The truth about winter in Canada.
Mar 26th 2014, 4:19 pm
#316
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Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Okanagan region
Posts: 625
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
This isn't aimed at anyone commenting on this thread in particular, but often people post on here how they plan to emigrate to Canada and will go wherever they can find a job. The motivation is to be employed, not to actually live somewhere their heart really desires. Of course a job is generally necessary, but at the cost of living in an area with notoriously bad weather, nasty biting insects or poor amenities etc? Seems to dilute the immigrants dream somewhat.
I've never really understood that approach. The driving factors to emigrate for me have always made more sense being justified by wanting to be somewhere specific, not just in a vast country 'somewhere', putting up with undesirable factors that just add to the stress of settling in a foreign country.
Is it a lack of research, a lack of appreciation about the geography and climate? A desperation to emigrate at almost any cost? A desire not to back away from the dream they've probably held for a long time?
I've never really understood that approach. The driving factors to emigrate for me have always made more sense being justified by wanting to be somewhere specific, not just in a vast country 'somewhere', putting up with undesirable factors that just add to the stress of settling in a foreign country.
Is it a lack of research, a lack of appreciation about the geography and climate? A desperation to emigrate at almost any cost? A desire not to back away from the dream they've probably held for a long time?
Mar 26th 2014, 4:21 pm
#317
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
So a recce is worthless? An immigrant should just take pot luck? Isn't research into climate, geography, accessibility, amenities, price of cheese etc worth the effort?
I travelled a lot as a youngster, experienced many different places for moderately short periods of time. Gave me good indications of where I felt comfortable, what environments I enjoyed or disliked. I think you can use life experience to help determine the likelihood of what's going to float your boat.
I travelled a lot as a youngster, experienced many different places for moderately short periods of time. Gave me good indications of where I felt comfortable, what environments I enjoyed or disliked. I think you can use life experience to help determine the likelihood of what's going to float your boat.
And "likelihood" is the key word. You can play the percentages but no-one can know for certain whether a move will work out or not - there are too many variables. Some things you just can't know until you've lived somewhere for a certain amount of time (e.g. some people think they can deal with long, cold, snowy winters and then find that they can't take any more after a few years). Although I do think some people are better than others at having the right attitude and determination that a move will work no matter what. That increases the chances of success even further.
Last edited by MarylandNed; Mar 26th 2014 at 5:45 pm.
Mar 26th 2014, 4:23 pm
#318
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
This isn't aimed at anyone commenting on this thread in particular, but often people post on here how they plan to emigrate to Canada and will go wherever they can find a job. The motivation is to be employed, not to actually live somewhere their heart really desires. Of course a job is generally necessary, but at the cost of living in an area with notoriously bad weather, nasty biting insects or poor amenities etc? Seems to dilute the immigrants dream somewhat.
I've never really understood that approach. The driving factors to emigrate for me have always made more sense being justified by wanting to be somewhere specific, not just in a vast country 'somewhere', putting up with undesirable factors that just add to the stress of settling in a foreign country.
Is it a lack of research, a lack of appreciation about the geography and climate? A desperation to emigrate at almost any cost? A desire not to back away from the dream they've probably held for a long time?
I've never really understood that approach. The driving factors to emigrate for me have always made more sense being justified by wanting to be somewhere specific, not just in a vast country 'somewhere', putting up with undesirable factors that just add to the stress of settling in a foreign country.
Is it a lack of research, a lack of appreciation about the geography and climate? A desperation to emigrate at almost any cost? A desire not to back away from the dream they've probably held for a long time?
Mar 26th 2014, 4:42 pm
#319
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
I am with RICH and jossie. Is it a coincidence we are all in BC? Go and live somewhere you want to live and find a way to keep body and soul together. Money, or even the lack of it, doesn't create happiness. The thought of a life spent chasing the next dollar would depress me beyond words.
Mar 26th 2014, 4:48 pm
#320
Pea Brain
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: TBD
Posts: 6,005
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
You START where you can get a job. Once you have some "canadian work experience" its a lot easier to then move on to somewhere else in Canada if you dont like where you start from.
Living a spot with no bugs and a nicer climate is only any good if you have some income to pay for the nicer things in life.
