Motivation - really curious to know
 

I really am curious to know what it is that motivates people to emigrate from the UK to Canada these days. Here's my thinking -

When I left in the 70's, thousands of people were doing likewise. The economy in Britain was down the drain (and there was a literal brain-drain going on as well, professionals moving to North America). There were rotational power outages all over the country. Unemployment was high. Prospects for our kids were dismal. Strike after strike. Corrupt politics (same as everywhere, I guess!), everyone having trouble making ends meet, and on and on.

Now, however, things are very different. From my observations on my annual trips back to the UK, the economy seems to be booming, everyone appears to have money to spend, lots of vacation time and money to go all over the world for vacations. Cars on the road are now bigger and newer. More kids are going to university than ever before (only for the privileged few in my day). There are still inner-city problems with overcrowding, and youth issues, but that's pretty much true here as well.

Which brings me back to the question for those recently arrived and the ones waiting - what are your reasons for wanting to leave the UK? I really am interest to know. Partly because I have been thinking of moving back there!!

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

this is purely my reason for leaving, and i appreciate people will dissagree but

we left as we had reached a stage inlife where our business in the uk was being affected by the turn in the NHS laws regarding dentistry, my husband was being restricted in how much he could charge , the dentists were moaning they were not making enough money , so we are here now and he is doing the type of work he enjoys.
yes we had 4 weeks a year hols but not everyone can afford holidays abroad , there are alot of people struggling with money issues , credit is easy to get and unfortuneatley many people are in debt with this. The road tax on big cars was increased again so it does not pay to go big . houses do not sell quickly as i think some people on here are realising.
we moved with two teenagers who would not go back for any money , i feel comfortable here , there are many issues which are a struggle but you get that at home ,
so , i think the move was not monetry gain , fantastic life style , we just felt , life in the uk was getting stale , we were bored , and my husband could do and be appreciated for the work he does , cosmetic dentistry !

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

We're here for more money and a shorter working week for Mr B.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Surely it comes down to a belief that one can buy more stuff in Canada; the lust for objects being tempered only by fear of America. The desire to go home, otoh, is fuelled by the view that there may be more to life than consumer durables. Canada; the place for philistine wimps.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I came because the opportunity arose and I was young and single enough to not want to go through life wondering "what if".

I stay cos I got paid 50% more (probably no longer true?) and have a more interesting varied job, but mainly because (apart from liking it here) I can afford to own a reasonable house here with a nice big yard. In the UK even working in a reponsible engineering position I still lived in a house shared with a bundh of others to make ends meet. There are many other things I like, but thats the biggie.

Im not sure I consider myself a philistine wimp, but dbd must as hes lived here longer than most posters here.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Someone ran over my car whilst we were in it - £3000 of damage and 3 weeks to fix, we haven't gone out after dark since and really living in fear of yobs tends to annoy you after a while.

Plus, I did voluntary work for three years & came to the conclusion that you either need to be very rich or quite poor - the middle classes are being taxed into oblivion.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Its far simpler in Canada for sure ;)

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

My primary motivation was to be with my mrs. But obviously if I loved the UK that much, I would have chosen that over her, but these are the reasons why that didn't happen (in no particular order):

*Crime - ridiculous. Nothing more to be said. Releasing prisoners early because there's no room? Unreal.

*Immigration - out of control. And that's just it - i'm not anti-immigration (i'd be a hypocrite if I was), but i'd like to see some element of control.

*Housing Market - could never afford a house by myself. Would like a share of my parents when they go, but we'll probably have to sell it if they need care, since they did the dishonourable thing by working hard and paying tax all their lives.

*Tony Blair - Lying, arrogant toerag. Cares more about building himself a legacy on the world stage than issues at home. Ignores the opinions of the vast majority of his own country. Keeps getting back into power through a lucky combination of no decent opposition, and the fact he looks after the unemployed layabout dossers who can actually have the spare time to vote on polling day. And his teeth annoy me. His wife is also evil and very, very unpleasing on the eyes.

*Injustice - Call me simple, but I get enraged when I read the Sun online and see some drunken unemployed idiot has crashed a stolen car without a licence or insurance into an innocent child and killed him/her. And then gets 5 weeks for it.
Meanwhile, decent, hard-working people pay taxes on anything, never claim it back, get stung by taxes all over the place, and are hounded down by speed cameras everywhere.

*General Stupidity - Wanting to tax people on their emissions and restrict flying? Give me a break. Next day sending Government workers for a conference about the Internet to Athens (when they could have discussed via the Internet)? Hypocracy of the highest order. Man Utd getting lottery cash to improve the fitness of their staff while war vets are refused a trip to lay some poppies? Couldn't make it up.

