Edo

The taxes and fuel prices are all the same wherever you go in England. Quality of life could be better ONLY if you can afford it.

Bermudashorts

The general election turnout is about 60%, so it is simply not true to say that "most people in the UK" so not vote.


DO you mean like the BNP or something? None of the main parties are advocating pulling out of the EU. You are possibly confusing not having a choice with agreement.


Are you saying that anybody who does not think that the "best" laws came from the EU is unintelligent. Unlike you I presume. Good lord.

BTW UK employees have had employment protection long before the EU came along.

JAJ

The old Soviet Union had a fairly similar constitutional structure.

Which is the fundamental problem. That and the fact that Britain has effectively become a one-party state, there may still be a fiction of three different parties but their substantive policies on the real issues are identical.

The distinction I would draw between Britain and Australia/Canada/NZ is as follows. Politicians in the three latter countries are not perfect but it's fair to say that the majority know what country they belong to and believe in doing what is best for their country, even if that is misguided. It used to be that way in Britain. Whereas now, the majority of British politicians are more interested in serving the interests of the EU (effectively Brussels, Paris and Berlin) even if these conflict with vital British interests.

If or when the British electorate wakes up to this they may find at that point that EU membership will be as voluntary as that of the former Warsaw Pact.

Alphawolf

I'm gonna go for the "cos England's ***t" comment, can't argue with it and I have travelled the length and breadth of the country, the only happy people here are the ones with plenty of money, The rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer and the working class paying for all the f****** illegal immigrants and dole wallers/benefits cheats!!!
In my humble opinion which I am entitled to before someone gets all high and mighty!!!

Alphawolf

As for Canada, I found it to be a friendly place with helpful, friendly people, clean parks, safe streets, relaxing driving conditions and of course the more for your money regarding housing always helps.
Add to this the breathtaking scenery and National Parks and clean air!!

Kokanee

The Lifestyle is the major difference.

Its is the availability and affordability that makes a difference.
There is nothing in Canada I couldnt do in the UK but not sitting in traffic for an hour, not queueing and not feeling ripped off makes a big difference.

Danny B

If you have a decent quality of life now and you are reasonably happy, I would think very hard about moving here.

Things are not the same here as they were a few years ago, the major push factors for us at the time were the good exchange rate, booming economy, and my children being at that perfect age to move. 11 & 4.

Now you have a crap exchange rate and it's much harder to get a job. Having said that, if you are lucky enough to secure a decent job from the UK, go for it

Alan2005

But he's right. You just don't feel strongly enough about it at all. If you did you would do something, but you don't. You just like moaning about it.

Alan2005

Oh dear. You do know that the tax burden is about the same here don't you? Canadian government is huge and spends other peoples money in the same way that the UK one does.

Economically the country is fcked though. Those things you have complained about will have to stop anyway as government spending needs to be cut significantly. The same will happen here when the stimulus bill comes in, however the UK's will be much higher.

Still, quite a bit of the UK is actually quite nice. Edinburgh, Dorset, Yorkshire Dales, Lake district etc.

dboy

Life is what you make of it where ever you are. Some find a better life here in Canada (i did) others don't. As already stated, if you like your life and are well connected with family and friends, then think long and hard, especially if you are in stable, well paying employment. You will often hear people referring to the push rather than the pulls. That is some leave because they believe (rightly or wrongly) that the UK has gone to the dogs and there are limited opportunities for themselves and their kids and better ones overseas. Other may leave simply for specific work experience, adventure, for a change etc (or like some of us to be with a foreign spouse).

Attitude is a big one and uprooting one self is a major stressor, wrought with challenges. Take a look at the heading back to the uk thread. Many who do want to go home, seem to have found that their lives were no better (although it amazes me that some give up so quickly after only a few months) and ironically seem to head home for the very reasons they left (rose tinted glasses on backwards?).

Not trying to put you off, but it really is a huge decision and yes you can always go back, though financially and practically speaking it's not quite that straight forward.

I also believe that different stages in your life impact your ability to adapt to a move. 25 with no real prospects or responsibility in one place is very different than mid 40s with kids and secure job and house to sell.

I would have to think very long and hard about ever leaving vancouver at this stage in my life, as I would simply have way too much to lose and very little to gain.

Aviator

I can see only one reason to immigrate to another country and make it successful - Change for the sake of change.

Most immigrating and expecting an sudden change in the quality of life is likley going to be disappointed. The exception would perhaps be those coming from under developed countries, which contrary to what some may think, the UK is not one of them.

Alan2005

Those selling houses in the UK between '05 and '07 and moving when the exchange rate was 2.30/2.40 could expect a step change in quality of life as they could live mortgage free. That's not the case now - and there is truth in what you say.

TheBestUsername

There's really no doubt that the cliche of, "the grass is always greener on the other side" is applicable with most cases of immigration. That's the whole point of it, yes, but it is also misleading.

And, as for those who claim that they have experienced everything that the UK has to offer, I will say this. Unless you are approaching your 220th birthday, no. You have not. If you ever experience everything which the UK has to offer, I will be long dead, so you will not be able to brag about it to me. Quick-temperedness and impatience are not good motivating factors for immigrating to another country, especially one which isn't the UK.

There are plenty of good reasons that people have, and have thought carefully about, for moving to Canada. And, I respect that. But, claiming that the UK is not a good country is simply incorrect, almost to a comical extent.

Dave+Jules

These type of questions always draw out a myriad of response that trigger strong reactions.

Generally people move for different reasons and have different perspectives on the state of the UK. If you shoot at it then a mass of people complain about your post and if you claim the UK is fine and why do people see Canada as anyway specifically better, then a different group rise to the bait and put their points/opinons forward.

For me I grew angry with the politicians, the wilful targeting of my income bracket as the county's cashpoint machine, the destruction of my pension fund plus the seemingly ever increasing hand over of our sovereignty to the EU. If I was going to pay high taxes I may as well live somewhere with a better quality of life .... and the rest is history.

I now (in nearly four years) have a better house, car, job, work - life balance, than I had from 1996 through to 2005 in the UK. during which my life style seemed to be one of spiralling down and work was overwhelming my time.

Bali2010

To go to the orginal questions:

I'd like to experience living abroad (again, but only if 4 months counts!)
The place I am aiming for is beautiful - lake, mountains, ski resorts
The weather - hot dry summers, snowy winters & less wind & rain than uk
Proximity to USA where I like to visit (however depends which side given E - W distance)
Some family are already there.
Love to travel in Canada - whales, bears, sea etc
Am looking for partial retirement (work but less hassle job) than here

No kids though so I don't have that to consider.

good luck with your choice - it has taken me 4-5 yrs to make my mind up, so I would suggest you take as long as you need to be comfortable with the choice.