Originally Posted by thepeacock

2) Much cheaper property

3) Not 1/4 as cramped.

Originally Posted by dbd33

I think this is only true if you move to the Canadian equivalent of Wales.

Originally Posted by thepeacock

I agree. The main reason I want to give Canada a go are:

1) Does seem a better work/life culture

2) Much cheaper property

3) Not 1/4 as cramped.

Stil lno-where is perfect and it's going to be hard.

Originally Posted by thepeacock

I agree. The main reason I want to give Canada a go are:

1) Does seem a better work/life culture

2) Much cheaper property

3) Not 1/4 as cramped.

Stil lno-where is perfect and it's going to be hard.

Originally Posted by iaink

So anywhere that is not Calgary, Toronto or Vancouver is like Wales

Originally Posted by sarah.lazell

Just thought I would randomly join in, not really sure which quote to reply to, but just want to mention that I live in the South of England, and love the community, the people and schools. We have our visas through for Canada and shall be coming over some time this year, but will be renting our home out, just in case we need to come back. I am quite hopeful, But always believe its what you make it, (of course money always helps). If anyone is thinking of coming back to the UK have a trip first, it is terribly competitive in the job market at the moment, I should know, my back ground was until recently HR/Recruitment, (now at home with children). Houses are extremely expensive, and everything is taxed, and dont forget if you want to drive 15 miles along the motorway, it will take you an hour in the traffic on a good day. Saying that, I am very happy here, and also hoping to be happy in Canada too.

Originally Posted by Martian75

I am also from the South of England, Hampshire as well. We also have a great life where we live, great friends and family and on the whole the community is lovely. Your story sounds very similar to ours, we are coming to Canada in April and are going to rent our house in the UK as a back-up, we are not going with rose-tinted glasses but are also not going hoping to live as we do here in Canada, we understand that it is a different way of life and are prepared to embrace that.
Whereabouts are you from and going to?

As for people moving back to the UK then I agree with you,sarah, houses have gone ridiculous and jobs are hard to find although things do seem to be improving. As for the traffic, well I spend an hour most weeks travelling 4 miles up the road. Our choice to leave the UK is a variety of things, we have a good life here however, we have become very dis-illusioned with the way the UK is run, the latest madness is the new tax on our home telephone line!! We are fed up with some of our taxes paying for the 'can't be arsed, i'll sit at home all day and have more kids whilst someone else pays for me' or the 'I know I'll have a baby at 16 instead of getting a job/going to college so that I'll be given a place to live' culture that we seem to be be breeding on a daily basis! We see a great country being ruined more and more each day by the men in suits who call themselves our Government and with an election round the corner can only see yet another party getting in who promise the earth but cannot actually deliver. We need someone with some balls who will let Britain stay Britain, not give the can't be arsed such an easy ride and not be afraid to say that 'anyone is more than welcome in our country but you must live by our way of life and accept our rules and regs' exactly like other countries do and are respected for! Anyway thats another rant.
Our main reason for leaving is because of the opportunity being given and the major worry of looking back and thinking 'what if'. Opportunities don't come along everyday during a lifetime, we have been given one and are going to grab it with both hands. You only live once! We are looking forward to our move and hope it will work out for us and hope we are making a good decision for our children as well. Britain is letting our youth down badly.

Originally Posted by Auld Yin

you won't get a neighbour talking to you over the garden fence!!!!

This may be your experience but it is definitely not mine or that of my family members and friends here.

Originally Posted by G77

I don't think xmas cards are a big thing here, so I wouldn't read too much into that....

Our neighbours are friendly enough, our son plays with their kids and we've been in each others houses.... When we asked them into our pool last summer they couldn't come around quick enough (they just have an inflatable one).