British Expats

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)

- Canada (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/)

- - WHY (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/why-632311/)

Good point. But you also have to wonder whether this isn't basically a troll thread?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 7959355)

The group you are asking this question to is going to be self selecting. You are also asking it in a slightly leading way (nobody is going to admit to being materialistic or that material things are important to them on BE). The fact is that we are all leading middle class aspirational lifestyles and that's the way we like it. I doubt many of us are living from pay-day to pay-day working in a factory or a coal mine (either now or before we came).

For me the reason is that I like it here (mostly), I like being an expat, I like travelling, I like skiing, I can afford to do it. The real question is why wouldn't you if you had the opportunity?

With respect, my question assumed most materialistic things were already available. One can easily travel from UK into the many countries of Europe and beyond and, of course, ski there. The point was, if you can do all these things already, what was/is it that drove you all those miles away?
I can understand more if one is living day-to-day and working in a factory. Canada, I think, offers more to such people, assuming they can find work in today's Canada.
BTW, what does "I like being an expat" mean? I don't understand that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auld Yin (Post 7959395)

With respect, my question assumed most materialistic things were already available. One can easily travel from UK into the many countries of Europe and beyond and, of course, ski there. The point was, if you can do all these things already, what was/is it that drove you all those miles away?
I can understand more if one is living day-to-day and working in a factory. Canada, I think, offers more to such people, assuming they can find work in today's Canada.
BTW, what does"I like being an expat" mean? I don't understand that.

I can answer that, but first, convince me that you're not just doing a wind up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auld Yin (Post 7959256)

There are a number of people on this site who have posted describing such a UK lifestyle. So what's in it for you?

The ease of obtaining a firearm, jacked up 4x4, hunting season, wearing a baseball cap and not being called a Chav, Canadian Tire, extra large double double, cheap petrol, cheap houses, Hockey September till June. Need I go on?

Beats a 3 bed semi in Middlesex any day of the week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 7959385)

Good point. But you also have to wonder whether this isn't basically a troll thread?

Why would you think it to be a troll thread? I've been on this site for almost a year now and the question(s) is/are genuine. Many threads/posts decry many aspects of this country and from what they say, they left a good, solid life in the UK and things seem to be no better here, for some even worse.
I just don't get it. What did they expect Canada to provide them that they didn't already have?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auld Yin (Post 7959256)

So, you have a nice middle-class or better lifestyle in a nice part of England/Scotland/Wales/NI. You own or are buying a nice house, you both have or one of you has a good job with an income(s) sufficient to support your lifestyle/family. You get 30-40 days vacation a year and take two or more family vacations each year. Two cars are on your driveway and you have all the boyâ€™s/girlâ€™s toys you want. Your children are happy in and doing well in school. Youâ€™re close physically to your families and value that greatly.

So why are you contemplating abandoning all this .....So what's in it for you?

I think that is a fair question ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 7959328)

Apart from customer service in French, what does it offer ?

I knew you'd come back with something like this .... :sneaky::lol::thumbup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 7959355)

(nobody is going to admit to being materialistic or that material things are important to them on BE).

I can afford to do it. The real question is why wouldn't you if you had the opportunity?

I will admit that ....

And I agree - if I did not have much of my middle-class assets, I would not have taken the leap. I had no illusions that life would be 'cheaper' on this side - so I knew we could afford to risk a loss (and would be willing to take it on the chin) if it all went horribly wrong. It was definitely an opportunity worth exploring to us. Whether it was all worthwhile is still, on some days, up for debate .... but I was able to step off the treadmill for a while and take a breath, which was 'worth' a lot to me, and us regardless ...

I admire those that come with meagre savings because they have far more to lose - but also perhaps a stronger impetus to make it work out well. :sneaky:

wearing a baseball cap

Have you checked out the spectators at a UK soccer match lately?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 7959407)

I can answer that, but first, convince me that you're not just doing a wind up.

I wouldn't know how to convince you. I am sincerely interested in what it means. If you'd said you enjoyed being a UK'er or a Canadian, that I can get, but an ex-pat?

For me basically was to get away from the yob culture - Canada has it problems but we don't have fraction of the yob culture the UK does

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith (Post 7959344)

..far too many Daily Express readers in Canada.

I beg your pardon? What on earth has that got to do with my post? I assume it's aimed at my post as you quoted me? I have to ask for clarification because the Daily Express was not a 'news'paper that I ever read in the UK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auld Yin (Post 7959433)

I wouldn't know how to convince you. I am sincerely interested in what it means. If you'd said you enjoyed being a UK'er or a Canadian, that I can get, but an ex-pat?

How many countries have you lived in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by geedee (Post 7959456)

You have to admit that emigrating because of immigrants is odd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 7959481)

How many countries have you lived in?

What has that got to do with it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 7959488)

You have to admit that emigrating because of immigrants is odd.

Not really. If you're watching the Country you grew up in disintegrate before your eyes as swathes of foreigners move in, it can trigger an 'escape' reaction, especially to places like Australia and Canada.

There are posts on this site, and other sites, where people have stated that as being a reason for moving.

And before anyone asks.... I am not an emigrant! I am in Canada because my Company sent me here!

Any way... what on earth has the daily express got to do with it???/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auld Yin (Post 7959490)

What has that got to do with it?

Nothing really - it wasn't meant in a boastful way. It was a genuine question - this is my second time being an ex-pat and that feeling you have when you live abroad is great. It's not quite the same as being on holiday, but it's similar. The feeling that there is all that opportunity to experience new things there for the taking. It's nice. Not sure what Novo's take is, but that's what I mean.