if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
Sep 21st 2009, 11:34 am
#16
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
Canada - too cold in winter - white stuff falls from the sky but English is spoken (after a fashion 
) in most areas
Germany - too cold in winter - white stuff falls from the sky and I don't speak German.
Australia - my climate, no white stuff where I am, English is spoken (after a fashion
but I understand and am understood.
No brainer
) in most areasGermany - too cold in winter - white stuff falls from the sky and I don't speak German.
Australia - my climate, no white stuff where I am, English is spoken (after a fashion
but I understand and am understood.No brainer
Sep 21st 2009, 1:42 pm
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Brussels
Posts: 887
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
" no brainer " ?
for some !
for some !
Nov 1st 2009, 6:12 pm
#18
After 10 years of trying
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: North West England
Posts: 102
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
Out of those choices it would be Germany for me.
Of course, the language is a challenge, some would consider that a negative, others a positive.
Canada- born and raised there and find it dull, dull, dull.
Australia- don't like the heat and am utterly terrified of spiders.
Of course, the language is a challenge, some would consider that a negative, others a positive.
Canada- born and raised there and find it dull, dull, dull.
Australia- don't like the heat and am utterly terrified of spiders.
Nov 12th 2009, 10:24 pm
#19
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
I've lived in 2 out of the 3.
Germany 1985-93 (Mainz), Canada (Toronto) since then. I've no interest whatever in Australia. I've also lived in the US.
I'm going to retire in France, so what does that tell you?
Germany 1985-93 (Mainz), Canada (Toronto) since then. I've no interest whatever in Australia. I've also lived in the US.
I'm going to retire in France, so what does that tell you?
Nov 13th 2009, 5:50 am
#20
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
I'm Canadian living in Australia whose husband wants to live in Germany. After our kids have both started uni in the next couple of years we're going to look into a company transfer for a few years (OH works for Seimens as an engineer so it's a possibility) before we decide where to retire. Could be back in Canada, but probably Montreal or east of there. We would never go back to the southern Ontario ratrace again.
Nov 28th 2009, 4:49 pm
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 242
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
I believe the 3 best places to go in the world are germany, canada and australia.
canada - freedom, resources, western, stability, but a bit cold maybe!
australia - climate, friendly, sporty but a bit dry and hot with spiders
germany - cultural, hidden depths, established, educated, 4 seasons, but a bit "german" and stuffy maybe, socialist.
I wondered if people with families had experience in either of these places and if had a choice, were they would go?
In terms of economic future i think the 80M germans have it tougher than anyone else.
canada - freedom, resources, western, stability, but a bit cold maybe!
australia - climate, friendly, sporty but a bit dry and hot with spiders
germany - cultural, hidden depths, established, educated, 4 seasons, but a bit "german" and stuffy maybe, socialist.
I wondered if people with families had experience in either of these places and if had a choice, were they would go?
In terms of economic future i think the 80M germans have it tougher than anyone else.
Hi there!
That's a really great question! Actually it makes me very happy that you would consider Germany next to Canada and AUS! I am German and moved to Canada 1.5 yrs ago.
I like Canada very much but I also have to admit that I miss Germany a little.
My absolutely personal and not necessarily objective reasons are:
- Toronto is quite dirty and the subway system is really bad compared to Hamburg or Frankfurt.
- Beer and Wine are incredibly expensive, so is milk, cheese and overall costs of living!
- The building standards - especially in rental apartments - are much lower than in Germany. I have never paid so much rent (1075 $) for a 1 bedroom (approx 45 sqm) apartment which is old and filthy! Not in Hamburg and not in Frankfurt. Maybe though in Munich....
) - Winter is long! Very long! We haven't had snow yet but by March I'll be sick of the white fluffy stuff outside which turns into grey puddles very quick and ruined ALL OF MY LEATHER BOOTS in the first year!
- Road conditions in Canada ... well... I couldnt believe it when I came here first and I will never ever ever complain about roads in Germany!
- There are no skunks in Germany! But we have them in the backyard in downtown Toronto! Believe me... you don't want to meet them! I did...
)But some of the things I really love here are
- white christmas every year!
- paying only 30 % taxes on my income
- instead of taking the rotten subway I am riding the express bus. A little more pricey but very comfortable and reliable from door to door every morning!
- my job offers great benefits so that I am actually better off than in Germany when it comes to dental care!
- the public library is free and I can rent DVDs for a week... all for 0 $!
- free museum passes given away by the public library (you see I am a fan)
- public swimming pools are free
- there is no place with more squirrels than Toronto and my dog LOVES to chase them!
- Tim Hortons for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Canadian wine is actually quite tasty and Niagara (wine country) is not far from Toronto!
- lots and lots of parks in downtown Toronto and of course the Islands which are accessible year round by subway and ferry! A great mini vacation!
- international culture and foods are beyong imagination! Toronto stands for diversity!
- watching movies in english without paying extra for the 'original'... top!
Nov 28th 2009, 4:54 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 242
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
Out of those choices it would be Germany for me.
Of course, the language is a challenge, some would consider that a negative, others a positive.
Canada- born and raised there and find it dull, dull, dull.
Australia- don't like the heat and am utterly terrified of spiders.
Of course, the language is a challenge, some would consider that a negative, others a positive.
Canada- born and raised there and find it dull, dull, dull.
Australia- don't like the heat and am utterly terrified of spiders.
Australia was a no go for me as well bec of spiders, box jelly fishes and aligators! ewww...
Nov 28th 2009, 8:48 pm
#23
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
In 3 1/2 years here I've seen one large(ish) spider which was outside. I saw many many more spiders in urban Canada than here. Never seen a box jellyfish and we don't have alligators here. They're crocodiles and they hardly roam the city streets. They're mostly in the far north; Darwin, far north Queensland, type places. It is utterly ridiculous to say you wouldn't go to an entire country based on things you will never encounter.
Nov 29th 2009, 8:18 am
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Brussels
Posts: 887
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
Excuse the ignorance : what's a "Tim Hortons" ?
Nov 29th 2009, 9:23 am
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,289
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
So far I've lived 25 years in Germany, 23 years in the UK, and 2 years in Australia. I have visited Toronto and Montreal.
Wild horses wouldn't make me live in Germany or Canada.
I lived in the UK very happily - but the cold, dark winters and wet summers made us move to Australia. My list would be:
1. Australia
2. UK
Wild horses wouldn't make me live in Germany or Canada.
I lived in the UK very happily - but the cold, dark winters and wet summers made us move to Australia. My list would be:
1. Australia
2. UK
Nov 29th 2009, 9:26 am
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,289
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
Just make sure you research the German tax system. It is very different to the Australian system. Also research access to public healthcare (or make sure that your husband's company foots the bills).
Nov 29th 2009, 8:51 pm
#28
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Dec 9th 2009, 12:40 pm
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,096
Re: if you had a choice, germany, canada or australia
Germany for me.