I just thought I'd mention that it's three years today since we did our landing at Ottawa Airport and amazingly I'm still here. I can't say that I've loved every minute of it and if I'd had a real easy way of returning to live back in the UK I'd have been mightly tempted. On the other hand I've not even gone back for a visit although I expect to soon.

We came here because my wife is Canadian and we were tempted by the prospect of mortgage free living. That we've managed to do and although we live on a very low income our finances are in better shape than they had been for a long time in England when we had a large mortgage and sizeable debt.

Yet, I still miss the old country as I didn't leave because I hated it I just thought things might be better here. That's proved to be the case although it feels like what we gained in some ways we've lost in others. On the other hand I have this feeling growing inside that if we were to move back there would definitely be parts of life over here that I'd now miss. So maybe I'll never feel completely settled ever again. It's a tricky business this moving countries thing.

These last three years seem to have been an age in one respect and a blinking of an eye in another. Next step is to start applying for citizenship.

Thanks to all the forumites that have kept me entertained, amused and a little irritated with their comments but always have kept me coming back to read some more since 2003 when we found ourselves well into the process of moving here. It's been fun. Kind of.

Indeed. Congratulations on weathering it so far!

50 years from now, you still will miss England, in a nostalgic way as you now enter as a tourist, albeit with a Red Passport.

Well, congrats on the three years bit - well done you.

I'm sure you voice what many think. Got your heart in two places, and on some days practicality and good finances just don't cut it ! Three days later, you think something completely different and are more than happy with your lot.

Best wishes for continued 'general' happiness and well-being in Canada - long may it continue - but if the call to the UK becomes too much, then I hope you can return without hanging yourselves financially, and you find peace of mind there too !

Hey ho - who said this immigration lark would be easy? (Er, no-one yet )

Congrats on you 3 years and for giving it a go! Good luck for the next 3 years and the 3 after that.........

Well done on the three years.

We are heading for two (Nov 5th - great for anniversary celebrations)

Perhaps a good lessons learned session may help others who are looking to come out.

The things I asked the family (discretely so they didnt know what I was doing)
.

• What do you/we like about Canada?
• What don’t you/we like about Canada?
• What do you/we miss from the UK?
• What don't you /we miss about the UK?
• What advice would we/you give to someone emigrating to your city/province?

Try it and share some of the answers (especially the advice).

I've done this to my lot - it's funny what a 7 year old will come out with - you don't know how their mind's work at the best of times ...

We should one day re-write our pros and cons list and see how it compares to the one we wrote before coming out here. How does it differ from the reality .... in no hurry though at the moment. Life is generally very good !

A nice thought but I'm not sure that at ninety-six I'll still be here. Still, you never know.

Thanks and I agree to the usefulness of those questions.

Since we got here my eldest daughter, now aged 22 has returned to England to live, my second daugther, aged 20 lives in Edmonton, Alberta and my third daughter, aged 17 still lives with us and loves it here. She didn't want to move here in the first place but now says she'd never move back.

It was a big change for all the family and I could never have foreseen all the changes that have taken place since then.

Stepnek, I admire you! I'll try and give you some Karma.
Best Regards

Thanks Sunshine Girl. You certainly flatter me!

You're not a gemini by any chance are you?

No but why?