your opinions please.
Nov 20th 2008, 9:18 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,092
Re: your opinions please.
Well caught dbd33.
When my brother moved to Ontario his wife insisted on the full Canadian experience. He sold his house in Dukinsfield and bought a house on a couple of acres outside Kingston. It's squared off logs, has a fireplace. He cuts down a tree and chops it up for fuel every winter etc etc. He taught his kids to skate on a rink he flooded every winter. Is that the real experience, or a caricature?
I would respectfully suggest that TO, Missisauga, Brampton etc are just huge, soulless suburbs and offer no advantage over the UK except, maybe for the size of the house.
When my brother moved to Ontario his wife insisted on the full Canadian experience. He sold his house in Dukinsfield and bought a house on a couple of acres outside Kingston. It's squared off logs, has a fireplace. He cuts down a tree and chops it up for fuel every winter etc etc. He taught his kids to skate on a rink he flooded every winter. Is that the real experience, or a caricature?
I would respectfully suggest that TO, Missisauga, Brampton etc are just huge, soulless suburbs and offer no advantage over the UK except, maybe for the size of the house.
Nov 20th 2008, 9:22 pm
#17
Lotus-eater
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Cascadian Autonomous Elysian Region
Posts: 5,069
Nov 20th 2008, 9:22 pm
#18
swoops
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Fall River, NS
Posts: 322
Re: your opinions please.
I already live in a small town...and you DON'T get that..I live in a close of just ten houses, I've been here for 9 years and I hardly know any of them by name and thats not for the lack of trying...most peeps just like to keep to them selves around here...Now thats sad
Nov 20th 2008, 9:26 pm
#19
Lotus-eater
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Cascadian Autonomous Elysian Region
Posts: 5,069
Re: your opinions please.
It just depends if you want everyone to know your business and know who has the basement grow op, who sells the best weed, who's connected to the Hells Angels, who has a nasty coke habit, who's screwing who, etc.
"The only good neighbour is a dead neighbour".
R.
Nov 20th 2008, 9:29 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,092
Re: your opinions please.
Small town Canada has lots of that homely, friendly feel.
It just depends if you want everyone to know your business and know who has the basement grow op, who sells the best weed, who's connected to the Hells Angels, who has a nasty coke habit, who's screwing who, etc.
"The only good neighbour is a dead neighbour".
R.
It just depends if you want everyone to know your business and know who has the basement grow op, who sells the best weed, who's connected to the Hells Angels, who has a nasty coke habit, who's screwing who, etc.
"The only good neighbour is a dead neighbour".
R.
It's not all like that - he's kidding folks. In Quebec it's the Banditos!
Re: my bro and the caricature Canuck: he drinks Tetleys and watches Man City live
Nov 20th 2008, 9:31 pm
#21
swoops
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Fall River, NS
Posts: 322
Re: your opinions please.
Small town Canada has lots of that homely, friendly feel.
It just depends if you want everyone to know your business and know who has the basement grow op, who sells the best weed, who's connected to the Hells Angels, who has a nasty coke habit, who's screwing who, etc.
"The only good neighbour is a dead neighbour".
R.
It just depends if you want everyone to know your business and know who has the basement grow op, who sells the best weed, who's connected to the Hells Angels, who has a nasty coke habit, who's screwing who, etc.
"The only good neighbour is a dead neighbour".
R.
Nov 20th 2008, 9:34 pm
#22
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: your opinions please.
Well caught dbd33.
When my brother moved to Ontario his wife insisted on the full Canadian experience. He sold his house in Dukinsfield and bought a house on a couple of acres outside Kingston. It's squared off logs, has a fireplace. He cuts down a tree and chops it up for fuel every winter etc etc. He taught his kids to skate on a rink he flooded every winter. Is that the real experience, or a caricature?
I would respectfully suggest that TO, Missisauga, Brampton etc are just huge, soulless suburbs and offer no advantage over the UK except, maybe for the size of the house.
When my brother moved to Ontario his wife insisted on the full Canadian experience. He sold his house in Dukinsfield and bought a house on a couple of acres outside Kingston. It's squared off logs, has a fireplace. He cuts down a tree and chops it up for fuel every winter etc etc. He taught his kids to skate on a rink he flooded every winter. Is that the real experience, or a caricature?
I would respectfully suggest that TO, Missisauga, Brampton etc are just huge, soulless suburbs and offer no advantage over the UK except, maybe for the size of the house.
Chopping down trees for fuel is neither caricature nor a real experience, it's just routine for us donkey keepers.
Nov 20th 2008, 9:41 pm
#23
Pea Brain
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: TBD
Posts: 6,005
Re: your opinions please.
Many vehicles are less fuel efficient, so the pump price becomes irrelevant. Distances to places are further, so you can end up spending proportionally much more in gas.
Food - I think it's comparable overall, not cheaper.
Cars are cheaper, though salaries are often lower, so maybe no saving there.
Houses - very dependent on your location. They're certainly not out west.
