Why do you want to move to Canada
#466
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
[QUOTE=Auld Yin;8073995]
I think the point here is that it is neither valid nor reliable to take your personal experience and make generalized assertions about the population.
My parents moved from UK in 1965, they always owned a car, purchased there own new house in 1960, we went on holiday every year. When we moved to Canada it took them 6 years to own their own house and they never owned a new car again.
I don't know what your point is here. I moved from UK in 1966, had lived in a council flat in Glasgow and neither I nor my parents had ever owned a car. In Canada I have owned a number of houses, including the one I'm presently in, have owned probably 9 new cars and I do not consider myself any more successful than countless other Canadians/ExPats. I consider myself an average person but I doubt I would have done as well had I stayed in the UK.
I don't know what your point is here. I moved from UK in 1966, had lived in a council flat in Glasgow and neither I nor my parents had ever owned a car. In Canada I have owned a number of houses, including the one I'm presently in, have owned probably 9 new cars and I do not consider myself any more successful than countless other Canadians/ExPats. I consider myself an average person but I doubt I would have done as well had I stayed in the UK.
#467
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
I have cause to doubt that. It's a self-selecting group of people with access to computers but I've met as many people from this board who are struggling as are well off; and I don't know any of the people from here who gave up and moved back. I do, however, know a bunch of real people who left disappointed.
#469
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
Left Toronto for the countries from which they came, disappointed not to be any better off financially for having moved here. I think the people who stay and make a go of it tend to grind through the poor early years because they feel they can't go back or because there's something terrible wherever they came from. It's only after a difficult start that those immigrants who will succeed start to do well.
#470
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
Left Toronto for the countries from which they came, disappointed not to be any better off financially for having moved here. I think the people who stay and make a go of it tend to grind through the poor early years because they feel they can't go back or because there's something terrible wherever they came from. It's only after a difficult start that those immigrants who will succeed start to do well.
#471
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
I have cause to doubt that. It's a self-selecting group of people with access to computers but I've met as many people from this board who are struggling as are well off; and I don't know any of the people from here who gave up and moved back. I do, however, know a bunch of real people who left disappointed.
#472
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
Left Toronto for the countries from which they came, disappointed not to be any better off financially for having moved here. I think the people who stay and make a go of it tend to grind through the poor early years because they feel they can't go back or because there's something terrible wherever they came from. It's only after a difficult start that those immigrants who will succeed start to do well.
#473
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
If they immigrated to Canada, surely they are already home!
Why should an immigrant be treated differently to any other employee?
This is the way its done here. So often people claim they are immigrating as the UK is going to the dogs and want a better life. They cannot pick and choose which bits they want and don't want. I guess, take it for what it is and enjoy it or don't do it.
Why should an immigrant be treated differently to any other employee?
This is the way its done here. So often people claim they are immigrating as the UK is going to the dogs and want a better life. They cannot pick and choose which bits they want and don't want. I guess, take it for what it is and enjoy it or don't do it.
I moved to the Channel Islands for a while but kept my flat in London empty so I could come home when I wished it will of course be very different if I move to BC.
I don't think it's a case of picking and choosing the bits it is everything that I and everyone around me knows is a (now) 4 week minimum holiday and it is difficult to get my head around working for a year with no holidays it seems inhumane.
I also did not state that immigrants should have different rules for anyone to work a year without holiday is crazy IMO
#474
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
I don't think it's a case of picking and choosing the bits it is everything that I and everyone around me knows is a (now) 4 week minimum holiday and it is difficult to get my head around working for a year with no holidays it seems inhumane.
I also did not state that immigrants should have different rules for anyone to work a year without holiday is crazy IMO
#475
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
Did you not read what my answer to the quote was? The point was that UK was not as bad as described by OP in 1963. I was raised in council flat (as was my mother and grandmother) until parents purchased their own house. So what is your point!
[QUOTE=Auld Yin;8073995]
[QUOTE=Auld Yin;8073995]
My parents moved from UK in 1965, they always owned a car, purchased there own new house in 1960, we went on holiday every year. When we moved to Canada it took them 6 years to own their own house and they never owned a new car again.
I don't know what your point is here. I moved from UK in 1966, had lived in a council flat in Glasgow and neither I nor my parents had ever owned a car. In Canada I have owned a number of houses, including the one I'm presently in, have owned probably 9 new cars and I do not consider myself any more successful than countless other Canadians/ExPats. I consider myself an average person but I doubt I would have done as well had I stayed in the UK.
I don't know what your point is here. I moved from UK in 1966, had lived in a council flat in Glasgow and neither I nor my parents had ever owned a car. In Canada I have owned a number of houses, including the one I'm presently in, have owned probably 9 new cars and I do not consider myself any more successful than countless other Canadians/ExPats. I consider myself an average person but I doubt I would have done as well had I stayed in the UK.
