You are 21, a lowly student & have funds?

What the heck, are you bringing riches to Canada, have you worked your way through uni or worked ever?

Could there be something about this 21 year old?

At 21, a University Grad & spent a year in Canada previously?

How did the folks back home manage without you for a year?

BTW, old age happens to everyone & some parents get sick & die before they reach state pension age... just saying

Life goes on

.

Not sure where your parents are located, but even if you were to live in the UK there is no guarantee that you will end up in the same place as your parents. You could find yourself at the opposite end of the country and visiting them would take you just as long, or maybe even longer, as flying from Canada.

But, as mentioned in the sacrifices thread, things will be very different and there will be times when you can't just go home. It's certainly easier to keep in touch with Skype, etc. and I've noticed that people often make more effort because they are aware of the distance. Also you may find that whilst you spend less time with family, the time you do spend together is more focused and quality.

So many questions! I got left some money by my Nan when she died which I have saved (unlike my sisters!) along with the money I've earned working throughout university. By 'lowly student' I meant my time was not seen as important as my sisters as they were working full time and/or pregnant so I was more able to be the one to help my parents.
I went to Canada for a year as part of my degree and it's where I met my fiancé. I came home at Christmas and then of course at summer when my student visa ended. My sisters didn't mind pitching in, it was only temporary, now we're talking the rest of our lives! I graduate this June.

TheBritishGirl @post#18

You will do well in Canada - I just know it

All the best to you & good luck

It's not really that big of a problem nowadays with Skype etc.

The only thing that is slightly annoying is the time difference.

It won't be easy, no. But do it if you wanna do it, see and worst case you can always come back. Better than regretting of 'what if..?'

Make sure you teach your parents to skype email etc before you go

If you will be married and soon having your own family, I suppose will feel different too.

Marrying at 21? How long have you known the guy? Obviously it speeds immigration, but, that's pretty young these days. If you're that committed, then he spending some time in the UK does not seem that onerous. And what's with the 'welcome letter' ? sounds a bit creepy IMO. Obviously, being 21, you're keen to start your life and ready for adventure, but if your parents are frail and against your move, it's going to be very tough. There is no "right answer" but definitely give things more thought.

My only daughter and her husband emigrated to Canada some 7 years ago.
We were shocked but did whatever we could to make sure her move was as stress free as possible. We took the view that whatever she did was her concern and we had no right to influence her decision one way or the other.
Her arrival in canada with her husband was not smooth but she now has two children and all are canadian citizens and are well integrated.
I reasoned that it was our choice to have a child in the first place and she owes us nothing having given us so much already.
However, she applied to sponsor us and we arrived less than two years ago, initially on a supervisa, but now have PR. In the interim 5 years we visited her regularly.
It is my opinion that your life is your own and that although you may feel family responsibilities, you cannot live other peoples lives for them and decisions you take should not be influenced by those you will leave behind.
As an elderly couple we expected no less of our daughter.

Are you planning on moving to Alberta?

Why doesn't he move to the UK with you instead?

Alberta is not the place to come to right now, or for a good few years yet

really? why?

We are planning to move to Edmonton in 2 years

Oil

Hi, I think you should go for it. If nothing else, it will be character building!

Since I've moved, my Dad and I probably talk much more in fact. I use an account called Rebtel and ring him from my cell phone to his landline for 1c a minute or there abouts. He brought me up to be independent and live my life and knows he can't really complain that i'm doing that as he considers that i'm mostly doing this successfully. He loves the dimension that us being in Canada has given his life, with his trips here, etc.

You can't live your life for other people and they shouldn't expect you to.

Good luck!

Hey, definately give it a shot out in Canada, if it doesnt work out you can always try living in the Uk.
We are lucky that we have skype and social media to keep in touch with friends and family.
I moved to Canada almost 3 years ago, and i love it here. I do miss my parents and family, last time i seen them was May 2014 when they traveled out for my wedding.

They miss me but they know I have a better life out here

I married at 22, a year after finishing Uni. Much younger than average these days, but being young doesn't mean it won't work out

All the issues with family that you are describing are the 'curse of the expat'. Almost every expat I know has some degree of guilt at leaving family and friends behind. But I've also met people who have returned 'home' for this reason, only a couple of years after emmigrating, only to regret it years later. Whilst in an ideal world, we all feel a duty of care towards ageing parents, you can't forget to live your own life or put it on hold indefinitely. All you can do is work to keep that connection going as best you can and maintain those family bonds. Some families do this very well - others sadly not. That's life.

We all chase a dream, but often we must realise accepting reality is the better path.

A Canadian acquaintance who wants to move to Europe for a "better" lifestyle for him and his family asked me what i loved about Canada that you can't get in the UK. Other than access to mountains and related activities, i couldn't think of a single thing. He then asked me, is it worth leaving your longtime friends and close family for that?

I told him it may be different if you're moving from a not so nice area to a nicer environment, but he countered with "surely you can do that within the UK anyway and not lose touch with those who matter in your life".

Genuine questions and i didn't have many answers.