iaink

So you made it to Canada one way or another, but knowing what you do know about life here, would you go through it all again?

Its anonymous, for those that care about these things.

Alan2005

Your missing the option for

"I like lying to myself - of course I'd do it again"

BristolUK

There are a couple of things I'd do differently.

One would be not expecting common sense from CIC.

Another would be suggesting the immigration doc includes an extra blood test at the beginning, so a second test isn't needed later that even though it's just one little sample costs as much as the original blood tests, urine test and x-ray.

Don't bring unnecessary/redundant stuff from home

Oh...and join BE before doing it.

Atlantic Xpat

I ticked probably not based entirely on the change in exchange rate since 04/05, the increase in property prices in Newfoundland and the decrease in property prices in the UK. Although our reason for moving to Canada was the Mrs's desire to go home, that decision was made much easier by the ability to bring a chunk of equity over, change it into CAD$ and buy a moderately sized house in a nice area. Today, our $ would not go far enough to make that happen & that would have led to serious contemplation of staying in Blighty. Or more likely, moving from Essex to pastures greener & more northerly.

Alan2005

Probably not. Life is good here, but I think that if I'd put the same effort into life in the UK (which wouldn't have been much effort at all) my life would be better.

Simon Legree

I've only been in Canada for 42 years so I'm still trying to figure it out !

cheeky_monkey

If i had known back in 2005 what i know now..i would have gone through the immigration process but eventaully would have stayed in the UK if that makes sense.

Tangram

I'm intrigued by the 'over my dead body' vote.

iaink

Well, you've figured out the winters at least

Novocastrian

If we're forced to reduce very complex issues to a one-liner, then I'd go with that too.

Life is good, but that'd be true pretty much anywhere (reasonable).

Hindsight is 20-20 so "probably not".

Oink

Ahh, the genteel tranquility of allotment conferences with fresh-faced Marxists rather than over-crowded manky Starbucks with soggy 'ingrates' has a definite appeal, so put me in the Alan2005 and Novo probably not camp.

iaink

The "probably nots" seem to have a lot more to say in the way of self justifications than the "in a heartbeat" crowd. They also all seem to have been in Canada a while too...

I myself plumped for "Its OK I suppose", "In a heartbeat" having been ruled out by concerns over the increasing cost of living and the stetching of my distinctly average income here. Overall though I think I know a good thing when I see it, and know enough not to push my luck in hoping to find the same combination of job satisfaction, income, and location benefits elsewhere.

More money would be nice, but wouldnt it always! Hopefully when the kids are older and we can get a second income without handing it all over for child care that will improve too.

dollface

I hear ya! don't think i'll ever settle here, not even after 12 years............

Lorry1

Same here. In hindsight we should've moved to a different County rather than a different Country!

dollface

Is it too late for you to go back?