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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9688514)
thanks helcat12 you summed it up really. All that matters is my own happiness. Therefore today I have booked flights to go back on Monday, put in an offer on a house in the UK, my husband has accepted his old job back and life should soon be back to what we know of happiness! Everyone has their own oppinions and it hasnt been easy for us over the last 12 months. I will just be glad when its all over!
:thumbup: |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by JonboyE
(Post 9688124)
I don't have an opinion on whether or not the OP should stay in Canada or go back to the UK.
It is just that if someone says that in their opinion winters in Winnipeg are quite balmy it is reasonable to point out that the stats suggest that it is brass monkeys. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9688514)
thanks helcat12 you summed it up really. All that matters is my own happiness. Therefore today I have booked flights to go back on Monday, put in an offer on a house in the UK, my husband has accepted his old job back and life should soon be back to what we know of happiness! Everyone has their own oppinions and it hasnt been easy for us over the last 12 months. I will just be glad when its all over!
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
i'd move to Gatineau and take all that free Quebec charity and commute over the river each day... but that's me :D
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by Boy d
(Post 9687962)
none of those about canada in general is there? half the posters on here are masters at it.;)
My opinion is a valid one seeing as im back here and have been looking for work for the last 6 weeks and shocked at how wages have gone back 15 years in mine, my wife's, and even the lesser type jobs. I obviously didnt mean that every single job has had its wages cut. :rolleyes: Good luck though Rhodes what ever you decide mate. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by Londonuck
(Post 9689295)
Funny, I thought the same.
My opinion is a valid one seeing as im back here and have been looking for work for the last 6 weeks and shocked at how wages have gone back 15 years in mine, my wife's, and even the lesser type jobs. I obviously didnt mean that every single job has had its wages cut. :rolleyes: Good luck though Rhodes what ever you decide mate. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by el_richo
(Post 9688475)
Good luck
Hopefully this'll be a wake-up call for many on here who have tunnel vision. I call bs on the whole "you should have researched more" thing. Researching is NOT the same as living somewhere, sorry. RRhodes, all the best. Canada isn't all that, as you've discovered, no shame in calling it early and going home. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by Alan2005
(Post 9689726)
You need to work for the government in some way. They are rolling in cash and pensions.
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by Kiwilass
(Post 9689766)
Word.
I call bs on the whole "you should have researched more" thing. Researching is NOT the same as living somewhere, sorry. RRhodes, all the best. Canada isn't all that, as you've discovered, no shame in calling it early and going home. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by Alan2005
(Post 9689726)
You need to work for the government in some way. They are rolling in cash and pensions.
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by shelley748
(Post 9689856)
you have to be French first speaking to get those cushy numbers!:ohmy::ohmy:
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by shelley748
(Post 9689856)
you have to be French first speaking to get those cushy numbers!:ohmy::ohmy:
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by Kiwilass
(Post 9689766)
Word.
I call bs on the whole "you should have researched more" thing. Researching is NOT the same as living somewhere, sorry. RRhodes, all the best. Canada isn't all that, as you've discovered, no shame in calling it early and going home. A few weeks is nowhere near enough time to decide if you like something or not, culture shock is still the dominant influence and a yearning for what's familiar. I recall several occasions in the service I would gladly packed up and gone home, there was just not much choice however. HM had just spent a fortune on my training and did not want me to leave, not for free anyway. After a while (few years) it became the norm and funnily enough, took a long time to get used to being out when I left and would have happily gone back in. My two cents worth, once you have made a decision, stick with it for a reasonable amount of time to be sure before changing your mind and flip flopping. You may only get one chance at immigrating to Canada, Britain will always be an option. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by JamesM
(Post 9687997)
Just buy a fan or a dehumidifier.
And to be honest if I wanted to spend $600 000+ on a house I'd rather buy in Rockcliff. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Its a pity the OP never answered the job questions. Their plight could well be a warning to others that choosing a place based on relatives/friends is no good unless there are job prospects there.
