I do get what you're trying to say, even though it's not coming out that way.

I'm just biding my time before i head out to the beach in this glorious sunshine.

You wouldn't think so, judging by some of the posts that appear on this site!

LOL - how very true!

People move to Canada for many different reasons. I agree moving here simply because the USA was too hard to get into or Aus is too far away, may not be the best reasons.

Ultimately the reason for the move will be a big factor in the success or otherwise of the emigration. It is those underlying reasons that get you through the tough times.

However some people, act with the best motives, do the proper research and for one of many reasons Canada just does not work out for them. As a previous poster said, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

I would hope the forum is not just for positive posts, its for people to share their experiences, be they good or bad.

PS I would rather be miserable in Birmingham than in Canada. At least then I would have my support network of good core friends.

Aaaaaawwwww Dave! I think I might just be a little bit in love with you! You are spot on when you say some people on here are negative (that's putting it politely!) and their names soon become familiar. It's one of the reasons I rarely come on anymore I also like your point in your original post about it being hard living here while your heart is elsewhere...

Thanks for keeping in real Dave and good luck with your plans.

Some of us have a more measured view of Canada by virtue of actually living here. If you have any real questions I'd be happy, given my experiences, to answer them, if you want uncritical laudatory affirmation then you're out of luck.

In addition, on what conceivable grounds would you consider Whitby ON preferable to Whitby UK?

Oh how predictable...
(rolls eyes)

It's because of people like you two that I feel I can never post on here.

The thought of some one having a bad day in Canada simply disgusts me.

It just cannot happen and I just don't understand where you get off thinking and suggesting otherwise.

This type of thing!

No, I'm serious. All you have to say is that either yourself or your partner (if you have one) have landed employment in Whitby ON, which is sufficiently lucrative to attract you to a tedious location in Canada rather than a charming seaside resort in (I think) Yorkshire.

I didn't actually emigrate voluntarily. But I ended up finding an extremely good job in Canada, and will stick around because of it - although I most certainly did not emigrate to escape. I absolutely adore the old homeland!

As luck would have it there are lots of posters on BE with a "measured view of Canada by virtue of actually living here" who are willing to give advice, constructive criticism etc in a friendly sometimes humourous manner. Not just the usual suspects!

May I suggest that those who you think are slating Canada, are the ones who have been here a while and are just pointing out that it has it's faults.

You've been in the UK presumably all your life, and like a stale relationship you want out.

Canada offers itself then to be the tall dark (in this case bright white) stranger to which you would like to have a relationship.

You might fall head over heels in love and make a long term or even permanent life here - but like any marriage there are always things that you don't agree with.

To Canadians and long term expats, Canada is just another place to live and it really can be ok to not agree with everything it has to offer.

What a fun read.

Ok, so here's my 2 pence/cents worth:

If you want to move over because you love the great outdoors, then that's a valid reason.
If you want to move over because you hate the hoodies that seem to hang around on every street corner, then that's a valid reason.
If you want to move over because you dream of afternoons spent eating timbits and drinking coffee, and a quick browse round Canadian Tire on the way home, then that's also a valid reason.

They are all valid reasons because a valid reason is not defined by what others think, it's about the individual.

The people who come back with their tail between their legs, and who clogged up the immigration queue for a while had every right to do so. The fact they came back is irrelevant to the immigration process.

People do come back hating it, but don't be too quick to judge. No amount of research can prepare you 100% for a life in Canada. There are simply going to be things that piss you off and impact on your life in a negative way. Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply being naive. Who knows what you may discover 3 days, 3 months, or 3 years into your new life? For some people the next negative thing they discover may tip the balance and outweigh the positive. After a while that can lead to you hating the place and moving back.

To the OP: I would say don't judge others too fast as one day you may find yourself on a flight back to the UK or somewhere else because you hate Canada. Your obvious response will be "Rubbish!" (or a similar sentiment), but I can't imagine many people move to Canada after going through the PR process thinking they're going to hate it. It's something that happens when they're there. Enough straws will break the back of any Camel, and there may be plenty of negatives out there waiting for you that you're simply unaware of.

Enjoy your time in the UK, and if you do manage to get PR and move out to Canada, then I wish you every success, just like I would to anyone moving out there to escape hoodies on street corners.