Canada or Australia
Jan 3rd 2013 | 8:57 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Canada or Australia
Hi,
Having lived in Queensland-Australia as a British expatriate for three years, my husband and I decided to return to Blighty. What a shocker! Either our perspective of Britain had changed in that time, or we were affected by the short supply of vitamin D. Anyhow, we are now thinking of either returning to Australia, but we are both half-hearted about it and wonder whether we should consider Canada.
Any expatriates who have either moved from Britain and/Australia to Canada, who could shed some light on Canadian:
1. Cost of purchasing property, size and types of property;
2. food and living expenses;
3. car purchase;
3. primary, secondary and university standards compared with UK;
4. jobs - process, holiday, remuneration, attitude to work, jobs for doctors, television industry, the kind of jobs available;
4. standard of healthcare, and comparison with UK and Australia;
5. taxes;
6. weather - best place in Canada in terms of climate;
7. living - best place to live in terms of schools, social life, demographic, sport (ie not just football, other sports), metropolitan; cosmopolitan;
8. customer service;
9. travelling - public transport compared with UK and Australia;
10. overall impression of Canadians as people compared with the British and Australians - sense of humour and attitudes to life and work.
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Having lived in Queensland-Australia as a British expatriate for three years, my husband and I decided to return to Blighty. What a shocker! Either our perspective of Britain had changed in that time, or we were affected by the short supply of vitamin D. Anyhow, we are now thinking of either returning to Australia, but we are both half-hearted about it and wonder whether we should consider Canada.
Any expatriates who have either moved from Britain and/Australia to Canada, who could shed some light on Canadian:
1. Cost of purchasing property, size and types of property;
2. food and living expenses;
3. car purchase;
3. primary, secondary and university standards compared with UK;
4. jobs - process, holiday, remuneration, attitude to work, jobs for doctors, television industry, the kind of jobs available;
4. standard of healthcare, and comparison with UK and Australia;
5. taxes;
6. weather - best place in Canada in terms of climate;
7. living - best place to live in terms of schools, social life, demographic, sport (ie not just football, other sports), metropolitan; cosmopolitan;
8. customer service;
9. travelling - public transport compared with UK and Australia;
10. overall impression of Canadians as people compared with the British and Australians - sense of humour and attitudes to life and work.
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Jan 3rd 2013 | 9:07 pm
#2
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 35,186
From: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Re: Canada or Australia
Hi, and welcome to BE.
This Wiki article may help - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Canada_versus_Australia
Unfortunately, most of the questions you are asking are just too general as the answers will vary massively depending on the province. Canada is such a huge country, and each province is like a mini country with a different tax rate, healthcare system, laws, etc. If you can be a bit more specific then hopefully those in the relevant province/city/town can help.
Meanwhile, a search of the Wiki will give you the answers to many of those questions, as will a search of the forum.
And of course, the first step need to be to make sure you are eligible for a visa in the first place, so have a look at the CIC website to be sure you would be able to move to Canada.
Good luck.
This Wiki article may help - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Canada_versus_Australia
Unfortunately, most of the questions you are asking are just too general as the answers will vary massively depending on the province. Canada is such a huge country, and each province is like a mini country with a different tax rate, healthcare system, laws, etc. If you can be a bit more specific then hopefully those in the relevant province/city/town can help.
Meanwhile, a search of the Wiki will give you the answers to many of those questions, as will a search of the forum.
And of course, the first step need to be to make sure you are eligible for a visa in the first place, so have a look at the CIC website to be sure you would be able to move to Canada.
Good luck.
Jan 3rd 2013 | 9:18 pm
#3
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Re: Canada or Australia
Thanks, Christmasoompa,
Thanks for the link, although I am looking for a more personal perspective.
The questions are targeted at those who have experience in any of the listed questions 1-10. So, it's for those who have moved to Canada from UK, or Australia and have any knowledge or experience relevant to any of the queries in 1-10. It doesn't matter which state, I appreciate each state will have its own process/procedure. Any personal experience shared would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Thanks for the link, although I am looking for a more personal perspective.
The questions are targeted at those who have experience in any of the listed questions 1-10. So, it's for those who have moved to Canada from UK, or Australia and have any knowledge or experience relevant to any of the queries in 1-10. It doesn't matter which state, I appreciate each state will have its own process/procedure. Any personal experience shared would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Jan 3rd 2013 | 10:43 pm
#4
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,646
Re: Canada or Australia
Why should anyone else's personal perspective be relevant? You're really not planning to take a decision on that basis, are you?
If you want some meaningful comments, perhaps tell us what you hope to find in Canada that you obviously didn't find in Australia.