Living a spot with no bugs and a nicer climate is only any good if you have some income to pay for the nicer things in life.
Mar 26th 2014, 4:51 pm
#321
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Mar 26th 2014, 5:47 pm
#322
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Mar 26th 2014, 5:54 pm
#323
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 3,340
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
I still disagree. The concept of being happy where you live is perfectly straightforward, but as we all know, you can't research whether where "your heart" tells you you'd be happy is right for you before you actually live there.
I've swapped Newcastle for Oxford, Oxford for Cambridge, Cambridge for Riverside CA., Riverside for Toronto, Toronto for Mainz, Mainz for Richmond Hill and soon Richmond Hill for Normandy.
Every swap except the one coming soon has been to advance my career, thereby enabling me to retire in civilization rather than North America. I would add that I've never been unhappy in any of the above places during the time I lived in them.
Total tosh.
I've swapped Newcastle for Oxford, Oxford for Cambridge, Cambridge for Riverside CA., Riverside for Toronto, Toronto for Mainz, Mainz for Richmond Hill and soon Richmond Hill for Normandy.
Every swap except the one coming soon has been to advance my career, thereby enabling me to retire in civilization rather than North America. I would add that I've never been unhappy in any of the above places during the time I lived in them.
Total tosh.
Mar 26th 2014, 6:35 pm
#324
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
I could have stayed, moving to a more senior position in a less attractive part of Germany or move to a similar senior position in Toronto. In both cases the jobs were likely the last move we would make in my career.
We chose Canada.
Mar 26th 2014, 6:41 pm
#325
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
I've got to say I totally disagree with what is being posted here about going without doing much research. If only because I see people saying they moved for money reasons, well taxes are one consideration, which are in BC and Alberta much lower than they are in Ontario and Québec for example.
Although I suppose I ended up in the GTA after doing research, didn't like it and moved to Calgary with much less research and am happier here.
So it doesn't necessarily tell you the right answer but I think it's definitely worth doing. Knowledge is power.
Although I suppose I ended up in the GTA after doing research, didn't like it and moved to Calgary with much less research and am happier here.
So it doesn't necessarily tell you the right answer but I think it's definitely worth doing. Knowledge is power.
Mar 26th 2014, 6:54 pm
#326
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
I've got to say I totally disagree with what is being posted here about going without doing much research. If only because I see people saying they moved for money reasons, well taxes are one consideration, which are in BC and Alberta much lower than they are in Ontario and Québec for example.
Although I suppose I ended up in the GTA after doing research, didn't like it and moved to Calgary with much less research and am happier here.
So it doesn't necessarily tell you the right answer but I think it's definitely worth doing. Knowledge is power.
Although I suppose I ended up in the GTA after doing research, didn't like it and moved to Calgary with much less research and am happier here.
So it doesn't necessarily tell you the right answer but I think it's definitely worth doing. Knowledge is power.
I don't find that puzzling at all, but I'm not self employed or in IT or whatever so can work remotely. Just a working stiff innit?
Mar 26th 2014, 7:30 pm
#327
Pea Brain
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: TBD
Posts: 6,005
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
The puzzlement is as much as to why 'anywhere' in Canada is better than 'anywhere' in the UK. Given the emotional strains, logistical issues, financial pressures, losing immediate family and friend networks etc, it's a choice I find odd. Are Canadian career opportunities and prospects that much better to not care where you live?
Mar 26th 2014, 8:05 pm
#328
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
The puzzlement is as much as to why 'anywhere' in Canada is better than 'anywhere' in the UK. Given the emotional strains, logistical issues, financial pressures, losing immediate family and friend networks etc, it's a choice I find odd. Are Canadian career opportunities and prospects that much better to not care where you live?
I don't think the same criteria apply to deciding where to retire though. Climate and culture come very much to the forefront then.
Mar 26th 2014, 8:15 pm
#329
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: SW Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,960
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
I have to agree with R I C H on this one... He basically described how I feel about living here ! Its the location that counts and that you will be happy there! Thanks R I C H!
Mar 26th 2014, 8:22 pm
#330
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The truth about winter in Canada.
Actually young Jedi, you don't agree with RICH. You belong to the anywhere in Malta is better than anywhere in Canada minority.