This is going to be a bit of an odd question, but if you live in the UK or moved from the UK, why do/did you want to move to Canada?

I'm Canadian, married to an UK ExPat... we are working towards moving to the UK, and I'm curious why those in the UK are leaving. Might help us make some decisions, consider factors we haven't... and those that have made the move, do you feel your life is improved having moved to Canada? What do you like most/hate most?

Just curious...
Blessings!

I married a Canadian, and 17 years later...after many visits, he said "I want to go home". By this time we had a ten year old child, and things just weren't working out for us in Europe. I met my husband in the Middle East, and in my heart I will always be nomadic. I think I could learn to like Canada. Many of the people are caring and giving, and I believe that if I work hard enough I could become part of this community. What do I love: ultimately, people are nice here...scratch under the surface, and there is a very decent layer. Hate: 30 years ago, I left the UK, but prior to my going I worked for a woman's clinic, and shouted "not the church, Not the State, women must decide their Fate" and now I am a "marshal" at the local women's clinic, and am there for the pro choice group at 7am when the pro life group gather to block their pathway....it's a big step back in time...the opposition spit at us and throw salt at me, and it's been a big shock. I've been at it a few months now, and I just cannot understand the mental step back in time. I fought before, for something that I thought was important....but it just doesn't matter here. I just can't sit and see basic very basic women's rights swept away. That's why I tend to feel a bit tepid at the thought of Gay rights...that's a big battle here...a looong way to come. We can't say in a warm and fuzzy way, that it's years behind Britain, without thinking that also has negatives.

Canada, is a new country, it's all for the making. Every sentient being can make a positive difference. I want my son to live in a great country, so I'm prepared to fight for the few odious bits. I feel like I've found life and a purpose again.

Why the devil do you want to go to the UK?

i got a job offer and fancied trying it out...

i might stay, i might not!

Actually, Millie, for the exact same reason - Canada is a young country, no history (or much) to speak of, no grounding, no sense of self. The Brits just seem to know who they are more... they know their history, where they've come from, there they're going... and they have that "Keep calm and carry on" attitude. I like that.

(Even if it's over here in Brits like yourself! )

I got fed up with everything back home,and managed to land a job over here that I have 8 years experience in,looked into it all,took the job,and now I am here.
I wouldn't go back to the UK if I can help it,for lots of reasons.

What? Let me at 'em.

They have a group that stands across the street from one of the hospitals here. I always think of them when we have bad weather.

Sometimes the people of this province are so damn contrary. There's no doubt that people support each other here.

I was wheeling my wife home once and as we got outside our home, she came over a bit ill. The driver of a car going by noticed me bending over her and stopped to offer help. She wasn't to know we'd stopped because we were home.

We've experienced things like this a few times and there's quite a lot of heart warming stuff that makes the paper.

But then the other side. I read what a pittance Social Assistance rates are and that they have their first rise after rates have been frozen for about 7 years. And it's phased over two years.

And the newspapers, radio phone-ins, CBC website are full of anti welfare comments complaining about this big rise (ignoring the phasing and the freezing) all these lazy good for nothin' folk have coming to them.

I don't know how people can be so caring on the one hand and so heartless on the other.

I hated all the middle class people. Canadians are so refreshingly white trash.

Yet you are the living definition of middle class yourself?

i hardly meet any Canadians

For myself, since a kid I've had a fascination with Canada for some reason! Anyway, got tied up with starting my own company, woke up one day last year and decided that I need to go and see a bit of Canada. Did about six weeks travelling around North America. Stayed in Vancouver for about four weeks, travelling to AB from there. Absolutely fell in love with the place. So I'm looking to at least try a year out there, take my work with me.

I dunno, just felt homely. Generally, people seem a lot friendlier, better aspirations, pride in the place they live. Beautiful scenery of course. I did drive through East Hastings so I've seen the ugly side of Vancouver, but hey, I live near Birmingham - there's poverty everywhere.

UK:
-------
expensive
quality of food for the price is poor
weather is middle ground, not enough heat, not enough cold if you like winter sports
quality of housing is poor for the price
quality of rental housing is poor for the price
every high street looks the same, only a few areas have independent shops
outdoors wildlife / wilderness if you like that sort of thing is non existent compared to Canada

in what way? Probably less middle class but maybe that's just how people are in Canada. You get people working in all sorts of jobs out there independent of background/upbringing and everyone talks to everyone.

That's what's what I meant. A lot Canadians drive around in pikey cars like pickup trucks and American cars and they don't seem embarrassed, you don't see too many Volvos. Plus, how many Canadian children are called Tarquin or Guinevere or eat organic kumquat, nettle and garlic salad? They're just really down-to-earth people who don't worry about their children's education. Its refreshing.

Absolutely agree with this and others. The lack of the obvious class structure which is so engrained into UK life and culture is very refreshing. That said, I'm pretty sure most Canadian parents DO worry about their children's education!

Aww Millie you're one of my favourite people on this board...seriously.

Can't say I've ever experienced that here - though, an abortion clinic I visited once was like Fort Knox to get into, with cameras etc...and legally speaking, there is no law about abortion thanks to Morgentaler, so it's not that Canada is behind, it just sounds like your piece of it is. Still, fight the good fight! Go Millie!