2 year update
Jul 15th 2010 | 9:54 am
#1
Thread Starter
itchy feet again!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,013
From: Ex-Canada: now rural West Sussex.
2 year update
Well here I am, back Home just over 2 years and loving it. I just thought I'd drop by and give you an update as I used to be a regular visitor here when I lived in the most miserable town in Ontario. I was known as Oldbag then and found BE a great source of support. 
OH and I were fast approaching 60 when we decided to come back, and it has been the best decision for us. I emphasise "us", the reason being everyone is different and has different needs and experiences at different times of their lives. Going back to Canada was right when we went, coming back was also right; going out there was a decision made with the head.....we analysed it all, researched as much as we could….everything from property prices to climate to the cost of living. We’d lived in Ontario in the 80’s and made many friends, some of whom are still close friends today, so we decided to try Southwestern Ontario this time as we did have friends in that area. OH went out a year earlier, staying a few weeks looking at the towns and villages carefully marked on our well worn map, investigating employment prospects, which we knew would be a little thin on the ground given our ages, but we felt our experience and qualifications would get us some sort of basic employment at least. You name it, we researched it…. and still it didn't work the way we would have wished. What we found was a vastly different country from the one we had known, so we stuck with it for almost four years doing any type of work we could….apple picking through October and November for $4 an hour! We worked as set-up crew in for a new store opening in Stratford; the wage of $4.50 an hour was slightly better! I eventually got work in a mortgage centre in a bank, whilst OH worked at a Honda factory doing quality control. Both jobs entailed travelling over an hour each way in opposite directions. It was a very hard, frustrating, miserable time and now feels like a Big Black Hole; it’s as if that time has been stolen from me. So, we came up with a Plan….or should that be Plan A, as we never did have a Plan B! We came back to the UK for a month in March of 2008 to do a feasibility test on our plan. We went back to Canada, put the house up for sale (without the use of a real estate agent!), sold it a week later, saving $8000 in fees, packed up and flew home on June 30th 2008!
We are extremely lucky to have found the employment we wanted in an area that is breathtakingly beautiful; our employers are lovely people who have provided us with a home, and an income and regard us as part of the furniture. Given our ages and the fact that we were completely unknown to them we realise just how fortunate we are, so this job has actually become more than “just a jobâ€â€¦.it’s now our way of life and we wouldn’t change if for anything. Compared to the big, oversized house and garden we had in Canada, we now live in a matchbox, but it’s really all we need, and it takes only half an hour to clean it right through!
Best of all? We're an hour's drive away from our daughter, who stayed behiond when we went to Canada in 2004, and 4 hours drive (or by train) from friends and family "up North". I honestly want for nothing more, and if all this sounds just a bit too cheesy and sentimental, too bad, that's how I feel these days.
As for those who think the financial crisis is worse here than there…wherever that may be….it’s all swings and roundabouts. Some things are cheaper here, some things are not. I think the real decision should be about what you want from life…the big house? The outdoor pool? The huge garden and sit-upon lawn mower? All material things which are transient anyway…you never really own anything in life, you have temporary possession only. I discovered that the most important thing in my life was family and peace of mind.
Coming back was a decision from the heart.....this is where we now feel at home and rooted.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming back after however many years is just to do what feels right and don't spend too long agonising over it.
Hope this hasn't been too long and boring for those of you who've read it....and Good Luck to anyone preparing to come home.
