Pros and Cons
#16
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,834
From: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)











(1) It's no different to the UK in that the property market is tough for young people and more are living with their parents into their mid/late 20s and even their 30s.
(2) It depends on the employer but annual leave could be as low as 10 days initially - at least for the first year. Public (bank) holidays are extra.
(3) Private pensions - see RRSP
(4) UK salaries are actually usually lower than Canadian salaries - 20% lower based on 2021 figures. A typical 4 bedroom detached house in a small town near Lake Huron could be up to about $750k-$800k.
(2) It depends on the employer but annual leave could be as low as 10 days initially - at least for the first year. Public (bank) holidays are extra.
(3) Private pensions - see RRSP
(4) UK salaries are actually usually lower than Canadian salaries - 20% lower based on 2021 figures. A typical 4 bedroom detached house in a small town near Lake Huron could be up to about $750k-$800k.
#17
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 5

I was researching how I could transfer my UK state pension and my private pension (DC) pot.
Disappointingly, the UK state pension will not increase by inflation (at the time I start receiving it - aged 68) if I move to Canada. This is a bit of a bummer! But I suppose I'll start adding to the CPP if I move which negates this a little.
Also, does anyone have any idea if I can still withdraw 25% of my DC pension tax free? This is a big benefit in the UK.
Anything else I should be aware of?
Disappointingly, the UK state pension will not increase by inflation (at the time I start receiving it - aged 68) if I move to Canada. This is a bit of a bummer! But I suppose I'll start adding to the CPP if I move which negates this a little.
Also, does anyone have any idea if I can still withdraw 25% of my DC pension tax free? This is a big benefit in the UK.
Anything else I should be aware of?
#18
I transferred my private pension to a Canadian RRSP years ago but I believe the British government stopped that because Canadian banks couldn't comply with all the restrictions they put on pension transfers (e.g. no withdrawal before 55).
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 9

Hi! I have lived in this area, now a bit more south along the st Clair river. The Sarnia area is on the southern point of Lake Huron and is full of high wage earners with the oil and gas and petrochemical industries. Great place to start looking for cyber security jobs. This industry will also allow for work experience when determining vacation. They also get happy Fridays (generally a Friday off every 3 weeks with some variations between employers). 10-12 stat holidays/yr. Housing is not terrible compared to larger centres. The more south you go, the better the weather (it’s called the banana belt of Canada). Sarnia has a local college, otherwise UWO is an hour away in London, Windsor uni is about 1.5 - 2 hrs. Alternatively, further north along Lake Huron is the Bruce nuclear hydro plant that is also likely to hire cyber security. Another high wage employer. It’s located in tiverton. This area is more remote, especially in winter.
#20
Moving to a small town near Lake Huron sounds like a great lifestyle choice, but your concerns are valid. Your kids may need to move to a city for better opportunities, and housing affordability is a challenge across Canada. Most Canadians get 10–15 days of annual leave, much lower than the UK. Private pensions exist (like RRSPs and employer-matched plans), but they’re less emphasized than in the UK. Salaries in cybersecurity are solid but might not match housing costs in expensive areas. On the plus side, Canada offers great work-life balance, stunning nature, and a strong social safety net.
There are large numbers of people living in tents in all the major Canadian cities. Given the climate, I think we may assume that these people have no choice.
I have a disabled child, born in Canada, who now lives in Europe. This is because, in Europe, disabled people are ultimately the responsibility of the state whereas, in Canada, they are the responsibility of their families. I am not able to generate enough cash to support someone living in care for their natural lifespan so Europe is the better choice.
As immigrants, we should be able to outcompete the existing population and, indeed, the people in encampments are almost exclusively cradle Canadians. People who come should do so on the basis that benefits will not be available to them.
#21
I think that "strong social safety net" is questionable at best.
There are large numbers of people living in tents in all the major Canadian cities. Given the climate, I think we may assume that these people have no choice.
I have a disabled child, born in Canada, who now lives in Europe. This is because, in Europe, disabled people are ultimately the responsibility of the state whereas, in Canada, they are the responsibility of their families. I am not able to generate enough cash to support someone living in care for their natural lifespan so Europe is the better choice.
As immigrants, we should be able to outcompete the existing population and, indeed, the people in encampments are almost exclusively cradle Canadians. People who come should do so on the basis that benefits will not be available to them.
There are large numbers of people living in tents in all the major Canadian cities. Given the climate, I think we may assume that these people have no choice.
I have a disabled child, born in Canada, who now lives in Europe. This is because, in Europe, disabled people are ultimately the responsibility of the state whereas, in Canada, they are the responsibility of their families. I am not able to generate enough cash to support someone living in care for their natural lifespan so Europe is the better choice.
As immigrants, we should be able to outcompete the existing population and, indeed, the people in encampments are almost exclusively cradle Canadians. People who come should do so on the basis that benefits will not be available to them.
#23
The legal amount of paid vacation is 10 days or 4% of salary paid out each pay check raising to 15 days after 5 years or 6% on paycheck. (In Alberta anyway).





