Canada or the UK?
 

Hi.....I need to prove that Canada would be a better place than the UK for my son to grow up. Any information you could supply me with would be great...i.e. how good is the schooling, friendly neighbourhoods, activities for children. We would be looking at living in North Vancouver.

Many thanks.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

Why would you need to prove it? A thread like this will bring all sorts of comparisons and you will end up being more confused.
There are several threads discussing about which is better.
Why North Vancouver as well seeing Vancouver was recently voted the most expensive city in North America beating out LA & New York
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2.../19376641.html
You can use the Wiki button at the top or search threads.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

Much as I like living in Canada and am happy to raise a family here I dont think there is any way it can be proven either way, its all far too subjective.
International comparisons of literacy and numeracy, life expectancy, "quality of life" etc may put canada slightly ahead, but there is so little in it in real terms that you could easily argue the disruption caused by taking a child from one environment and parachuting them into a new one might negate any benefits anyway, not to mention the loss of contacts with family, and exposure to the European treasure trove of art, history, culture etc thats thinner on the ground here.

The bottom line is both are "first world" nations with excellent prospects for education, healthcare, leasure activities etc etc.

Anyway, this is clearly one for the "lifestyle" forum, so I will move it...

Maybe the clinching argument is that a normal UK speaking voice is likely to be considered "cute" here by some, and that could be very useful when dealing with members of the opposite sex;)

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

What age is your boy?

We have two, one 11 and one just turning 13, yes, a teen, lol.

The older is just not interested, and seems to love the crap weather over here and all the neds at his school who like to attack him with magic markers etc. :confused:

The more you try to convince them the more they get suspicious and resent you. We've pretty much told them, we're all moving to Canada, we all have to deal with it.

But I do keep him up to date with any progress, just so he doesn't feel he's being kidnapped ;)

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

If your child is Canadian then I'd suggest Canada is best for him. If he's British then I would say the UK is the best place for him. Overall given certain social, cultural and economic variables, I would say that formal schooling in the UK is far superior when compared to Canada.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

I would also point out than Vancouver and North Vancouver are separate cities. In fact, North Vancouver is two. North Vancouver is not the cheapest place in the world but it is much more affordable than parts of Vancouver.

I am sure I read in the paper at the weekend that a 60 year old bungalow on a "large" 7,750 sf lot near the Oakridge Mall sold for $2.1m last week - on the same day it was listed. :eek: You can buy several nice houses in North Vancouver for that.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

The only way you can prove it is to move here, try it and see if it meets your needs and expectations.

It is better for some and not for others.

This is a question that cannot be definitively answered as it is subjective.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

Another one for the soon to be launched "Classic First Posts on BE" thread?

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

It sounds like the information is needed for a court hearing? I have seen posts by other parents having to prove an advantage on order to take a child to another country.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

There's "crap weather" here, too you know? And at least it is only magic markers; the "neds" at the school where I work recently picked-up and dropped a newly-arrived Brit, breaking his shoulder and elbow (jolly japesters -- and wait until they get high school and discover that they have !a police officer on the premises!)

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

You'll never be able to prove it unless your son is able to grow up in two places at the same time.

Then you need to decide what indicators have best proved his development.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

I don't know how you define formal schooling but I'd like to see your evidence for this one. I don't think this is true at all.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

while it's no major revelation that real estate is spendy here, I do feel that it does need to be put into some perspective, and there is a tendancy to take it somewhat out of context.

Vancouver proper certainly bears witness to prices in the strosphere; however, it tends to be focused on city proper, west vancouver and the north shore to a lesser extent, although probably 35 - 40 precent cheaper than the other side of the inlet. Outside of those areas prices drop dramatically, especially the further east you go. I live in south surrey where prices are at least 60 percent cheaper. North surrey is even cheaper. I certainly could not afford a hosue in central LA or New York or London for that matter...i can afford outside of vancouver.

Rent is not much worse than other cities in Canada, and considerably more affordable than the cities you have cited. but yes, one could certainly find much cheaper in Regina.

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

true about the north shore being two cities (north van city and north van district)...i never knew until i moved there....seemed highly inefficient to me.

I

Re: Canada or the UK?
 

Getting opinions on a web forum won't do that. More substantial evidence is required by courts, showing research visits, documentation, written plans for settlement and the child, plans for visits to other parent/grandparents in the UK. Or at least this what we had to do back in the day.