian-born kids do not feel at all close to our family is a source of sadness to me. But I think it affects me more than it affects them. I'm guessing that, if you were to ask them about it, they'd shrug and say it's no big deal. Not having grown up with an extended family around them, they probably don't know what they're missing.

Novocastrian is an example of someone who misses the old buildings of Europe. His job is holding him in Canada for now, but he wants to retire in France.

In the three decades that we've been expats, a large proportion of our vacation (holiday) time has been spent showing visiting rellies and friends our part of Canada and also travelling overseas to visit them. This has really made a big dent into the time and money we would have had to visit other places that have been on our wish list and that we have never seen, e.g., Atlantic Canada. Keep in mind that Canadians generally get less annual leave than British people do. So, after a while, sacrificing that annual leave for other people becomes more and more vexing. It's a good thing I like Moraine Lake as much as I do, because I've lost count of the number of visitors I've taken to it.

But, with that having been said, one can find creative solutions. For example, this past winter, iaink, his wife and kids went on a Caribbean cruise with his brother and his family from the UK. That sounds like a win-win idea to me.

So, at the end of the day, will Canada make up for what you will have sacrificed by leaving the UK? I honestly don't know.
x

Originally Posted by steve666

Nope, not at all.

Not sure if where I am now (Sleepy Hollow) is where I will finally poke the earth to find satan, but going 'home' to England is no longer an option I care to think about. I would rather live in Kingston than go back there.

Originally Posted by maggie and chris

just checking....which Kingston?!

Originally Posted by maggie and chris

just checking....which Kingston?!

Originally Posted by maggie and chris

shite...come to think of it there's not that much wrong with Staffordshire, and there are worse jobs than the Prison Service I'm sure....

Originally Posted by steve666

Well, I'm in Ontario, the one I'm talking about ain't in Jamaica, nor is it near London...or anywhere else outside of Ontario.

I was waiting for someone to pick that up...

Originally Posted by maggie and chris

[feeling like she really doesn't want the answer!]...yes, a daughter...ummm why?

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

Don't let steve mess with you. Kingston (Ontario) is alright if you have a job set up. Loadsa prisons, so I guess you have.