I'm not sure what world they live in though if they expected some sort of job offer in 8 days, be lucky to get a response it that time I would say. I bought a box of cereal for $9 yesterday, it was though a jumbo size and a slightly more expensive type than the bog standards which cost about $7 for the jumbo's. We're just in the process of moving into our first purchased house after being here 4 1/2 years, brand new, over 1900 sq ft, for mid $400K's. Ottawa sounds an expensive place tbh, can't find anything for 600K?? we'd love to be able to afford 600K. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by PeterF
(Post 9691230)
Its a pity the OP never answered the job questions. Their plight could well be a warning to others that choosing a place based on relatives/friends is no good unless there are job prospects there.
I'm not sure what world they live in though if they expected some sort of job offer in 8 days, be lucky to get a response it that time I would say. I bought a box of cereal for $9 yesterday, it was though a jumbo size and a slightly more expensive type than the bog standards which cost about $7 for the jumbo's. We're just in the process of moving into our first purchased house after being here 4 1/2 years, brand new, over 1900 sq ft, for mid $400K's. Ottawa sounds an expensive place tbh, can't find anything for 600K?? we'd love to be able to afford 600K. There are answers to those things and ways to solve them as you have pointed out, but some people just don't want to solve them because they just don't like the place and never wanted to leave England, really. You have hit the nail on the head in the section I have highlighted. My OH and I have been surprised at the number of people who, hearing that we are emigrating, have asked us if we have family in Canada or if we know anyone in Canada. When they hear that no, we don't have family or friends here already, they seem shocked as they had assumed that was why we were doing it. They then ask if my OH got offered a company transfer and when we reply no, he just went over and worked hard to secure a job they seem even more surprised. This leads me to believe that most people they know have either one or the other reason for emigrating (or of course, meeting and marrying a Canadian, which cannot apply to us as we are already spoken for.). We also have no children and so are not "doing it for the kids". We had none of those reasons - we just wanted to. Our decision, our commitment, our choices, our fault if it all goes wrong:blink:. It isn't long until the OP leaves now and I hope she and her husband are happy to be returning. The speed with which he got his old job back certainly is a good sign that it will be a seamless reintegration. :fingerscrossed: |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by ninaDGBCA
(Post 9691021)
lol my friends live in the Glebe without AC but plenty of fans and really suffered this summer, especially the kids. I love my AC and wouldn't want to live without if I didn't have to.
And to be honest if I wanted to spend $600 000+ on a house I'd rather buy in Rockcliff. I'm actually not that keen on Rockcliffe - big nice homes, but not so many amenities and the transit isn't great. Agree re. AC. We have it, and we really needed it this year in particular. You can survive without it of course but its much nicer not to. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by shelley748
(Post 9689856)
you have to be French first speaking to get those cushy numbers!:ohmy::ohmy:
The first is incorrect. As for the second, if you want a job in government and you think its so cushy, what's stopping you? Go learn French, its a language not a birthright. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Hello, we were in BC (vancouver island, vancouver) we were there for 13 months doing house sitting. We were trying to find out where we would like to live. As we had the chance to live in many places (we lived in over 10 houses) and different areas this was a good thing to do without the expense. We agree with you about parks etc and beauty. You cannot beat the UK even if it is small.
