Motivation - really curious to know
Nov 9th 2006 | 7:09 am
#31
Dismember
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 0
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by AnnetteM
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!!
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!!
- 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
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.
Nov 9th 2006 | 7:21 am
#32
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,709
From: Flat Oxfordshire
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by Souvenir
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.
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.
Nov 9th 2006 | 7:24 am
#33
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 165
From: Lower Mainland, B.C.
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by ziggy8080
We came here for so many reasons... In no particular order:
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.
- 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
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.
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!
Nov 9th 2006 | 7:47 am
#34
Islander
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 953
From: Toronto, woo!
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
I'm not sure many decent bands visit Alberta and that, if I ever do leave for good, I will miss.
..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
I'm not sure many decent bands visit Alberta and that, if I ever do leave for good, I will miss.
Nov 9th 2006 | 7:47 am
#35
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,238
From: Colorado Springs
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by AnnetteM
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!
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!
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?
Nov 9th 2006 | 7:56 am
#36
Pinko lentil-hugger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 273
From: London
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).
Nov 9th 2006 | 8:06 am
#37
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by Posidrive
Do what we did. Slip of to the Caribbean and get married on the beach. Far cheaper and no squabbling families
Been there, done that, got the decree absolute.
Nov 9th 2006 | 8:17 am
#38
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 959
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by neill
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?
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?
Nov 9th 2006 | 8:31 am
#39
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 288
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 
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
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
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
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
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
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
Last edited by BC Hopefuls; Nov 9th 2006 at 8:36 am.
Nov 9th 2006 | 9:27 am
#40
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,656
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by AnnetteM
I really am curious to know what it is that motivates people to emigrate from the UK to Canada these days.
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.
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.
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
Nov 9th 2006 | 4:44 pm
#41
Lotus-eater
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,069
From: Cascadian Autonomous Elysian Region
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Left (Y)UK due to:
Tiresome yob/chav/scum culture
Stressed out people, road rage, angst, rudeness
General quality of life deteriorating
Social/racial tensions, media ranting, etc
Negative depressing inward looking regressive people
Pub/beer culture
Crappy weather
Attracted to Canada/BC for:
Four seasons of weather
Leisure opportunities
West coast/mentalist lifestyle
Travel, live life, experience a different culture/lifestyle
Test ourselves outside of our known comfort zone
Opportunity for personal growth
Meet new people, learn new stuff
Do things we never used to
Migrate, while we could
Safer environment
Slower pace of life
Space: to live, to grow, to play
Revitalise, find new energy and inspiration
Find happiness
So far 14 months in, all is going to plan
Life: is very good 
Rich.
Tiresome yob/chav/scum culture
Stressed out people, road rage, angst, rudeness
General quality of life deteriorating
Social/racial tensions, media ranting, etc
Negative depressing inward looking regressive people
Pub/beer culture
Crappy weather
Attracted to Canada/BC for:
Four seasons of weather
Leisure opportunities
West coast/mentalist lifestyle
Travel, live life, experience a different culture/lifestyle
Test ourselves outside of our known comfort zone
Opportunity for personal growth
Meet new people, learn new stuff
Do things we never used to
Migrate, while we could
Safer environment
Slower pace of life
Space: to live, to grow, to play
Revitalise, find new energy and inspiration
Find happiness
So far 14 months in, all is going to plan
Life: is very good
Rich.
Last edited by Rich_007; Nov 9th 2006 at 4:46 pm.
Nov 9th 2006 | 6:30 pm
#42
Suzy Q
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 355
From: AIRDIRE, ALBERTA,CANADA!!!!!
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by Lionel_in_Ontario
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...
*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...
Reasons are absolutely spot on and echo my sentiments.
I complete my 22 year sentence with British Army in May 2007, hoping to get to Calgary area in April 2007 as we had updated info request 01 Nov 2006. You can add to your reasons: feel like a second class citizen in the country of my birth, proud to have served Queen and country (NOT GOVERNMENT), and don't want my two little girls to grow up and despise UK like I now do!
I will just tell them about the good old days?
Best wishes
Steven
Nov 9th 2006 | 6:43 pm
#43
C'est correck
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 839
From: La Prairie, nr Montréal
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
We're moving to Canada because we're bored with where we are! We've lived in Brussels for 8 years and have decided that we've done all there is to do here.
Plus points about moving to Canada:
- new things to discover
- new cultures to discover and understand
- better education for my daughter (don't like Belgian "it's not my fault"ism)
- more fluid employment market and more flexibility in recruitment
- fabulous food from all over the world
- Canadian wine
- a more "positive - can do" culture
What we'll miss when we leave:
- Belgian health service is excellent
- proximity to Paris and France in general - London too
- cheap wine
- our house location is pretty convient for many things
- European cultural mix
As most people reading teh forum are from the UK, we'd actually be happy to move to the UK too, it's just on balance we preferred Canada so set our sights high. We have no problems with immigration living in a city that attracts immigrants and having the intention of moving to an immigration-based country.
