The reality of immigrating
 

After having read posts where people have been disillusioned by the reality of immigrating to Canada, I wanted to mention my own experience in immigrating. My husband and I, together with a 9 month old and a 2 year immigrated from South Africa to UK 8 years ago.

We have never regretted moving but we went through hell the first year. Basically I felt the experiences that we had moving to the UK are going to be the same experienced in any immigration.

First of all, you must realise that when you move to a new country, basically you don't exist. Your whole financial history that you have in the UK which is actually very valuable, is worthless anywhere else. They don't care if you have a brilliant credit history or no claims bonus in the UK. They don't care much about your work history. You are a non-entity and its so difficult to understand that when you plan to move to a new country. You are like an 18 year old starting out after school for the first time and as a +35 year old, that is very difficult concept to deal with again.

The strain on you and your family is enormous so make sure you have your eyes wide open. Make sure that you have very, very big real reasons for wanting to move and that its not just based on a whim. You don't just carry on where you left off in the UK. Forget it.

The grass is not greener on the other side. The problems are just different from the one's you left behind.

It does take you about 5 years to feel that you are really settled and happy again in your new life, so don't do this lightly.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

I'm tempted to make this a sticky post!

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

To add to the sticky (;))...

For those who immigrate because their partners are Canadian, life can also be challenging from time to time. Whilst you generally have a head-start on integrating with support from family and friends, the truth of the matter is that one of you inevitably has to compromise on where you live. That can put a lot of strain on a relationship if things in Canada are not all rosy. Add in kids, particularly those born in Canada, and life becomes much more complicated. It wise to be sure of your relationship, flexible and adaptable before getting into something.

For my part, I had a big wobble this year, some five and bit years after emigrating. A number of issues, notably lack of career opportunity for me and frustration about the Mrs getting a permanent job, were causing me to reconsider. Now things have improved markedly with a new job for me and a permanent job for the Mrs so we are back on track. It is a level of complexity and emotional turmoil that I never thought I would have to deal with though.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

;) I can relate. I wasn't particularly wise about my relationship when I came over. I was young and in love and not thinking about the long term ramifications of it all when I emigrated. It was all going to be great! ;)

Also, when times are tough, you really realise the imbalance when the cradle partner has all his/her friends/family to call on and you don't have your own old friends etc.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Completely agree with this, also it hits home that you have no-one in your "camp" aside from your partner who will feel torn, if there is an issue.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Plus, most of the food is crap and there are no proper pubs.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

I think you should make magnumpi's warning videos a sticky.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Or you could just file this under "common sense".

"If you move country, it might not work out...":thumbsup:

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

No secret & nothing new. Common sense. A little cliche. It's been said a million times before.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

I would add that it's a foolish man that underestimates just how bad raccoon piss smells on a newly laid carpet (ironically it is also quite sticky)....

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

"Common sense is that which tells us the world is flat."

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

All right then, make that your sticky.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

We should not forget that Canada has an official program for immigration not like the UK...The way Canada adverstises this program as if things are greener on their side. This is especially true for highly educated immigrants whose education and professional experience get high marks during the immigration process BUT once in Canada, you become nobody. You end up spending all your savings, may have to go to their schools again in the hope of finding a job, and (if lucky) getting any job that is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar from your qualifications just to live in a survival mode.

So many people feel cheated.....:blink::confused::unsure::o

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

I was watching a football match and some cradle mentioned something about putting mustard on the ball, what's that all about? Are they mad?
They also say something about "body English." Apparently its something that goes sideways, do thing they think we're crooked? What a f*****g weird place.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Speak for yourself, eh?

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Moving to someone else's country has it's issues.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

I like your user name. It has class.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Immigration is a trip into no mans land, not one of them and no longer one of them.:blink:

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

From today's Calgary Herald.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

In contrast to the original post....

i migrated without any doubts regarding the appropriateness of the destination to my own personal preference, nor had i any doubts that i would overcome any obstacles encountered, with sheer determination and hard work.

i felt comfortable, settled and truly at HOME within the first month of finding long term accomodation, which took only about 5 days worth of solid house hunting.

i found work of the permanent and fulltime variety within 3 months of arriving with zero leads, thanks to relentless daily job hunting.

i've acquired an extensive network of friends and acquaintances through the hockey sessions i have played, within 9 months of becoming a stranger in a strange land.

nothing i have done has been regretable. everything i do continues to be a pleasure which demands dedicated hard work.

it is true that i have no credit history but frankly, if that is a significantly salient factor when considering a move to a foreign land.... well i am rendered speechless.

nothing worth having ever came easy and indeed it is the sense of accomplishment that makes it all so much more satisfying.

My Vanniversary is next week and this has been the absolute best year of my life.

But that's just me.:)

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

What a surprise!

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

A year into my life in canada I might have written much the same, but over time things balance out and you realise the grass is just a different shade of green.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

perhaps because i am aware of the probability of 'the novelty wearing off', i am currently savouring every moment?

i confess that i have no plan, should i ever loose interest in snowboarding, the great outdoors, playing hockey, going to NHL games or eating poutine!:eek:

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

The novelty doesn't necessarily wear off. I am currently in my 12th year here and most of the time feel pretty much how you do now.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Hhmmm interesting; From a (very) limited sample size....

it appears that life in ON "balances out" into varying shades of green,
whereas in BC the 'honeymoon period' is perpetual!

:D

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

It's ok here, but I wouldn't make the same decision again. I'd have stayed in Asia.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

This is not what I/we planned - we planned on Europe.

At this point, though, we're staying. I'm mostly ok with it but I have days when teh grass looks a lot greener, but I suspect I am that kind of person anyway.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Which part of Asia are we talking about here?

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

I think Canada is better than New Zealand.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

So do I.

Still miss NZ though.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Its a bit crap here, but then everywhere is a bit crap. I have certainly lived in crappier places.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Is that where you're from?

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

nail, head. :thumbup:

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

username didn't give it away, eh? :unsure:

yes, with a longish period in the UK as a child.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Bangkok.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

I don't know Thailand but I couldn't live in the parts of Asia I do know about. Apart from the language problem I find Asian society far too claustrophobic.*

One of the things I like about BC is that if you chose to mind your own business then no-one is going to stop you. I also like the space and the ability to be quickly a long way away from anyone else.


* huge generalization.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Are they Thai letters above your avatar? I thought they are Hindu or Arabic letters which anyway look the same to me.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Bangkok is like that, but once you get into the country it's much quieter. I'm also not going to hide the fact that the main attraction is (or rather was) the wealth my western salary gave me and all the good things that come with being a lot richer than most of the people around you. The entire time I was there felt like one long holiday.

Yes. It is a transliteration of an english phrase so google translation tools won't help you.

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

Are you a Bangkok native? Or were you a B-expat in Bangkok?

Re: The reality of immigrating
 

I'm not Thai. I was on an ex-pat hardship posting.