Hi - Canniversary !! Haha! What a fabulous term!! Love it!!

Just to say that we've been here 6 months and I don't think I'm ever actually going to come down from the High!

Cannot literally think of one single downside to being over here versus the UK (obviously miss family - but hey - they're only a plane ride away and they get GREAT holidays!!)

Summer was the best summmer ever - SO much to do. Fall is beeeeeutiful, and Winter - well, the snow is just totally AWESOME!!!! Am SO excited about being able to WALK to the skating rink and only needing a subway to go skiing!!! Imagine THAT!!!!

The Canadians are utterly wonderful, the life for children (SO much is free for them over here!) and adults alike is just out of this world and I thank my lucky stars each and every day that this paradise is a living reality for us!

I remember reading posts before coming about how "tough" the first six months are and how you just have to ride through it, but I always knew that that wasn't going to apply to me, and now I have the proof!

I have never for one single moment had any regrets about moving over here - and the Canadians LOVE how enthused we are about their country too. Within 6 months I have a fantastic network of friends, a social life far more fun and varied than the one I had in the UK, wake up every single morning FULL of the joys of spring (or winter or whatever!! LOL) and I just can't recommend this country highly enough!!

My advice - If you REALLY want it - go for it!!

Oh and don't even get me STARTED on Halloween over here!!!! LOL!

Careful now. You'll get accused of having rose tinted specs.

Hi Emma!!!

So pleased for you and your partner (I assume!)!!!!

It's great to hear things like this, and frankly it's not rose tinted glasses for some, it's real, and it's really happening.

Haven't been to Toronto since I was very wee, but me and Vancouver are feeling the same way!

I have been here just over 3 months, and I had a wobble after about 6 weeks which lasted about 2 days, then nothing has got me down since!

I am just hoping the snow comes west soon, as it's getting close to the mountains opening, but there is a distinct lack of the white stuff around

So - are you here for good? what jobs have you got? Personally I've not met many Canadians socially yet, but the ones at work are now warming up - it's taken them a while, but it's great now.

Great post and all the best.
Bx

Great post

So glad you are enjoying the move

glad you've had a fantastic first 6 months!

Emma,

Good for you!! Im really glad its all working out for you - you sound soooooo happy! So many people say things like you have mentioned in your post, like "oh it will be tough , but try to ride through it", or "I really miss my old life amd Im really bored here"...etc But not a bit of that from you - and at the 6month mark surely the rose tinted spec thing would be wearing a bit thin - you must be starting to develop some sort of routine - if not already (sounds like you have with friends and a social life) Excellent!! makes me even more enthusiastic for my move out ther in the new year!!

Are you all sorted and settled into jobs now? Whereabout in Wales did you used to live?

Paul

HI - we used to live in Montgomery - which is just over the border from Shrewsbury. Lovely place - beautiful but I could never move back there now having lived downtown TO!! LOL! I'd literally be bored silly!!

Actually, its just me and the children as I got divorced during the process of emigrating. My ex comes over to visit frequently and loves it over here too though! Thankfully he realised that its a far better place for the kids to grow up regardless of whether we were together or not!

I am self employed and have never really stopped working - so aside from the tax return being slightly different nothing much has changed! Once my children are all in school ( only 2 are at the moment) I will definitely get a full time job - more for integration purposes to be honest, though i'm finding you really don't need a workplace to make friends over here. Everyone is SO friendly - from people in elevators, to on the subway and in stores etc. Just a totally different world in that sense! ANd... the British accent , surprisingly, still works a treat!! I've had SO many people strike up conversations with me just asking if I'm British and where I came from and what I'm doing over here etc. And you don't feel like they're being nosey - they're jsut genuinely interested in people!!

Ah - I could go on all day!! I definitely don't think I have rose tinted spectacles at all. I have spent many many holidays over here over the past 20 years since my aunt emigrated over here and have always been devastated to return to the UK!! I cannot TELL you what a huge THRILL I get from going to the airport now and after having dropped someone off -and coming back out into "Canada" and driving HOME!!! Not sure thats going to wear off for many many airport trips to come!!!

Bought my first pair of Skis today! Imagine - your own skis - which get used more than a week a year if you're lucky!! I was like that cat that had got the cream - don't think I've ever been quite so excited about the purchase of anything! ( with the possible exception of when I bought my first stroller when I was still only 3 months pregnant with my first baby! LOL!)

Better sign off before I ramble on all night! LOL! Glad some of you enjoyed my post anyway - and thanks for your responses.
Best of luck to all of you - whatever the stage of your application or life in Canada!

Em x
PS - Isn't "Oh Canada" just the BEST National Anthem Ever?!!!

Sent Karma....lovely post!

Lovely posts EmmaGrate. Makes you (or me actually ) smile to read how you are enjoying your new life - I feel exactly the same way about living here, though unable to put it into writing as succinctly as you have done. Really positive vibes from this thread - Absolutely Magic

You are like a breath of fresh air in a sometimes smelly environment. Your joie de vivre is wonderful and I hope you continue to enjoy all Canada has to offer.

Thank you so much for this, I just read it out to the kids as major wobbles all round happened this weekend.

It has brought a smile and a few tears (good tears not bad tears) all round.

Thank you.

Hear Hear, you have just made me smile for the first time this week. I, like Heidi K, was having some major wobbles about my move and this as just put everything into perspective for me and the reason i want to do this.

Many many thanks - you really cheered me up

Emmjay

well done, My son was crying as we dragged him on the plane, now 12 weeks in , he is happy and making new freinds , both my sons are learning to ice skate........

UK , I look from afar and think , thank god we got out when we did..

Jobs, as all post have said you have to step down the ladder before you can go back up it, if you work hard and show up every day , you'll be fine.

Gary

Lovely post and I agree with all you say. People are just as nice out here in the West!!

Thanks for sharing.

EmmaGrate is obviously a lady with a wonderful personality. It's been my finding that no matter where I've gone in the world people are wonderful provided I display a friendly, smiling non-judgemental attitude. Much good luck to you Emma. You are, and will continue I'm sure, to be a superb ambassador for your new, adopted country. Canada is so fortunate to have you within its borders.