The other concerns about moving to the UK is that we probably couldn' afford private education in the required timeframe and the health service is not so great. Also, having seen the state of spelling and grammar amongst graduates when I was working in the UK this year, I was concerned about the standard of education.
What attracted us to the UK: is the multiculturalism, work ethic, working environment, all things there are to do (tourism, National Trust etc).
C2006
Plus points about moving to Canada:
- new things to discover
- new cultures to discover and understand
- better education for my daughter (don't like Belgian "it's not my fault"ism)
- more fluid employment market and more flexibility in recruitment
- fabulous food from all over the world
- Canadian wine
- a more "positive - can do" culture
What we'll miss when we leave:
- Belgian health service is excellent
- proximity to Paris and France in general - London too
- cheap wine
- our house location is pretty convient for many things
- European cultural mix
As most people reading teh forum are from the UK, we'd actually be happy to move to the UK too, it's just on balance we preferred Canada so set our sights high. We have no problems with immigration living in a city that attracts immigrants and having the intention of moving to an immigration-based country.
The other concerns about moving to the UK is that we probably couldn' afford private education in the required timeframe and the health service is not so great. Also, having seen the state of spelling and grammar amongst graduates when I was working in the UK this year, I was concerned about the standard of education.
What attracted us to the UK: is the multiculturalism, work ethic, working environment, all things there are to do (tourism, National Trust etc).
C2006
Nov 10th 2006 | 4:03 am
#44
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 193
From: edinburgh , scotland
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by Canada2006
We're moving to Canada because we're bored with where we are! We've lived in Brussels for 8 years and have decided that we've done all there is to do here.
Plus points about moving to Canada:
- new things to discover
- new cultures to discover and understand
- better education for my daughter (don't like Belgian "it's not my fault"ism)
- more fluid employment market and more flexibility in recruitment
- fabulous food from all over the world
- Canadian wine
- a more "positive - can do" culture
What we'll miss when we leave:
- Belgian health service is excellent
- proximity to Paris and France in general - London too
- cheap wine
- our house location is pretty convient for many things
- European cultural mix
As most people reading teh forum are from the UK, we'd actually be happy to move to the UK too, it's just on balance we preferred Canada so set our sights high. We have no problems with immigration living in a city that attracts immigrants and having the intention of moving to an immigration-based country.
The other concerns about moving to the UK is that we probably couldn' afford private education in the required timeframe and the health service is not so great. Also, having seen the state of spelling and grammar amongst graduates when I was working in the UK this year, I was concerned about the standard of education.
What attracted us to the UK: is the multiculturalism, work ethic, working environment, all things there are to do (tourism, National Trust etc).
C2006
Plus points about moving to Canada:
- new things to discover
- new cultures to discover and understand
- better education for my daughter (don't like Belgian "it's not my fault"ism)
- more fluid employment market and more flexibility in recruitment
- fabulous food from all over the world
- Canadian wine
- a more "positive - can do" culture
What we'll miss when we leave:
- Belgian health service is excellent
- proximity to Paris and France in general - London too
- cheap wine
- our house location is pretty convient for many things
- European cultural mix
As most people reading teh forum are from the UK, we'd actually be happy to move to the UK too, it's just on balance we preferred Canada so set our sights high. We have no problems with immigration living in a city that attracts immigrants and having the intention of moving to an immigration-based country.
The other concerns about moving to the UK is that we probably couldn' afford private education in the required timeframe and the health service is not so great. Also, having seen the state of spelling and grammar amongst graduates when I was working in the UK this year, I was concerned about the standard of education.
What attracted us to the UK: is the multiculturalism, work ethic, working environment, all things there are to do (tourism, National Trust etc).
C2006
in the uk we feel its all about how much debt the goverment can wrap you up in to make sure you continue to work and pay taxes for evermore.
even as a canny scot who can avoid credit cards etc cant escape property debt which is a good enough noose round the neck
i have three kids who all love the outdoors and i feel the moving experience will be as good for them as for us and hopefully give them the confidence to look further afield in the future.
i have been self employed since the age of 18 and at 41 feel that i need to lift my head up and have a look around
i am sure when away from the uk we will look back and remember the good parts but i would like to hope i find some new experiences as well.
Nov 10th 2006 | 7:22 am
#45
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 344
Re: Motivation - really curious to know
Originally Posted by AnnetteM
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!!
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!!
We went through that disaster in the early 80s- very little in terms of jobs and we also see a different standard back in the UK now compared to way back then. We have several friends who have returned, having taken early retirement, and are very happy with the new UK.
