Caimas

Having lived in various places, I wanted to ask other members how settled they really felt, once reasonably established in Canada.

Of course it is all subjective; but how did you know you really felt really settled?

What would be your own personal definition of feeling truly 'at home?'

Or, do you consider that in uprooting your family and moving away permanently, never really feeling settled, the price you pay?

Having emigrated once before, and contemplating a second-attempt, ultimately the 'end' feeling is what I imagine most migrants (myself included), would aspire to. I'd love to hear other people's experiences and look forward to any responses.

Tangram

Home is where my immediate family is and when they are happy. Right now, that means Atlantic Canada.

dbd33

I don`t feel settled in Canada. My children aren`t even settled in Canada despite having been born here. I half expected they`d grow up and move to Europe but now they seem set on America. I don`t think this matters though, a sense of place, of belonging, isn`t important to me; otherwise I would have stayed at home.

Novocastrian

As indicated in my username subscript, I've relocated (or am in the slow process of relocating) between countries a total of five times. That said, I would feel perfectly settled in Canada (after 16 years this stint) if Canada had (a) architecture (b) milder winters and (c) something other than hockey on TV.

Caimas

That's really interesting. I am wondering if this restlessness (as a result of travelling in my early 20's), is something to manage, rather than eradicate.
Is a 'sense of belonging' something we buy into as being the norm, rather than an option for some?

Tangram

Sounds like tree hugging hippy talk to me

Caimas

Really? How come?

Caimas

I wondered about the 'to the power of five' bit.

What's the ideal place then?

Tracie107

We settled as soon as we got on the plane at Heathrow.

Everything for us has been a breeze not a single problem *touch wood*.

A week before we left the UK DS was diagnosed with Autism. We decided to get a 2nd opinion here. Absolutely amazed that we managed to see all the Specialists within 2 weeks, they have now confirmed he is not Autistic nor on the Spectrum Disorder. He is just an anxious little boy with a speech delay due to the 'glue ear', which he had a year ago. He is doing really well at his pre-school, his speech has improved, his confidence has grown................we just couldn't ask for anymore.

dbd33

I think it's something contradictory to the values held in high esteem in Toronto:

Bilingual people are immediately comfortable in more countries than people who speak only one language, speaking two languages makes countries where a third is spoken more accessible; French and English in combination serve one well in Spanish speaking countries.

Exposure to a mass of immigrants, indeed only immigrants, in high school and in university, leads one to an acceptance of differing cultures and a feeling of the equivalence of people from different places; it's a multi-culture, no one's from Canada and no one's connected to Canada. May as well go and see somewhere else.

In short then, schooling in Toronto is schooling in rootless cosmopolitanism.

Novocastrian

Since dbd33 is contributing in a serious manner on this thread, Paul apparently feels the need to take over the role of provocateur.

dbd33

I would have used "citizenship of the world" in place of "rootless cosmopolitanism" but, in light of Paul's post, thought that too hippyesque.

Novocastrian

Aside from Iqaluit?

Of course there's no single answer to your question. We've decided to retire in France because we both love it there and the OH has strong family ties. The kids (!! 24 & 26 now) will have to make their own decisions. I'd bet one will stay in Canada and t'other will not.

Tangram

It's my bane.

Caimas

I am really pleased to hear you are getting all the help you need in Canada.

My little boy is being assessed for ADHD (through school) and we are getting nowhere fast. I know what a concern it is when your child's development is affected. I hope your success continues in 2009 and good luck to you & your family!