Re: Three years !!
 

Yep, I don't think there are enough good reasons for me to live here to outweight any negatives.

I would say in response to your points, that unemployment, costs/taxes are at least the same here if not a little higher than in the UK. The economy is probably in better shape mind. Costs for things like petrol are evidently cheaper here, but second hand cars and insurance is way cheaper in the UK. Overall, probably not a lot in it. If you see high immigration as an issue for you in the UK, then why isn't it an issue for you in Canada, a country built on sustained high levels of immigration? Obviously there is more space here, but the vast majority of immigrants (me included!!) end up in Toronto, Van, Montreal anyway.

The difference with the street people is that here they are everywhere. I used to live in London, so yes there are plenty of street people begging etc, but they are not generally hassling everybody. If you go to dodgy area i.e Hackney, DTES then at least it shouldn't be a surprise, but this morning, on my run of mill commute, I got hassled for money/cigarettes by two people, plus one last night on the way home. This never, ever happened in London on such a regular basis.

Re: Three years !!
 

Just curious - where? Cos that's never happened to me? :confused: I mean, they ask, yes, but actually being hassled? I've never experienced that.

Re: Three years !!
 

Congratulations on getting to three years.

Hopefully your time out in Canada will improve for you :fingerscrossed:

If you could move within Canada, where would you like to move to?

Re: Three years !!
 

Mainly downtown, but anywhere really (noticed it more recently at Lougheed Town Centre). I consider it a hassle when people come up and ask you for change as opposed to just having a sign/begging bowl. But I've also had a few more aggressive types that either were persistant or gave verbal abuse when I said no. Also had a few give the sob story that ends with a request for money. Maybe they think I look generous :eek: They're wrong, I never give any money to these types. If I give any money it's going to be to genuinely needy people, like those in Haiti.

Re: Three years !!
 

Thanks. Not sure, I would like to check out GTA for jobs, or even the idea of semi-retiring (!) somewhere with cheap property like NB, NS, PEI has some appeal, unfortunately the distances for a reccy mean it's like flying from E. Canada to the UK.

Re: Three years !!
 

me neither - guess it comes down to what your definition of what amounts to being hassled.

I do notice the homeless here more than elsewhere, although out of Vancouver property. I don't really notice it that much.

Re: Three years !!
 

ah yes, the "crime train" makes the element mobile I'm afraid.

Re: Three years !!
 

I agree with some of your points made

Projected UK popilation is 71.6 Million by 2033, today it is at 62 Million people. The UK is the 51st densest country. Canada is 228th on that list with a shade under 34 million people in the second biggest country in the world.
I do like a bit more space and a few less people. There are lots of visitors and students coming to Canada and some Immigrants. In the UK they give £1million plus pound houses to immigrants in London and give them over 160 grand benefits a year to bigger families.

I dont agree with the way that the Government here is happy to help people more than the British. Also proven fact is that a lot of non UK workers have been given jobs when we are near 2 million in unemployment. I think if you saw the UK today it is different from 3 years ago.

The taxation in the UK is clearly higher 23.8% National Insurance and 17.5% VAT soon to rise again. Costs in Canada to me seemed to be better for most things.

I agree with the people on the street that annoys me too! is bad in Victoria where the weather is drier and milder then Van. I try not to take it to heart though. I have not had fireworks fired at me in canada nor been assaulted or burgled. Many of my friends have had something similar happen in different parts of the uk. I see people asking for change as not a massive problem and am not going to get harmed by it.

On the whole I see the argument against living in Canada as someone that would rather be back in the UK. There are negatives compared to living in an affluent or quieter part of the Uk. Also prices and other factors are different, but I notice the service seems better for what you pay for in Canada.

I would say living out of Vancouver would solve most of the issues you may not like. I think it is obviously personal preference and for me Canada clearly has a better quality of life across the board. The earning potential seems lower than say London in some areas but what you can aceive and get out of living in Canada for me seems unattainable in the UK.

Re: Three years !!
 

Bloody immigrants :thumbdown:

Unemployment is higher in Canada than the UK.

Re: Three years !!
 

Ah, I neglected to mention that I am a smoker, for my sins. That probably has something to do why I get hassled more than non-smokers. Already had someone swear at me today for not giving them a cigarette.

Re: Three years !!
 

I think we're seeing different sides of the coin, but also agree with some of your points. The UK cannot sustain an ever increasing population. Don't forget that here you can also add in EI, Union fees, health insurance premiums, if you're not covered by your employer etc. BTW, don't believe everything you read in the tabloids about immigrants in the UK ;)

Re: Three years !!
 

My OH is a smoker and yes, when he's outside having a smoke, it's as if the homeless crawl out from the woodwork! It's really quite a phenomenon!

Re: Three years !!
 

You're welcome.

That is when the size of Canada becomes a disadvantage. Hopefully you will be able to get something sorted out though.

You could always charge them if they want a cigarette ;)

Re: Three years !!
 

but if you gave then away you'd smoke less and make lots of new friends !

Re: Three years !!
 

i never trust the jobless rate (in either nation) - how is it calculated? How may are under-employed, how many have stopped looking etc.