Shall we, Shan't we?
 

I would really welcome some advice and guidance from other expats on the following dilemma my wife and I now face. We are both fit pensioners who have recently knocked on the door of "70" and currently live independently in the UK. Our daughter, her Canadian husband and their family live in central-west Canada. Our son has also emigrated (to western USA), meaning we are on our own in the UK. My daughter's family has grown further recently with the birth of another child and we now feel that she could do with our support on a more permanent basis than the current 6 week annual/biannual visit/s we make to see her and our grandchildren.
Our problem is, should we take the plunge and move?

On the positive side I believe we can be of help in many areas, especially until the youngest is school aged. On the negative side we are getting older. We could get a Super Visa for 10 years, but what then? If we can't get PR, could healthcare costs become an issue? It goes without saying that without PR the 10 yr Super Visa would be fast approaching its expiration as we hit our 80s, and we would not wish to have to relocate back to the UK then.

I am genuinely in a quandary- stay put and be on our own through old age knowing we could be of use to our family if we move, or move with no guarantee of PR and the future possibility we would have to return to the UK at a relatively advanced age! Advice please. TIA

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

:popcorn:

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

I am wondering why there would be no chance of PR at all. I know of a few families that have grandparents obtaining PR from a super-visa. I think its do-able just on the basis of those I know personally.


Frankly, I would do it. 10 years is a nice chunk of time anyway and if you were to find yourself having to return at 80 you would manage it with help. It may not be fun but it could be worth it.


(I say all this from my comfy spot of being younger and not facing this myself). Good luck in your decision.

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

Howefamily, Thanks for your reply. I apologise for my rather bleak outlook and the what ifs, I think that fatalism comes with age! Obviously, there is a chance of PR, but with the Sponsorship route now a lottery the chance is only 10% (100k applications vs 10k chosen). TBH, I haven't looked at how we would get on trying for PR of our own bat, but as pensioners I suspect our chances would be slim. Health insurance is also playing on my mind as healthcare is something that I don't have to concern myself about in the UK.
Anyway, if anyone has pensioner parents who have moved over, it would be good to hear their views. Thanks once again.

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

Healthcare is an issue, for Canadians as well. So long as you have insurance, that should cover most things, but read the fine print. Also, your family in Canada are giving an undertaking they will pick up any short fall if you cannot.

You might get PR, or you might not. Should you take the plunge, only you can answer that. Regardless of what others have done, your situation is unique to you. What you can afford and what you can't, your risk threshold.

If it were me, I would take whatever time I could with my family and figure out the rest later. If I had to go back to the UK, so be it.

Sponsorship is a lottery, so is the decision you have to make. In 10 years time, how do you think you will feel if you had not done it and taken a chance? By then it would be too late.

We may not even be here in 10 years time! Is leaving the grand kids with fond memories and a legacy of knowing their grand parents worth the risk? Life is a crap shoot, maybe make a list of pros and cons and go form there.

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

Think 10 years ahead after not doing this ? Will you regret all that precious time away from the grandkids, no doubt you will look back and think wow we was much fitter then why didn't we take the chance !!

Don't get into a situation later in life where you wish you had at least tried. Go do it, who knows, maybe this life IS heaven and u miss out on a golden chance ?

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

You can't live with "what ifs".

Who knows what immigration will be up to in 10 years. You might be able to stay longer....

10 years is a time to make lots of memories!

I'd jump at the chance... you only live once 😁

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

Thanks everybody for your advice. Looks like I need to get my butt in gear and start the Super Visa application!
Kind regards
P

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

OP, my suggestion is stay put. Make 3-6 month visits for now, maybe take it in turns to support Daughter & new born.

Even if you made the Super visa 'sponsorship route', consider the following....

My feeling is if you make the major permanent move at your time of life, there will be issues, ranging from old folks get in the way, healthcare, climate, getting out & about when all hell freezes over & children will not always be wee ones, they grow quickly.

You may also find that you will miss the familiarity of 'back home'

If you have the resources to make one, even two visits a year, that IMO is better than the permanent move. You could also consider paying for your daughter to come visit you in the UK

Also any permanent move your British pension becomes frozen, loss of any winter fuel allowance, pension credit, carers allowance, free travel pass etc etc.

Lastly cost of living can be expensive in Canada


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Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

I do find it a teensy bit amusing that everyone has been saying go for it... apart from Not2old who one would have thought would , in view of his expat name be recommending likewise ...:cool:

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

Thanks for that

Being also 70 years of age I understand that we cannot live our children's lives. That the OP daughter made her life with her Canadian husband to move to Canada, have children etc etc.

At age 70 (it is old, it's not 35 years of age) I wouldn't want to be a nuisance to my Daughters family (which will I believe happen at some point), nor would I want to at age 70 settled in my ways to move to a new country, not knowing the lifestyle, having to deal with healthcare issues & having my British OAP frozen + the loss of other UK benefits.

My approach is stay put, make as frequent as you want trips to Canada, with the Canadians can come visit the UK.

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

:goodpost:

My father came to live with us in Canada from UK after he retired, He had a large family in Canada around him, but he missed his old friends in UK too much and he returned to UK after about three months.

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

Not2Old, your reply encapsulates many of the things that are in the back of my mind. I started this post because I've been flipping from one side to the other for the past 3 months. It's a difficult call, but maybe the deciding factor could be that in Canada we would be just 3 hrs flying time from our son and his family on the US west coast as opposed to 12 hours now. I think I need to get the ball rolling and if we get the Super Visa (there's many a slip betwixt cup and lip) we can then take a step by step approach (eg: rent in Canada and not buy for a year. Keep our UK home until we are really sure and have a true idea of our Canadian living costs etc.). It may not be the most cost effective way of doing things, but moving lock, stock and barrel and then deciding it's the wrong decision isn't either. Anyway, thanks for taking time to post.:thumbup:

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

The experience your father had is exactly why I do worry about moving later in life. Had we been 60, I doubt if I would have hesitated. But then again, in those days my daughter (and my son) lived in the UK so I didn't need to think about moving countries!!!:thumbup:

Re: Shall we, Shan't we?
 

I wish you all the best with whatever you do & that it all works out for the two of you.

let me add just a few last points on the basis that you get the visa

- Hopefully your resources are in order

- That you have factored in healthcare & year round living in a new country

- That should you make the final break by selling the UK house that you have also made that life changing decision.

- That should the Canadian family or the US family decide to move (quite common in this part of the world) are you also prepared to up-stakes again & move after you may have purchased in Canada?

- Do you have a fall back plan (2-5 years) in the event it doesn't work out, even after you sold the UK property?

- Or in the event one of you becomes seriously ill or passes away?



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