#476
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
Yes I do agree that if I was there it should be home. I'm just trying to adjust to the idea of actually moving to Canada so at the moment this is home and until I know differently it always will be. That said (and I only say this as I do not know yet) I feel at the moment UK will always be home the place I was born, is so familiar to me and most of all where my family and friends are.
Our home was pretty much the same as in the UK, did not buy new cars, had a small mortgage and went overseas at least twice a month. Life seemed pretty good for us.
it is difficult to get my head around working for a year with no holidays it seems inhumane.
Last edited by Aviator; Nov 5th 2009 at 8:45 pm.
#477
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
A bit of BC perspective ...
In the trades the legal minimum of 2 weeks for the first five years and three weeks thereafter is the norm. I don't hear anyone complaining about it. It never comes up in discussions about wages, even with immigrants. If people need more time off they bank hours in advance, or in an emergency ask for the time unpaid.
The flip side is that most people will only work 40 hours a week. It is difficult - almost impossible - to beg or bribe people into working extra hours. Time off is too precious. Winter or summer, there are far too many fun things to do to waste your life working any more hours than necessary. You don't need a ski holiday in the winter because the slopes are on your doorstep. for four or more months you can ski two or three days a week. In summer weekends are for camping, or the cabin, or soaking up the sun on the beach, or for whatever.
Work to live, and adapt your routine to maximize the living time.
Disclaimer:
The above is solely my experience and the anecdotal evidence of the people I have spoken to in the last ten years. It cannot be considered as representative of any other group, sample or population. Especially grumpy old Brits.
In the trades the legal minimum of 2 weeks for the first five years and three weeks thereafter is the norm. I don't hear anyone complaining about it. It never comes up in discussions about wages, even with immigrants. If people need more time off they bank hours in advance, or in an emergency ask for the time unpaid.
The flip side is that most people will only work 40 hours a week. It is difficult - almost impossible - to beg or bribe people into working extra hours. Time off is too precious. Winter or summer, there are far too many fun things to do to waste your life working any more hours than necessary. You don't need a ski holiday in the winter because the slopes are on your doorstep. for four or more months you can ski two or three days a week. In summer weekends are for camping, or the cabin, or soaking up the sun on the beach, or for whatever.
Work to live, and adapt your routine to maximize the living time.
Disclaimer:
The above is solely my experience and the anecdotal evidence of the people I have spoken to in the last ten years. It cannot be considered as representative of any other group, sample or population. Especially grumpy old Brits.
#478
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
Thank you both for the information.
I'm sure I will be better equipped to understand the adjustments we will need to make after we have made our trip in March.
I'm sure I will be better equipped to understand the adjustments we will need to make after we have made our trip in March.
#479
Banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: the GTA
Posts: 3,824
Re: Why do you want to move to Canada
The point was that UK was not as bad as described by OP in 1963.
I happen to believe that it was as bad in 1963 as he described. Only 18 years after WWll, the UK was mired in poverty. IMO, living there for the common folk was, for the most part, quite miserable. The slums of Glasgow were atrocious with many people still subjected to sharing toilet facilities. On the first day I arrived in Canada the differences in living standards were very noticable. One could easily rent an nice apartment whereas in Glasgow there were virtually no private rentals available, only council housing, which you had to go on a list for and wait, wait and wait. In 1963 in many areas of UK one had to wait months to have a telephone hooked up. I could go on and on. Things in the UK have improved to the point where I truly wonder why people still want to come to Canada when things are so good back there (that wasn't sarcasm). I've read all the comments about Canada's outdoor living, better opportunities for the kids, more bang for your buck, housewise. All that I take with a pinch of salt. I have been back many times and much enjoy visiting the many regions I wasn't able to see as a youngster. If I could have lived in UK with what I now have/had I wouldn't have considered emigrating. I could easily sell up today, move back to UK and live very comfortably, but my family/friends are here and I experience a most satisfactory lifestyle, for me.
I happen to believe that it was as bad in 1963 as he described. Only 18 years after WWll, the UK was mired in poverty. IMO, living there for the common folk was, for the most part, quite miserable. The slums of Glasgow were atrocious with many people still subjected to sharing toilet facilities. On the first day I arrived in Canada the differences in living standards were very noticable. One could easily rent an nice apartment whereas in Glasgow there were virtually no private rentals available, only council housing, which you had to go on a list for and wait, wait and wait. In 1963 in many areas of UK one had to wait months to have a telephone hooked up. I could go on and on. Things in the UK have improved to the point where I truly wonder why people still want to come to Canada when things are so good back there (that wasn't sarcasm). I've read all the comments about Canada's outdoor living, better opportunities for the kids, more bang for your buck, housewise. All that I take with a pinch of salt. I have been back many times and much enjoy visiting the many regions I wasn't able to see as a youngster. If I could have lived in UK with what I now have/had I wouldn't have considered emigrating. I could easily sell up today, move back to UK and live very comfortably, but my family/friends are here and I experience a most satisfactory lifestyle, for me.
Last edited by Auld Yin; Nov 5th 2009 at 9:08 pm.