Originally Posted by Canuck74

The UK is a dump! LOL

Originally Posted by weewifey

Thank you for all of your replies and 'insight', I appreciate it and do take on board some of the comments. But geez, I thought the purpose of these forums was to provide people in similar circumstances with support, not to mock or belittle. If my family and I decide to move back to the UK after a day, a week, a month or a year, that's entirely up to us and we will make the decision based on what is right for us.

I wasn't looking for approval from anyone to move home. We know what is good for our family and what will make us happy, if we know something is not right for us why delay the inevitable? I know many of you think it is far too soon, that's your opinion, but again it's our choice.

I have read a number of posts on here by people still in the UK and asking for information on living in the Calgary area so the reason for my initial post was just to make them aware that the cost of living is high.

I appreciate a number of people say they are better off here than in the UK, I find this hard to believe but I suppose that depends on occupation and what part of the UK you came from etc. I have spoken to a number of our neighbours, some Canadian and from other parts of Canada and some other expats, the consensus from them is that Alberta is one of the most expensive provinces to live in, with some of them saying they have travelled to other places for services such as dental care because it is so expensive.

I really admire those who have given up their jobs to look after the kids until school age, which here is obviously much later than in the UK but not everyone has this option. To all the people still in the UK and looking to move here, it is a beautiful country, lovely people and better weather most of the time, but turns out the grass is the same colour!!!

Originally Posted by Dal_Boy24

Hi Weewifey

I totally agree with what you're saying, having now been here 4 months I too along with my wife am not enjoying it here in Canada....

To ALL those people who say you should have compared first and done this and that....I'm sorry but you're talking to someone here who has visited Canada 10 x's previously and knew what the country was about but yes still wasn't prepared for the green grass....

Public transport here is terrible, I know it's not a small island but come on two and half hours on public transport to travel 40 kms!

Food here is expensive no matter what anyone says.....4 apples the other day cost $3.00! Are they made of GOLD?!

It seems focus here is money, money and money......I know UK isn't all great trust me I know the island is overloaded, crime is up and rising, the govt really doesn't know what it's doing......but still it's better than this place.

Does Canada look good and nice....of course it does....is it better in the long run in say 15-20 yrs compared to UK of course it is.....BUT doesn't mean that we can't miss the UK!

I posted on my own thread that I created but 4 months on and no jobs for either of us.....yes depressing as hell and for all the people who think we didn't research or that anyone who says they wish to go back after a short space of time....that's their choice....SIMPLES!!!

Life isn't easy.....

Dal

Originally Posted by Dal_Boy24

To ALL those people who say you should have compared first and done this and that....I'm sorry but you're talking to someone here who has visited Canada 10 x's previously and knew what the country was about but yes still wasn't prepared for the green grass....

Originally Posted by Aviator

We each have our own perception. It does not matter how many times one comes as a visitor, living somewhere on a permanent basis is very different.

Originally Posted by Shakyuk

Such a sweeping generalisation is as idiotic as 'Canada is cold'

Originally Posted by Gozit

Well, at least that generalisation is true.

Originally Posted by Dal_Boy24

Hi Weewifey

I totally agree with what you're saying, having now been here 4 months I too along with my wife am not enjoying it here in Canada....

To ALL those people who say you should have compared first and done this and that....I'm sorry but you're talking to someone here who has visited Canada 10 x's previously and knew what the country was about but yes still wasn't prepared for the green grass....

Public transport here is terrible, I know it's not a small island but come on two and half hours on public transport to travel 40 kms!

Food here is expensive no matter what anyone says.....4 apples the other day cost $3.00! Are they made of GOLD?!

It seems focus here is money, money and money......I know UK isn't all great trust me I know the island is overloaded, crime is up and rising, the govt really doesn't know what it's doing......but still it's better than this place.

Does Canada look good and nice....of course it does....is it better in the long run in say 15-20 yrs compared to UK of course it is.....BUT doesn't mean that we can't miss the UK!

I posted on my own thread that I created but 4 months on and no jobs for either of us.....yes depressing as hell and for all the people who think we didn't research or that anyone who says they wish to go back after a short space of time....that's their choice....SIMPLES!!!

Life isn't easy.....

Dal

Originally Posted by BristolUK

Except when it's not of course. I used to think it got "a bit sticky" in England when it was humid. But I never walked out of a store there and found my glasses steamed up outside.

Originally Posted by Shakyuk

I live in Wigan, between Manchester, Preston, Liverpool and Warrington. 3 big cities and multiple large towns surround me.

Originally Posted by Gozit

OK So its warm for 2.7 months of the year.

Originally Posted by Shakyuk

From what I've read and talking to friends who have emigrated. A place is never better. It's just places are different and sometimes those differences suit you better and lead to a happier life for you which really is what we're all looking for.

Originally Posted by MarylandNed

3 big cities? Liverpool and Manchester are the 2 big cities nearby but I can't think of any others. I know Wigan well since my wife has family there.

Originally Posted by HGerchikov

This is a great description of the emigrating from the UK to Canada experience. Neither country is a bad place to live, but they are different. Unfortunately you have to take the good and bad bits of whichever country you choose, you can't cherry pick. There will always be things that you will miss about the one that you have left. To be successful at this immigration thing I think you have to have a mindset that focuses on what you have, rather than what you left behind, and for me the best way to do that is not to constantly compare the two places.

Originally Posted by Shakyuk

...Preston is a big city, which I guess relatively speaking it isn't. Either way, the point stands, public transport in a town situated between 2 big cities, 1 small city and multiple large towns should be pretty good and affordable.