Vulcanoid

I have no idea the cost of Toronto, so can't compare that. All the figures I gave were CAD conversions - average wage in 3 of Bristol's 4 constituencies is £20k, one of them is £24k. Although those are figures from the end of 2011, so 2 years out of date. Can easily get that data from the ONS (search for ASHE - Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings). I think what you viewed as a bus pass figure was someone's estimate of a season rail ticket to inner London from commuterville. My insurance point was an extreme, but you should be aware it's not going to be cheap, and has been pointed out, your no claims bonus is unlikely to be recognised.

burks

Where are you getting your numbers from though? Read this article:
http://www.theguardian.com/business/...stuck-jobs-ons
You are basing your plans on earning a salary which on average takes graduates until around the age of 38 to achieve. Plus, 47% of grads are overqualified for the jobs they end up taking. As I have said before, it is extremely competitive in the UK job market. Add to that the fact that you would have had no experience in the UK (either work or education) and it may be a lot tougher than you're thinking.

Like I said, the smaller cars are among the most popular. A Vauxhall ADAM is no cheaper really than a Fiesta. It is a lot more common for first time drivers to purchase used vehicles. In fact, many people go through their entire life without ever owning a brand new car.

Cheap property prices is something the UK is definitely not known for!

beckiwoo

+1

I have 6 years no claims and driving experience in the UK. I am already aware that this will probably not be accepted in Canada when I go out there

Why should your experience count in the UK. They won't care as it's not EU/Uk driving experience!

Really sorry but at 22/23 years old expecting to walk into a job on £33k you are going to be in for a shock! I don't anyone at that age who was on that money unless they worked in London or in a very sort after line of work.

Renting in the UK is expensive. I could afford to rent my own place but would not have a lot left over for leisure and other activities. I rent a room in a house for £350 a month with one other person. I have my own bathroom for that so it's not bad not it's not in the best area of the town I live in. I get everything included for that (bills, cable, internet, council tax, TV licence - don't forget that gem about £145 a year). If you rent your own place you will have to pay for all this on top usually.

Maybe do a bit more research into living costs - certain things will be cheaper then Canada such as groceries but we pay 20% here on goods (are tax is included in the price though so what you see is what you pay) but that is hefty!

beckiwoo

You can exchange for an automatic licence as long as you have at least 2 years experience. Not sure about taking a test in Ontario for manual but You can certainly take your test in a manual in the UK but it's expensive £20-£25 for an hour lesson plus you have to take a theory and hazard perception test and pass the practical exam and if you fail you lose the money and have to pay again.

The UK driving test IMO is getting harder and harder and it has been rumoured for many years that they have a quota to fill and once that's filled your screwed. How true that is I don't know.

Vulcanoid

https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-...britain/canada DVLA instructions. No need to think or be sure or anything.

There's no quota on driving tests in the UK. If you pass, you pass. Anything involving humans is subjective, and what one considers a bad minor fail (allowed 15 of them) might be another's just major fail (fail the test), but all in all if you drive competently, you pass. This is aside from the theory test, which is all marked on computer and is purely down to the driver's knowledge.

MarkG

I didn't own a new car until I moved to Canada. I never paid more than 2,500 pounds for a car before then, but I didn't want to be stranded in the snow at -40 over here.

beckiwoo

And hazard perception!!!!!!!

The test is definitely getting harder though, and with your practical you have about 20mins of you own driving where instructor tells you where to go and you have to get yourself there by following signs, road positioning etc without instructions from them.

It's no longer 15 minors btw that's changed now from what I have been told

beckiwoo

It is 15 so apologies I thought they had deceased it

The own driving is called independent driving section and lasts for 10 mins:

https://www.gov.uk/practical-driving...-cars/overview

Steve_

Well I do because they are by far our largest trading partner and in fact it is the largest trading relationship in the world in dollars. Or at least it was, perhaps China does more now with the US but last I checked it was something like $1.6 billion a day.

Right, so are you one of the Canadians who also complains about how things cost more in Canada than the US?

And if you think none of the countries in the EU are annoying and arrogant, are you in for a big surprise when you get there...

Steve_

You have to have a passport to get past check-in, IATA rule. Plus the travel regs require you to have proof of legal entry to Canada. If you showed up at a land border on foot or in your own car you can use your DL or citizenship certificate or birth certificate for that matter.

Steve_

This is a stereotype. I suspect in England if you told someone you were Maltese they would think you were on about Maltesers. This is the level of sophistication you should expect. Imx, most English people can't name three towns in Northern Ireland - which is part of the UK. (And a lot of them can't name three towns in Wales).

Canada and the US are countries built by immigrants in the recent past - most European countries were not and the locals often have very hostile attitudes towards immigrants.

The National Front for example is quite a big deal in France. There are plenty of racists in the US but nothing quite that overt.

Gozit

Wont matter anyways, I wont have a NCB, as until I emigrate i'll be under my parents insurance anyways.
As per the link provided you can exchange for a manual license if you have proof you passed the test in a manual - no need to take the UK test. I have already arranged with my dad's friend to use his manual for the tests. And i'll just get a letter from the gov't in Ontario saying I passed in a manual. Oddly enough I like manual cars, so i'd probably want to drive one in the UK, not to mention it being cheaper.

Gozit

Yeah but a foreign passport + proof of Canadian citizenship counts for that. At least it works at YYZ for my grandparents.
Ooh man I can think of a couple that are... One starts with a G and thinks it calls all the shots.
Didn't France ban the burqa?

beckiwoo

I wonder if 'most' Canadaians can name all the provinces and their provincial capitals?

I also wondered if 'most' US citizens can name all 52 states and can point on map where they are?

Where are you getting your statistics from that states 'most' English people have never heard of Malta and cannot name towns and cities in wales and NI?

beckiwoo

Off topic: Someone on here please can they give me some lessons in multiple quoting from different posts. Everyone seems to be able to do it apart from me.

TV licence is something everyone is required to have if they wish to watch TV/ own a TV. It is as usually onc per household not one per TV unless you live in student halls of residence and each bedroom has a lock on it.

It's the money that the BBC (and I think other channels) get.

What's worse is even if you have sky digital, cable etc then you still have to have the licence.

You also have to have the licence, if you don't have a TV but watch TV streaming applications like BBCiplayer, channel4 Od etc

If you watch TV and don't have a licence. They say they have people going around that know and can check and you end up with a fine. There used to be adverts about it all the time on TV but they seem to have died out now. Not sure why.