Help!!!
 

Hi All,

I am new to this forum but there is clearly a lot of you that have made the adventure to leave the UK I was hoping that I could "pick a few brains"! As they say, there's no substitute for experience!

Have a job offer in Montreal but also in mainland Europe, the latter being a more senior and prestgious role albeit similar package.

Not sure which way to go! :confused:
Take the punt and ship across the big blue or play it safe and stay within the eurozone!

Any regrets/things you wish you would have known before going to Canada?

Thanks for your time and any advice
mB

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Europe is closer and cheaper for travel and family visits. Probably get more time off there too...

How does the cost of living compare. Any burning reason to prefer montreal is the other job is more prestigous?

For me Canada offers a relaxed lifestyle in an English speaking environment, not sure you could say that about Montreal? Its a nice enough place, I suppose it depends where in Europe and what you want from life.

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Stay in Europe

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The thing that springs to mind is that you might not get a family doctor here for a long time. I'm probably going to start a thread on this issue soon, to make newcomers and those considering Canada aware. Currently 5 million Canadian residents are without a family doctor and waiting times for specialists are extensive compared to other countries.

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These things tend to be dependent on where you are. Is it true in Montreal?

Used to be true where I am, but not recently.

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I couldn't get one in England. IMO it's a non issue in the greater scheme of things. Walk-in clinics provide faster access to a doctor than being signed up to a specific GP in many cases anyway.

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Hi Iaink,

Overall the cost of living is higher in Euro but mainly driven by property values (higher in Europe) and the need to go for an international britsh school which is £££ otherwise the difference is nothing to lose sleep over.

Big driver for Montreal is the reputation for general quality of life, many great reports and obviously a popular expat destination but I'm a numbers man and the quality of life argument is a bit subjective. Both mrs blue and myself have spent holidays in north America and loved it but after a few months I am sure the novelty wears off.

mB

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I suspect it's mostly true only outside of cities. But that's one of the reasons I wanted to start that thread, just to identify the reality from our input here.

It might just be that Brits typically move to the cities and they do get a doctor within a couple of months, however, I'd read a report from last year which cites Canada as having some of the longest wait times compared to many other similar countries. I'd read some disturbing news about people dying in ER while waiting to be seen, that wait times (ER, specialists etc) are too long everywhere in Canada.

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Obviously depends on medical requirements. Walk-in clinics are easier to get into but the doctors are limited in capabilities (e.g. giving referrals, narcotics, making time-saving determinations in a short consultation).

If it's just a case of needing antibiotics to fix an infection, that's easy. But the co-ordination of anything more serious is impossible.

My last wait time for walk-in was 2 hours. I got there 2.5 hours before the posted opening time and they opened 30 minutes early. They're frequently overwhelmed and turn people away 2-3 hours before they close. Still better than the 8.5 wait last time I went to ER, but that got me an specialist referral marked "urgent".

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Perhaps you have answered your own question.

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That's not my experience. Walk-ins have provided the same access to more specialist treatment just like a GP would. Mrs Rich has had x-rays, mammograms, scans and blood tests arranged the same day via walk-ins. The co-ordination with other local healthcare providers or facilities is identical.


How's that any worse than being told by a GP that they're booking appointments 2 or 3 days from now?

I appreciate all this is very much dependent on your location and the luck of the draw, but is it really so much worse than the UK? I could never see a GP there within 24hrs.

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Fair point but in your opinion as a Brit in Canada, would you say that once settled in, is the quality of life a step change from UK?

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It does seem like it is location dependant, that's the reason I've been reluctant to start a thread until I've really thought it all through (to best serve its purpose).

This is the report, if anyone is interested (I'll spend some time looking for a synopsis to outline the main issues):-

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/me...L_12022010.pdf

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Isn't that going to be wholly dependent on what you were used to and what sort of job/income you end up with here? Individual experiences won't mean you're going to have the same.

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Whereabout in mainland Europe?

If the $$ is better in Europe I'm pretty sure you'd have a better quality of life, but then again, we don't know if you mean Monaco or rural Latvia.

