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Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by JamesM
(Post 9816862)
They also forgot to put their hoodies up!
I checked out the Star yesterday to find out what I had been missing. Headline story was a young black male murdered in a drive by shooting on New Years Day just down the road in Scarborough. All this gang land activity and misbehaving youth is turning Toronto into Vancouver....... |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 9816718)
I've just come back from my gym in downtown Edmonton. As usual, the downtown area seemed inhabited by miserable, lost looking people, lethargically shuffling around, like a scene from a zombie movie. But, I guess Ontario is different. |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by Boy d
(Post 9816760)
It was much more difficult, granted not impossible. Grants made it extremely difficult for all but the most gifted to get in.....no the case here. I was sharing my experiences. Yes. I suspect the uk does bear at least some, blame given the crime ridden, poverty stricken hole I grew up in.....would have been tough to up and leave at 15
Canada is much more equal and fair from my point of view a far as post secondary education went..... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education...r-nations.html |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 9816755)
In the 1980s only about 9% of school leavers attended university and the places were extremely rationed. And, if you were unfortunate to have to attend one those educational dustbins called secondary moderns your chances of being channeled into HE were very slim indeed. Of course the easy thing at that time was to blame the children instead of taking responsibility for their class ridden prejudice.
I didn't get a grant though - my dad earned too much. But my parents were far too skinflint to give me any money for the so called "living allowance" that the LEA said they should give me - while they did pay my hall fees in the first year, I was by myself for the most part - I got a job in the student union as a barmaid and supported myself. And after the first year, when I moved out of halls, I really was by myself as my parents didn't give me a penny. I was doing a 35 hour a week course and having to work virtually full time while living in one of the crappiest areas of Leeds (I couldn't afford to rent anywhere in the student areas around Leeds Uni). Things got a bit easier once I hooked up with Mr Chookie and he moved in with me as we could then share the rent and it meant that both of us could work part-time (he was in a similar situation - his parents gave him nothing and like me he didn't qualify for a grant) As for how I feel about the UK.... I am in a very neutral position - I don't think it is as bad as some make out, but there is nothing that would induce me to ever go back even for a visit. Most of that is because I have no remaining family "over there", so no real incentive to go to visit. The few friends I have who have remained in touch I contact via "t'internet" and if they want to meet up in person they are more than welcome to come to stay for a while. I like where I live now, I have a pretty good life (better than we had in the UK tbh!), I changed career and went back to school here to train in a job that I love and am absolutely passionate about. life is good for us here. The UK gave me a lot, but my parents gave me jack-shit tbh... and I struggled for everything that the UK gave me. And seeing that my parents are now dead and I have no family ties to the UK why would I ever consider going back even for a visit? But it isn't the Chavs or the UK or anything else that puts me off visiting, it is the simple fact that I have now made my life over here, and there is nothing back there for me now... why waste money on going back? |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
why waste money on going back?
To pick up cheap cheese, decent bacon, proper Cadbury chocolate bars, Walkers crisps etc etc etc that all the expats seem to miss :lol: |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by laser558
(Post 9816218)
I don't think anyone is doing that. What I am simply saying, is remember what your original country or countries did for you. You don't say how you are able to make your move to Canada, for example, skilled worker route. I can only assume you must have got some skills and experience from somewhere in order to make the move, unless you are going via the spousal route. Perhaps you could let us know.
I have paid 40% tax and 10% NI for over a decade. I have taken part in valuable research, worked with the homeless etc. I OWE BRITAIN NOTHING. FYI R I C H I have put your posts on my ignore list so won't be able to read them...you are just the kind of person that makes the internet tiresome at times <snip> |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 9816605)
To be honest I don't really know what 'integration' entails? I think one can be pleasant and courteous to people without having to frequent Tim Horton's, drink crap beer and watch ice hockey.
To be honest I do want to integrate, and I think I am going to take a leaf out of YYZ lover's book and make a conscious effort to overcome my own cultural prejudices. I'm sure there are lots of Canadians I can be friends with and have a laugh with, I'm already finding a side to my work colleagues that I really like, which I wasn't noticing when I first arrived. When I left the UK I was happy, and had pretty much always been happy, but I felt there was no future for me there (I got made redundant just before I left...I work in medical research, and most companies are pulling out of the UK because of lack of talent, also, in spite of a good income I couldn't afford a home). There were lots of things that I felt made life less than pleasant at times. My visit back re-enforced these feelings, and like another poster here said, once my parents are gone or have moved over here, I will have no reason to go back, I'd rather use my valuable holiday visiting new countries or going camping here. I know Canada is not without it's faults, but on balance I find it easier to maintain a positive outlook here than in the UK. |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by TheBear
(Post 9817555)
I know Canada is not without it's faults, but on balance I find it easier to maintain a positive outlook here than in the UK.
