printer

Hi there

Seems to me that you have a dilemma, there appear to me more good things than bad on your list for Scotland and of the good things you list about Canada the only certainty is the bigger house for the money and i guess even that may be difficult in somewhere like Vancouver for example.
One of the biggest things for us is that we will be mortgage/debt free and hope to be able to make the most of the outdoor lifestyle on our doorstep.
The only minus point for us will be missing family but i cannot think of any other reason not to go so the pros far outway the cons in our list.

Just my ten pennies worth.

Dave n Ailsa

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all your honest replies, some very mixed opinions there and lots for us to think about...

Thanks again (and keep them coming!)
Ails

Souvenir

What is the big deal about houses being constructed from wood? In most areas of the world, houses have typically been constructed from the materials that are available locally and which suit the climate.

I believe that the original European settlers in Canada tried to build houses from bricks and mortar and soon discovered that it wasn't a great idea. The freeze-thaw tore them to bits in a couple of years. Wood moves and is thus well-suited to wide fluctuations in temperature.

It is certainly true that parts of Canadian houses will need replacing from time to time. Windows and roofs, for example, might need re-doing every 10-15 years. However, it's a fairly easy job, owing to the nature of the construction, and not massively expensive. I've watched roofers at work here. They can strip and re-shingle a roof in a day (the UK health & safety nanny would have a heart attack if she saw these guys working).

MarkG

Only, as you say, that they require more maintenance. But I guess you're right that it's much easier than fixing a brick house when it does need repairs.

SarahBella

Hello!

I'm from Canada, and currently living in Edinburgh with my partner...we're applying for him to immigrate outland.

Anyway, I can def. agree with a lot of people when it comes to the binge drinking, and the "chavs", being disrespected by teenagers and the dog crap all over the place... it's not really what I'm used to coming from Canada...there is def a lot less of that back home.

A lot of it was very shocking to me when I first arrvied.

Even my partner, who was born and raised in Scotland agree's with me, and if we ever have children and start a family, we'd find that we'd feel safer raising them in Canada.

I'm also not saying that I 'loathe' Scotland or anything like that, I enjoy the scenery and being able to see Castles and Lochs...I've also met some really great people down here and have had some great times exploring... It's a nice place to visit and live for a little while, but I just wouldn't enjoy settling down here.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do

iaink

I have never yet seens any conclusive evidence that more tax is paid in canada.

EVERYTHHING I have ever found points to lower personal and consumer taxation levels in Canada. However, lower cost of living means generally lower incomes too, Dont move to canada solely to have more disposable income, it would be a gamble. One of the main advantages for us is we can get by on my salary so my wife can stay home with the kids. We cant put a price in that, we both consider that very important. Once they are big enough, she will be out working again, and hopefully we will be able to afford a few more toys, but that wont be for a while yet.

The hardest thing I find about choosing to live here is not having family around, but then in the UK we never used to see each other more than a few weekends a year anyway as we were spread all over. Now when I see them, its for a couple of weeks at at time, which is frankly a mixed blessing.

Beatiful blue skies here today (and yesterday, and the day before), but it was -27C when I got up this morning. Glad I dont work outside.

Souvenir

Point them at me kiddo. I spent much of yesterday working on my taxes. My total tax hit for 2006 seems to be 38% of gross. Hopefully I can't count.

iaink

Quebec...law unto itself and the highest paying province innit. I guess that just goes to show the pointlessness of discussing "canadain" taxes rather than focusing on a particular province. Quebecs the worst though.

Last year in Ontario my total tax burden including EI, CPP ("NI" if you like) was 26% or so. I guess I need to be paid more to really suffer. Dont have this years T4 yet, so too soon to say for this year. If you have a home business I imagine it could be further reduced.

printer

Still 2% less than me!

Souvenir

Oh yes.

<please send me a receipt for that post>

hot wasabi peas

Very true. People need to drop the 'Three Little Pigs' notion of home construction.

R2D2

We made the move..............not because we hated the UK. We Had a good life, lived in a lovely part of Cheshire and didn't expereince anywhere near the levels of crime, chavs, drugs, louts etc that other people from the UK talk about.
No, we made the move purely because we had the opportunity to do so. We were at the right point in our lives to try something different. Kids were no longer in tiny baby stage, but still little enough to adapt easily, and we figured it was now or never. We had the chance to try a new way of life and grabbed it. We didn't know iif it was forever and still don't, but its a hell of a way to give you a new lease of life.

We miss the UK, no doubt about it, and miss little things that made up 'our life', but we are enjoying being here too.

I wouldn't say the grass is greener here, just a different shade. I think if you set expectations too high, then you may be disapointed.
Our main aims for our new life in Alberta were these ;

- for me to no longer HAVE to work, so we can have more time as a family. ( I worked odd hours in the UK)
- we wanted to get away from the high stress my husband had at work in the UK
- we wanted more sunshine
- we wanted to have a more outdoorsy lifestlye and looked forward to all the new winter and summer activites that we hoped we'd be able to do.
- to be able to afford some of the nicer things in life without making too many sacrifices to get them.

In summary, I think we really have obtained all those things, and we do love our lifestlye. We have no regrets about doing any of this.

I think your timing has to be right, and you have to 'both' be committed to it to make it work.

Rich_007

No doubt vital. Slight cracks in a relationship or 'difficulties' or running away from things in the UK whether personal, family, professional or relationship, could turn to huge voids over here due to stresses, changes, inital social isolation, financial worries, distance from 'old home' etc.

On strong foundations, be sure to build your new life, young Jedi travellers

Rich.

edinburgh

remember it may be hard to get irn bru!

iaink

The sell it in my local supermarket, so probably not a problem. Its imported though, so not cheap.