Jan 3rd 2013 | 10:59 pm
#5
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 168
Re: Canada or Australia
About 6 of these questions can be answered by simply using google
read over questions on the forum you will find the rest of the answers you need
read over questions on the forum you will find the rest of the answers you need
Jan 4th 2013 | 1:19 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,402
From: South of Calgary
Re: Canada or Australia
Hi,
Having lived in Queensland-Australia as a British expatriate for three years, my husband and I decided to return to Blighty. What a shocker! Either our perspective of Britain had changed in that time, or we were affected by the short supply of vitamin D. Anyhow, we are now thinking of either returning to Australia, but we are both half-hearted about it and wonder whether we should consider Canada.
Any expatriates who have either moved from Britain and/Australia to Canada, who could shed some light on Canadian:
1. Cost of purchasing property, size and types of property;
Anything from $100,000 to $10,000,000. Square footages range from 100 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft. They have bungalows, 2 storeys, townhouses, condominiums, log cabin, etc.
2. food and living expenses;
You can spend as much as you wish to
3. car purchase;
They sell minis, sedans, trucks - lots to choose from, all at various prices
3. primary, secondary and university standards compared with UK;
Generally the same
4. jobs - process, holiday, remuneration, attitude to work, jobs for doctors, television industry, the kind of jobs available;
Some find it easy, some find it difficult. It depends where in Canada you intend to live
4. standard of healthcare, and comparison with UK and Australia;
Generally the same
5. taxes;
This is Province dependent
6. weather - best place in Canada in terms of climate;
The Arctic, if you like that sort of thing, the interior of BC if you like that type of thing, Toronto if you like that type of thing
7. living - best place to live in terms of schools, social life, demographic, sport (ie not just football, other sports), metropolitan; cosmopolitan;
The Arctic, if you like that sort of thing, the interior of BC if you like that type of thing, Toronto if you like that type of thing
8. customer service;
It can be good; it can be bad
9. travelling - public transport compared with UK and Australia;
Nothing like the UK, I have no idea about Australia
10. overall impression of Canadians as people compared with the British and Australians - sense of humour and attitudes to life and work.
Some are similar to some Britains, some are very different to some Britains. How do you think, for example, a steelworker in Aberdeen compares to a stockbroker in the City of London?
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Having lived in Queensland-Australia as a British expatriate for three years, my husband and I decided to return to Blighty. What a shocker! Either our perspective of Britain had changed in that time, or we were affected by the short supply of vitamin D. Anyhow, we are now thinking of either returning to Australia, but we are both half-hearted about it and wonder whether we should consider Canada.
Any expatriates who have either moved from Britain and/Australia to Canada, who could shed some light on Canadian:
1. Cost of purchasing property, size and types of property;
Anything from $100,000 to $10,000,000. Square footages range from 100 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft. They have bungalows, 2 storeys, townhouses, condominiums, log cabin, etc.
2. food and living expenses;
You can spend as much as you wish to
3. car purchase;
They sell minis, sedans, trucks - lots to choose from, all at various prices
3. primary, secondary and university standards compared with UK;
Generally the same
4. jobs - process, holiday, remuneration, attitude to work, jobs for doctors, television industry, the kind of jobs available;
Some find it easy, some find it difficult. It depends where in Canada you intend to live
4. standard of healthcare, and comparison with UK and Australia;
Generally the same
5. taxes;
This is Province dependent
6. weather - best place in Canada in terms of climate;
The Arctic, if you like that sort of thing, the interior of BC if you like that type of thing, Toronto if you like that type of thing
7. living - best place to live in terms of schools, social life, demographic, sport (ie not just football, other sports), metropolitan; cosmopolitan;
The Arctic, if you like that sort of thing, the interior of BC if you like that type of thing, Toronto if you like that type of thing
8. customer service;
It can be good; it can be bad
9. travelling - public transport compared with UK and Australia;
Nothing like the UK, I have no idea about Australia
10. overall impression of Canadians as people compared with the British and Australians - sense of humour and attitudes to life and work.
Some are similar to some Britains, some are very different to some Britains. How do you think, for example, a steelworker in Aberdeen compares to a stockbroker in the City of London?
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Jan 4th 2013 | 2:54 am
#7
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,695
From: Vancouver, BC
Jan 4th 2013 | 2:55 am
#8
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,695
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: Canada or Australia
Thanks, Christmasoompa,
Thanks for the link, although I am looking for a more personal perspective.
The questions are targeted at those who have experience in any of the listed questions 1-10. So, it's for those who have moved to Canada from UK, or Australia and have any knowledge or experience relevant to any of the queries in 1-10. It doesn't matter which state, I appreciate each state will have its own process/procedure. Any personal experience shared would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Thanks for the link, although I am looking for a more personal perspective.