If you can afford to holiday in N. America when you want to, then I think living in Europe is the better option.

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Agreed:)

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Yes, I'm with the where and why brigade. I live in 'Europe' and I wouldn't want to live in the UK again....but I know that Canada is going to be a completely different ball game yet again, and is going to take some work and effort if we want it to be a happy transition. You can't measure one country against another, because we all have such great big differing needs. Depends on your age too, and your financial needs. We will maybe take a drop in income in Canada, but my husband isn't interested in building a career because he's done it, and we won't - hopefully - be financially too strapped. We are more interested in giving our son a better future, and despite the great things about where we live - getting the hell out of dodge! We want another adventure too!

What do you want? Why do you want it? Is there anyone other than 'you' in the equation? If you are young, and building a career, follow your heart and take a punt at whatever you fancy. Live like there's no tomorrow. If you have kids or other responsibilities and are of the 'what if's and regrets' variety, think very carefully.

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Have you considered the winters here? Personally I would stick to Europe for various reasons.

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From my perspectuve, the overall cost of living between here and the UK (6 years ago) is about the same. Some stuff cheaper/more expensive on both sides of the pond. I took what would have been considered a significant drop in salary to come to Canada (if looking purely at exchange rates), but when looking at where I'm at financially at the end of each month, I'm at the same level I was at in the UK, possibly a little better off.

However, would I say my quality of life has increased? I'm not so sure. It certainly hasn't decreased, but I do miss my close circle of friends, family members (some of them!), significantly cheaper airfares and ability to travel, had much more time off in the UK than here ...
However, I do have: distinct seasons of the year with activities that go along with that, a much more beautiful home than I would ever have dreamt of having in the UK and a fabby Canadian husband (of 3 weeks, woohoo!)

As the other posters have said, it very much depends on your personal circumstances and what you're wanting out of life!
Good luck with your decision!!

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If you want your kids to learn in English in Montreal, wouldnt you have to pay for that? I dont think there is any publicly funded English education there, but maybe someone on the ground there can correct me?

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Given the choice plus it is a more senior position..it would be Europe all day long:thumbup:

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If on a work permit your kids are eligible for the English School Board schools, if not it is french or private english schools (which still teach in both languages).

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Why, Cheeky Monkey? Are you not happy? Why would you prefer Europe do you think? I've visited Canada fairly frequently, but have never lived there, but I have lived round a few bits of Europe, France for the last ten years. I like lots of things about it, but there's lots that drives me nuclear.

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Don't forget Montreal is in Quebec, therefore not wholly the same as the rest of Canada, definitely has a more European feel than the rest of Canada (and you have to speak French).

Loved Montreal when I worked there for 9 months or so, but depends where in Europe its up against I suppose.

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You dont HAVE to speak french, several posters here live in Montreal and get by without. Its helps though Im sure.

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im happy with my lot..but i f i was given the opportunity of a more senior role in Europe or have a less senior role for the same money in Canada..i wouldnt hesitate to move to Europe.

i have worked alot in Northern Europe but never had the chance to live in Europe..im simply much more European than i ever will be Canadian..plus i would relish career enhancement and the challenge that brings more than the rest...thats just me though, other people have other priorites.

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Lisbon,Portugal. Although rural Latvia sounds relaxing.

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Get in here. It's a laugh! You'll love it!

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Where's here? Montreal or Lisbon?

Thank for all for the responses. Better role is hugely tempting but also have kids in tow so their academic wellbeing is a big factor.

Also, being close to extended family and friends, but far enough away to have some quality time with the wife and kids is also a draw.

Taking everything into account, will make a decision tonight, just have to toss the coin one more time........best out of five......

mB

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One other consideration is that if you've "done" Europe but not NA then come and have a look at Canada. Otherwise, do Europe first, because once you are here you probably won't get the chance.

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Algarve.... heading out too.

I'm that concerned about the place going bust I have shifted most of our cash out of Portugal into CDN$ in Luxembourg. It's not as cheap living here as people would think.

Last one to leave Portugal please turn the lights off!