Firstly, don't let this thread discourage anyone wanting to emigrate to Calgary, it has superb outdoor family activities to offer, and there is lots of work available. We came out from the UK last year in september (myself, wife and two teenage boys), but it has not worked out as expected. The boys just haven't settled in, as they left a lot of friends behind. As the boys are not happy, my wife has found life here, as exciting and varied as it has been, very difficult, having left behind a lot of family, and becauae they are all not happy, I am finding it difficult to settle, so it looks like we may be looking to go back in the summer. We have a fully furnished 4 bed house and two cars to dispose of before we can do that. We live in Cochrane, a town about 20 minutes from the outskirts of the city, any one moving over interested in buying a ready made 'home', please message me.

It will be said many times, but I don't think you have given it long enough ( with the proviso that I do not know your circumstances ).

im amazed by the number of people who sell up lock stock and barrel and then after six months decide they dont like it and want to go home..did you try a six month trial before buying in Canada?

I am soo with the others - at 6months I would have been on the first plane home - But I stayed with the family for a year,now 2 and a bit years on - we all love it!

yes there are things we miss from the Uk , but visits back suffice

I moved with young children who adapt very easily. Teenagers are much more unpredictable. I agree that perhaps you need to give it more time but only you can really know if that's possible in your situation. Doesn't help you now but I strongly recommend renting instead of buying when you first move.

We moved with 3 children and had we listened solely to them (the older 2) we would have had trouble settling. We have been here over 3 years now and have taken the kids back 'home' for a visit and they enjoyed it, but it's not their home anymore........

I'm not saying for one moment to ignore your kids, but if they feel mum and dad are unsettled too it'll feed their unhappiness.

Remember the reasons you made such a huge change in your life - things take time. I myself would have left within the first year, so I know how homesickness can kick in.

Perhaps if the 'carrot' of returning was removed, they would settle sooner? We said we'd give it 2 years, if anyone was unhappy then, that would be the time to re-assess. Six months really isn't very long at all and while I don't know your circumstances I hope you make the right choice for you and your family and not one that in another 6-12 months you would regret for not having hung in there a bit longer.

Good luck to you

Sorry to hear you are all struggling. The weather, no doubt has not made things look any better. We are having a particularly late winter this year even though we didnt have snow on the ground until November.

If it makes you feel any better loads of my Canadian friends are getting down in the dumps too. The best cure - a trip somewhere warm. Seriously these people know what they're doing going somewhere hot in the middle of winter, it really does help break things up. I've been a couple of times now and it makes such a difference!

At least give it the summer first. Take some trips and go exploring.

Seriously though, from a financial standpoint this is going to be a massive expense and if you are sure, great. There are a few people who have jumped too soon, only to realise they've made a mistake and then spend $$$ trying to get back here.

I wish you luck in whatever you decide but maybe hang on & give it a few more months?

Helen

You took the words right out of my mouth, 6 months is just not long enough to decide that.
There are lots of other places to try, we are thinking of trying somewhere else too, just because it hasn't worked out for you there it might somewhere else. Good luck though with whatever you decide!

Calgary is not for everybody.. but maybe stay another 6 months just to be sure?

Moving here is a big investment, you might as well get your money's worth.

If you're still not happy after 1 year, then get out while you can. Otherwise you'll end up like me and stuck here for 10 years, LOL!

If you only had six months to live would you want those to be in Calgary?

I know several families who were in your situation - moved back to England - couldn't settle there and came back to Canada within the year - you need to give it two years before giving up.

Sorry to hear that. You moved though at a time of year which was heading into the winter period and so that may have a big bearing on all of your "blues". I know that once summer is here and the weather starts warming up things start looking better again. Are your boys socialising with other kids, what about joining a local soccer league? That may help and they would probably be very popular for their unique UK skills in this regard....... just a thought....

Totaly agree with all the above especially about the weather.

This winter has been bloody long and it's still here . If it's affordable get on a plane for even a week to somewhere warm - you'll all come back renewed!!!!!

When the weather picks up and the boys can hang out outside with their friends it will be different!

The other thing I was wondering about is .... what is Cochrane like for teenage boys .... especially over a long and snowy winter??

I don't think we would have chosen it for just that reason ... ours were 14 and 19 when we came out here, and being close to the C-train and good bus routes, when neither of them were driving has been a godsend!

They have made good friends at school and Uni, and have no problems connecting up with them to go to local hockey rinks, concerts in town, pubs (now!), or just to hang out. I think Cochrane has that small-town feel, which is probably fine for couples and younger kids, but it makes it difficult for older ones to "mix and mingle", especially if they are not mobile, and opportunities for doing so may be limited.

So first you have to decide not to jack it all in ... (unless you've all already decided, and of course that's your prerogative, ..... but you are asking for advice here??). See what it is that's the biggest problem. Maybe things will improve with the weather, but I suspect that they may not.

I'm not knocking Cochrane ... we might move out there when we are both retiring and the kids have left home , but is it good for teenagers, especially those who are new to the town and to the country?

Yes - of it was gonna cost a lot to go back to the Uk and then find out you have a further 6 months