Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

Interesting comments in the recent "Do You Regret Moving" poll, but unfortunate that the actual poll was mixed up by conflicting questions.

Here's a re-poll but with the added dimension of UK regional origin.

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

I know many on here do, but I simply do not understand why anyone would live in Canada if they prefer the UK. I get it that some wish to live with their Canadian spouse and, therefore, wish to live here notwithstanding the fact that they prefer the UK. I also accept that some wish to return to the UK, but can't afford to do so, but I would imagine their number is very small.

I prefer it here. If I didn't, I would move.

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

Where's the poll ? My internet connection crashed just as I was about to submit. :(

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

Not sure how small it is. There definitely seems to be a divide between those who are completely content and "the rest". Money and standard of living and/or quality of life have a huge bearing. I think there are many on here that if they won the lottery in a big way, would be quite ready to move on, and perhaps be based back in Britain.

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

Me too! During my 31 years here in Ontario I have had about 8 trips back to the UK, mainly because of sick parents who are now deceased. There has been ZERO times when I felt I belonged there...even so soon after leaving in 1982 in my late 20's. I look out of the plane window (through the cloud and rain) as we descend...and all I can think is, "Why have I come back here again?".

I feel at home here in Canada. I like it here. I feel badly for my relatives that they can't just jump in an airplane and come and settle here too - I know most would in a heartbeat. And as you say, AlmostCanadian, if the day came when I preferred the UK to Canada I wouldn't stay here moaning!

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

i haven't decided yet! :)

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

After 26 years here......still miss aspects of UK life.....

But the answer comes easy.....Canada....

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

I love the old quaint pubs and the walks through bluebell woods, and I can always visit for that.
But... you would have to drag me kicking and screaming back there to live

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

I can't imagine that anyone who won the lottery would choose to live in Canada unless they'd been born in Canada and had never left. Canada isn't that sort of place.

It is, however, a good choice for many, it's safe and steady. Not a Ferrari of a country, more a badge engineered Vanden-Plas; comfortable with a few nice bits though overall a bit bland and derivative. A suitable place to spend one's middle age.

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

I like living in Canada. My life here is good.
I haven't lived in the UK for 5 years now. I suspect it has changed a bit.
Hard to say what my life would be like there now

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

Overall I prefer Canada. The biggest difference for me as a 20-something is that there are jobs here. Back home in N.Ireland there was part time shop work and little else.

I prefer the climate here - at least there are distinct seasons. Back home it was just slightly warm and rain or slightly cold and rain.

Canada has hockey which I love. And lots of snow which I love. The people seem to be easier going but a little bit more "bitchy" perhaps.

Back in the UK I prefer the food, the extra holiday time from work and the TV/internet/cell services are way better but it's not exactly "bad" in Canada.

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

At the moment, UK.

Though I do keep looking for the right place, will I find utopia? Time will tell.

Vancouver - no.
Niagara - maybe.
Calgary or Banff - perhaps? I'll keep looking for now.

Dreams and reality can be poles apart.

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

Really....another of these polls ?

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

That wasn't what I was referring to. I was referring to those that wish to return but can't afford the airfare.

Re: Prefer UK or Canada ?
 

I'd return to the UK in a heartbeat if my partner was up for it. Right now, I'm perfectly happy in Canada, I'm enjoying life here and, with our jobs and stuff, it just makes perfect sense to be here right now. However, the UK is and always will be home. I miss the architecture, the pubs, the footy, the curry, friends, family, the shops, the tv shows (which I can, of course, access over here with a little effort), the music scene, and the North East coastline.

One of the biggest things I miss is being close to everything. Growing up in Sunderland, I could be in Newcastle, Gateshead, South Shields, Durham, Hartlepool or Middlesbrough within half an hour. I could be in York in an hour, Edinburgh in an hour and a half, or London in three hours. If I wanted to jump on a plane, after a 20 minute drive to the airport, I could easily reach anywhere in Europe within a couple of hours and, with budget airlines, it wouldn't necessarily cost too much.

In Halifax, once you leave HRM, you're basically out in the sticks. Yes, there's some absolutely beautiful towns and scenery, but it's not quite the same. If I want to go to another big city, it's either a monster drive or an expensive flight.

I didn't mean for this to end up sounding like a massive moan - I genuinely like it here. It's just that there's a lot to miss about the UK. A lot of people are quick to moan about the UK (and there are certainly many things wrong with it) but, once you spend a lot of time outside the country, I think you begin to appreciate what a fantastic country we were born in.