This is *so true*. And I wish I had thought of it earlier! Unfortunately (probably because we live in Glasgow which we really don't like) we have often rubbished where we live. Now that we officially want to emigrate these negative comments are taken very strongly, and my mum was defending various aspects of Scotland/UK much more vigorously than normal the other day. I have already decided to rein myself in, but it is hard to get my other half to do that, because he really doesn't like a lot of stuff here! But my mum is taking it even more personally than she did before, so it's not helping.

It didn't occur to me until last week that this could be a problem, and then to read your post Mike (and the others following)... it's absolutely true!

This forum is a great help when you read other people have experienced just the same as you

I agree with your Thread 100% , and hope all goes well for you we go camping in Algonquin Park near Huntsville 2-3 times in the summer beautiful area about 60km away , sounds a long way eh!! wait till you see the distances over here . Welcome in advance you have all made the right choice for yourselves and family

We went to Huntsville last year to visit friends and fell in love with it. We only did a corner of the park (believe its the size of wales!!). We are hopefully going to purchase a property with land and possibly water, trying not to get to excited incase it doesn't happen!!

We could not believe the vastness of the place inbetween towns!! But the pace of life even in Toronto is so much clamer and laid back, nothing was to much trouble for anyone and they were very helpful to some tourists who didn't quite know where they were going and looking a bit lost!!!

We regularly look on the net for houses and have seen a handful we are interested in, also jobs for my OH we have seen several which he would love but until the visa arrives we are stuck!!

Can't wait for the dream to hopefully happen!

Best wishes.

So my wife and I broke the news to my parents over the weekend, and we got the reaction we expected - they're very happy for us, excited about the whole idea, respect us for our reasons for wanting more from life than we're currently getting in the UK, and basically behind us 100%.

Phew :-) Although, as I say, this was the reaction I was expecting. I do feel sorry for those whose parents haven't been as understanding.
So, masses of paperwork and expense, here we come!!

Well, I'm only the word of wisdom here because I screwed up initially and didn't rein myself in! It's so tempting, I do understand. I've spent the past few weeks patching things up with mum and I think we may be getting somewhere. Although, she is now planning how often she's going to come and demanidng that we have a large enough house for her to have her 'own space'. I'm having Jane Eyre nightmares already ... Time to chill out Mike.
Good luck

Helen,


Love the sarcasm!! I had to laugh when I read your view of Britain thro sarcastic/non confrontational conversation with relatives spectacles!! Superb!!

Seriously, I feel for you and other people on here who's family and friends have been very negative towards their move.....its just so narrow and selfish. Its hard enough to move away from you friends and family as it is without them shooting you down for doing so. I have my down in the dumps days, but then realise how lucky I am....Even tho Ive been here for 5 months at the moment, and still cannot find work , (however I have got a bar tenders job that is tiding me over), I get very disheartened when I have applied for so many jobs in my proffession and had nothing in reply. However importantly my sister (both my parents passed away some years ago) is my closest family, and altho she didnt want me to leave, she has been very supportive and continues to be so, I also have many close friends who I email regulary, who are also supportive, and even say, oh I wouldnt bother coming back here, we all miss you , but your better off there! except for a visit of course! All that does mean a lot, and makes me realise how lucky I am, the next time I get a bit down and disheatened.

Good for you Helen and anyone else on here who have still gone ahead with their emigration plans despite their family's negative jibes and vibes....that takes a very strong person. They should salute you, it takes guts! not pour cold water on your idea....and contine to do so....I just do not understand some peoples method of thinking.

Your right Helen....emmigration certainly sorts out who your real friends are, - the people that care for you and your future happiness.

Finally I would like to add that I agree with London Mike's post, that your move to Canada must be based on more than just wanting to leave the UK (the push) becuase of its useless politicians who continue to destroy it, the failing economy, and other negative things, there must also be (the pull) from Canada... what is in Canada that the UK hasnt got.... the UK isnt a bad country, admittedly a shadow of the country it used to be. For me I sometimes feel Canada is what the Uk used to be 30-40 years ago....including the people! And yes the saying of same sh!t different bucket is true! I just like the shinier bucket! amongst many other things. Altho Im not happy with the the way the UK has gone in recent years, I would never trash the country of my birth and blood, I just feel I can obtain a better quality of life here in Canada, I still think that depsite being out of work here for 5 months. - must look at the big picture!

Ive drifted off the post a bit, but you know what I mean...and family should understand those reasons when you explain to them, I can very much sypathise with the people whos family don't.

Well thats my two cents/2 peneth worth!

All the best to everyone who is trying to get family and friends on their side!

Paul.

Wales 20,779 km²
Algonquin Park 7,653 km²

I kind feel for them. It must be a bit tiresome for them to hear about your enthusiasm for life in Canada. Not saying you shouldn't love where you live, but it gets a bit old when people move away and then wax lyrical about their new country. Who wants to hear that crap? And who wants their home denigrated in any fashion from people who don't live there, even if you do think Tony Blaire is crap, its sort of not up to you anymore. Its no wonder they stick up for their place.

I agree. It's just not polite to sit and rubbish someone's home, especially when you are a visitor with added smugness about your new life.

I also agree. In fact if you want to keep on good terms with people it's best to slag off where you currently live. Everyone loves schadenfreude - so why not give them some.

Akin to ex smokers or born again Christians

Err yeah.

And also, you don't burn your bridges. You never know when you may need to return! As happened to a pal.

izzi81,
As you can see, you are not alone in this situation, others have exactly the same problem.

I really don't "get" the problem with some parents who have a real issue with their kids emigrating. Ok, if the kid in question is let's say 18 - 20, then the parents still see them as young and therefore think they don't know what they are doing, moreso if they have just finished college/uni and decided to up and move.

However, I think in most cases here, we are not talking about young adults, we are talking at least 25 plus, and by that time I like to think we're considered adult enough by most (parents, possibly just Mothers, excepting) to make our own decisions and way in life.

Removing pictures and all traces of their child and commenting they'll never forgive the child just seems to me to be very, very childish indeed, you'd wonder who the parent and the child were in these situations.

I think jealousy must come into it somewhere as well. Some parents really don't like to see their kids better themselves, especially if it means they achieve more than their parents.

It's a tricky situation, as things get heated and some things will get said that cannot be taken back so some care is needed, but it does come to a point where you just want to tell them to bugger off, it's not about you trying to alienate them, you're doing what you feel is best for yourself and your family.

I was 28 when I was offered the chance to relocate and I was still living at home, and my parents fully supported my move, and they still do. They said if I needed to come back they would be there for me, and if I didn't well, they'd have a nice holiday home in Canada Given what others have said, I would say I was very lucky with my parents. I'm not saying they don't miss me, they do, but they know that we all have our own lives to lead.

I agree with what you say, Sharkus... up to a point. That point being: are you a parent yourself? When you've raised a child, devoted your life to them, loved them unconditionally and greater than anything else in the world...

Well, you see where I'm going. Of course, you'd only want the best for your child(ren), and you'd respect their wishes. But some parents find that big break - that moving thousands of miles away, possibly only to be seen ever again for a few brief periods - very hard to take. I think you're wrong about jealousy. It's not about that at all. It's far more fundamental.

It's about love.

I bet they did