The questions are targeted at those who have experience in any of the listed questions 1-10. So, it's for those who have moved to Canada from UK, or Australia and have any knowledge or experience relevant to any of the queries in 1-10. It doesn't matter which state, I appreciate each state will have its own process/procedure. Any personal experience shared would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Jan 4th 2013 | 2:58 am
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 21,578
From: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Yukon, NWT and Nunavut
Jan 4th 2013 | 3:03 am
#10
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,695
From: Vancouver, BC
Jan 4th 2013 | 3:06 am
#11
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,269
From: Ajax, Ontario
Re: Canada or Australia
Having lived in Queensland-Australia as a British expatriate for three years, my husband and I decided to return to Blighty. What a shocker! Either our perspective of Britain had changed in that time, or we were affected by the short supply of vitamin D. Anyhow, we are now thinking of either returning to Australia, but we are both half-hearted about it and wonder whether we should consider Canada
What is it that the UK has not got now, after the urge to move back?
What is it that the UK has not got now, after the urge to move back?
Jan 4th 2013 | 4:07 am
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,834
From: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Re: Canada or Australia
Hi,
Having lived in Queensland-Australia as a British expatriate for three years, my husband and I decided to return to Blighty. What a shocker! Either our perspective of Britain had changed in that time, or we were affected by the short supply of vitamin D. Anyhow, we are now thinking of either returning to Australia, but we are both half-hearted about it and wonder whether we should consider Canada.
Any expatriates who have either moved from Britain and/Australia to Canada, who could shed some light on Canadian:
1. Cost of purchasing property, size and types of property;
2. food and living expenses;
3. car purchase;
3. primary, secondary and university standards compared with UK;
4. jobs - process, holiday, remuneration, attitude to work, jobs for doctors, television industry, the kind of jobs available;
4. standard of healthcare, and comparison with UK and Australia;
5. taxes;
6. weather - best place in Canada in terms of climate;
7. living - best place to live in terms of schools, social life, demographic, sport (ie not just football, other sports), metropolitan; cosmopolitan;
8. customer service;
9. travelling - public transport compared with UK and Australia;
10. overall impression of Canadians as people compared with the British and Australians - sense of humour and attitudes to life and work.
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Having lived in Queensland-Australia as a British expatriate for three years, my husband and I decided to return to Blighty. What a shocker! Either our perspective of Britain had changed in that time, or we were affected by the short supply of vitamin D. Anyhow, we are now thinking of either returning to Australia, but we are both half-hearted about it and wonder whether we should consider Canada.
Any expatriates who have either moved from Britain and/Australia to Canada, who could shed some light on Canadian:
1. Cost of purchasing property, size and types of property;
2. food and living expenses;
3. car purchase;
3. primary, secondary and university standards compared with UK;
4. jobs - process, holiday, remuneration, attitude to work, jobs for doctors, television industry, the kind of jobs available;
4. standard of healthcare, and comparison with UK and Australia;
5. taxes;
6. weather - best place in Canada in terms of climate;
7. living - best place to live in terms of schools, social life, demographic, sport (ie not just football, other sports), metropolitan; cosmopolitan;
8. customer service;
9. travelling - public transport compared with UK and Australia;
10. overall impression of Canadians as people compared with the British and Australians - sense of humour and attitudes to life and work.
Thanks,
Pingpongdong
Expats returning home often overlook something that they probably did when they left the UK in the first place - a recce trip. This is more important the longer you have been away from the UK so it probably didn't even occur to you since you were away for "only" 3 years. Did you visit the UK at all during your 3 years away?
You're probably also correct in your suspicion that your perspective on life has changed. That's only natural - after all, gaining a new perspective on life is often one of the reasons expats give for moving abroad in the first place.
Moving overseas again could be a big and costly leap of faith. Firstly, I would seriously consider what it is about the UK that you are having problems with and determine whether you can tolerate them - maybe even consider moving to another part of the UK. Being "half-hearted" about a return to Australia does not sound like a recipe for success. If you are serious about Canada, I would suggest a recce trip.
Jan 4th 2013 | 5:31 am
#13
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 10,146
From: St. John's, Newfoundland
Jan 4th 2013 | 8:44 am
#14
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Canada or Australia
No sharks, crocs, spiders and snakes trying to kill you here. Just bears.
Jan 4th 2013 | 9:08 am
#15
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,188
Re: Canada or Australia
If you like the hot weather and cricket, Australia, if you like the freezing cold and don't like cricket, Canada.
