OK tell me to mind my own business but I have read an awful lot by now from those well established in Canada. It has been very useful. But there as you would expect differences between perspectives of whats is good and what is bad about Canada... and many other places.

For the experts who regularly respond to those not already in Canada are there any who already see themselves returning to the Uk and does it sway the way responses are made?

Is there a desire to hold a torch for home just in case the return is around the corner and embracing all things Canadian is a worry.

I'm not returning and as for differences I don't see much as we live here the way We want to paying our bills, can't say I did much else in the UK. As for world politics etc oh well shit happens, beyond all of our control.

As it was I had a better paying job in a more secure field in th UK, as for Uni costs Son is paying his own from the money from working in stupidstore 3 shifts a week. We pay for everything else. He was approached last night about going to a uni with a soccer team, and having a scholarship... What ever that is we'll findout later. If you play any sport from team to individual well there may be some cash but don't count on it.

Well I met a Brit in the Bank who had been back 3 times (for good each time) but is now settled in Vancouver - (THREE times - Flippin' heck!) :scared:

I have no desire to keep any bridges back to the UK, but hubby wants kidlet to keep Brit passport and dual nationality (as it might widen his future life choices).

Canada isn't utopia, I'm not even sure the grass is greener (I've used the phrase "financial suicide" with respect to how this move has turned out) - but I LOVE living here

Clare

If it is like here in the States, it would be a great deal. My niece had a full soccer scholarship for St. John's University in New York. The only cost was housing.

I'm with Clare - financial suicide is the correct term for emigration.

On very, very, very, very bad days I sometimes wonder if it's worth returning to the UK after the expected house price crash ... moving back to our old area, making contact with old friends ... then my brain kicks in ... I realise how much better life is in Canada, why we left our old home in the first place (no jobs now, no jobs in the future) and then I remember exactly how much contact we've had with some of our "old friends" since we emigrated (you know, you do fall off the edge of the world for some people) ... then I decide we did the right thing.

One would imagine that anyones help or advice is likely dependent on their perspective on things and as to how well things are going for them. I don't contribute too much here because I feel like I've a lot to learn and not that much to say.However I certainly miss the UK and have a desire to return but it's very early days for me and I'm looking forward to that desire fading. We live in a house here that would be out of my reach back home (still calling the UK home!) so that's certainly an incentive to stay.

Me... I like canada..and its my second time here...

Would I go to the UK again...maybe if the right job turns up...

But I would also go to Australia, New Zealand, or any part of mainland Europe too....for the right Job!

Never Say Never.

Canada is home now, I came here with next to nothing and have a good life here. If I was to move back to the UK it would only be for family reasons, eldery parents and the like, and for me it would be financial suicide. Even if I went back I dont think I would stay permanently, canadian citizenship make sit too easy to retire here with all the lifestyle advantages, and none of the job market hassles.

Its been so long since I've lived there now that its hard now for me to honestly compare the UK and Canada I suspect. We are planing a visit in May to visit family and friends, so it will be interesting to get a fresh perspective, not just for me, but it will be my wifes first visit to the UK, so Ill be interested to get her take on it.

In my short experience (43 years and stil going) I could count on one hand the number of true friends I have. One goes back 30 years and tother is now 16 years. Most people I meet these days are through business and while they my be termed as friends it really does not compete to be able to pick the phone up after 2 years (both sides can be guilty) and carry on the same conversation you were having back then. Its called being at one with each other. Almost seemless.

But my one true friend is my wife. As long as she is with me and I with her all else is irrelevent. We support each other when needed and kick each other up the arse when needed. Actually I am the only one who needs it.

Thanks for the replies.

Nothing is forever...

Part of me looks at this way. Done 43 years in one country. Do I want another 43 (maybe) in the same one. Life is too short. Experience it while you can and boy it is hard to do so in the UK with costs and earnings the way they are and I just cannot see it working out long term for the UK or Europe en mass. Its all fine if you have a sought after profession or mummy and daddy will leave oozles of money. The rest work get shafted and die. 2 weeks paid holiday. Bliss - only had 2 weeks a year for the last 15 years and unpaid at that. No work no money.

the other part is just shitting itself with the thought of getting on the plane

PS I spoke at length the other day with a City Insurance expert who flies the world. The opinion on the quiet is that even the service sectors of the UK (the 80% that generates the so called wealth - banks and insurance) will diminish rapidly over the next 20-30 years. Then what?

Surely only if you ever have the prospect of having to times by 2.3 the amount of money required to have a 'life' in the UK again. Which is better. more assett's on paper or a better lifestyle? The reality is that many 40 somethings in the UK will need the equity in the property to use/sell once they retire if still in the UK. The words Pension Crisis (whats crisis). Work for 45 years in the UK. Nice amount of exchangeable assett to emigrate with. Catch 22 - no one wants them at 65 unless we are talking the 'Costa Lot Blanca' me ol' darlin.

(Spanish accent) ....'Senior ... give me bach my land and go ome. Money...? we no give you money...jus go'

Perhaps many need to sell property in Canada just to feed themselves. I would not know as yet.

Well two points..

