Is it REALLY much better????
 

So, having one of those moments...

What my wife and I have/could potentially have here in the uk, in the cold light of day is.... pretty ok :o

We are pursuing a life in Canada. (for all the reasons most people emigrate for....) i.e. "cos its better!" ;)

But will it really be that much better and worth all the years of stress... and money ??

What we want from Canada is to secure good careers, give ourselves and our kids a nice house, in a nice part of town, access to the outdoors and to a city etc...

But we actually have that HERE ! And its just not 'enough'...

So why are we not satisfied? Is it because we have been villifying this place so much over the years we rarely see the good?
Am I the only one in the history of immigration that is chasing something that doesnt exist?


To the people with the experience and hindsight....

HOW do I get these rose tinted glasses off and dampen the adventurous feeling that 'something out there is better' ?!

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

No experience and hindsight to offer as I'm not in Canada yet, but ...

.... (I'm sure you know this) you probably need to sit down and work out what you really want and find out if you can get it elsewhere in the UK. The lake district may give you a lot of what you list (if you can secure the right job locally).

For me (not speaking for my wife), part of wanting to go is the adventure of it.

Hope you find your answer :)

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

How much time have you actually spent here in Canada?

I like it here, Im happy. I dont know how much better it is, its just different. The main thing for me I guess is the lower population density living "semi rural" suits me better, but Id hate to live in the burbs of one of the big cities here or in the UK I guess. The key is getting a decent paying job with benefits.

Anyway, Id say to answer your question, spend as much time in Canada as you can, give serious thought to what you want from life, and make lists as best you can of the pros and cons.

The main thing people underestimate is how much they will miss family and friends, and the amount of time it takes to replace friends here.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

You have all your requirements already so ask yourself what is missing before spending all that cash just to really 'change the wallpaper' of your life.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Me too!!

Suppose Im not as gung-ho as I was before the kids came along, but yep. The driving force if im honest is the part of me that feels "I can get / do better than this"

Probably immature but hey, :eek:

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Read back on your old posts chief, honestly. Your going round in circles.

It shouldn't be this difficult. If it's for you, it would happen.

Have a swig of Buckie and relax!

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Moving somewhere because you think it will be better in some abstract way is probably a bad idea on the whole. Moving for the excitement of just doing it, or for a specific change of lifestyle seem like much better reasons.

Personally I love it here, but then I liked where I lived in the UK too so I'm not sure what that proves.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Grass isn't always greener on the other side..depends what you want to be better?..there are lots of things that are better in the UK..then there are things that are better in Canada...really depends on the individuals and what is important to you.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

I think each persons experiences are going to be different, and it really depends on what you're looking for and what you're leaving behind.

I like living in Canada, and began to detest living in the UK. The weather, the congestion, the traffic, the ASBO culture...
However, I find myself missing the UK- in particular family and friends and British "culture"- sense of humour, TV, football, "having a laugh", etc etc. Yes, you can get aspects of that from a distance, but it's not the same, and hard to put a finger on.

Canada has allowed me the opportunity to buy a beautiful house, with lots of land in a nice area, where kids are kids and not perceived to be a menace to society. I'm surrounded by lakes and opportunities for tons of outdoor opportunities. I have a good job, and earn more than twice as much I would ever get in the UK. But at the same time, living here drives me nuts sometimes.

There's a level of "blandness" here that might be difficult to see until you spend some time here. From a business point of view, it's very tough. New ideas, new methods, new products, etc are looked at suspiciously. There's a real lack of competition and as such, you are forced to pay through the nose for stuff that is often significantly cheaper in other countries.

There's an amazing amount of redtape and bureaucracy, even for the smallest of things.

I wouldnt move back to the UK, but if I won the lottery tomorrow, would I stay here? No I dont think so.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Consider it like a relationship. When you're in the beginning of one, the attraction and excitement can be overwhelming, the perky mountains are great to look at, and the potential for a better future remains at the forefront of your mind. Then after 20 years of marriage the once cute quirks are now irritating, the view isn't as enticing, and the future can seem a little stagnant.

Would you leave your wife for a younger, more visually appealing woman, or would you look to spice things up again finding enjoyment in everything you have right now.

After reading your posts, i would personally stick with holidaying in Canada once in a while. Save your money, make better use of your time, and be happy.

Good luck :fingerscrossed:

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Great analogy:thumbup:

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

To the OP, this is a really difficult question to answer as we all experience our lifes in different ways. I am moving back to the UK after being in Canada for over 30 years, and while I have had a nice life here, there are so many things that I miss about living in the UK. The biggies for me have always been sense of humour, architecture, landscape and the people. These things don't put food on the table, so I think they may a lower ranking depending upon circumstances and at what stage in life you are at.

My decision to move back has been based on many trips to the UK and asking myself these two questions:

Q. If money were no object, where would I live?
A. UK. You could offer me a mansion on some tropical island and it wouldn't speak to me in the same way as wee but n' ben in Scotland does.

Q. If I had one year to live what would I do with my time:
A. Everything that I want to do and see is in the UK and Europe. There is nothing in NA on my bucket list.

These questions may not be helpful to you as you have not lived and worked in both countries. I think Jericho has made some very good points in his/her post. I hated working in the corporate culture in Canada, but having said that, I imagine it could be quite similar in the UK. The politics I experienced were unbelievable.

This must be a very difficult decision for you and I really wish I could give you a good answer, but I can't. I think it really depends on what you value in life.
I don't wish to discourage you, or any one else, from moving to Canada, because you can have a nice life here and depending on which province you choose to move to, there are job opportunities. It all comes down to personal preference and what is important to you.

I wish you the best of luck with your decision.:)

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

LOL!, not again :rofl:

I'm afarid I have to say that I think you are considering Canada for the wrong reasons. You are viewing it as a "place" for better opportunity, rather than a country you want to live in.

I started a thread ages ago about "emigrating or escaping" and got shredded for it at the time, lol, but my point remains... You should be emigrating TO a country, not emigrating FROM a country.

I have read a lot over the last few years about the downsides in moving to Canada, but none of it has put us off. The only real downside for us, will be the missing the family thing, but we're prepared for that. Everything else, from high food costs, to the un-secure job environment is just something we will need to deal with, because those are not the things that are influencing our move.

My gut feeling is that you should make a good life for yourself here, and if you have spare cash then go to Canada once a year for a great holiday. Or plan further in the future and save for a nice holiday home you can spend summer in when you retire.

If you don't wake up every morning here, yearning to be living and working in Canada, then I don't think it's the right time for such a huge change in your life.

You guys need to chat some more, lol.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

im interested as to why you yearn to live in Canada so?

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Not my thread, and I've been interogated enough thanks, lol.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

:thumbup:wee but n' ben in the Highlands

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Even so, a member since Feb 2007!!
Why do they make it so hard for decent, hard working folk to get in? I'm just back from a month, working in Toronto. I regularly traveled along Finch and Steeles Ave between the 400 and 404. The sights you see? Are they Canada's mettle or is there a two tier system, one of which is for countries like the UK?
It would appear that they are making it way too difficult to emigrate to Canada from the UK if someone is waiting 3 years or more.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Cos immigration is here to serve the canadian economy. There are plenty of hard working decent people here already, what we need is skills that are not available locally Im afraid...

Your not wrong though, the system needs to move much faster.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

I agree, the system needs to move much more quickly to fill any gaps needed at that time. With that, however, should be a much more stringent and strict immigration process, for the most part.

Maybe put a process in place whereby provisional PR can be granted for FSW but they can only activate it once they have a job. They can come live as visitors, not be entitled to any benefit (medical, child tax, etc) until they're working.

Maybe localise the shortlisted FSW jobs so a person whos job is sought after in Yellowknife doesn't move to Vancouver looking for work where the job is not needed, for example.

I'm full of shit ideas today :thumbup:

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

I think they have, you come on a work permit, the jobs found it’s an already identified skill shortage simply by not being able to fill it domestically..

You choose to stay move to PR and they have habit of giving out open ended work permits, once the application is in process

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Yep, although i'm talking FSW. It seems many come over and then struggle to find work in that field even though it's on a shortage list, possibly because they choose to live somewhere that doesn't have shortage issues, and possibly saturated. Allow people to apply for FSW without a job offer, leading to immediate PR, but only allow them to move to the areas with that shortage for a minimum period of time (12 months or so).

Who knows.

Personally, i think the government should concentrate on reintegrating the ably unemployed into work by incentive and/or training to minimise shortages.