OH and I were fast approaching 60 when we decided to come back, and it has been the best decision for us. I emphasise "us", the reason being everyone is different and has different needs and experiences at different times of their lives. Going back to Canada was right when we went, coming back was also right; going out there was a decision made with the head.....we analysed it all, researched as much as we could….everything from property prices to climate to the cost of living. We’d lived in Ontario in the 80’s and made many friends, some of whom are still close friends today, so we decided to try Southwestern Ontario this time as we did have friends in that area. OH went out a year earlier, staying a few weeks looking at the towns and villages carefully marked on our well worn map, investigating employment prospects, which we knew would be a little thin on the ground given our ages, but we felt our experience and qualifications would get us some sort of basic employment at least. You name it, we researched it…. and still it didn't work the way we would have wished. What we found was a vastly different country from the one we had known, so we stuck with it for almost four years doing any type of work we could….apple picking through October and November for $4 an hour! We worked as set-up crew in for a new store opening in Stratford; the wage of $4.50 an hour was slightly better! I eventually got work in a mortgage centre in a bank, whilst OH worked at a Honda factory doing quality control. Both jobs entailed travelling over an hour each way in opposite directions. It was a very hard, frustrating, miserable time and now feels like a Big Black Hole; it’s as if that time has been stolen from me. So, we came up with a Plan….or should that be Plan A, as we never did have a Plan B! We came back to the UK for a month in March of 2008 to do a feasibility test on our plan. We went back to Canada, put the house up for sale (without the use of a real estate agent!), sold it a week later, saving $8000 in fees, packed up and flew home on June 30th 2008!
We are extremely lucky to have found the employment we wanted in an area that is breathtakingly beautiful; our employers are lovely people who have provided us with a home, and an income and regard us as part of the furniture. Given our ages and the fact that we were completely unknown to them we realise just how fortunate we are, so this job has actually become more than “just a jobâ€â€¦.it’s now our way of life and we wouldn’t change if for anything. Compared to the big, oversized house and garden we had in Canada, we now live in a matchbox, but it’s really all we need, and it takes only half an hour to clean it right through!
Best of all? We're an hour's drive away from our daughter, who stayed behiond when we went to Canada in 2004, and 4 hours drive (or by train) from friends and family "up North". I honestly want for nothing more, and if all this sounds just a bit too cheesy and sentimental, too bad, that's how I feel these days.
As for those who think the financial crisis is worse here than there…wherever that may be….it’s all swings and roundabouts. Some things are cheaper here, some things are not. I think the real decision should be about what you want from life…the big house? The outdoor pool? The huge garden and sit-upon lawn mower? All material things which are transient anyway…you never really own anything in life, you have temporary possession only. I discovered that the most important thing in my life was family and peace of mind.
Coming back was a decision from the heart.....this is where we now feel at home and rooted.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming back after however many years is just to do what feels right and don't spend too long agonising over it.
Hope this hasn't been too long and boring for those of you who've read it....and Good Luck to anyone preparing to come home.
Jul 15th 2010 | 10:16 am
#2
The Brit is back
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,211
From: NS, Canada 2007-2013. Now....England!
Re: 2 year update
Well here I am, back Home just over 2 years and loving it. I just thought I'd drop by and give you an update as I used to be a regular visitor here when I lived in the most miserable town in Ontario. I was known as Oldbag then and found BE a great source of support.
OH and I were fast approaching 60 when we decided to come back, and it has been the best decision for us. I emphasise "us", the reason being everyone is different and has different needs and experiences at different times of their lives. Going back to Canada was right when we went, coming back was also right; going out there was a decision made with the head.....we analysed it all, researched as much as we could….everything from property prices to climate to the cost of living. We’d lived in Ontario in the 80’s and made many friends, some of whom are still close friends today, so we decided to try Southwestern Ontario this time as we did have friends in that area. OH went out a year earlier, staying a few weeks looking at the towns and villages carefully marked on our well worn map, investigating employment prospects, which we knew would be a little thin on the ground given our ages, but we felt our experience and qualifications would get us some sort of basic employment at least. You name it, we researched it…. and still it didn't work the way we would have wished. What we found was a vastly different country from the one we had known, so we stuck with it for almost four years doing any type of work we could….apple picking through October and November for $4 an hour! We worked as set-up crew in for a new store opening in Stratford; the wage of $4.50 an hour was slightly better! I eventually got work in a mortgage centre in a bank, whilst OH worked at a Honda factory doing quality control. Both jobs entailed travelling over an hour each way in opposite directions. It was a very hard, frustrating, miserable time and now feels like a Big Black Hole; it’s as if that time has been stolen from me. So, we came up with a Plan….or should that be Plan A, as we never did have a Plan B! We came back to the UK for a month in March of 2008 to do a feasibility test on our plan. We went back to Canada, put the house up for sale (without the use of a real estate agent!), sold it a week later, saving $8000 in fees, packed up and flew home on June 30th 2008!
