Originally Posted by Steve_

Reading the OP's post it sounds like yet another person who moved to the back end of beyond who is surprised to find they live in the back end of beyond. Nearly-nowhere-Nova-Scotia is where you retire to.

Calgary can be pretty dull but it ain't that dull.

Originally Posted by Cookie

People here in rural NS seem to be very happy socialising with their family and friends at the cottage, out boating or relaxing at the beach and firing up the BBQ in their backyard in the summer because there is no need to go anywhere else really since the weather is fab. Local events also seem very well attended so they make the most of what goes on in their community.

I have asked many Canadian friends if they won a large sum of money would they move elsewhere and nearly all have said no. It must be very nice to be so happy and content with your life - quite enviable really. Not everyone needs adventure to feel fulfilled.

Me, I love to travel and if I won a bucket load of money then I want to travel the world very slowy

Originally Posted by AlmostThere12

That will soooo be me this summer, when I spend a couple of days in Edmonton on the way back from camping in the Rockies!

Originally Posted by anders101

Argh! I am so jealous and I can't find a green with envy emoticon. I am sure it will be the highlight of your trip.....

Originally Posted by anders101

I have thought long and hard about what it was that stimulated me in the UK that I cannot get here. We have always been quite self sufficient with finding our own entertainment. It is not that we look for 'laid on activities as such.' In the UK I suppose we visited different towns/rural places at weekends, visited family and had weekend breaks cheaply when we desired. A villa in Spain etc was affordable every now and again and there was just a variety of 'stuff' to do. I would love to be able to do trips to Toronto, or drive to America for short breaks' The distances are just too far to drive and the flights are just too damn expensive. I would just like the option to get away if desired. Also I am sure along with so many Brits I miss the 'banter.' The Nova Scotians are particularly insular. Many have never left the Province so any sort of comment/joke involving the most simple lateral thinking falls on stony ground. I have colleagues who come from different areas of Canada who seem to have a bit more 'life experience' and I can have interesting conversation with (often even involving humour!) I always used to look forward to staffroom talk in the UK. Even if we had not done anything ourselves at the weekend, others would share their experiences and it was interesting. Here, post weekend talk involves who run the furthest, what bootcamp they attended, what flavour of cookie dough is on sale this week and what is offer in the flyers. No one actually seems to do anything of interest. I have friends in Ontario, and they seem to be off doing stuff all the time.

Right now.....even the thought to a trip to Ikea fills me full of endorphines to the point I feel I might act inappropriately with euphoria if I ever actually got there again!

Originally Posted by Steve_

Well the second hit I get in Google when I type in: "Nova Scotia economy" is this: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle16832235/ which says NS has had a 20-year decline in its economy.

So not exactly a secret.

Originally Posted by AlmostThere12

It will be the man-made highlight of our trip. I think it will be tied 1st with The Old Spaghetti Factory, brings back memories of our 1st night in Canada!

Where are you looking at moving to? I know what you mean about isolation. Flights are so costly. At least we have the benefit of being a few hours drive in each direction of interesting places. You can research til you're blue-in-the-face but it will ever be liking actually living somewhere. Also, every families experience and likes are different. At least you gave it a darned good try.

Originally Posted by anders101

Thanks, I think 4 years is a respectable time and we gave it a good shot,. It has not all been bad. (only recently) Anyway, onwards and upwards! Looking forward to our next adventure. OH has had a couple of interviews in Ontario and I have sat the relevant qualification modifications specific to that province. Looking forward to the new challenges

Originally Posted by Cookie

Yes, circumstances change and when it's sink or swim I would definitely swim too. Good luck

Originally Posted by Lamin

I moved from Alberta for all those reasons, bored, depressed I think and the long endless winter------ and I skied twice a week.

Winnipeg and Edmonton I frequented regularly with work---- you couldn't pay me to live there.

BC-- bring cash!!!

About to give up on it all before homing in on NS, yes there are challenges but for us we have found our peice of Canada!!!!!

A day on a beautiful beach, feeling the sea breeze, walking the Halifax board walk, saying hello to a local and still chatting 20 minutes later, eating lobster, hiking or whale watching, having a house that comes with a parking space, watching the tall ships, tattoo, festivals, going to wineries, 45 minutes from skiing, deep sea fishing and a host of kids activities that they wouldn't, couldn't do so easily in the Uk------- batten down for the worst part of winter then enjoy the rest!!!

Everybody is different, with different needs and outlooks----- we found our place.

Will it be home for ever---- I doubt it as we explore and change but for now it suits and fits the requirements.

Originally Posted by anders101

I have thought long and hard about what it was that stimulated me in the UK that I cannot get here. We have always been quite self sufficient with finding our own entertainment. It is not that we look for 'laid on activities as such.' In the UK I suppose we visited different towns/rural places at weekends, visited family and had weekend breaks cheaply when we desired. A villa in Spain etc was affordable every now and again and there was just a variety of 'stuff' to do. I would love to be able to do trips to Toronto, or drive to America for short breaks' The distances are just too far to drive and the flights are just too damn expensive. I would just like the option to get away if desired. Also I am sure along with so many Brits I miss the 'banter.' The Nova Scotians are particularly insular. Many have never left the Province so any sort of comment/joke involving the most simple lateral thinking falls on stony ground. I have colleagues who come from different areas of Canada who seem to have a bit more 'life experience' and I can have interesting conversation with (often even involving humour!) I always used to look forward to staffroom talk in the UK. Even if we had not done anything ourselves at the weekend, others would share their experiences and it was interesting. Here, post weekend talk involves who run the furthest, what bootcamp they attended, what flavour of cookie dough is on sale this week and what is offer in the flyers. No one actually seems to do anything of interest. I have friends in Ontario, and they seem to be off doing stuff all the time.

Right now.....even the thought to a trip to Ikea fills me full of endorphines to the point I feel I might act inappropriately with euphoria if I ever actually got there again!

Originally Posted by manitobain

lol ..don't they all? (act inappropriately with euphoria at Ikea ..that is?) I have seen strange things there ....

so what's so special in Toronto or America? other than ppl crowding you?

Sounds as if you need to move closer to a city.. ?

Originally Posted by BEVS

Substitute NZ ( New Zealand) for NS and then I could have written that post.

Originally Posted by Steve_

Well the second hit I get in Google when I type in: "Nova Scotia economy" is this: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle16832235/ which says NS has had a 20-year decline in its economy.

So not exactly a secret.