Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

No not into Australian Christmases much either. Just too weird.

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

yep, ask me come feb....although a quick getaway lifts one's spirits.

Point being that those that have not lived in such climates, place too much weight on how it will impact their quality of life. Not to say that it isn't a positive thing (of course it is although i like the seasons, even if vancouver's is a bit soggy) but there are many others factors to consider, from developing meaningful relationships to decent work, to decent schools etc.....

I happily moved to Vancouver from Miami. Vancouver offers so much more than Miami or Florida for that matter.

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

I would have thought a move from US to anywhere in Canada would constitute a vast improvement.

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

maybe....not sure why you dislike the place so much, it has its good points. Housing is cheaper, cost of living is lower, wages tend to be higher....decent climate in some bits..but certainly has it's issues.

I've always found the place to be a bit off centre and never quite felt right....Canadians are more like Brits and it felt less alien when I moved here compared to the US.

It;s fine as a holiday destination, as long as one has decent travel insurance!

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

That's quite a generalization...and untrue IMO.

I lived in Canada for 7 years and I have lived in the US for the past 14 years. I frequently travel between the 2 countries for business and leisure. My company has offices in the major Canadian cities, my daughter attends college in Canada and I still visit a lot of friends there.

There are many similarities between the 2 countries but there are also many differences. Whether something is a vast improvement or not really depends on what you are comparing. Personally I could live quite happily in either country. Besides, both are so large that the regional differences within them are often more apparent that any difference between the 2 countries themselves. For example, the northern US states probably have more in common with Canada than they do with the southern US states.

Certainly the US has higher crime rates and I think the gap between rich and poor is wider in the US. Canada has universal heathcare but it also has higher prices and taxes...and the weather can really suck for large parts of the year. Politically I prefer the Canadian system because I think the 2 party system in the US can produce the type of partisanship and gridlock we see today. On the other hand, the climate and landscape is definitely much more varied in the US. I earn more in the US and my overall cost of living is lower...something for me to seriously consider.

So the choice comes down to personal preference. I definitely disagree with your generalization though. There are some really nice places to live in the US and there are certainly some places in Canada that are not so good.

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

Boy d & MarylandNed

I like the US and will support them in the inevitable issues coming along with China, but my problems with the country just add up. For a start, as we have discussed on another thread, the disgraceful way they treat tourists at the airports or even people transiting through the US. The economics that came out of America in the 1980s that are laying waste to democratic culture all around the world. The healthcare abomination, the increasing right-wing radicalism, the fake bought and paid for politicians, the Evangelicalism, the gun fetish, the litigation culture, increasingly violent and mindless TV shows, the poor vacation time, the shameful violation of civil liberties since the PATRIOT Act, are a few off the top of my head. Again, and I stress, I know the good side of the US and we are all very lucky America is dominant globally and not China or Russia, but America is changing so radically since 9/11 that I worry about the future. They seem to have lost sight of all their key values and everything that made them great.

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

Poor vacation time isn't unique to the US. In my first job in Canada, I got a pathetic 2 weeks vacation. In the US now, I get almost 6 weeks vacation. I think the poor vacation time is more of an issue for those starting out in the workforce - in Canada as well as the US

Healthcare is great - if you have access to it. It's really the health INSURANCE situation that is a mess. For me, dealing with health insurance issues has been by far the single worst thing about living in the US. I sit in medical offices and listen to people on the front desk fill their days with health insurance issues. They are buried under an avalanche of red tape - hundreds of millions of dollars are wasted this way every year.

I share your concerns on a lot of the other things you mentioned. There is certainly an element within the Republican Party that I absolutely abhor. I thought Bill Clinton gave a great speech last night at the DNC and I share the Democratic view of an America where we cooperate and help each other rather than the Republican view of every man for himself.

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

I thought Clinton's speech was impressive too, and so was his record in office in my view. I fear Romney is going to win this and all the things I am criticising will get worse. Worst of all is my disappointment with Obama. I know he has had one of the toughest watches in history but he could have done more to reign in Wall Street and set a new course in people's hearts. I suppose the lower house is GOP though, isn't it? And that has made life hard.

Holiday - one of the posters here has stated he went from two weeks to tree weeks in Canada after 10 years in work. 10 YEARS. So, I'm not budging on my criticism of that and that's for all of NA! Four weeks stat from the get-go is fine with me.

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

We are 2 hours south of perth and yes even MORE boring, amongst other things about the place that are really irritating!... to be honest love the weather here apart from those few weeks in summer, but cant wait to get out of the place.... as for being close to Bali etc.. I thought it was the biggest hole I have ever been to, fantastic accomodation but step outside and omg... an exprience i would never like to do again, horrible stinky place. And as for Western Australia once you have been down south (blinked and seen it all!!) and done the perth bit kings park etc.... thats it.. and if you want to go out to eat after 8pm the only place open is a Mc Donalds lol.... personally cant wait to get to Canada, just hope our application goes through ok and quickly haha

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

haha boy d you cant!!!! we are going away next week for the first time in 3 years and have sooo much choice - down south or em down south AGAIN!!!! and here its an arm and a leg to go away too!!! so yes one of the attractions of Canada we will be able to go for a quick trip or get away - we have to drive 4 hours next week and it will be a relaxing break as there is bugger all there bahahaha :rofl:

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

After being on this forum a few weeks I'm starting to get the impression that there is no "wonderland" and those that think there is are doomed to wander the earth for ever looking for the end of the rainbow. It's an expensive mistake as well because it costs so much time and money to move internationally only to get there, have a year long honeymoon and then be bored again. Unless I was offered an absolutely unbelievable job with full moving expenses I don't think I could handle another move (not counting going back to UK). I've traveled too much and seen that everywhere is basically the same.

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

actually there isnt the same thing over here in WA and there arnt too many poms - thats why people are always getting ripped off by the oh so honest aussies!!!:sneaky:

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

yes you are right there is no wonderland, and where ever you live you still have to work etc..... but i do believe that your surroundings can make life more enjoyable... dont get me wrong i love Australia as a place, but it is very bland and seems to be all the same where ever you are... and maybe because i dont have a zz top beard, a ute with a dog, wear a bright yellow work shirt and go everywhere with no shoes on makes me an outcast!!!

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

and to be honest i really didnt think the move was that stressful from the UK... and i had to come out here on my own with my 7 year old at the time leaving my partner behind to sell the house. I had never even visited here so was going into the complete unknown and didnt know a sole... variety is the spice of life so is experiencing different ways of life... i cant wait:starsmile:

Re: Comparison to Perth Australia?
 

How are you expecting Canada to differ from this?