Six years and done
#1
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Six years and done
We moved to Canada 6 years ago. I have a very well paid job, we have a great home, and live in a nice area, but we are done with Canada...or more specifically Canadians. I've met people who moved here 30 years ago, raised a family etc and still struggle socially.
The nicest thing I can say about Canadians is that they are polite (until they get behind the wheel of their financed SUV).
I live for my long weekends back in the UK where you can have a real conversation. Canadians are dull as dishwater.
If you are thinking of coming, take it from someone who believed 100% that the grass was greener...it isn't. Family, friends and a country populated by people capable of intelligent conversation is worth more than a MacMansion and a shiny new SUV.
The nicest thing I can say about Canadians is that they are polite (until they get behind the wheel of their financed SUV).
I live for my long weekends back in the UK where you can have a real conversation. Canadians are dull as dishwater.
If you are thinking of coming, take it from someone who believed 100% that the grass was greener...it isn't. Family, friends and a country populated by people capable of intelligent conversation is worth more than a MacMansion and a shiny new SUV.
#2
Re: Six years and done
So you have changed your mind then?
Originally Posted by TheBear
I arrived in Canada back in July. I have loved it here from the get go. Yes I get annoyed at a few things, like we are totally ripped off here on certain items, the TV is total rubbish (thank goodness iPlayer is now available here) and the 401 makes the M25 look like a quiet country road full of polite thoughtful people, but I know that this place is way better than the country I was born in and lived in for 43 years. Going back at Christmas totally confirmed this.
England is a DREARY OVERPRICED CHAV INFESTED DUMP.
I saw the sun for about 10 minutes for the whole of the week I was there. I was gobsmacked at how small my friends houses felt after getting used to sizes here. The aggression and general look on people's faces was depressing. I had a group of drunken chavs pick a fight with me on Christmas day. Everywhere looked a bit run down and worn out. Lots of stuff was expensive, and especially houses still. Even villages that I once thought were cute just looked grim.
The only thing I miss about the UK is the wonderful friends and family I have left behind, but with time, hard work and patience, I will develop a good social network here.
Basically, I couldn't wait to get home...Canada.
England is a DREARY OVERPRICED CHAV INFESTED DUMP.
I saw the sun for about 10 minutes for the whole of the week I was there. I was gobsmacked at how small my friends houses felt after getting used to sizes here. The aggression and general look on people's faces was depressing. I had a group of drunken chavs pick a fight with me on Christmas day. Everywhere looked a bit run down and worn out. Lots of stuff was expensive, and especially houses still. Even villages that I once thought were cute just looked grim.
The only thing I miss about the UK is the wonderful friends and family I have left behind, but with time, hard work and patience, I will develop a good social network here.
Basically, I couldn't wait to get home...Canada.
#4
Re: Six years and done
Do you have citizenship? If so, if you change your mind, you can return. I agree with both your view from sometime back and current, I think I won't stay into my dotage.....the deal in uk for the more senior is superior. Respect to you for having your own mind.
#5
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Re: Six years and done
That's too funny quoting me from my first Christmas back. For a long time I felt that way, and England can truly be depressing, but I am not kidding when I say that I do most of my socializing back there still.
I have citizenship, so could return after we leave, but doubt I will. Family illness (my Dad) first made me think about returning two years ago, then I had a period off work when for the first time since I'd arrived I wasn't so busy as to notice how crap our social life was.
We have really tried. We go to church, are normal, sociable...but no dice. Then I realized we just don't belong, but most of all Canadians are not like Ozzies or Kiwis, they are more like the Swiss or Swedes. I know it sounds nasty, but they are just really boring, and we've had enough.
I always said that if I could move my friends and family out here, life would be perfect...but I can't, and the superior quality of life is not enough.
I have citizenship, so could return after we leave, but doubt I will. Family illness (my Dad) first made me think about returning two years ago, then I had a period off work when for the first time since I'd arrived I wasn't so busy as to notice how crap our social life was.
We have really tried. We go to church, are normal, sociable...but no dice. Then I realized we just don't belong, but most of all Canadians are not like Ozzies or Kiwis, they are more like the Swiss or Swedes. I know it sounds nasty, but they are just really boring, and we've had enough.
