Originally Posted by Beaverquest (Post 4843165)

1991 and 1997 just checked on the net

i seem to remember a man utd game at pittodrie 1-1 draw (Theo Ten Caat goal) to mark the occasion; must have been the first tall ships
(also a city centre cycling race - marshall street covered in sand for uphill climb)

Originally Posted by Poppy2 (Post 4844006)

sarah_matt - we live on the North Island, in Wanganui. Its a small town, though they like to think its a city with 48,000! We have been here for 4 years, and it isnt for us, though moving to another place within NZ might have helped a little. Generally we are leaving because of the inequalities for foreign nationals working here, the backlash against skilled migrants, the level of poverty and such limited amenities. We came for an adventure and had one, its a great place, but not for us longterm. Also too far away from family and so long to fly here for them and the cost is prohibitive.

Why we chose NS..........not sure really, lots of reasons. We have never been to Canada, neither had we been to NZ. We like the fact that there is a rural feel to the province with the shops and amenities that we miss. The beaches that we love and the variety of places to go. Both of us work in Healthcare and could have gone anywhere, in time, but this great job came up for my husband and we went for it. Its only 6-8 hours from the UK, flights have cost from 90-400 GBP return. There are lots of outdoorsy stuff to do and plenty going on in the summer. Not to forget the cost of housing is far cheaper than other provinces.............though that goes along with lower incomes too.

We went to Wellington the other day, the capital of NZ. Now I have children and I like buying things for them if I go out shopping, I'm not much into stuff for myself. We went there, the apparent shopping centre for the lower North Island and there were 3 places where we could go and get a toy for the kids. We went to all 3 and came out empty handed, and in one instance, wanting to wash ourselves. Great shopping if you have a shoe fettish or are size 8 and want a powersuit for work.........otherwise not much going for it. So we are looking forward to having shops to go to (Toy'sRus is unthinkable to kiwis, they have no idea about that kind of scale), clothes shops for myself (being a larger figure) and nice restuarants.

Its another adventure and one we cant wait to start. Why do you like the sound of NS?

Originally Posted by Liana (Post 4793818)

There are lots of negative aspects posted about all places in Canada on this board, including myself- not sure why we aren't perhaps posting in the "Going back to the UK" forum.;)

However, obviously if people are unhappy, and others are not, it is not Canada that is the problem but all of us individually; we all have different aspects of life and sometimes it is obviously not working for some here.

There are many negative thoughts about Nova Scotia on this thread but having lived in 3 provinces and having children, who are now adults, having lived in 2 provinces, those unpleasant thoughts of Nova Scotia are no different to anywhere else in Canada. Some people like the system in each of the provinces and some don't.

Nova Scotia has crappy springs but better climate the other times than most other places in Canada. It has more history here and more culture but that isn't a great deal compared to European places unfortunately. It has a reasonable economy but nowhere near as good as Alberta- but climate and costs can be problematic there.

Healthwise-please check out the problems in the UK - not really any better but I do believe if we were in the US and on private insurance we would have a better deal. I don't like the healthcare system we have here in Canada and that applies to all the provinces I have had experience in. But my physicians are great- Ha! Ha! because they are not from Canada.

Newly trained doctors I find do not have the same empathy and caring that the older generation do and unfortunately I find with many of them not being Brits they have different responses because of their culture. This is everywhere in Canada though NOT just Nova Scotia.

If anyone is in any of the regulated professions there are plenty of good jobs around but unfortunately we all have to comply with the regulations and that applies all over Canada. There is a great deal of trade work available too.

I do know that lots of kids leave the province to work elsewhere but partly that is because of the isolation here in a large country. Bright kids- professionals and trades, need to get out and test their wings - they need to see other places in the country or the world but I do know of many who ultimately return to Nova Scotia after a few years because, like many of us, they do have an attachment to their home and family and perhaps miss it and see the positive parts of Nova Scotia compared to the rest of Canada.

I do feel sad for you Halifax Harpie- have you considered moving or why, as a nurse don't you get a job in the hospitals. I am sure you would have no problem getting that. It is a shame you are not happy also in Bedford but I can understand that too- I would not live there either but there are posters here who love that area and have lots of good things to say about it.

But all of the negative things we will hear can equally apply to elsewhere- it is up to us all to decide what to do and we have to experience it ourselves.

Originally Posted by Andrea&Mark (Post 4861951)

Hi there,

Just wanted to get your view on Bedford and why you wouldn't live there? we are visiting NS for a 2nd time in October, we paid a quick visit to Bedford and it seemed pretty good. Do you know something I should know?
Thanks for the info
Andrea