sas-lou

I don't have a work permit, i have Canadian residency (along with my children) and in order to meet the criteria of being present in the country for 2 years, i need to be here permanently by Feb 2012.

If it falls by the wayside then thats an awful lot of money that was wasted on medicals/visa/flights etc when in truth i could of just come here for a holiday or 3.

DigitalGhost

So, honestly, is this mainly about not wanting to lose your PR?

sas-lou

Yes, along with the opportunity of living in another country.

When my marriage broke down (in Canada) i ran away (to the UK) as i didn't know how to cope in that situation. I was devastated and hurt as i didn't see it coming.

The ball is now in my court but i need to work out a strategy to minimise potential stress. And this is why i came to you guys. You have the experience and the wisdom and i was asking for you to share a little.

I know i could stay in the UK, i have thought of that option. I was hoping for other potential options from you lot in favour of Canada. I suppose what you hope for and what you get are 2 very different things.

Oink

Vancouver is a very nice city that has lots to do, with nice weather, decent enough schools and is by the seaside. The main drawback is house prices are very high. But it's the only place in Canada that I could in good conscience recommend. You might want to take flight out here and check it out.

Alan2005

Sometimes you just have to cut your losses. The money that you have not yet spent on a move back here could also pay for a holiday or 3.

The facts are:-

1 - You are a single mum with teenage kids not a 22 yo back packing around Canada.
2 - You have no source of income here.
3 - Welfare here is no place to be; and unless you're BristolUK having a low wage isn't easy either.

Personally, the only way I would even consider coming back here in your position is if I had a decent enough job lined up first. Decide how much of your savings you are prepared to lose searching for this job. Stick to it, and if your budget runs out first, then let it go and move on with your life. At least this way your risk/hedge is known beforehand and you can plan accordingly.

Tangram

Go for it, it's totally awesomely great.

Alan2005

You've really warmed to this affirmation meme.

Greenhill

Just a thought (I wanted to post this idea this morning but didn't have time) but do you have the option of coming back over alone and, within a set time line, try to establish stability somewhere here, then bring the kids over if they're up for it?

If it doesn't work out it might make the adventure a little easier...

London Mike

I think +1 to this comment. If the kids are about to flee the nest, so to speak, give them a couple of years to ensure that they're ok and then make the break. Meantime, consider your options in terms of your careeer... BUT don't do the degree in the UK ... wait until you get to Canada and do it here.

When I read your post I feel that you're conflating so much and putting yourself under this time pressure - which seems daft, really. It makes decision-making almost impossible, certainly very stressful.

By the way, it is expensive in Toronto. Let me get you down from that pink cloud you're on ...

Good luck

Oink

Sorry if this comes across as presumptuous but I'm bored. It seems that having your children so young you missed out on the freedom and adventure that being a teenager and in your early 20s bestows. I'm afraid you did and that's life. Given the relatively young ages of your children I'd say you need to hold off on trying to recapture that for a few years. Why not take a nice boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads instead?

jamesmc

mmmm
I see where youre coming from!
does it have to be one of the mega cities?
why not look at manitoba,maybe not winnipeg ,,,,winkler,morden,brandon.
all largeish b ut rural and booming ish .
as you have PR ,,,look for work in those areas..
best wishes ...jimmy.

dgagitw

Ignore her. Wherever you go there are people who translate an anecdote into a general rule. Sure, there are jobs you won't get without a specific degree, but then that's the same in every country I've lived in.

I'd agree with that, the teenagers I've interacted with here are definitely less awful than the UK. Having said that, there's some crappy areas with some horrible kids too of course.

Well, to be blunt, unless one or both of them is on track for a place at a top tier uni or some such (which it sounds like they aren't) I can't see how it would make much difference aside from social life issues, which will pass in time anyway.

If it helps, you can tell him that my young 'un has found his English accent a major draw for the girls...

From everything I know about benefits in the two countries, you're substantially less screwed if you find yourself jobless in the UK than in Canada. In the UK you would most likely get your rent paid for example, I don't think that's the case here although someone may correct me.

Tangram

I get blasted when I'm a realist so I thought I would just say what people want to hear.... what do you think so far ?

Alan2005

I'm impressed. I might try it myself. If we keep it up eventually "it's totally awesome" will come to mean "it's totally shit"

Tangram

Oh ironically.... I like it. I must admit I stole the "awesomely great" from Steve Jobs, but I think it works.

I have started using at work. Unfortunately they realise I am being ironic/sarcastic as they know me.