Yes, I just admitted that I still read the Sun, but you get the vibe.

The best part about it all - I love reading the Have Your Say section of the BBC News website, and every day there's a new thing for people to moan about. "I'll be leaving soon", "i'm emigrating", "Canada here I come". Well, I didn't moan, I just did it. And i've never looked back.

I don't moan about the cost of living, compare how it is to back home, gripe when I think the Canadians aren't being nice to me.

I like it here, and i'm going to stay. I'm actually quite, quite happy!

As many people have said - it's what you make of it, and whatever you put in you're sure to get back.

In the UK I felt I was putting in, but getting nothing back...

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Firstly, I don't dislike UK! :o
Personally I fell in love with the place (BC) about 10 years ago and made inquiries then, but I could not get the points so I studied, got qualifications and well, here we are "In Process". :p
Each and every time we go over, it feels like going home (Even when I flew this year for 2 months and left the OH in UK. :rolleyes: )
BC is like a BIG Scotland in geographical terms anyway!
We have sold our house and invested some of that in rental properties in BC, so we have income when we do get over there!
Before someone jumps on and does the "rose tinted glasses" speach, YES I do realise that its different when its not a holiday, YES I do realise its not easy to get established etc.
We have family over here, so we have that support and experience to jelp us get settled etc.
We're doing this with our eyes WIDE open and with a LOT of investigation and information!
HTH
Kenny

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

You've mentioned the rations and benefits thing before. I'm curious, as a professional engineer in UK surely you could earn a reasonable wodge? Ok, most of my en-jun-ear friends back home are in Automotive and most in management in one way or another and earn pretty well. I'd agree that your Canadian salary might allow a better lifestyle, certainly in terms of house, but you'd be in a pretty good situation in (y)uk surely?

Anyway, back to the OP's question. As I've stated before I'm here 'cos of the missus and cos I like the place. The ability to afford a house that even with a good wage in UK I could never have bought played a big part of that. Had the missus been from Alberta or BC then perhaps the move wouldn't have made quite so much sense.

I am certainly a phillistine and very probably a wimp although aside from AX Towers and a big screen TV I have fewer toys (as yet) than in UK where at least I had a boat. This is of course a state I hope to change as I really do need an ATV and plow to keep the drive clear in the winter! :D

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Possibly not the tax system! That looks quite a challenge. :D

But seriously, the benefits system is so complicated here, it just doesn't work well for the vulnerable and it can be abused easily.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I met one of those crazy Canadian girls. She said move to Canada or I'll beat you. Having moved to Canada, she still beats me.

Seriously though, I never considered moving to Canada before i met my girlfriend, but I have to say it was the best decision I ever made.

Although I here voices at night whispering in my ear, they say "where's my engagement ring". Any one else had this phenomena? Crazy.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

No, I meant in canada only the wealthy have the easy life.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I hear that all the time, don't worry about it. Ignore it, and it will go away. For a few weeks.

Want to go for a pint? :p

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Good plan. I find drinking 10 pints before bed makes it go away. I tell the voices that since I'm having to give all my money to Steven Harper for my PR, it'll have to wait. He needs all the immigration money so he can have his sexy parties in Ottawa. And I can't begrudge the man that!

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I can't stand the guy either, but I wouldn't put him down as a reason to leave the UK, after all he's out of a job next year! My gripe is what this government has done over the last 10 years which is likely to have long lasting implications for the UK. Won't go into too much detail, but if you look behind the spin induced sound bites, this government has done things that will take the UK years and years to recover from. High house prices/massive debt/pensions etc etc.

Enough of that. My main reason is to try something different. Both my wife and I want to experience other cultures. I've reached a point in my career where I feel I want a new challenge, so has my wife. Having a three year old son makes us focus on doing what's best for him as well.

I don't want to sit down when I'm 70, regretting not having lived life to the full. An opportunity to come to Canada, hopefully improve our quality of life, make new friends and hopefully make a positive contribution is what drives me .

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Stephen Harper and "sexy" in the same paragraph? Ive seen everything now. Did I miss something :confused:

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Admit it. You are me.

In my case, the bird had been banging on for 8 years about having an "ownership" ring. I never quite got round to it. A few months ago, while we were walking around the Byward Market in Ottawa, she suddenly bought a cheap silver thingy off a stall and announced that it was her wedding ring. I thought I was off the hook.