We are extremely lucky to have found the employment we wanted in an area that is breathtakingly beautiful; our employers are lovely people who have provided us with a home, and an income and regard us as part of the furniture. Given our ages and the fact that we were completely unknown to them we realise just how fortunate we are, so this job has actually become more than “just a jobâ€â€¦.it’s now our way of life and we wouldn’t change if for anything. Compared to the big, oversized house and garden we had in Canada, we now live in a matchbox, but it’s really all we need, and it takes only half an hour to clean it right through!
Best of all? We're an hour's drive away from our daughter, who stayed behiond when we went to Canada in 2004, and 4 hours drive (or by train) from friends and family "up North". I honestly want for nothing more, and if all this sounds just a bit too cheesy and sentimental, too bad, that's how I feel these days.
As for those who think the financial crisis is worse here than there…wherever that may be….it’s all swings and roundabouts. Some things are cheaper here, some things are not. I think the real decision should be about what you want from life…the big house? The outdoor pool? The huge garden and sit-upon lawn mower? All material things which are transient anyway…you never really own anything in life, you have temporary possession only. I discovered that the most important thing in my life was family and peace of mind.
Coming back was a decision from the heart.....this is where we now feel at home and rooted.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming back after however many years is just to do what feels right and don't spend too long agonising over it.
Hope this hasn't been too long and boring for those of you who've read it....and Good Luck to anyone preparing to come home.
OH and I were fast approaching 60 when we decided to come back, and it has been the best decision for us. I emphasise "us", the reason being everyone is different and has different needs and experiences at different times of their lives. Going back to Canada was right when we went, coming back was also right; going out there was a decision made with the head.....we analysed it all, researched as much as we could….everything from property prices to climate to the cost of living. We’d lived in Ontario in the 80’s and made many friends, some of whom are still close friends today, so we decided to try Southwestern Ontario this time as we did have friends in that area. OH went out a year earlier, staying a few weeks looking at the towns and villages carefully marked on our well worn map, investigating employment prospects, which we knew would be a little thin on the ground given our ages, but we felt our experience and qualifications would get us some sort of basic employment at least. You name it, we researched it…. and still it didn't work the way we would have wished. What we found was a vastly different country from the one we had known, so we stuck with it for almost four years doing any type of work we could….apple picking through October and November for $4 an hour! We worked as set-up crew in for a new store opening in Stratford; the wage of $4.50 an hour was slightly better! I eventually got work in a mortgage centre in a bank, whilst OH worked at a Honda factory doing quality control. Both jobs entailed travelling over an hour each way in opposite directions. It was a very hard, frustrating, miserable time and now feels like a Big Black Hole; it’s as if that time has been stolen from me. So, we came up with a Plan….or should that be Plan A, as we never did have a Plan B! We came back to the UK for a month in March of 2008 to do a feasibility test on our plan. We went back to Canada, put the house up for sale (without the use of a real estate agent!), sold it a week later, saving $8000 in fees, packed up and flew home on June 30th 2008!
We are extremely lucky to have found the employment we wanted in an area that is breathtakingly beautiful; our employers are lovely people who have provided us with a home, and an income and regard us as part of the furniture. Given our ages and the fact that we were completely unknown to them we realise just how fortunate we are, so this job has actually become more than “just a jobâ€â€¦.it’s now our way of life and we wouldn’t change if for anything. Compared to the big, oversized house and garden we had in Canada, we now live in a matchbox, but it’s really all we need, and it takes only half an hour to clean it right through!
