British Expats - Ten Years

I landed ten years ago today. It has been everything that I hoped it would be, and a whole lot more.

I arrived and landed in NS, excited, with nothing except a suitcase, $1000 in my pocket, and a fake balance in my bank account. I had to start at the very bottom of my profession again, and after a lot of heartache and a lot of hard work, I managed to scramble my way into a job which was somewhat reasonable, and managed to support me in a very basic way, at least i could eat and pay the rent.

After 5 years of hitting brick wall after brick wall, my marriage collapsed, and I was laid off from this job that I had put all of my effort into, with no reward, I came within days of running back to teh UK with my tail between my legs, admitting defeat.

However, both of these things happening at the same-time, was the catalyst that I needed. I was headhunted and as I now had no ties, moved halfway across the country, away from the dead end that Nova Scotia was proving to be, into my dream job. I made friends immediately, which was a weird feeling having been shunned continually in Nova Scotia; I was able to buy a home and start to grow roots.

I am now remarried with kids on the way, enjoying life to its fullest. 5 years later, i cannot imagine not being here. I am happy, comfortable, and the future looks fantastic.

I went back to the UK last summer, for the 1st time since I landed, and hated it, absolutely hated it. I could not imagine ever living there again.

It was a real struggle to achieve, but I managed to get the happiness that I dreamt of when i first thought about the move, and will encourage anyone who wants to, to do it. With the caveat that it will require a very thick skin, and huge amounts of strength to endure the knocks and challenges that Canada throws your way.