In BC there is only one place to live and that is vancouver for the facilities of a vibrant city (although the young people called it 'no fun city' (we are in our 50's, not dead yet but like to go to a bar to watch a band. We lived in kitsilano over from the city which is a laid back area but pricey to rent. Would live there is we could afford it. But only for 6 months of the year as it is depressing in the winter with the grey skies and rain. We lived in victoria on the island and we have to say that was great. Lived there in the winter too, not a bad winter warmer than the UK and no snow. The rain gets dumped on vancouver more than victoira. If you are looking for a little piece of the england. A small city but more english than england. If you have been torquay in the UK it is laid out like that with the town leading onto a harbour. We lived there for 5 months. We enjoyed victoria more than vancouver. The pubs are great and I mean pubs. They brew their own beer, have bands on 7 nights a week and no cover charge. The area is beautiful but the only place to live on the island with some life. Have lived in nanaimo, parksville, courtenay, and qualicum beach too. Lovely places but dead. What about montreal. I have visited there and that was a nice vibrant city. After all this we are going back to the UK. We found the west coast canadians to be very judgemental 'self policing'. We have never been told what to do so much i.e. how to park a car, put on a helmet when riding, etc etc... this from complete strangers. BC (bring cash) is the only place we would live mainly because we are on the ocean. It is expensive for anything dairy here, but transport is cheap, houses are expensive (in vancouver and in central victoria). Try house sitting, advertise on www.usedvictoria.com or www.usedvancouver.com although we got more response from used victoria. The snow birds go away now usually from november - march. That way it wouldn't cost you anything to find out (all our stuff is still in the uk). We just bought a car and have lived in other people's houses. The rest are all flat box towns and all look the same. Canada is beautiful, for the mountains, lakes, and the space. If you like that you will enjoy canada, but you have to be a hiker or kayaker. We camped 2 months through the rockies and that was a great thing to do. We enjoyed those aspects of canada but it is not enough to hold us here, with the high taxes, inaffordable housing and costly food. We miss the culture of the UK, and the people who are down to earth and have a sense of humour. They are not serious like they are here (they are over the top in doing things professionally i.e. hobbies). We are currently house sitting in mexico and its fantastic. We will probably live here 6 months and the uk 6 months. If you want any ideas on where to live in bc, we can help you out with the island and vancouver area. Although even though this country is big, you do feel 'trapped' as there are not many places to visit that are different, you feel like you only have one place. We were members of the national trust in the UK, say no more.... good luck, don't give up and remember why you left the UK. This is not the promised land, just different. :cool:
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9683481)
Its only been 8 days but 8 days of 'what have I done' so far! We cant seem to find anywhere in Ottawa that we would want to live. Its either just full of houses crammed in together (Orleans, Kanata, Barrhaven etc) or just too remote to live in if you need to work. We are applying for jobs and expect that we would have to work in the city (if we can get jobs that is) - hence the need to live commutable distance (hate the rush hour traffic already) and the cost of parking / transport is extreem. We miss the UK!!
I dont think I can take much more of driving to areas and finding them without parks / trees or any amenities etc but surely I have to give it longer than a week right???? I hate the fact I traded quaint green Britain for a concrete and weatherboard existence. I knew the exchange rate wasnt great (my PR visa was running out so decided it was now or never to give it a try) but wasnt banking on just how expensive everything is. I mean $6 for a beer and $9 for cereal!! Anyone else in Ottawa cant settle or moved somewhere that I may like? Without jobs we are stuck living with my brother who loves Orleans but then he hasnt lived in the UK for many many years so probably just got used to it. At this stage I would happily leave today! Are there any areas we havent tried that maybe have more space / parks / forests etc and that you can actually get jobs nearby? We dont have to live near the centre but need jobs to enable us to move. Yesterday we went to Kemptville but I didnt even get out of the car! HELP!! |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by shelley748
(Post 9689856)
you have to be French first speaking to get those cushy numbers!:ohmy::ohmy:
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
OP should be on the way to/at the airport now or very soon.
Good Luck and have a happy journey.:fingerscrossed: |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Eight days isn`t long.
Sorry but you`ll need to give it a few years. My first few days were absolutely terrifying but we had no choice but to stay. Thankfully, it all settled down and things got better. Now I`d be mortified if I had to leave! I hope it all works out. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9688514)
thanks helcat12 you summed it up really. All that matters is my own happiness. Therefore today I have booked flights to go back on Monday, put in an offer on a house in the UK, my husband has accepted his old job back and life should soon be back to what we know of happiness! Everyone has their own oppinions and it hasnt been easy for us over the last 12 months. I will just be glad when its all over!
the OP is going back to the UK today! See above quote. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
[quote=RRhodes;9683481]... (my PR visa was running out so decided it was now or never to give it a try) ... quote]
Do the words "A Wing And A Prayer" rings any bells? :confused: |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Just trying to wrap my head around how someone could go through all the trouble of getting an immigrant visa and not have thoroughly researched what they were going to do with it.