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Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by TheBear
(Post 9817555)
When I left the UK I was happy, and had pretty much always been happy, but I felt there was no future for me there (I got made redundant just before I left...I work in medical research, and most companies are pulling out of the UK because of lack of talent, also, in spite of a good income I couldn't afford a home).
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Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by JamesM
(Post 9816856)
Just landed back from the UK 3 hours ago.
It was great catching up with family and friends and nice to watch thinking man's TV like Eastenders. I thought Pat Butcher was indestructible :confused: It was good to go to decent supermarkets and do some proper shopping. I did however miss the bar in my lobby somewhat. On New Years Eve Eve (day before New Year). I found myself in an expensive bar in Mayfair. The Mojito's were being made by simply throwing all the ingredients in a glass, adding a spoon and a half of brown sugar and stirring it with a spoon. Unfortunately in an attempt to beat the happy hour promo deadline I ended up with four of the things. I also got held up in London because someone had committed suicide on the train tracks apparently it is happening quite often at the mo. I also squeezed in some trips to Birmingham and Bristol for some top nights out. Mixed feelings about returning to Toronto but I enjoy my job and should make good cash this year. That combined with my amazing commute of a 10 minute walk each day will keep me ticking over. I think the OP is still on their honey moon period. If some one told me I had to live in Barrie or head back to the UK I would've been landing at Heathrow before they got to the "or". Spot on James. Did you get back to the Junction? Northcote Rd and St Johns Hill are like the Kings Rd. |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by MarylandNed
(Post 9817652)
A common complaint and one I hear a lot from UK expats I meet in North America. It was a factor in my own move from the UK. I simply couldn't afford to buy a decent house in an area I'd want to raise my kids in.
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Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by JamesM
(Post 9816856)
Just landed back from the UK 3 hours ago.
It was great catching up with family and friends and nice to watch thinking man's TV like Eastenders. I thought Pat Butcher was indestructible :confused: It was good to go to decent supermarkets and do some proper shopping. I did however miss the bar in my lobby somewhat. On New Years Eve Eve (day before New Year). I found myself in an expensive bar in Mayfair. The Mojito's were being made by simply throwing all the ingredients in a glass, adding a spoon and a half of brown sugar and stirring it with a spoon. Unfortunately in an attempt to beat the happy hour promo deadline I ended up with four of the things. I also got held up in London because someone had committed suicide on the train tracks apparently it is happening quite often at the mo. I also squeezed in some trips to Birmingham and Bristol for some top nights out. Mixed feelings about returning to Toronto but I enjoy my job and should make good cash this year. That combined with my amazing commute of a 10 minute walk each day will keep me ticking over. I think the OP is still on their honey moon period. If some one told me I had to live in Barrie or head back to the UK I would've been landing at Heathrow before they got to the "or". :lol: I feel the same. Nights out in England are so much fun and always a great atmosphere! |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by TheBear
(Post 9817534)
Actually my parents had to pay for me to go to a private school as the local state school was terrible. Because I came from a good background, I had to pay for much of my university education, my Ph.D. was funded by a pharmacetical company.
I have paid 40% tax and 10% NI for over a decade. I have taken part in valuable research, worked with the homeless etc. I OWE BRITAIN NOTHING. FYI R I C H I have put your posts on my ignore list so won't be able to read them...you are just the kind of person that makes the internet tiresome at times <snip> I get it. You want to be able to say what you like, but, you dont want to hear anything you dont like. |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by Londonuck
(Post 9817721)
Spot on James. Did you get back to the Junction? Northcote Rd and St Johns Hill are like the Kings Rd.
I had a few pints at "The Hole in the Wall" by Waterloo and then over to Mayfair. Other than that I stupidly ventured onto Oxford Street which was pretty much a recreation of "the riots" during Boxing Day week! |
Re: First trip back to the UK - what a dump!
Originally Posted by Miss Clinique
(Post 9817881)
I get it. You want to be able to say what you like, but, you dont want to hear anything you dont like.
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