The next day, she took it into a jeweller and told him make her one just like it in white and yellow gold.

I still get the whispering in the ear, except it's not related to rings but to snoring. And she doesn't whisper.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I'm not going to tell you my personal opinions of Harper (probably get me banned from the forum) and his lot, they still owe me $485!

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

With all that make-up he works? The ladies love him! ;) haha i was quoting the famous Stewie Griffin.

He does seem to have put on a lot of weight though. I have suspicions of how the Landing Fee coffers are being spent.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Have you married her yet? I just wondered how people with family in Canada and the UK decide on wedding locations. Sounds like a logistical nightmare. I was thinking Iceland as a fair mid-point. Better than my girlfriends suggestions of TWO weddings!

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

WTF?

"Ownership" Ring?!?!?! :eek:

Isn't that what you put on your pet's collar in case it runs off?

Oh mate, you've been stitched up good and proper!

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Locally, they prefer Belinda.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

We went to Vegas. Elvis did a fine and dandy job. Young, sexy elvis...not fat old elvis. The wedding nearly didnt happen ;) :D

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I've (note - not we) decided that when we get married, we'll do it in a far-away location that costs a lot to get to. And then make people travel there on their own wad.

Gets rid of her seemingly never-ending pool of freeloading aunts/uncles and cousins, and basically guarantees only decent people will attend. Think of it as like a high entrance/cover charge to an exclusive nightclub.

This needs to be done not only because I could never afford her dream wedding if I lived to be 300, but her huge family and friends outweigh mine back home by a ratio of approx 20:1.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

We've often talked about it. We both like the idea of being married, even though we've both been married before. It's the prospect of the actual marriage that puts us off.

Odds are, if we ever bother, it'll be a quiet affair somewhere warm and without families. Just a simple affirmation of love as I gently slip my bank card into her hand on a more formal basis.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Vegas it is then...ideal. A wedding package will cost you about $500 for video, pictures, limo, flowers, webcam etc etc, and if people show up they will have fun,...if they dont, who cares, they can watch it on the webcam from the comfort of there own homes...they cant argue they were excluded. Lots of cheap accomodation for those that do make the trip too.

Plus, did I mention you can get married by Elvis ;) UhHuh, Thankyouverymuch.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

EWWWWW

:D

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I had this conversation with a bunch of ex-pat old-timers a few years ago. One said exactly what you said, that the UK was totally different back then and he couldn't really see big economic reasons for moving to Canada now. I replied that i didn't come to canada to escape anything bad, really it's an opportunity for me to experience different things in life. When you see the modern UK, that's what youngsters are doing more and more! with the gap year, and so on. They are being actively encouraged to 'get on the boat', so to speak, but not to escape unemployment or rolling blackouts etc. Just to grow up and become more rounded individuals!!!

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I liked the idea of being married and couldn't stand the thought of a wedding day but finally had a do for 29 people - spent about £750 all in on a meal the night before so people could meet each other and a 3-course lunch in a nice, quiet country hotel. Everyone was pretty well behaved and it was ok, though I should have chilled a bit and then I might have enjoyed it.

I love being married which irritates me a bit as I thought I was quite happy co-habiting!

My sister just had two friends as witnesses and and had real laugh - arrived at Marlyborne Reg Office in a Karma Cab playing the calvary charge on it's horn......if I had my time again, I'd do the Elvis in Vegas thing! :D

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

We came here for so many reasons... In no particular order:

• To get away from the overcrowding
• To be mortgage free with money in the bank
• To give our children a better life style and to allow them the chance of getting on the property ladder if they want to (average UK house prices now over £200,000!)
• To live on one salary so the children don't spend 10 hours a day in childcare and the weekend are free from shopping trips/other mundane stuff
• For a more balanced approach to education

Sure company holidays are shorter, but in the OH's case, it's three weeks basic plus bank holidays, plus every minute of overtime is logged and taken as flexitime which easily produces at least another week or two per year.

I was back in the UK a few weeks ago, everything seens shiny and new, but lots of my friends were living on credit. I own (outright) my house, my vehicles etc and I don't work. I could never do that at 37 in the UK.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Do what we did. Slip of to the Caribbean and get married on the beach. Far cheaper and no squabbling families :)

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Hmm, I'd have trouble doing that now, and I'm 60!

Seriously, I really appreciated the feedback (before the thread got highjacked, I mean!) and it's given me lots to think about. We have been so seriously considering moving back there, I wanted some honest answers about why people are leaving these days. I have to say we have loved Canada, and I think where I live is truly God's country. Not sure where this urge to go back came from, maybe it's the old age thing kicking in!

