Reality Check...
 

Finally I have hit the stage of my life in Canada (Vancouver) where reality really has set in. The feelings equate to what a person would feel like if one year they took a holiday in Butlin's and returned as a Redcoat the year after.

I think life here is so totally different from my old life. The people, the smells, the sights and all the other stuff that a big city brings are just not thrilling anymore. I'm not sure I'm homesick, I was ready to leave England or so I thought. I was tired of feeling unsafe and the crowded places made me pine for big open spaces, I'm still sure that space is a cure for many social problems. I'm just beginning to question things here now.

I've still not met many amazing and new and exciting people, I obviously left behind my whole friends network and support network and my family. We have a three month old son who is missing out on his UK grandparents...

I jumped with both feet into this opportunity and really hoped that I would stand a better chance here. I passed my paramedic exams only to be caught up in the strike and a whole other bunch of issues which make it very unrealistic to have a career as a paramedic in BC. I am looking to find another direction or maybe to find another province - any opinions on Calgary??

I'm sorry to post a negative thread, feel free to bash me for being miserable ;) I miss the banter of my old collegues and friends. I have read a bunch of other people's threads who are re-re-locating back to the UK and their issues with Canada resonate with me a little too much.

Did we all really have such a bad opinion of the UK when we left? I know it has some REALLY awful places (try Hull) but the mountains and scenery and beauty and restaurants and big cars and fridges and TV's can only be appreciated with the people you love right? hmmm....

Take care all!

I'm working at Lynn Valley Delany's if anyone ever pops in, I seem to see lots of Brits there! :D

Re: Reality Check...
 

I will NOT jump on you or bash you, I like the way your thread is written and genuinely feel for you. I can understand why Van may not be for you and would seriously recommend that you look towards AB, SK or the Maritimes (just maybe smaller communities thats all).

Re: Reality Check...
 

Thanks so much for the reply! I have been looking into the smaller communites and asking so many people their opinions... It seems that Vancouverites love their home too much to say positive things about the other provinces. I will probably drag my poor family across Canada this year looking for that 'home'. It's all a bit tiring to think about!

Anyway, I really appreciate the repy and once again this website has proved to be more useful than all my other information resources! :D

Enjoy your day!

Re: Reality Check...
 

Seriously, I never thought I would be saying this BUT there is a lot to recommend places like Red Deer, Lethbridge, Drumheller, Stettler each has its own hospital and (obviously) EMS/Paramedic. What we dont have is a DECENT body of water. Come visit I'm sure many would tell you the pros (and cons) of the towns.

Re: Reality Check...
 

I rarely sympathise with a Cod Head but you have mine.

Try other areas of BC (Kelowna or the Kootenays for example) as well and Butch's recommendations.

Maybe you didn't realise what you had until you left if behind in England.

Good luck.

Re: Reality Check...
 

It sounds like you would be happier in a smaller place, with more of a community feel. Did you look at Nova Scotia? People are always commenting on how friendly it is.

If it makes you feel better - apparently Hull will be gone in a few years - submerged by water.

Re: Reality Check...
 

We can only hope

Re: Reality Check...
 

I kepp saying the same about Swindon, but no joy so far. Maybe they could just build a wall around it like Manhattan in 'Escape from New York'.:fingerscrossed:

Re: Reality Check...
 

This from the man that previously bashed Red Deer, I'm shocked:p:rofl:

egomassuer, your post sounds like something my hubby could have written. He is relatively happy with his location but the snow this year has hit him hard. The thing he really struggles with is the people and the day to day stupidity he is (not) coping with at work. He is 100% sure he doesn't want to move (I'm not sure he is being honest). He is fed up with the radio stations, the tv (I know it's been said before, I read so I'm not too bothered) and the lack of worldwide news. I'm just not sure we have found our Utopia yet, but living in Canada has given us the opportunity so far to have a fantastic future.

One guy I know who is here on a 2 TWP (goes home this summer) said to me the other day, I'm looking forward to getting back to my life, it's been a nice break but it's time to get back into the real world and get on with it. I know what he means.

I hope you find what your looking for, just don't make a hasty decision, it could just be a phase your going through.

Re: Reality Check...
 

I agree wh Butch and the others, the post is a well written "maybe if I tried X" type thread and I too sympahise.

Small town AB is fabulous, and will certainly give you that sense of belonging (hell his lordship BC is moving away from the big city lights of Calgary to Big Valley - you can't get much more small town than that - well you could but YKWIM)

He'll find what you've been looking for too.

I know a paramedic in Hanna (SMALL town in AB where Nikleback hail from) who moved from Birmingham a couple of years ago.

Pm me if you want his contact details - i'm sure he'll be able to help :wub:

Re: Reality Check...
 

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Can't say I miss the place. When Canadians say to me 'why did you want to leave the UK?' I just whip out a few photos of the place I used to call 'home'....they understand remarkably quickly! :rofl:

Re: Reality Check...
 

Nnoooo, not now it's twinned with Disneyland!!!! :rofl:

Re: Reality Check...
 

Normally i hate these posts as well, but this was well written ;)

I saw something awhile ago about calgary needing paramedics, also i know lethbridge has been requesting them as well ;)

I know i left the uk in hate, but after returning this year i kind of fell in love with the place again, but i was in a different area to my home town, so that could of helped.
If you can afford it take a trip back, seems to work for some.
I love the uk now, but wouldnt want to live there

Canada is a big place, if you cant find work in the area that you are in, try another :) the road trip sounds fun though

LB

Re: Reality Check...
 

First of all you took the opportunity to move to Canada, moving to another country isn't as easy as it sounds.

We've lived in Edmonton for well over a year now and created some very good friends from BE and work. It took a hell of a time to gain some "Canadian" friends but we have some. To be honest I'm not sure I have the "home" feeling I like it here very much and I don't want to go back to Blighty.

Don't under estimate what you have achieved, maybe Vancouver is not for you like the others have said. There is no reason to stay if you don't have to and forget Calgary try Edmonton ;)

Re: Reality Check...
 

We've been to Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax and although we loved Vancouver as a place to visit didn't think we could settle there. Too big for us.

Calgary is a lovely city and having the mountains nearby is a big plus but being inland and far from an ocean, again not an option for us.

Halifax seemed to tick all our boxes, small city, NS almost entirely surrounded by water,(big plus), and nice communities within a short commute to the city.

We have found the people in all the provinces we have visited to be very freindly, even the young homeless men we encountered in downtown Vancouver when we turned the wrong way out of our hotel!

I think the other posters are right when they say you just need to find the province that best suits you as a family and the best way to do that is visit if you can and lots of research.

Try this site they have lots of info and are very helpful www.uk2novascotia.com

Good luck with whatever you decide

Tracy