Hey,

Just wondering what people's expectations of canada were before they came here and what things have been like in reality ?

Int.

well we had the "Canadian Dream" - you know, good career, big house, lots of space etc.

What we have are jobs (but one of us having had a long time "resting" ) we've spent a long time renting and are now are looking at buying the cheapest townhouse we can find...

But reality is - this is a fantastic country to live in. I live on the West Coast. Folk are friendly, kind, helpful, polite...

My son is having an excellent time at an excellent daycare (with frequent excursions), (mind you, he was at a horrendous daycare with gender specific stereotyping, and a lack of physical safety )

We have amazing facilities on hand (ice rink 10 min drive, choice of swimming pools, 4 playgrounds within 3 blocks of home )

And then there is the beauty of the country, mountains, forests, ocean - sigh. I could go quite misty eyed about the place really!! and the animal life - it is amazing. The amazing was seeing an osprey swoop and catch a fish (and this was just down the road from where I live)

It is not as we expected. We are financially worse off - but life is great!