Perhaps I've become somewhat jaded with all my moves over the years. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by Steve_
(Post 9699848)
Just trying to wrap my head around how someone could go through all the trouble of getting an immigrant visa and not have thoroughly researched what they were going to do with it.
Perhaps I've become somewhat jaded with all my moves over the years. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9683481)
Its only been 8 days but 8 days of 'what have I done' so far! We cant seem to find anywhere in Ottawa that we would want to live. Its either just full of houses crammed in together (Orleans, Kanata, Barrhaven etc) or just too remote to live in if you need to work. We are applying for jobs and expect that we would have to work in the city (if we can get jobs that is) - hence the need to live commutable distance (hate the rush hour traffic already) and the cost of parking / transport is extreem. We miss the UK!!
I dont think I can take much more of driving to areas and finding them without parks / trees or any amenities etc but surely I have to give it longer than a week right???? I hate the fact I traded quaint green Britain for a concrete and weatherboard existence. I knew the exchange rate wasnt great (my PR visa was running out so decided it was now or never to give it a try) but wasnt banking on just how expensive everything is. I mean $6 for a beer and $9 for cereal!! Anyone else in Ottawa cant settle or moved somewhere that I may like? Without jobs we are stuck living with my brother who loves Orleans but then he hasnt lived in the UK for many many years so probably just got used to it. At this stage I would happily leave today! Are there any areas we havent tried that maybe have more space / parks / forests etc and that you can actually get jobs nearby? We dont have to live near the centre but need jobs to enable us to move. Yesterday we went to Kemptville but I didnt even get out of the car! HELP!! - why Ottawa? I'm from BC and people from Ottawa (mostly) always LOVE the West when they come out here. We have lots of beautiful green spaces, parks, forests, mountains, etc. Housing here is expensive (comparable to Ontario, I would think) but you'll find that everywhere in Canada. - I'm an immigrant myself (been here 12 years) and I'm not going to lie: it took me at least 5 years to stop crying and missing friends and family from 'home,' and a good 10 years to finally feel like this is home. It does get better but it is incredibly hard. Try to find an expats group to meet up with as soon as you can - that really helped us! Best of luck! |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
I wish the OP would post on here again and tell us that everything went brilliantly and she is about to move into her new UK house and jobs are lovely and that she and her husband are very happy.
I like a happy ending.:o |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by helcat12
(Post 9707145)
I wish the OP would post on here again and tell us that everything went brilliantly and she is about to move into her new UK house and jobs are lovely and that she and her husband are very happy.
I like a happy ending.:o |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
I have messaged her on FB, as we had become friends, if she replies, and is happy for me to update, or if she wants to come update herself, I will let you guys know!
I hope they are ok! x |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by LucyLovelock
(Post 9707587)
I have messaged her on FB, as we had become friends, if she replies, and is happy for me to update, or if she wants to come update herself, I will let you guys know!
I hope they are ok! x It would be reassuring also for anyone feeling the same as the OP did to know that it isn't necessarily a one way ticket and if it isn't for you, that life can resume in the UK with no harm done.:) Looking forward to hearing some happy news soon. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Sorry, thanks Lucy for reminding me to update how things are!
Well everything is good actually. My husband went back to his job and seems really happy which is one half of us ok. I am looking for work but dont have any financial worries so its no big deal if I dont find work this side of Christmas. We are renting a log cabin in the woods so its cheap and the view is awesome. I bought myself a new car yesterday which I love and we have put in an offer on an amazing barn conversion so that we can be settled. To sum up moving back will bring us happiness and yes I will still feel that I didnt really give it a go and I do miss my family in Canada. The main reason for moving was to be near my family but not at the cost of my unhappiness. We could have moved somewhere else in Canada more suitable but then that defeats the object of why we moved to Canada. Also when you know you are making your husband unhappy by your decision then it kinda sucks and its not just me and my family I need to think about. Anyways wish us luck on our offer on the barn conversion and anyone in the Worcestershire area wants to come and admire it let me know xxxxx |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9710012)
Sorry, thanks Lucy for reminding me to update how things are!
