JamesM

Landed back in the UK 12 hours ago.......

Nice to pick up a real newspaper
Watch some real TV
Go to a real supermarket
And of to a real pub in an hour

Not so nice was the rush hour traffic around Farnham which rivals junctions in Toronto...............

I'm sure by Friday when I've done all the things I've missed I'll be looking forward to getting back to the quiet country life that is Downtown Toronto.

Lorry1

OO I love Farnham. We use to go to Frensham Pond's alot as kids

jackie_w

This is what im wondering just now.

Husband wants to go to live in Canada, and Im not so sure it will be a good idea.

He has 2 sisters in Canada, one in Ontario, the other in Calgary. They both love it and say they will never be back in the UK (they have both been there for about 2 yrs).
Brother in law says we will have a much better life in Canada, better quality of life, and more opportunities for the kids! When I ask him how his life is better in Canada than it was in the UK, he says look at the house I have, I would never have had that type of house in the UK!!!!! Its only a house!!!!!!

Me, I think life is what you make of it no matter where you are in the world.

Here in the UK, I personally think we have a good life - we both have jobs, I work because I want to not because I need to, only have a small mortgage, and we have all our other family and friends. To me this is what a good quality of life means.

But does my argument, please everyone in our family, no, they still tell me "Canada will be better for us, after all this place is going to the dogs"!!!!

cheeky_monkey

I think you have answred your own question right there

jackie_w

Thanks for your reply but im the only one that thinks that!
Its me against the rest of my family they all think im mad not to go

JamesM

The UK is a great place; so is Canada. How old are your kids? It would definately benefit them to experience new things at a young age.

Can you rent your house and try Canada for a couple of years? Then decide if it's permanent?

JamesM

I love Farnham too. Frensham ponds is a good spot- I am not sure if swimming in the water is regarded as particularly healthy these days sadly.

Oink

Seems like you're the only one without blinkers and deep rose coloured glasses on. If you have jobs, small mortgage etc. why would you trade that all in and spend a lot of money, to be a foreigner in someone else's country? Have you thought of going on a nice holiday if they're bored?

tioram

I largely agree.

I try to live by the philosophy that I'd rather regret something I've done than something I've not done. In other words, I'd rather give it a go and fail than not give it a go at all.

Having said that, I think most people would agree that the people least likely to make a success of their move to Canada are those who want to move simply because they think "the UK is going to the dogs". You need to be realistic. You need to honestly assess what you have, what you don't have, and what you could have where you are before deciding to move.

Just my tuppence worth.

jackie_w

my kids are 13 and 5.

My husband doesnt want to rent it out, he wants to sell it.

jackie_w

We are not long back from Canada, but, my husband has been on about this for over a year now.

jackie_w

Hey are you my brother in law lol. Honestly, this is what he says too.

el_richo

This philosophy could be a risky one, especially when children are involved.

As a worse case scenario, i'd rather regret not trying to move from my comfortable life in the UK, away from my family and friends, than regret moving if that meant either living in a country that made me unhappy, or returning to the UK penniless and jobless with huge cracks in my family/relationships.

That said, the move could be the best thing you ever did. The main problem is that you'll never know until you try.

It's all down to your aversion to risk.

I would suggest you ask your hubby to write a list of what he believes your chosen area in Canada will give you with regards to a "Better Life" and "more opportunities for the kids". Make sure they're tangible with reasoning behind them. You may even like what you see. He also might come unstuck and not find anything beyond those lines. Don't forget to differentiate between "Better" and "Different".

Good luck

triumphguy

"It's not the destination, it's the journey."

You hear that cliche many times, and for many people that is the reason why they think they want to emigrate.

It's not necessarily wrong: Brits (and Irish) especially have always sought to live in the far flung corners of the old Empire.

Sometimes it's the striving, the seeking, the adventure, the challenge that is at the heart of the yearning to move.

Will life be better?

Is your criteria for "better" a 1. Material life (bigger home and car, or more money); 2. Lifestyle (scenery, outdoors activity, more "space") and opportunities for the kids; 3. or the adventure of moving and carving a new life out of the unknown; 4. or just getting away from the same-old same-old?

Make sure you know what you want before you seek to find it!

For me it was adventure and building a new life.

rubberduckofdeath

Bingo!