The 60's baby boomer issue will as big an issue for pensions this side as it will be in Europe...
But as the state provide for less this side, it not seen as the governments issue... it’s your own problem and that’s why you have RRSP's...


As to the economy in Europe collapsing... you should take a close look at the growing deficit to the south of us, the highly probable collapse or devaluation of the dollar will impact Canada…
Yes Europe might collapse but its more than likely to be following the collapse of the US economy and we’ll go down just in front of Europe.. this is a world economy and all the G7 nations are so linked that if ones goes all the others follow

I try not to think about how much money I used to make in the UK ... there's always the thought of "what would it have been like if we'd roughed it through IR35" ... one of the good things about this forum is that you get very nice clear reports of what life in the UK is like nowadays ... the electronic edition of the Leicester Mercury makes interesting reading too.

In terms of the bottom line, I'm a lot worse off in Canada ... in terms of quality of life, I'm a lot better off ... I'm also very well aware that I can't afford to move back to the UK.

All I said it was financial suicide, I didn't say I wasn't enjoying it

The main complaint I've heard from seniors is it costs just as much to move into a senior's condo complex here as they make from the proceeds of their old house.

The other option seems to be to work at Walmart as a greeter

Personally, I want to put off retiring as long as possible ... I think retirement looks boring

Are you an actual Scot?
My mother is an can turn moaning and whinging about life into an art form!!
She is part of the reason I cannot wait to emigrate. Many Seniors love moaning, it is a hobby they enjoy. Even if they were rolling in money they would whinge about it.
My mum has plenty and still moans about the tax man getting it, but still refuses to actually enjoy it! If she keeps it she says the "old folks home will take it" if the time comes. But is worried if she spends it she may need it if she lives for another 20 years , so it is a no win situation.Those that don't have much moan they have not got enough to pay the electric or rent! but have probably never had enough , and relied on benefits for most of their life.

My time will come and i will turn into my mother the signs are already starting to come! god help me!!!!!!
One thing I can already say is I have no regrets , I have had a bloody wonderful life and if I pop my cloggs tomorrow, I would have done more than many people have. But I still have so much I want to do.

Going to Canada is not the last resort. There is a whole world out there,
if people don't like it then it is not the be all and end all unless you chose to just "make do"

At least Wallmart do employ OAPS greaters. In the Uk manypensioners are left to rot, and treated like second class citizens by many, unless you have the get up and go to work for yourself. Many now will have to work beyond 60/65 as they have no pension to speak of. So at least if you have equity in your property it is going to be better than a pension.

I have never seen pensioners working anywhere here, apart from a few in B&Q! or collecting trolleys in supermarkets.
My mum worked until she was 70 for herself, it certainly stopped her turning into a typical idea of a pensioner. She looks 60 at 75, walks everywhere and travels extensively.

In Uk I see so many old people that look and act far older than their years. They almost morph into hunched up caulifower headed, pleated skirted old people as soon as their pension book arrives.

It is very important that people look into the future far longer than the time it takes to get PR, and look at how much money they will need to live off of for years not months. Including pensions or lack of one. If they have not looked that far ahead to be honest I do not think they will be any better off in UK or Canada.

Just because people can afford a bigger house in Canada does not mean you have to buy the biggest and best, but many british think that the size of their house gives then status, as does the size of their car or wallet!
Another reason I do not like Uk any more.
Smaller house, no mortage, smaller car, invest the rest for future and for enjoying better quality of life with. How great is that? Being prepared to be flexible and adaptable with work is the hard part for many, some do not seem to want to bend. Again I doubt the would int he UK either.





All I said it was financial suicide, I didn't say I wasn't enjoying it


The main complaint I've heard from seniors is it costs just as much to move into a senior's condo complex here as they make from the proceeds of their old house.

The other option seems to be to work at Walmart as a greeter

Personally, I want to put off retiring as long as possible ... I think retirement looks boring [/QUOTE]

I am ... and??

As regards pensions one benefit of a move to any other country (and I have to say money does have an effect) is that we should be able to invest in our future as we will (should) have no mortgage or car loans or banks loans. (Do I really think I won't buy that big senior executive with swimming pool, mini bar and Swedish hostess serving drinks all night). But if we do manage to get work we should be able much earlier to plan for later on by way of investments and I do not mean pensions. The UK is a worry long term because there is no guarantee of a decent payback with the pensions compnaies. Private or Company. There are many theories and none look all that good and if there was a collapse in the UK or American economy any monies invested as by way of shares with profit would go right down the drain.

As regards 'a collapse' would you not consider that any country that has raw materials to trade with would come out of it quicker than those with just service sectors. Go back to the cave man instinct and those that could barter with meat and wheat etc faired much better. The UK could always offer a stiff upper lip to trade with.

Don't get me wrong. The UK is not a bad country to be in as compares on the world scale but I am concerned long term, even though we are doing well on the big scale of things.

But saying that the wife could not give a rats arse for politics or finance. She thought Canada looked lovely and we only saw little of it. She would love to spend time exploring not just Canada but the US and beyond especially if we did not have to get on a plane to do it. You can go a long way during just a long weekend.