I always said that if I could move my friends and family out here, life would be perfect...but I can't, and the superior quality of life is not enough.
#6
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Re: Six years and done
You're probably right, but I'm screwed either way. We aren't happy here that's for sure...people are everything, and we just aren't connecting.
#7
Re: Six years and done
That's too funny quoting me from my first Christmas back. For a long time I felt that way, and England can truly be depressing, but I am not kidding when I say that I do most of my socializing back there still.
I have citizenship, so could return after we leave, but doubt I will. Family illness (my Dad) first made me think about returning two years ago, then I had a period off work when for the first time since I'd arrived I wasn't so busy as to notice how crap our social life was.
We have really tried. We go to church, are normal, sociable...but no dice. Then I realized we just don't belong, but most of all Canadians are not like Ozzies or Kiwis, they are more like the Swiss or Swedes. I know it sounds nasty, but they are just really boring, and we've had enough.
I always said that if I could move my friends and family out here, life would be perfect...but I can't, and the superior quality of life is not enough.
I have citizenship, so could return after we leave, but doubt I will. Family illness (my Dad) first made me think about returning two years ago, then I had a period off work when for the first time since I'd arrived I wasn't so busy as to notice how crap our social life was.
We have really tried. We go to church, are normal, sociable...but no dice. Then I realized we just don't belong, but most of all Canadians are not like Ozzies or Kiwis, they are more like the Swiss or Swedes. I know it sounds nasty, but they are just really boring, and we've had enough.
I always said that if I could move my friends and family out here, life would be perfect...but I can't, and the superior quality of life is not enough.
#8
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Re: Six years and done
That may not have helped as they are all teetotal! However, our friends who have been here 30 years aren't church goers and have really struggled too. The culture here is very different...I listen to the radio here and cringe...TV, cut the cord within 2 months. I actually finf the Quebequois more like the british than the people here in Ontario. Here they cannot cope with any form of confrontation, even just questioning. Critisism is a huge no-no...I am used to a culture in which everyone takes the piss out of each other and themselves.
#9
Re: Six years and done
Boring is as boring does. (From an anything but borinh Canadian).
If you're still having trouble fitting in after 6 years then maybe it's you and not them. Just sayin'
If you're still having trouble fitting in after 6 years then maybe it's you and not them. Just sayin'
#10
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Re: Six years and done
Maybe it is us, but I've never had a problem elsewhere and lived in the US, OZ, New Zealand, Wales and of course England. Got friends all over the world, but not here really. We just feel incredibly lonely and depressed now.
#12
Re: Six years and done
That may not have helped as they are all teetotal! However, our friends who have been here 30 years aren't church goers and have really struggled too. The culture here is very different...I listen to the radio here and cringe...TV, cut the cord within 2 months. I actually finf the Quebequois more like the british than the people here in Ontario. Here they cannot cope with any form of confrontation, even just questioning. Critisism is a huge no-no...I am used to a culture in which everyone takes the piss out of each other and themselves.
Whenever I feel homesick which is frequently, I know I project it on to where I live, friends, job etc. In reality it's nothing to do with them and when the fog clears I get it again.
#13
Re: Six years and done
And is that the fault of Canada or is it possible that you chose the wrong area? Canada is a massive place so to tar the entire 30+ million people based on your experience of Barrie (hardly known as a hotbed of excitement) is a bit unfair and unrealistic.
#14
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Re: Six years and done
I've just noticed that you're in Barrie, we live in Bracebridge. I often think Barrie must be a bit soulless to live in, apart from the fact that you have all the shops!
Whenever I feel homesick which is frequently, I know I project it on to where I live, friends, job etc. In reality it's nothing to do with them and when the fog clears I get it again.
Whenever I feel homesick which is frequently, I know I project it on to where I live, friends, job etc. In reality it's nothing to do with them and when the fog clears I get it again.
#15
Re: Six years and done
I live in the downtown, which is the best bit...the burbs are truly soulless, you are right. My job is amazing, where I live is beautiful...I look out my back window and it is like cottage country, all trees and older homes well spaced (have a big 1940s house, but not a Macmansion...said that to paint a picture). People are eveything. I am just being honest, tried really really hard, but given up now. Wouldn't call it homesickness, just sick of being alone.