Vancouver to the UK
 

So I've been looking for information on this site for a few weeks now, but I haven't been able to find anything that really explains what I'm searching for.


I live in Vancouver(East-Van Upbringing! Culture of all sorts is EXTREMELY important to me. Thus the England Move), but a friend and I plan on moving down to the UK for a few years after we graduate from Uni. As I am a Vancouverite I am a MASSIVE fan of larger cities, and I like to think of myself as a social person. So one would assume that my first choice of places to live would be London. But as far as I know, London costs a LOT of money, and would be way above the price that 2 recent graduates could afford. Is this true?
I am considering Southampton. or Bristolo, but would that be boring for a city girl? I work in Retail and Marketing, so How would the job aspects be in any of those 3 places?


My other question,is the cultural differences. Some people say its a vast difference, but others say its all in the way you think.. I checked out a post saying 'day-to-day differences' but it didn't explain much.

Basically what I'm asking for. Is there anyone here who grew up in a Canadian/American lifestyle. then moved to England (Bonus points for BC city!!)

Sorry if I'm being a bother. But I would greatly apreciate ANY imput. I've been searching for months, and can't find anyone who can understand this situation :/ :fingerscrossed:I would like to be as prepared as possible. Because moving SO far away from everyone and everthing when I'm 19-21 will be difficult enough as is, without being so uneducated about what's what...

Thank-you in advance!! Xx

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

This is a tough one because I am originally from the UK.

My wife moved to the UK for 2 years and didn't want to leave.

In terms of England there is very much a north/south divide to the country and if London appeals to you then you would be better off in the south of the country but this will come at a price!

There is a train line between London Victoria and Brighton I would advise checking the route and looking at the towns/cities that are on there.

There are branch lines as well but I would think that southampton would be too far for you.

In terms of jobs they are always there but are in short supply country wide right now.

Let me know if you want further explanation of anything I've or if you feel I can answer anything else for you.

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

Would you think that I'd like a a place like say, Newbury then?

I am slightly confused by 'train/branch lines' as We don't have those in Canada. Please pardon me if I sound stupid :/. but could you explain what that means?

And what did you're wife seem to notice most as far as Cultural differences?

Again, so sorry if I sound ignorant..

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

Never having lived or been to newbury I couldn't tell you the ins and outs of the city but it looks beautiful and picturesque and is relatively close to london!

People in england use transit a lot more than Canadians it is quite typical to take a train/bus to work everyday I used to commute 4 hours everyday to get to work and back (or the underground if inside greater london).

You have to remember that you are asking for a 'big city' but England is not like Canada, England has a huge population which covers the 90% of the country whereas Canada has a small population which cover 10% of the country.

The cities are relatively small in North American terms.

I personally find there is more of a buzz in the UK, there are more opportunities to socialise but again I'm not Canadian so it's tough to know if everyone in Canada would like our type of socialisation.

In terms of my wife she felt the people in England were friendly but blunt for the most part. It took her a while to get used to walking places and using 'transit' for almost everything.

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

I'll have to check it out, Thanks :)
Transit is pretty major in Downtown Vancouver. But Right now I'm imagining England wih more of a NYC transit need (I've never been there either though haha)

Fair enough, One can't expect all cities to be the same worldwide. That would make everything Boring now, wouldn't it? B) But I'll have to figure something out, I doubt I could handle much more then 2 hours both ways (an hour to work, then an hour home)

That makes sense. I'm a pretty blunt person, so I might not feel too out of my element dealing with that. Although it might be weird having others speak back to me as to-the-point as I do.
Sounds fun, I walk and Bus everywhere now anyways, as I don't have my full CDN License.

Thank-you so much for trying (and helping a lot, thanks! :) to help me out, even if you don't know as much about my sort of situation!! Fingers crossed a Canadian sees this and can give a different view and further explain what to expect, but I greatly appreciate the time you've given :D Xx

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

The OP is from Vancouver - doubt London prices would be anything shocking :rofl:

However, ArthurBrit is very much correct that work is in short supply in the UK in the current recession that has hit far harder than in Canada. There is work to be found, but I'd be wary of just turning up expecting to easily find a job - that's unrealistic at the moment at least.

Also you say that as a Vancouverite you're a fan of big cities - Vancouver has a much smaller city "feel" than many geographically more compact cities in the UK. Don't discount Northern English cities (or even cities that aren't in England, as Edinburgh is gorgeous!!) as I've lived in both the North and down to the South coast of England, and much preferred the North.

