Would you do it all again?
 

Hi to everyone on the Canada Discussion Forum, I have viewed the site many times, but until now, have not plucked up the courage to come on, so please be gentle.
We have been here in BC now since 2007, had a very bumpy ride, lots of up's and down's. Came with husband (his idea to come, not mine) and our 2 teenage son's (was 18 and 16 at the time) so very, difficult ages to deal with emigrating to new country. Oh and 2 dogs, and no jobs .... So yes about as bad a scenario as it get's.
Long story short, we found a home in rural BC on 1 acre with lovely views, got job's but nothing fancy and not well paying. Younger son had to start at secondary school here, even though he had just left school in the UK, but that was fine, it was a way for him to meet new people. He grad's next month then going on to college. Elder son ... well that's a topic for another day, involving Canadian Forces letting PR's join on equal footing to citizens than at the very last minute changing their mind!!
Would I do it all again - No. Am I glad we did it - Yes and No. Do I think we'll stay forever - I don't think so. Would you do it all again?

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

No

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

No

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes, I would, but then we were fortunate in that our kids are still young which made it easier for them to settle and my husband already had a job to come to. We were also very lucky in that coming over via the Provincial Nominee Program, it only took 8 months from first applying to receiving permanent residency. Maybe I'd think differently had it taken three or four years like some people.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Reasonably happy here now but it's taken a long time. Would I do it all again? Most certainly not! Might even move back one day. We'll see.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

I wouldnt do it again! We came via the PNP route too seems the easiest way with the job guarantee.

After spending 2.5 years here, glad we did it. Looking forward to another BC summer. If we had gone down the skilled route without a job. I think we would have gone back to the uk by now. I would nt recommend it for families or couples who are well established in the UK with a lot to lose. Lots of people have found it impossible to get a decent job when arriving here, even with a good level of education and experience.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

we love it here so far. only been here 1 month. have job, house rented etc. would i do it again? nooooooo. if i knew how much hassle all the paperwork and moving would be i would not have even considered it.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes, I would definitely do it again! I came here via PNP which was relatively quick and painless. I came over to a job I love and which pays much better than my job in the UK, with much more job satisfaction. I can't see me ever going back to the UK - I haven't missed it all - except for decent clothes shopping! My OH had trouble finding work but is now at college training for a new career.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Thanks for your honest answers - I know folks back home read this site, for ideas and answers to their questions, most on the brink of taking the plunge, so I would urge them to think carefully. It's all about your circumstances - past, present and future and your expectations I suppose.
I remember all the reasons we left the UK, but been here in Canada makes me remember all the things I love about the UK.:o
Are you really so unhappy that you want to leave everything and everyone you love in the UK? Or would just moving to another county help or perhaps changing your job?
If you really want to do it, then do it because regrets about "what if" is a terrible thing. Just think about it a wee while longer.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

This time last year I would have said YES! Now I'm saying no. No I don't think I would, I'm feeling beaten. I am here to stay though, I'm sure I will pick up and life will feel calmer. Will I spend 12 months of the year in Canada in (retirement) years to come? Not if I can help it.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

anyone who is retired goes to arizona for 3 months! and i can tell why!

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

YES! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately work has taken us south of the border so we're now living in Chicago, after 5 years living in Canada. We will be back, no doubt about it - Vancouver is "home" .... really miss it already.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

No question, would do it again. Gave up an excellent job with exceptional prospects to try something different, my colleagues thought I was nuts. Tried loads of things (in the same career path). Getting a job was no problem, I had the pick of several. Chose the lowest paying, but most fun. Ended up going back to the one that paid the bills better than the others and was less fun. Retired in BC, would not anticipate leaving.

If you come for adventure and a change, it can work great, those that come thinking they will be better off than where they are are more likley to be disappointed.

The Nicola Valley is my favorite part of the province, especially around Quilchena. It could be a tad isolated and limited job ops for those wanting a career, but great lifestyle if that is what suits.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

I so agree with this. I feel like the last year and a bit here have been a constant battle with one thing or another and even though I won't be leaving Canada, I could definately do with a month away!

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Sounds about right really ;)

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes, without a doubt.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Only if it involved the same woman.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

If the circumstances were the same (Single, job to come to) then yes, although I really only left the UK cos I had the oportunity, not because I didint like it there.

Would I come with a young family to uncertain circumstances? I like it here, things are OK for us, and I expect I will be here for the long haul...but I would have to think long and hard about other easier options too if I was looking for something different to where I was.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

I was lucky to find a job before leaving the UK, the kids (4 and 9) have settled nicely, we still have a house in the uk for sale, and although being on a TWP means we are financial leppers (no credit), absolutely yes, I would do it all again....and technically we are with a 2nd attempt at FSW in progress, damn I hate that paperwork!!!! :D

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes i would. Life is a funny thing and life is more about everything coming together where ever that happens to be. If i was happy and doing well in the UK I would think long and hard before uprooting one's family.

I can retire in 9 years and don't know what the future holds. I do worry about aging parents back in blighty and feel deep down that I will do the dutiful son thing and head back, but who knows?

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes - under the same circumstances, in a heart beat.

But was naive at the insecurity of TWP!

For those on TWPs, get PR as soon as possible!