Well everything is good actually. My husband went back to his job and seems really happy which is one half of us ok. I am looking for work but dont have any financial worries so its no big deal if I dont find work this side of Christmas. We are renting a log cabin in the woods so its cheap and the view is awesome. I bought myself a new car yesterday which I love and we have put in an offer on an amazing barn conversion so that we can be settled. To sum up moving back will bring us happiness and yes I will still feel that I didnt really give it a go and I do miss my family in Canada. The main reason for moving was to be near my family but not at the cost of my unhappiness. We could have moved somewhere else in Canada more suitable but then that defeats the object of why we moved to Canada. Also when you know you are making your husband unhappy by your decision then it kinda sucks and its not just me and my family I need to think about. Anyways wish us luck on our offer on the barn conversion and anyone in the Worcestershire area wants to come and admire it let me know xxxxx |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9710012)
Sorry, thanks Lucy for reminding me to update how things are!
Well everything is good actually. My husband went back to his job and seems really happy which is one half of us ok. I am looking for work but dont have any financial worries so its no big deal if I dont find work this side of Christmas. We are renting a log cabin in the woods so its cheap and the view is awesome. I bought myself a new car yesterday which I love and we have put in an offer on an amazing barn conversion so that we can be settled. To sum up moving back will bring us happiness and yes I will still feel that I didnt really give it a go and I do miss my family in Canada. The main reason for moving was to be near my family but not at the cost of my unhappiness. We could have moved somewhere else in Canada more suitable but then that defeats the object of why we moved to Canada. Also when you know you are making your husband unhappy by your decision then it kinda sucks and its not just me and my family I need to think about. Anyways wish us luck on our offer on the barn conversion and anyone in the Worcestershire area wants to come and admire it let me know xxxxx Great! I am so pleased that things have worked out well. Best wishes.:thumbup: |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
p.s. they accepted our offer, should be in by christmas!!!!
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9712067)
p.s. they accepted our offer, should be in by christmas!!!!
Send us a photo!:) |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
watch it, iaink, matey....im still here....lurking around....LOL!!
quite rightly said, tho.....snap decisions...easily made...but can result in years of misery......just look at us now.....trying to get back to square one again....(no, not THE square one shopping mall in mississauga...!!) each to his own, i suppose...
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 9688105)
Then there are posters like Julius Smith, or Glaswegian, who would have left on the first plane. One is back in the UK, trying now to get back to Vancouver, and the other everything fell into place at once and he has settled happily in Calgary after hating the GTA.
The truth is, none of us can say what is best for the OP. Sometimes it takes time, sometimes it doesnt help. Personal circumstances and motivations are going to weigh into any decision that they make, and all we can do is try and help with the day to day issues and local knowledge of an area, or life here as a british immigrant, and at least help them make as informed a decision as possible. Life isnt a game. |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Thanks for the update- glad to hear you are settled and looking forward to the pictures of the barn conversion! Well done!:thumbsup:
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9710012)
Sorry, thanks Lucy for reminding me to update how things are!
Well everything is good actually. My husband went back to his job and seems really happy which is one half of us ok. I am looking for work but dont have any financial worries so its no big deal if I dont find work this side of Christmas. We are renting a log cabin in the woods so its cheap and the view is awesome. I bought myself a new car yesterday which I love and we have put in an offer on an amazing barn conversion so that we can be settled. To sum up moving back will bring us happiness and yes I will still feel that I didnt really give it a go and I do miss my family in Canada. The main reason for moving was to be near my family but not at the cost of my unhappiness. We could have moved somewhere else in Canada more suitable but then that defeats the object of why we moved to Canada. Also when you know you are making your husband unhappy by your decision then it kinda sucks and its not just me and my family I need to think about. Anyways wish us luck on our offer on the barn conversion and anyone in the Worcestershire area wants to come and admire it let me know xxxxx |
Re: Help I hate it here!!!
p.s. what recession, been back 1 week and starting work on Monday woohoo
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Re: Help I hate it here!!!
Originally Posted by RRhodes
(Post 9716566)
p.s. what recession, been back 1 week and starting work on Monday woohoo
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