Is it really better in Canada?
Sep 23rd 2010, 1:52 pm
#79
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,099
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
Jokes aside though, I'm sure there are going to be issues long term in the UK with food, power etc. That said, I'm sure the same will be true of other nations.
Sep 23rd 2010, 1:56 pm
#80
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,054
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
I live in Australia, but I love reading the Canada forum, it's much better than the Aussie one, don't know why. I enjoyed reading these posts about Canada, I think much is the same for Australia, new country, wide spaces etc. Maybe I should try living in Canada one day, something keeps calling me.
The thing about raising kids without a back-up family is very true, you can't offload the children without paying for it or doing the same for friends, and you realise how far away you are only once you are here. I think it takes a long time before you feel it's not you being the one far away from the others.
The thing about raising kids without a back-up family is very true, you can't offload the children without paying for it or doing the same for friends, and you realise how far away you are only once you are here. I think it takes a long time before you feel it's not you being the one far away from the others.
Sep 23rd 2010, 1:56 pm
#81
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,139
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
That aside, emigrating is an adventure despite all the drudgery connected with money and jobs and whatnot. It's as well to treat it as such.
Sep 23rd 2010, 2:01 pm
#82
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,054
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
And whether in the UK or Canada this ability is more often "honoured in the breach than the observance."
I think Canada gives a person more chances to "think" about being by a lake on your lonesome!
Probably for most people living in fairly modern housing, in a city with fairly modern infrastructure, in a fairly liberal society, in one of twenty or so similar countries around the world, life is going to be pretty much the same: fairly boring!
I think Canada gives a person more chances to "think" about being by a lake on your lonesome!
Probably for most people living in fairly modern housing, in a city with fairly modern infrastructure, in a fairly liberal society, in one of twenty or so similar countries around the world, life is going to be pretty much the same: fairly boring!
Even in teh city the access to beaches, parks and the seawall is outstanding.
Sep 23rd 2010, 2:18 pm
#83
Every day's a school day
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Was Calgary back in Edmonton again !!
Posts: 2,667
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
If your happy and secure with work schools family & friends then i think it is a case of "you have nothing to gain but everything to lose"
Sep 23rd 2010, 3:00 pm
#84
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,092
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
Don't discount that feeling. It may be bullshit, but it's a real driver.
Sep 23rd 2010, 3:39 pm
#85
The Brit is back
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: NS, Canada 2007-2013. Now....England!
Posts: 2,211
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
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"!!!!
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"!!!!
You have friends, work, family, a small mortgage...everything you need in the UK.
If you think you could be happier giving all this up for a bigger house, then go for it.
Sep 23rd 2010, 4:27 pm
#86
Every day's a school day
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Was Calgary back in Edmonton again !!
Posts: 2,667
Sep 23rd 2010, 6:19 pm
#87
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,092
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
Exactly.
Ask OH if he wants to join the navy for a while - get it out of his system?
Both partners need to want to try this immigration lark out, not necessarily to the same degree.
One partner might get his/her way and the family moves over here: but in the end it could destroy the relationship.
IMHO - Not worth it.
Ask OH if he wants to join the navy for a while - get it out of his system?
Both partners need to want to try this immigration lark out, not necessarily to the same degree.
One partner might get his/her way and the family moves over here: but in the end it could destroy the relationship.
IMHO - Not worth it.
Sep 23rd 2010, 10:13 pm
#88
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 230
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
I can honestly say the answer to this question is we are in two minds.
We have been here now for just over 2 years and there are still things I miss about the UK. but there are things I like very much in Canada.
I think it really depends on the situation as I know for a fact if we had come over in better times before the recession and with all our money I would have found it much easier living here, but as it happens it didn`t work out that way and all the best laid plans have gone a little belly up, with regards to wanting an easier life and not being all work and no play. However, I feel my children have benefited greatly with the education offered here in Canada, especially my son who struggled so much in UK and I was constantly fighting with teachers etc to get him extra support which always came down to funding. I came to terms that he would never really be a high achiever but in the UK he wasn`t achieving anything and very disillusioned for the school. Now he is achieving and making school teams which has boosted his confidence considerably and has ambition and knows what career path he wants to take.
However, the job situation is very hard but I think that is also the case in the UK and what I hear the cost of living is going up so much that people are finding the wages are not covering their living expenses. So it really is swings and roundabouts. I think the hardest thing for me personally is my network back in the UK that makes me at times feel homesick and the security blanket of what you know. My hubby has found his work situation at times difficult only due to the fact that he has to learn a new trade again as things are so different here being an electrician. Sometimes it feels really easy to throw the towel in and head back to UK but it is just looking through rose coloured spectacles as I don`t think anywhere is great at the moment.
Bottom line is it is so easy to make comparables but at the end of the day it really comes down to not much difference. As UK has some very good things but then it is balanced out with Canada also has some good things.
I do think though if people arrive here with great expectations they will be dissappointed as it is not the grass is greener only different in some aspects.
We have been here now for just over 2 years and there are still things I miss about the UK. but there are things I like very much in Canada.
I think it really depends on the situation as I know for a fact if we had come over in better times before the recession and with all our money I would have found it much easier living here, but as it happens it didn`t work out that way and all the best laid plans have gone a little belly up, with regards to wanting an easier life and not being all work and no play. However, I feel my children have benefited greatly with the education offered here in Canada, especially my son who struggled so much in UK and I was constantly fighting with teachers etc to get him extra support which always came down to funding. I came to terms that he would never really be a high achiever but in the UK he wasn`t achieving anything and very disillusioned for the school. Now he is achieving and making school teams which has boosted his confidence considerably and has ambition and knows what career path he wants to take.
However, the job situation is very hard but I think that is also the case in the UK and what I hear the cost of living is going up so much that people are finding the wages are not covering their living expenses. So it really is swings and roundabouts. I think the hardest thing for me personally is my network back in the UK that makes me at times feel homesick and the security blanket of what you know. My hubby has found his work situation at times difficult only due to the fact that he has to learn a new trade again as things are so different here being an electrician. Sometimes it feels really easy to throw the towel in and head back to UK but it is just looking through rose coloured spectacles as I don`t think anywhere is great at the moment.
Bottom line is it is so easy to make comparables but at the end of the day it really comes down to not much difference. As UK has some very good things but then it is balanced out with Canada also has some good things.
I do think though if people arrive here with great expectations they will be dissappointed as it is not the grass is greener only different in some aspects.
Sep 25th 2010, 4:27 pm
#89
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 30
Re: Is it really better in Canada?
If you go somewhere for material aspects you will always be disappointed. A bigger house and car will never make you feel good beyond a few months.
The route to happiness is experiences not material possessions. So go and experience Canada, travel the country, you could spend all your holidays doing that!
On the other hand if you have strong family and friends ties in the UK that is very important to some people (not me, I'm a hermit!) so may be a deciding factor.
Also, if your a Gypsy like me, you will love just going there and being somewhere different for a couple of years, and if you hate it, come back!
and as for people moaning about online shopping and internet not being as fast I say 'Get a life!'
The route to happiness is experiences not material possessions. So go and experience Canada, travel the country, you could spend all your holidays doing that!
On the other hand if you have strong family and friends ties in the UK that is very important to some people (not me, I'm a hermit!) so may be a deciding factor.
Also, if your a Gypsy like me, you will love just going there and being somewhere different for a couple of years, and if you hate it, come back!
and as for people moaning about online shopping and internet not being as fast I say 'Get a life!'