B

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes

Our only frustrations have come from the decision to keep our UK property, since we initially came on BUNAC it provided a back-up if we weren't able to stay. We had a nightmare over the following 3 years renting it out, losing a decent sum of cash, as well as losing out since the FX rate dropped too.

However, even after that I wouldn't change any of our decisions if I was to do it again.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Not anyone...only those who can afford it.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes! We've been here for over 30 years, had some tough times but mostly good. Felt homesick after 7 years and went back to UK realised our mistake almost immediately and returned after 8 months! We then became quite permanently settled, raised our family here and our life is probably not a lot different than if we had never moved, but we love Canada. It's home now. We will think of moving when we retire but it won't be back to the UK, most likely elsewhere in Canada.

I really think that if you choose to move here once well established in the UK and with a family, having done that in reverse, you need to think long and hard why you would want to. If it's for the change and a different way of life living somewhere new then yes do it, but if your motives are for a better life it's not necessarily an advantage IMO.

We now have elderly parents and that presents it's own complications but you learn to deal with them from afar and visit when you can. Be prepared for the emergency trips back when needed.

I find that life is what you make it wherever you are and it's all down to your own attitude.:)

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Would I do it all again? - Yes
Would I move to the same location? - I highly doubt it!
Will I stay forever? - No idea!

Hubby and I moved mainly as we felt "stuck" in the UK. We talked about moving within the UK, but it didn't seem to work for us. I remember saying from the first time I had a holiday at the age of 10 that I didn't want to live in the UK, so trying a different Country out had been on my mind for a long time!

What would I do differently if I did it all again? MORE RESEARCH. It seems no matter how much you do it will never be enough ;)

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Not sure id this reply should go here or in one of the other threads, but I have just spent 30 mins talking to my 84 year old Grandad. We always have a good laugh on the phone, if I'm anything like him when I'm old then I'll be onto a good thing.

Amongst all the laughter was the comment 'I hope I get to see you again before I pop my clogs.'

We have never been close in the sense of regular visits/phone calls but the longer I am away the more I realise that there have been lots of missed opportunities. I think that realisation also comes with seeing how my Husband has tried to cope with losing his parents and the guilt he feels.

I just feel very regretful and confused right now.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Maybe. I got the timing right financially, but I think I'd have been having more fun if I'd stayed in Bangkok.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

I don't think it gets easier. I've lived out of the UK since i was 21 and till about 3 years ago never give it much thought in terms of aging family. My grandmother died a couple of years back and a bunch of great uncles and aunts. Not to mention nieces and nephews who don't know me.

I know what you mean about feeling guilty but you do have to live your own life. As i noted earlier i I haven't discounted the possibility of moving back for family reasons in the future.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

What with all those museums, art galleries and the theatre I can see what you mean. ;)
Although, snowboarding might be a bit of a challenge.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Would I do it again i.e. leave NZ? yes. I did the right thing for me. I always knew, from a small child I would live in another country one day.

Would I come to Canada, knowing what I know now? I think so. It's mostly been positive. There is a side of me that wishes we went to Europe instead, though.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

I bet you would with all those lady boys.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Yes, I might even have gone to them if I'd stayed.

They are quite numerous.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Would I do it all again - I don't think so. I gave up a very good job to come here and I should have hedged my bets more. We had to make decisions very quickly and I wish we'd had more time to think it all through (I know a slightly unusual situation for those emigrating to Canada!!)

Am I glad we did it - No, but glad of the experience.

Will stay forever - Definitely not

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

But if you can say that after 1 month how can you say no? Seems to me that you must have known that before you left?

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

No.

Although i always wanted to live and work in different country, so i feel i have scratched that itch!!
So yes would probabaly do it again!

I wish i had felt more settled & happy in the UK but i didn't leave it because i didn't like it, i left to try new adventures. I'm in no-man's land now.

yes no yes no, lol (does that make sense?)

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

I have to say I would probably do it all again, because it was always something I wanted to do, and it would always have been at the back of my mind.

HOWEVER, things I would do differently:

- rented a house for longer instead of buying so quickly. lots of things that we just didn't know/weren't sure about that we should have taken into account (for example - what kind of well, water flow).

- i would have shipped a container. we came with just 2 cases each and 2 smallish crates of things. it quickly gets very boring buying new things, and houses here are just bigger - we've been in our house 2 years, and still have half empty rooms. the cost also mounts up quickly even for things like graters, pans, bedding.........

- looked into the job market more. I came over expecting it to a bit difficult to get a job, turns out it is very difficult. I have gone back to university for more qualifications, which helps, but they are still looking for Canadian experience - the 10years experience I have back home, doesn't count for too much.


As for the future, who knows what will happen. As it stands, it has been a great experience (for the most part!) i have made some great friends and done a lot of things I wouldn't have done at home and I think i would always have wondered "what if" if i hadn't came. The part of Canada we came to (Newfoundland) is a very unique place and will always have a special place in my heart and the people are (for the most part) very friendly and have a great sense of humour and kindness.

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Nope. Great experience tho'!

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Aw.............:wub:

Re: Would you do it all again?
 

Absolutely without question.

Met my wonderful wife here. :wub:

Have two successful sons and three fantastic grandchildren.

Had a wonderful career as an Air Traffic Controller.:thumbsup: