Is the dream real?
 

Hi all, wondered what thoughts were on the following:

We've had an initial assessment done and now our security clearances, medicals, etc have to be completed. Now that the move is becoming more of a reality, it's time for us to really knuckle down and ensure that this will be the right thing to do - it's going to be the biggest gamble of our lives. As we've waited so long, we got on with our lives and I've just been accepted on a Midwifery degree course - then we received a letter confirming that our immigration was moving along.

So, my question is (to anyone in the know) 'is the dream real?'. Like many, we hope this move to Canada will offer a better quality of life, more opportunities for us and our daughter, friendly people, gorgeous landscapes, etc, but generally a happier life. Obviously, everyone has their own idea on what will make them happy, but I wondered if the general consensus is that it was all worth it. Worth leaving family, friends and career aspirations here?

A big question, I know, but as there are no guarantees in life, I guess I just need some feedback from those who have done it, to help us along! I have no rose-tinted glasses and want this experience to be totally real - good and bad, so that there are few surprises.

Thanks all - hope someone can offer a reality check (positive and negative comments welcome!)

Re: Is the dream real?
 

Personally to think of this as a dream come true would push the point. The goal for us was to achieve Permanent Residency and then Citizenship. We had no expectation that life would change dramatically as we sort of knew what we were heading towards. And that was a deliberate decision.

The 'dream' is a difficult thing to culminate as this will only come through hard work and complete acceptance of your surroundings plus the eventual knowledge that all involved have benefitted in some way or other. It might just be the more open mindedness of the personality, the slightly better chance of having a more fullfilling life. No one knows. It is a journey and you will know only at the end if it was worth it.

But along the way embrace whatever you do and wherever you are.

It is all unique and you might only get one chance at life unless you are a reincarnater at heart and then who gives a shit about this life?

But everyone knows I have BIG issues with the inept current and forseable government in the UK. There are ways of establishing a balanced society long-term and New Labour are not following any of them.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

If you want a balance of views, I suggest you read this forum as well as the Moving back to the UK one.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

For us our dream is only in stage one, we have had our ups and downs, anxieties over health problems with family left behind as well as with us now we are here (10 months here now), Have we or haven't we done the right thing? We are happy here and really happy we took the leap, do we want to go back to England? NO!

Re: Is the dream real?
 

Hello,

This is only my point of view, 'is the dream real'. I was born in the UK, immigrated to Ontario, Canada, with my parents, when I was 3. Now grown and having a family of my own, my choices seem different and I want my children to know their extended family and cousins in the UK, something I missed out on...and is truly important in a childs' life.

I would have to say it isn't worth moving away from family/good jobs and your heritage. Is it really that bad in the UK?

Canada, has been a stepping stone, but I do yearn to be back, since the decision was never mine to emmigrate :( . Others, think we're crazy to want this. Have been back-UK many times, and really miss it when I'm gone.

These are just my thoughts, from a immigrant child, that I wanted to share with you, seeing you have a daughter. As I have said before, extended family, heritage and all that goes with being in the UK is important. So you may have surprises down the road, as your child may feel the same way. no one really knows what will happen later on! So Surprises! there will be loads...I haven't found the people here any friendlier than the UK, the landscapes, nothing like the british countrysides, it is very vast here. The grass is just starting to turn GREEN, from GREY and we're in April! WE have high taxes etc. who wants a big house if there is no one to share it with. Christmas's and Easters have been just us....no cousins etc. Grandparents.

Wow! It is so hard to really think of our feelings....at least it is only a 7 hour flight.

Hope I haven't dampened your spirits. Good luck in your search.
Where in Canada are you deciding on? We are from a small town, 1 hour from Toronto.

regards,
Deana

Re: Is the dream real?
 

Good idea.

I have just put a thread on the Moving back to the UK forum for this very reason, to hear the other side of the coin, so to speak.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

Thank you to everyone replying - you all have really great advice. I look forward to hearing more and I will take a look at the threads suggested.

We have no problem leaving this country, as far as standard of living and government is concerned - we'd get out of here in a heartbeat. When we applied for immigration, our life was very different to now and we were miserable. Moving to Canada had always been a dream of ours, so we acted upon it. Now we seem to have rebuilt our lives here again, doubting that we would be successful for Canada.

I suppose I am just considering the part regarding leaving family, depriving our daughter of the extended family she loves so much and worrying that we may make a huge mistake. However, there's nothing stopping us from coming back and rebuilding our life, seeing the whole thing as an adventure along the way.

Thanks again all.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

My materialistic dream was to be a Stay at home mum with a nice big house. Well, neither of those happened! BUT quality of life, oh yes :)

Little example, I was just chatting to my daycare provider that I want to buy a tent - and we were discussing all the "camping for softies" places within one hour's drive (eg the provincial parks with showers, washrooms with soft loo paper, lakes or beaches with diving docks etc) and it occurred to me that none of this would be available in Britain (swimming in a British lake :scared: I don't think so!!), and here I am taking it all for granted :)

Anyway, must dash, sounds like eldest is back from his morning skiing - next off to Science World .... :)

Clare
:)

Re: Is the dream real?
 

Deana

Thank you for your reply, it certainly gives me food for thought regarding how our daughter may feel in the future as she is very close to our extended family, but we also want her to have the best quality of life possible and more opportunities. It's a tough decision.

I'll take your comments on board. Regarding your question, we are considering either British Columbia or Alberta. However, we have said that, if we are successful, we will have a research trip to Canada and travel across to see where we like. We did look at Hamilton, near Toronto, but my husband likes the idea of living near to the Rockies for the outdoor life he would like (snowboarding, etc).

Thanks again and good luck to you - I hope you find the happiness you seek.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

There is snowboarding in Ontario too! Skiing, hiking, Maple syrup in the spring!What else can we do we ALL the snow we get... :p

Another bonus with Toronto, we are close to Niagara Falls, and the US Border...if so desired to cross it!

Good Luck,...with everything :) My thoughts are with you, as I am in the same dilemma to move back, as our children are young.

(Vancouver is alot warmer, it you tend to enjoy more warmth).

regards,
Dee









Thank you for your reply, it certainly gives me food for thought regarding how our daughter may feel in the future as she is very close to our extended family

Re: Is the dream real?
 

you have come so far you really need to take the chance. before i withdrew my application the move was always to make my kids life better and for them to have better prospects. i always thought it was all a bit late for me (37) and would perhaps not be beneficial.
i do not feel the urge to kyak and snowboard for the first time in my life as i have no illusions that iam physically capable of these things, so the outdoor life was not a pull factor for me.
i was purely thinking of the boys.
i think people have said that canada has many pull factors but i perhaps felt that the UK never gave me any push factors so that i would leave happily.
i may go to canada on a permit for a year and then try the USA as i am a nurse and social worker,but i will always admire those that make that permanant move as it is still a fab country and i have been going since 1989.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

I would suggest the use of the word dream is inappropriate it's more like vision because you have to work at it. Becoming happily settled in Canada doesn't come automatically you have to work at it.

This means taking risks, being flexible, adaptable and creative. The other thing is to become Canadian by adopting Canadian ways and letting go of English ones.

Otherwise you'll still be missing things and will have not replaced them with the Canadian equivalents.

Of course family can not be replaced but you can make new friends. If you're really going to get hung up because you can't get the same products in Canada you can decide that before even making the move. In fact it's a good indicator because if trivia like that will cause you grief then Canada is not for you.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

I am able too tell you this -

If you want 20+ days annual leave per year - it`s 10 to begin with if ya lucky.

If you choose to live outside of a great big city like Greater Toronto, then be prepared to drive (x3) distances when you go to do anything, although outside of the big cities - there IS NO traffic at all.

Summers are HOT with MOSQUITOS and Winters are FREEZING and you have to plan in time, each morning allowing for departure into said weather conditions.

You might find Canadians to be TO SLOW for you in many different ways.

Canada is not the UK in anyway whatsoever.

My wife and I love it here - why - I`ll tell you :

Canadians are more British then the British! (UK is European now).

If you live away from the cities, you will be welcomed by the community, the colleagues of your new workplace etc. with great enthusiasm and care.

Your first Xmas - you will be invited too many different homes for suppers.

You will discover that Canadians are FRIENDLY and HONOURABLE!

Canada has all the technology of the 21st century - but in many ways - it still has the innocence that was Britain in the early and mid 1960`s.

In the small towns and communities they all went too High School together and so they will tell you - "O, yes I know so and so". - Even if they live 30 miles away. To a Brit it seems weird - but for example - when one considers that the whole of New Brunswick has only around 754,000 persons - there is not a demand for many High Schools - so consequently - there are great areas whereby - everyone knows of everyone!

Canadians are on the whole - disinterested in materialistic ideals - this will show in their housing for example - their homes are of course clean and tidy - but having the latest whatever is not their priority.
Old fashioned ideals and community spirit are their priorities.

Be prepared to leave a message on an answer-machine - AND NEVER GET A REPLY. If you think the Spanish or Greeks had that sewn up - well welcome to Spain / Greece with snow.

Canadians have a way of always dropping in unannounced - if you don`t like that - then you are in for a hard time.
We love that - and take it as a compliment to.

My wife and I had become very, very unhappy in the UK - with the way it was going - within Europe for example.
So for us - we are - and will always be - happy here.

We plan to apply for Citizenship as early as our PR status allows.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

And to give the flip side of that, my parents both immigrated to Canada separately in their 20s, met and married here (so the situation is slightly different, as I wasn't born in the UK). We also grew up across the ocean from both sets of family and that was just how it was. Obviously we missed out on being involved closely in extended family but we certainly would never feel that it wasn't worth it or my parents should have moved back. I think it depends more on whether close interaction with grandparents is one of your priorities for your children.

Re: Is the dream real?
 

If you do come here and then decide you want to leave, go home within the first couple of years, especially if you have kids. The longer you leave it, the harder it gets to go back, even if you hate the country you are in. Rebuilding lives is expensive and in some cases you never quite recover from the setback. :(