Obviously that's easier said than done.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Stop reading the papers and watching the news and listening to people think that England has gone to the dogs, if you have a pretty good life and are generally happy, stay where you are. UNLESS you feel that your life will be unfulfilled if you don't give it a go.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

I agree with limiting media exposure. I did that in the UK and do that in Canada. I rarely watch the news or read the papers and i feel much better for it (not that i believed some of the hyperbole they spouted anyway).

That's very good advice Piff Poff, and something many people on here should try before they make the effort of emigrating. Emerse yourself in YOUR life, not the media's or other peoples. :thumbup:

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Amen, another Karma worthy post goes begging for want of spreading some love around...

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

That's certainly an interesting perspective....
:confused:
Although I never really understood this view that the press are responsible for the whole "England has gone to the dogs" mentality. You do realise they dont simply make those stories up, dont you?

Here's a story, dated today, taken from the BBC website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ester-18446611

By not reporting it, what would the advantage be?
Is it not newsworthy that a 14yr old is up for murder?? Or are you just of the opinion that ignorance is bliss?

Here's another one, also from today:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-18443690

I'm not quite what you feel it would achieve by the press ignoring incidents like these....

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Nobody's suggesting the press should stop reporting, but I choose not to read articles like those - they're tragic, terrible incidents for those involved and having empathy is one thing, but do I need to know on a daily basis intimate details of all the murders, crime and problems in the world? Nope.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

The level of sensationalism is certainly about average in the UK press, and yes, there has been some track record of making stuff up.

For me the lesson is to judge your life based on YOUR life, not what you read about others. No one is saying the media should not be reporting stuff, it just seems to me that life is more pleasant and I have more faith in my fellow man if I dont worry about all the bad crazy stuff that goes on, ultimately it seldom if ever impacts my own day to day life. I still read the news online, I just dont bother with celebrity fluff and gory details any more.

Bottom line is that the news is usually pretty depressing, its rare that you read something that raises your expectations for humanity. The fact that a 14 year old is up for murder is a tragedy for all concerned, but does it relate to my life and that of my family? No, not one bit. Couldnt care less. If I lived in that neighbourhood, then yes it would, but I would hear about it locally no doubt, no need to trawl the BBC news to find out.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

For the vast majority, what do they achieve by reading such incidents? It's sad for the family of the victims and offenders but generally inconsequential to most readers. The same can be said of reports on benefit scroungers, asbo kids, or immigrant saturation.

People's perceptions are seemingly swayed by media. Whether that be the extraordinary, god like, life of celebrities or the fact that immigrants, asbo culture, and benefit scroungers are sending the country to hell.

I personally feel much better worrying about my real life rather than have unnecessary issues on my mind clouding my judgement and perception.

Its a shame sex, celebrity, and doom and gloom bring in more money over a nice balanced view.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Isnt the same true of all news? Do we need to know about the MP expense scandal for instance? Do we need to know about civil war in Syria? It's of no consequence to me or you, so why are journalists bothering?

To suggest people should only be concerned about news that directly effects them seems pretty closed minded IMO.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

By all means report issues around the world and locally. By all means read and watch with an open mind. But if my life was being impacted due to changes in perception brought on by issues that in reality have no direct influence, I'd limit my exposure and recalibrate for a while. I'm not saying this is an issue for the OP mind you.

Keeping fit is great. If its physically hindering your daily life, cut back or take time out to recover. I think it's no different physically or emotionally.

If you take time out and find your life is still no different and your negativity is still at an uncomfortable level, THEN reevaluate.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

The adventure is fun but the strain and stress of setting up a new life is pretty hard work. If i was working and living within my means in UK, or anywhere for that matter, i wouldnt budge right now.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Maybe it is closed minded, but I am more interested in improving my own personal happiness and contentment to be honest.

Government corruption is important, we get to vote for them, but yes, it is somewhat closed minded to chose to ignore some events, or at least shy away from the details, if I think it important I will check out the details, but I am careful about just believing what I am fed by the media, there are few sources that dont have their own spin or agenda to promote on a story anyway. Then again a lot of people dont give a stuff about international affairs and politics anyway.