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I don't really qualify as I was going to be leaving the sceptered isles for the same reasons as most of the gents in this thread, but no longer (from the sounds coming from the OP's I made a lucky escape...)

..But I'd like to try BUNAC for a year, or go and study there for all the reasons already posted about seeing the world. There is nothing inherently bad, or rather necessarily worse, here in the UK than anywhere else imho. Opportunities here are ten-a-penny, I do not have to have a degree to earn above the average wage at 21 years old, and people all over the continent (not just the newbie Eastern bits) come here to work, experience the, I think, unique culture and lifestyle on offer (though I do hear that the French then whinge on about the British having a distinct lack of joie-de-vivre. Something that, again I hear, they feel the Canadians have in abundance.)

The music scene here is bloody great though :D I'm not sure many decent bands visit Alberta and that, if I ever do leave for good, I will miss.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I think the [rural] UK would be a good place to retire for a number of reasons.
One problem i can think of is Pensions. Would you have enough from your Canadian funds to sustain a comfortable way of retired life in the UK?

The other thing is Family. Where are your network of relatives? In Canada or the UK?

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

I don't have a dramatic reason, I just want to live somewhere else for a bit. We'll either stay in Canada, or try South America/Italy after a few years. We're childfree and not that attached to our families, so we should be able to go wherever, really (subject to good health etc).

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Been there, done that, got the decree absolute.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

Even rural Uk has quite high house prices and a fair degree of yob/drug culture.

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

It's really interesting to see the different reasons people move out, but it looks like we are different again. For us its about gaining time & space. We don't expect to miss the family as neither of us have parents alive, kids are all grown up and flown abroad so we only see them once or twice a year now, you should see the phone bills though :eek: Now we are looking to move into semi retirement. Yes I'm still in my 40s (just). So we are buying a seasonal campsite that gives us the winter off to do the snowbird thing.

We fully expect to be living on less than we do now in UK but as a previous poster said, we won't have/want the toys. We won't need to run need two cars as work is home and off course no mortgage. We currently run a boat, a collection of motorbikes, all needing tax, insurance & MOT. Why do we need all htis stuff :confused:

The South East is just so busy now and we hate it. Every time we want to go anywhere its just jam after jam and I absolutely hate that commute to work. We just want a small village life. Don't use cinemas, bars, shopping malls - God I hate shopping :mad: We are looking forward to living in the smallest of communities.

I guess we could accomplish what we want by moving to rural Scotland or Wales and we did live outside of Aberdeen for a few years back in the 80s. It was the best place I have ever lived. However OH posted to Alberta for 2 years in 80s and we have been trying to get back ever since.
Of course gaining $ for £ really helps too
.
I will miss not being able to pop over to France/Dublin/Barcelona/Rome,and all those other places you can get to on cheap flights, but hope to replace it with winter in Arizona/New Mexico/California.

I am not sure if I would have been brave enough to do it while my Dad was still alive and I really sympathise with those of you struggling with homesickness. For me its just another great big adventure. In the last 20 years we have moved from London to Peterborough to Aberdeen, Cumbria and Sussex. Each time a new town, no friends/family nearby but it was so exciting to be going somewhere new with all the new places to explore. Very much a state of mind isn't it? Nothing in this life is permanent and if it doesn't work out, don't think of it as going back, think of it as moving on. Even if you are moving on to somewhere you have been before. Good luck to one & all :)

Re: Motivation - really curious to know
 

well people still cant afford it but the credit cards help, and people are in more debt keeping up with the jones'

People come out of university without a job and in debt, sometimes too many people qualify and end up fighting for the jobs in their field

I earn a poor wage for what I have to pay out in living expenses alone, but I have no quality of life either, but my next door neighbour is jobless and gets a free flat. But he seems to be able to afford new clothes, mobile phones and goes out to the pub frequently, where as most of my income is spent on mortgage and bills I dont even have a credit card so I struggle.

I can't even afford to move to a bigger place so I'm a bit stuck, so thats why I'm searching for a lifestyle change....Hoping to find it soon......

I get 20 days holiday a year and struggle to afford to go on holidays my first holiday in 10 years was my trip to Canada, so yeah the time off is great but I cant afford to use them wisely.

Talking about overcrowding thats another chapter in my book but to cut it short I have to see a dentist "NOW" but cant as there are none available to fix my pain, as there are too many people and not enough dentists.


I read this back and it's sound terrible but I still think that the UK has some good points but it depends on your personal circumstances



Emma