I am noticing a ongoing trend at the moment that there seems to be a large proportion of posters in there late 20's to mid 30's (and I fall into this category). I wonder how much this is to do with a growing resentment in the UK by this generation that they are unlikely to have the same opportunities as their parents generation and falling into the "grass is greener on the other side" 'trap'. Not that I mean trap in a bad way just the need to do your due diligence.

For me and my wife we choose to move to Canada because:
1) My wife's family is in the Pacific Northwest;
2) My career is in mining and had hit a dead end in the UK;
3) We felt we were surviving in the UK (work was in South East but not earning enough to live in and benefit from London. So had to be in a dormitory town).

In short it depends on multiple factors, for instance my profession is paid higher in Canada than the UK because engineer is a protected status and is more valued as a result. We were able to give up life in a London dormitory town and move to the Vancouver downtown area and survive on my salary alone, partly because I don't need my own car. This has also put us closer to the action and the ability to cycle round Stanley park after work or go kayaking/skiing after work was a huge draw.

In Canada I feel as if I work to live not the other way round and having less holiday just makes you more motivated to use the ones you actually have. If your the type of person who lives one holiday to the next then the lower holiday is hard but if your the sort of person who will use the move as a chance to change your life so you don't rely on the holidays to be happy then the amount of holiday is by the by.

I have only been here around 6 weeks, so this could all be optimistic thinking, and don't yet have PR but feel my life is better here than it was in the UK. That being said I was a pad's brat so had a very transient childhood which I think gives you itchy feet and you never truly settle. I am also a introvert so being highly sociable and having a large group of friends does not motivate me.

I was always told if you can answer yes to two of the three following questions then you should seriously consider it:

1) Will it make you happier?
2) Will it make you more financial secure in the long term?
3) Will you learn something new?

I'll buy one once I'm there if the move goes ahead so thanks for the tip. The difference in price compared to the same items in the UK is a joke.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with some of your points but not all. Yes the annual leave entitlement is crap as I've earlier referred to but I do at least 50 hours a week despite only been contracted for 37 including having to do work over the weekends on occasions.

I travel an hour-hour 15 each way every day and spend many a day staring at the car in front of me not moving anywhere. Some idiot decides to crash on the m6 and I'm stuck for the long haul. It would be refreshing to go back to using a train.

I think that there is recreational drug use everywhere. I've lived in a number of towns and cities growing up and have witnessed it in all walks of life. It's just a part of today's society. I never witnessed any whilst visiting but under no illusion it isn't there.

I've looked at property and believe it to be affordable compared to cities in the UK. Yes it could be cheaper but compared to Manchester or London its a steal.

I won't be having kids so don't care about the cost of that and the weather is something is become accustomed to. We came in December and found it manageable. The weather now would take more perservance I'm sure.

Finally I find it hard to believe about the crime rate. It's everywhere here and all over the news, during our trip the headline news wouldn't even have made the banner across the bottom.

Whilst you have made the move it can't be all bad if the majority have stayed put

1) I believe so
2) "more" I'm not sure but I wouldn't say I'm that secure atm
3) most definitely

Are you referring to me or youself? I wouldn't move without prospects as that would surely be too much of a risk? I know that there are opportunities out there for me I just don't know what is expect in terms of pay at this stage

There are many who have. Long time ago, but a buddy of mine moved here with $20 to his name. He is worth a bit more than that now. He runs three business.

He is a lot bravier than I'd ever be.

Sometimes you just gotta take a chance. I guess it depends on ones risk threshold and what you have to lose.

What sort of property can you afford to buy where you are?

Didn't own property in the UK and don't own property here. I agree Van is expensive to buy, mostly single family homes but don't have kids so am happy with Condo. If rents are a comparison of house prices, and they normally are, in the uk I was paying £800 a month plus £120 council tax. In can I pay $1950 dollars. Yes I went from a 2 bed cluster house to a 1 bed with den and flex space but it is a much higher quality property than UK and it's right in the downtown hub.

My point, as I expect you realize, is that in Vancouver rents are unusually low compared with purchase prices. If one wishes to buy then one is no better off than being in London. (Not that this is important in the context of moving to Toronto).

If the move is something you both want to do - whatever the motivation - what's to stop you? The challenge you're likely to face is acquiring the appropriate visa. This done though, it sounds like a great adventure to me.

Yea take your point, but I cant afford to buy in either. Not yet at least, maybe once I have paid for PR.

Extremely good post. Its post like this that make me question the move (although the thought of going to Toronto is a nightmare for me).

Also Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities (minus the wind and sideways rain).

Thank you for a very informative and thought provoking post.

Also a very good post. This type of post makes me want to make the move ha. I'll see you in the office and down the mines.