Part of my own approach to personal contentment is that I sooth my conscience by supporting Amnesty and the Red Cross and MSF who try and make a real difference in these awful circumstances. I dont need to know the gruesome details, although the newsletters try to paint their efforts in a positive light.

The point about disregarding the media to some extent is to make your own life the focus of your attention; work to influence what you can in your life, and dont sweat what is outside your control. The aim is to find a recipe for personal happiness and contentment, not world peace and harmony, so yes, ignorance to some extent can be bliss.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

I rather like those kind of articles/stories. Especially the ones about overcrowding and booze sodden wretches. I find them refreshingly one-sided and sensationalist. They make for excellent conversation down the pub over a few jars. :thumbup:

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

That's all well and good, but whose life is being impacted due to these so-called "changes in perception" caused by the press? My perception of the UK changed, not because the press were focussing on particular events, but because those events were actually happening.

It's not simply a perception if it's a reality.

As an example, it wasnt the press that made me not want to let my kids play out on the front. It was the fact that I could see broken bottles, the floor splattered with spit/snot, local chavs speeding up and down the street.... and I lived in a decent-ish area (by Manchester standards :p)

As I said, these are all actual news stories and it's easy to find examples on any given day in any given city.
It still happens, even if the press dont know about it.

What people on here often try and do is to convince others that it's not really happening, that the press are creating a perception of crime... when in fact, all they're really doing is reporting the news.

The BBC articles, for example, arent sensationalist. They're there amongst a selection of other less-grim stories. Yet you're inferring that the press only report bad news/shocking/celeb sex stories. It's not true.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Fair enough Ian, but with respect, you're saying this from the comfort of your own home, a million miles from anywhere that has the issues we're talking about. It's a little easy for people to sit here saying "dont read the news" when they're not living and breathing it.

I suspect you'd have a different opinion if you was living in Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, B'ham etc.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

On the other hand, those things are not happening all over the UK, in all parts.

So if you live in say sleepy north bedfordshire, and you read about hooded chavs running lawless through Moss Side, it may well alter your perspective when you enounter an unknown 15 year old (who for all you know is a straight A scholar athelete) hanging around, waiting for his mum to pick him up in the car....

Its about balance.

Ive family and friends spread around the UK, and there still lots of nice bits to live in. Come to Canada because Canada appeals to you for some reason, not because its far from where you are now. There are probably closer solutions to home to the problem of antisocial neighbours. They may be more expensive, but immigration aint cheap anyway..

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

I lived in Leeds for 7 years, and was never robbed. I may be in a minority of one though:)

Also, my sleepy area was the center of a major mediastorm last year when the base commander was found to be a serial killer, but it didnt really say anything to me about my life here.

As the post above indicates, I have family and friends in the UK who have managed to find places to live without broken glass in the street, and who let their kids play outside.... its not all bad, so leaving for Canada is not the only option.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

I agree, and this is my point. There is plenty of balance in the news.

But the vast majority of the population lives in/around the major urban centres, where these types of issues are a) not only visible, but b) frequent enough to be a concern to those living there

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

No, what people on here try to do is put perspective into things. There's a huge difference in living with such issues and readin about such issues (experience versus perception). I would guess the majority of readers who alter their perception based on media are not actually impacted. You only have to read some of the reasons on here to see that.

The crazy generalizations on this board seem to be born from the media.

Either way, I'm much happier not reading doom and gloom that has no impact on my life. I have nothing to gain from reading about a strangers murder, rape, violence, drugs, bing drinking, chavs, hoodies, or immigrants. If I'm in a position that I need to know, then so be it.

It's not ignorance to choose to stay away from such reports.

Re: Is it REALLY much better????
 

Its a matter of opinion to some extent. Ive family and friends living in both large cities and small towns, and although bad stuff happens, its doesnt seem to impact them, just as it didnt when I lived in the UK. I suppose thats a side effect of the population density, which is an area where large parts of Canada have a decided advantage over the UK. The national media will splash bad news all over the front page, and people all over the country will read it and feel slightly worse about the country they live in, thats the bottom line.

I dont know if things have got worse over time, or if I am just more jaded and cynical now, but all the papers seem to have their own agenda to push, its not simply about reporting events, its about selling papers and backing up whatever the current position of the day is with more "evidence"

It rather reminds me of the old joke definition of Statistics: The Creation of unsound facts from sound data.