My husband is from Vancouver originally (left as a child) and moved to London. I was raised in the NW of England (so my local cities are Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, etc) and we've both lived in Yorkshire and Sussex, so if you have specific questions about those areas, I'd be happy to answer.

Also, just a pedantic point, but you talk of a move "down" to England but where I grew up in NW England is around the same latitude as Edmonton. :D

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

I've just stuck a pin in a map for you, so its Manchester!


Good luck!

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

I quite enjoy this response. It made me smile :) haha

Thanks for the warning, I don't exactly know a lot about how the recession is hitting countries other than my own, So I appreciate the tip and will take it with a grain of salt.

I don't know if you have personally spent a great deal of time in Vancouver (even if you're husband is from there) So I could be way off base. But I think that Vancouver has several 'Big City' Parts. East-Van I would say has a bit of a smaller city 'feel' but when I've gone more towards west Van I generally feel in a larger city, and I LOVE it. Go big or Go home I always say:thumbsup:

haha, sorry didn't mean to do that to the North. As I might've mentioned before. I have a very limited knowledge of the differences between England and Canada, so I'm just going by what people like you tell me :) I have heard of Manchester, Liverpool, Yorkshire and Sussex (Not a lot ABOUT them though. Im just imagining vast country area haha,) so you could probably teach me a lot if you have the time. Not sure what to ask exactly.. As anything would be totally new information to me...

! :o In that case.. I'm thinking of moving 'Side-ways' to England ;D

Do tell more! :) Please and Thank-you!

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

Thank-you, I'll definately check it out! :)

:) Here's to hoping! Xx

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

If you're from Vancouver, which most UKC's would describe as being a sleepy, quiet city (check out the Vancouver is boring thread to read those opinions - but don't take it personally!), then most UK cities would be fine for you, including Bristol.

I'd steer clear of Newbury though, but only because it's not a particularly nice place.

If you want somewhere buzzy, and with loads of culture, then plenty of cities would fit the bill. But I think London is probably the one to try and aim for if you can afford it. Or how about Oxford? Loads of students there, so lots of cheap accommodation, and plenty of culture too. Leeds is another place to look at if you would go 'ooop North' as we say here.

Alternatively, you could choose a much cheaper city, where you can explore that all of Europe from - flights from the UK to cities in Europe such as Paris, Rome, Venice, barcelona, can usually be got for around £50-100 return (possibly even less, when the airlines have a sale - I went to Venice for £35 return). So plenty of culture on your doorstep when you're in the UK.

And public transport in the UK is also very good by Canadian standards, the train network covers pretty much everywhere. Although not always reliably! But have a look here is the maps to give you an idea of where the trains go - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/maps/

Best of luck with it, have fun!

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

Everyone is free to their own opinion. :)
But all I had said is that it needs to be AS busy as Vancouver. I dont mind if it's busier.
On another note, thanks for the info! It'll definitely help further my research. You speak of 'cheaper cities' in what ways? Just rent, or in other areas as well? Which cities would these be, and are they large and busy (I dont want relaxing country area, I dont mind if it's lets say.. An hour car ride away, but I'd prefer busy.
I appreciate the transit link, England's transit systems confuses me. So I appreciate it.
But I think we've got a great transit system in Vancouver, with high standards thanks.)

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

First question is, are you a British citizen? if not, then the first thing to find out is 'will I be able to move to the UK', and without the answers to all that, there is absolutely no point in debating where the best city to move to is.

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

British Citizen sounds too limiting.... European Citizen (from just about any EU country) gives the OP the right to live and work anywhere in Europe, including the UK.


I lived in Brighton for years.... I'm guessing Brighton or Hove 'actually' will do the OP nicely. :)

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

BUT if the OP isn't a British (or European) citizen then they do NOT have the right to just turn up, which is what my post was asking. Even if you are a citizen of the EU, there are certain income rules in many, or most, EU countries that you have to abide by before becoming a resident.

Re: Vancouver to the UK
 

I agree... I wasn't being picky, but was just pointing out that the OP does not have to be British only, by way of nationality. Just about any other EU citizenship will give the OP the right to live and work in the UK. Not many Canadians (or those with dual nationality brought up in Canada) might know that.

On a similar vein (Canada to the UK) .... is Canada a 'Visa Exempt' country as far as UK immigration is concerned? Would a Canadian be able to front up in the UK without a visa and stay (as a visitor - no right to work) for 6 months the same way a Brit can in Canada?