Broadly speaking, I believe the cost of living is similar. Factor in some luxuries and some internal flights, and it's dearer here.
Last edited by R I C H; Nov 20th 2008 at 9:44 pm.
Nov 20th 2008, 9:48 pm
#24
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Beautiful BC
Posts: 1,106
Re: your opinions please.
Hi all. I have asked many questions and read and read and read everything I can find on the subject but I remain a bit unsure.
Now heres the thing;
Lots of people praise Canada highly, while pointiing out the realities, eg. cold,expensive etc. Many of these people have expressed that despite the drawbacks experienced living in Canada it has been worth it for many reasons, eg. quality of life etc.
On the other hand there are many criticisms of Canada, eg. behind the times, very cold winters, high cost of living etc.
Now my problem is arising because I like to have all possible information before making any decision ,but with such contrasts in opinions I am at a bit of a loss.
So once again Im calling on you experienced folks to point out which issues I should be concerned about and which I should discount.
I am aware that everyone views things differently, one mans meat is another mans poison, and all that, but we are a fairly down to earth family looking for a better life that we have in Northern Ireland but want to go in with our eyes wide open.
Sorry for rambling, hope Im not too confusing. Thank you.
Now heres the thing;
Lots of people praise Canada highly, while pointiing out the realities, eg. cold,expensive etc. Many of these people have expressed that despite the drawbacks experienced living in Canada it has been worth it for many reasons, eg. quality of life etc.
On the other hand there are many criticisms of Canada, eg. behind the times, very cold winters, high cost of living etc.
Now my problem is arising because I like to have all possible information before making any decision ,but with such contrasts in opinions I am at a bit of a loss.
So once again Im calling on you experienced folks to point out which issues I should be concerned about and which I should discount.
I am aware that everyone views things differently, one mans meat is another mans poison, and all that, but we are a fairly down to earth family looking for a better life that we have in Northern Ireland but want to go in with our eyes wide open.
Sorry for rambling, hope Im not too confusing. Thank you.
Oh, and I live in the best place in the world, beautiful BC, and I love Vancouver!!!
Nov 20th 2008, 9:53 pm
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,092
Re: your opinions please.
Again I agree with dbd33!!!
Let me finesse my statement about TO. The burbs are soulless. The city of TO proper does have real neighbourhoods, often ethnically based which gives a true cosmopolitan feel to the city.
But this is all the new 21st Century Canada.
I think my point about my brother really was that if you know what you are looking for (and it really is here), it's achievable.
Let me finesse my statement about TO. The burbs are soulless. The city of TO proper does have real neighbourhoods, often ethnically based which gives a true cosmopolitan feel to the city.
But this is all the new 21st Century Canada.
I think my point about my brother really was that if you know what you are looking for (and it really is here), it's achievable.
Nov 20th 2008, 9:54 pm
#26
Lotus-eater
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Cascadian Autonomous Elysian Region
Posts: 5,069
Nov 21st 2008, 1:30 am
#28
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,863
Re: your opinions please.
But I am no more giving a rose tinted view of life here than you are giving a moronic view of what you seem to perceive as my lifestyle.
As a family we live in a house in a reasonably sized city, the teenage kids are normal teens, they go to school and do the things teens do. We watch TV, go to the movies, read, play computer games, surf the net, shop, eat, write, edit, enjoy wine, whisky, G&T.
We don't farm, grow our own, herd goats, keep chickens or anything like that.
Sound pretty normal don't we (except for not having a car)? You wouldn't, perhaps, be jealous that we can manage comfortably without the need for working would you?
I believe the original poster is considering living in this part of Canada. Perhaps my experience/lifestyle has some relevance.
Nov 21st 2008, 1:35 am
#29
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Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,092
Re: your opinions please.
Debt free in the Maritimes? Yep you can live damn cheaply. Plus you can fish in the Atlantic!!!
Lifestyle is more than the size of your house. Peace of mind, lack of worry, time to enjoy life, family, health etc are invaluable!
Lifestyle is more than the size of your house. Peace of mind, lack of worry, time to enjoy life, family, health etc are invaluable!
Nov 21st 2008, 1:43 am
#30
Lotus-eater
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Cascadian Autonomous Elysian Region
Posts: 5,069
Re: your opinions please.
Exactly. You're not normal. Normality in Canada is 2.3 automobiles per household and 1.9 of those is a truck.
And jealous ? Piss off. I wouldn't swap my lifestyle for yours, even if you did have organic goats and a remote wool shack. When you're up to the top of your "I'm a Fisherman" ball cap in snow I'm lounging around in t-shirt and shorts.
R.
And jealous ? Piss off. I wouldn't swap my lifestyle for yours, even if you did have organic goats and a remote wool shack. When you're up to the top of your "I'm a Fisherman" ball cap in snow I'm lounging around in t-shirt and shorts.
R.
Last edited by Rich_007; Nov 21st 2008 at 1:46 am.