Changed your mind yet?
Apr 4th 2007 | 3:47 am
#48
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,514
From: Kelowna
Apr 4th 2007 | 11:21 am
#50
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,480
From: Calgary
Re: Changed your mind yet?
None of the negative stories put my off at all. I think in the most part you make your own luck and you are in control of your own destiny.
It will work for some and it wont work for others, its as simple as that.
You drive you car everyday dont you? even though you know the roads are dangerous. You way up the pro's and con's, and educate yourself on those dangers. We all know the statistics, but it doesnt stop us doing it. Just like emigration.
Apr 4th 2007 | 4:32 pm
#51
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
Re: Changed your mind yet?
I think that everyone has their reasons for emigrating and all experiences will be different. It hasn't put us off as we land this week
There are pitfalls and if negative and positive opinions and options to deal with them are raised especially by the knowledgable people on this forum then you should try to learn and develop your plan of how to deal with it.
Yes you do get the Victor Meldrew moment (inwardly screaming at the screen having just read something annoying or completely stupid) and frustrated by people constantly knocking but thats life!!
But we personally would only kick ourselves for not having tried the experience and looking back saying "IF ONLY"
It is like project management use the info around good and bad
Forecast
Plan for what you know might happen based on likely issues to affect you
Organise
Control the execuetion
Things will go wrong but having a plan in hand based on the info on this forum is not a bad way to approach it
Good luck to all on their own journey may it be right for you
There are pitfalls and if negative and positive opinions and options to deal with them are raised especially by the knowledgable people on this forum then you should try to learn and develop your plan of how to deal with it.
Yes you do get the Victor Meldrew moment (inwardly screaming at the screen having just read something annoying or completely stupid) and frustrated by people constantly knocking but thats life!!
But we personally would only kick ourselves for not having tried the experience and looking back saying "IF ONLY"
It is like project management use the info around good and bad
Forecast
Plan for what you know might happen based on likely issues to affect you
Organise
Control the execuetion
Things will go wrong but having a plan in hand based on the info on this forum is not a bad way to approach it
Good luck to all on their own journey may it be right for you
Last edited by tom5sk; Apr 4th 2007 at 4:35 pm.
Apr 4th 2007 | 4:33 pm
#52
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 21
From: Rochester
Re: Changed your mind yet?
Depends if you are a half empty or half full person.
Take someone elses negative and turn into a positive. Not easy I know but it is do-able.
I suffered with depression for 2 years. Everyday you have negative thoughts and everyday I turned them thoughts to a positive. Im still here today
although some days I could have topped myself!!!!!!!!
Look at other peoples mistakes and learn by them.
Jon
Take someone elses negative and turn into a positive. Not easy I know but it is do-able.
I suffered with depression for 2 years. Everyday you have negative thoughts and everyday I turned them thoughts to a positive. Im still here today
although some days I could have topped myself!!!!!!!! Look at other peoples mistakes and learn by them.
Jon
Apr 5th 2007 | 1:36 am
#53
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 34
Re: Changed your mind yet?
I don't know how to say this without sounding probably very blunt & rather rude..... but i'm going to say it anyway.
How many people are 'clogging' up the queue very half heartedly for PR to then possibly or very probably not move out & let their PR "just expire"!
To be perfectly honest with you, it really (i'll be polite) - cheeses me off, especially when there are so many who want to be there tomorrow & have to wait!
A cheesed off Arris :curse:
How many people are 'clogging' up the queue very half heartedly for PR to then possibly or very probably not move out & let their PR "just expire"!
To be perfectly honest with you, it really (i'll be polite) - cheeses me off, especially when there are so many who want to be there tomorrow & have to wait!
A cheesed off Arris :curse:
Apr 5th 2007 | 5:42 am
#54
Bright light!!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 656
From: Somewhere around
Re: Changed your mind yet?
Well it seems that "Angies Story" thread is still going strong. This thread of course is not the first and won't be the last detailing lots of negative thoughts and showing the downsides to moving to Canada.
We all need to hear both sides of the story to be able to make informed choices about our new life abroad so it got me thinking:
How many potential migrants have actually changed their minds since reading information on the British Expats forum?
Is there anybody who has actually decided not to bother emmigrating at all or has any one particular article made you rethink your chosen destination or even your career path.
Just interested in how much of an effect this forum has on peoples future plans.
We all need to hear both sides of the story to be able to make informed choices about our new life abroad so it got me thinking:
How many potential migrants have actually changed their minds since reading information on the British Expats forum?
Is there anybody who has actually decided not to bother emmigrating at all or has any one particular article made you rethink your chosen destination or even your career path.
Just interested in how much of an effect this forum has on peoples future plans.
I think that BE is a great place for getting information, opinions, making friends, guidance and ideas but if you plan on making a life changing decision and you base it on the outcome of a chatroom then you probably aren't ready to make a decision one way or the other.
My hubby and I talked about moving abroad - either to Australia or Canada for about 10 years, we got all the packs, we visited both countries (both beautiful) and still couldn't decide. We weren't in a place to do it... Aus seemed easier but our hearts were in Canada but we still didn't have the final gumption to go. No matter how much research we did there was still something holding us back, then one day, after a visit to Calgary it hit me - I loved it. I brought the hubby over to see what all the fuss was about and he loved it too and it was THAT moment we just knew so the impetus to really do something just fell in to place.
Research is extremely important for the day to day, sensible stuff but your heart being in your move is essential and no one should be able to change your mind about something if you and your partner/family really believe it is right.
I can't judge Angie for her opinion but I do wonder where her heart was...
Ki x
Apr 8th 2007 | 11:58 pm
#55
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,212
From: NS
Re: Changed your mind yet?
How many people do you honestly think pay the money and have doubts along the way.......its cost me ££££'s to get this far so why shouldn't i see it through. If i hadn't have beed rejected 2 years ago i probably would be there anow and not looking back.....:curse:
I'm paying ££££'s to sit in a long queue, so why shouldn't I have a moan about it
BTW, i'm not the only one who thinks this, you'd be surprised how many PM's I had saying it 'cheeses' them off too (not that you'd care anyway)
However, I wish you all the best.
Arris
Apr 9th 2007 | 4:11 am
#56
AntiWinge Freedom fighter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,137
From: Kelowna BC
Re: Changed your mind yet?
So what if you've paid ££££'s - you said "had my doubts from the start to be honest" more fool you
I'm paying ££££'s to sit in a long queue, so why shouldn't I have a moan about it
BTW, i'm not the only one who thinks this, you'd be surprised how many PM's I had saying it 'cheeses' them off too (not that you'd care anyway)
However, I wish you all the best.
Arris
I'm paying ££££'s to sit in a long queue, so why shouldn't I have a moan about it
BTW, i'm not the only one who thinks this, you'd be surprised how many PM's I had saying it 'cheeses' them off too (not that you'd care anyway)
However, I wish you all the best.
Arris
My money's on Arris.
Apr 9th 2007 | 5:05 am
#58
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,332
Re: Changed your mind yet?
Nope
i think ou just have to be realistic about your expectations and research, research, research
i think ou just have to be realistic about your expectations and research, research, research
Apr 22nd 2007 | 1:38 am
#59
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 30
From: Planet Earth..sometimes
Re: Changed your mind yet?
Nothing that I read on this forum will have any effect on my desire to live the rest of my life on Vancouver Island. I've had this eventual goal in the back of my mind ever since I was there as a teenager, and feel a deep sense of loss after all of our 6 week holidays there. I'm always in tears during the flight over from Comox to Vancouver.
I don't have any emotional ties to the UK, it's just been the place that I have lived since aged 18, although I am British born. I got to the age where I had to support myself and the UK was the only choice as far as I could see at the time, where I could legally work.
I was gutted not to be able to return to Canada but would not have returned there to work illegally because I didn't want to hamper my future chances of getting there legally.
In my case I've had a nomadic life anyway so moving is an easy choice. I am used to making new friendships, used to settling into a different lifestyle, and used to adapting and making do.
During the first 10 years of my career, my brother Pete tried to qualify each year, but was advised that he needed more qualifications, or more work experience, and I knew that I couldn't qualify under the point requirements back then.
When my OH and I got together 15 years ago I asked if he would consider moving out there but each time I broached the subject he said that he couldn't consider it as long as his parents were alive. I was not going to go without him and our kids, so shelved the goal until something changed to make it a realistic possibility.
Now my OH has changed tack and is prepared to leave the UK whilst his parents are still alive and healthy, so suddenly it is all possible.
My only concerns are how my family will adapt, the kids have only ever lived in this house, and my OH has only ever lived at home with his parents, and here. My OH, although a member on this forum, has only posted twice and doesn't spend any time reading anything on the forum, he only knows what I relate to him. He could change his mind but we'll deal with that if it happens, but it won't be because of someone else's experience.
Another persons experience in Canada is subjective and irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. Personality, character, upbringing, life experiences, expectations, attitude, adaptability, and an acceptance of responsibility for ones actions and choices, all play a part in the reality of a future in any individuals life, wherever they choose to live. Regret and bitterness are subjective emotions too and are chosen reactions that are not constructive. Better to look for the good that can come out of life experiences than to wallow in what worse could happen.
so....onward and forward...and a loooong wait!
Robin
I don't have any emotional ties to the UK, it's just been the place that I have lived since aged 18, although I am British born. I got to the age where I had to support myself and the UK was the only choice as far as I could see at the time, where I could legally work.
I was gutted not to be able to return to Canada but would not have returned there to work illegally because I didn't want to hamper my future chances of getting there legally.
In my case I've had a nomadic life anyway so moving is an easy choice. I am used to making new friendships, used to settling into a different lifestyle, and used to adapting and making do.
During the first 10 years of my career, my brother Pete tried to qualify each year, but was advised that he needed more qualifications, or more work experience, and I knew that I couldn't qualify under the point requirements back then.
When my OH and I got together 15 years ago I asked if he would consider moving out there but each time I broached the subject he said that he couldn't consider it as long as his parents were alive. I was not going to go without him and our kids, so shelved the goal until something changed to make it a realistic possibility.
Now my OH has changed tack and is prepared to leave the UK whilst his parents are still alive and healthy, so suddenly it is all possible.
My only concerns are how my family will adapt, the kids have only ever lived in this house, and my OH has only ever lived at home with his parents, and here. My OH, although a member on this forum, has only posted twice and doesn't spend any time reading anything on the forum, he only knows what I relate to him. He could change his mind but we'll deal with that if it happens, but it won't be because of someone else's experience.
Another persons experience in Canada is subjective and irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. Personality, character, upbringing, life experiences, expectations, attitude, adaptability, and an acceptance of responsibility for ones actions and choices, all play a part in the reality of a future in any individuals life, wherever they choose to live. Regret and bitterness are subjective emotions too and are chosen reactions that are not constructive. Better to look for the good that can come out of life experiences than to wallow in what worse could happen.
so....onward and forward...and a loooong wait!
Robin
I have the same prob as you...I have always dreamt of living in Canada, the last visit being when I was 16.
My hubby was keen about 7 years ago, but I feel that he is not as enthusiastic about it as much this time. He doesn't read these threads, has never been to CA and can be quite pessimistic. My youngest son would go in a flash, as he loves adventure and is quite a free Spirit, but the eldest (15) is not as keen, he is well and truly a Brit, is into material things, has his mates and Girlfriend etc.. half of me would feel terribly guilty about him leaving them, but then the other half would like to get away from all that "image is the most important thing" attitude. He's a good kid but there is so much pressure to have this attitude.
Like you, I have moved around quite a bit throughout my childhood, whilst my husband had only lived with his parents before we moved in together, our kids have known the same friends since nursery school, so I think about that quite a bit. At the minute my Hubby is okay in his job, but there is not much family time as he has to drive 2-3 hours a day. It may be just as hard if we moved to Canada, but when you have been there, its like you just know that this will be a better life.
My advice to anyone...go and visit Canada, see it for yourself, everyone see's things differently, Yes some people will encounter problems when moving abroad, some will think that the experience is horrendous and difficult, some will think that this is all part of the adventure...
If your OH is still unsure about moving there after a visit, it won't matter cos your kids will want to:
He will be out numbered! Now where did I put those Canadian holiday Brochures?.........
Last edited by Crazycat74; Apr 22nd 2007 at 2:28 am.
Apr 22nd 2007 | 6:21 am
#60
Professional Cat herder
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,709
From: TORONTO- yay!!!
Re: Changed your mind yet?
Rather than put me off I think this board has given me a reality check on occasion. I have no doubt that My life will be much better in Canada but I do have an active Imagination and do have to remind myself that this is Canada and not utopia!
I know that things will be hard at times but My husband & I have been through so Much together I'm actually looking forward to the challenge!
I Wish we had found this forum before we filled in our SW app' forms. We had Some Interesting "discussions" on stupid minor details When filling them in. Part of me firmly believes that if you can Survive the application process then actually living in the Country Will be a doddle.
I know that things will be hard at times but My husband & I have been through so Much together I'm actually looking forward to the challenge!
I Wish we had found this forum before we filled in our SW app' forms. We had Some Interesting "discussions" on stupid minor details When filling them in. Part of me firmly believes that if you can Survive the application process then actually living in the Country Will be a doddle.
