darkin

wow. thanks for all the replies. the consensus isn't great though, eh?

That other pic doesn't even cover how beautiful Surrey is. I'm completely serious about moving, but I do wish we didn't have to! Damned expensive country that the UK is!

That last pic does look lovely though. I could definitely walk there every day. And happily. And there's got to be a few cute cafe's and a few arty folk, and I'm pretty sure that's all I need to be happy. But I get your point about not comparing here to there. If we get to the point of interviews and recce's, I'll keep an open mind.

What should I look forward to in these places in comparison?

darkin

BTW, if that egg's chocolate, I don't care where it is, I'm moving there!!!

el_richo

Have you actually visited either place yet?

If not, as a few people have said, i would try to spend some time in each before the big heave-ho. Surrey has beautiful areas within and by visiting Edmonton and London it'll allow you to fine tune your expectations.

darkin

No, I've not been to Canada at all yet. We won't get to fly out and have a look until my partner gets interviews (crossing fingers that he does), and even then we won't get to go for very long. Talking about it all is helping me get my head around the fact that we will be moving though, and I think all your comments are really helping me understand what to expect when we get there. I'm sure the space of the place alone will put me into shock!

cheeky_monkey

why are you moving then?..if its just because you think the UK is expensive then dont bother...Canada isnt that much cheaper!

darkin

My partner is in the games industry, which is too specific to have that many opportunities. We've exhausted the possibilities in the UK. Canada supports its games industry really well, and there are lots of exciting companies out there.

ann m

very subtle phrasing

I'm ex-Surrey - I struggle with the landscape, architecture, lack of dog walking facilities.

Where I live is actually very pretty, with stunning views - and from May to end September, it's a green, gorgeous landscape.

By Nov/Dec, there is barely a scrap of greenery anywhere - and Surrey begins to look lush and tropical in comparison.

I don't know London, but Edmonton - no, not really

christmasoompa

Have you tried just searching the 'Canniversary' section? Hopefully there will be some relevant opinions there, I know there was a very long one about Edmonton recently.

Tangram

So it doesn't EVEN have an egg ?

ExKiwilass

looked like a Ukrainian egg to me. Lots of them in Alberta.

Where those trails are aren't a lot of cafes, if any at all. Edmonton is very spread out and car-orientated. The best neighbourhood for arty is probably Old Strathcona but it's $$$ too

dbd33

I had an, er, extended meaningful relationship, with a woman of eastern European extraction who had done a PhD in London ON. Prior to that she'd been a professional classical musician. I've rarely heard a place described as scathingly as she did London ON. iirc correctly the major complaints were:

- there is a university but one which women attend solely to marry well

- there was one classical musician in the city

- I was the ethnic diversity, anyone not from Scotland would count but there was just me

- being Catholic is difficult there

- poverty is viewed as being the deserved scourge of the foreign

- it's flat.

I was left with the impression of a devout place, predominantly Presby and all the fun that entails.

I've since spoken at length with another person who has been to London ON, a poster here, and she's less kind about the place. All of this disinclines me to have a look.

I'm not one to lightly suggest that a person consider Edmonton, lord knows, one hears little in favour of Edmonton, is there no job in Sunderland or Canvey Island?

Novocastrian

Games industry? WTF is that?

Have you considered just dumping partner and staying in Surrey?

darkin

Novocastrian - computer games. And if I could, I would- but we kind of come as a package!

Dbd33 - hahaha! That's a brilliant description of a place. Bleak, but hilarious.

Tangram - I know, right? Sounds like the nail in the coffin, eh?

Ann M - Thanks for that. That's a couple of Ex-Surrey-ers that have commented now with the same sort of a view. It is food for thought.

Kiwilass - Thanks. That's good to know, even if it's not the answer I had hoped for.

Christmasoompa - Ahh, ok. Great description on Canniversary. Very good call. Thanks. Sounds like I should be asking partner to check Vancouver and Toronto for companies instead!

el_richo

You may want to check out Vancouver for that industry.

darkin

you read my mind. I've just spent an hour trawling the web. So, say he found something Vancouver or Toronto way, do you reckon this would satisfy my needs? Will probably re-post relevant questions for these areas.