Best of all? We're an hour's drive away from our daughter, who stayed behiond when we went to Canada in 2004, and 4 hours drive (or by train) from friends and family "up North". I honestly want for nothing more, and if all this sounds just a bit too cheesy and sentimental, too bad, that's how I feel these days.
As for those who think the financial crisis is worse here than there…wherever that may be….it’s all swings and roundabouts. Some things are cheaper here, some things are not. I think the real decision should be about what you want from life…the big house? The outdoor pool? The huge garden and sit-upon lawn mower? All material things which are transient anyway…you never really own anything in life, you have temporary possession only. I discovered that the most important thing in my life was family and peace of mind.
Coming back was a decision from the heart.....this is where we now feel at home and rooted.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming back after however many years is just to do what feels right and don't spend too long agonising over it.
Hope this hasn't been too long and boring for those of you who've read it....and Good Luck to anyone preparing to come home.
Jul 15th 2010 | 10:51 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 350
From: oakville ON
Re: 2 year update
Well here I am, back Home just over 2 years and loving it. I just thought I'd drop by and give you an update as I used to be a regular visitor here when I lived in the most miserable town in Ontario. I was known as Oldbag then and found BE a great source of support.
OH and I were fast approaching 60 when we decided to come back, and it has been the best decision for us. I emphasise "us", the reason being everyone is different and has different needs and experiences at different times of their lives. Going back to Canada was right when we went, coming back was also right; going out there was a decision made with the head.....we analysed it all, researched as much as we could….everything from property prices to climate to the cost of living. We’d lived in Ontario in the 80’s and made many friends, some of whom are still close friends today, so we decided to try Southwestern Ontario this time as we did have friends in that area. OH went out a year earlier, staying a few weeks looking at the towns and villages carefully marked on our well worn map, investigating employment prospects, which we knew would be a little thin on the ground given our ages, but we felt our experience and qualifications would get us some sort of basic employment at least. You name it, we researched it…. and still it didn't work the way we would have wished. What we found was a vastly different country from the one we had known, so we stuck with it for almost four years doing any type of work we could….apple picking through October and November for $4 an hour! We worked as set-up crew in for a new store opening in Stratford; the wage of $4.50 an hour was slightly better! I eventually got work in a mortgage centre in a bank, whilst OH worked at a Honda factory doing quality control. Both jobs entailed travelling over an hour each way in opposite directions. It was a very hard, frustrating, miserable time and now feels like a Big Black Hole; it’s as if that time has been stolen from me. So, we came up with a Plan….or should that be Plan A, as we never did have a Plan B! We came back to the UK for a month in March of 2008 to do a feasibility test on our plan. We went back to Canada, put the house up for sale (without the use of a real estate agent!), sold it a week later, saving $8000 in fees, packed up and flew home on June 30th 2008!
We are extremely lucky to have found the employment we wanted in an area that is breathtakingly beautiful; our employers are lovely people who have provided us with a home, and an income and regard us as part of the furniture. Given our ages and the fact that we were completely unknown to them we realise just how fortunate we are, so this job has actually become more than “just a jobâ€â€¦.it’s now our way of life and we wouldn’t change if for anything. Compared to the big, oversized house and garden we had in Canada, we now live in a matchbox, but it’s really all we need, and it takes only half an hour to clean it right through!
Best of all? We're an hour's drive away from our daughter, who stayed behiond when we went to Canada in 2004, and 4 hours drive (or by train) from friends and family "up North". I honestly want for nothing more, and if all this sounds just a bit too cheesy and sentimental, too bad, that's how I feel these days.
As for those who think the financial crisis is worse here than there…wherever that may be….it’s all swings and roundabouts. Some things are cheaper here, some things are not. I think the real decision should be about what you want from life…the big house? The outdoor pool? The huge garden and sit-upon lawn mower? All material things which are transient anyway…you never really own anything in life, you have temporary possession only. I discovered that the most important thing in my life was family and peace of mind.
Coming back was a decision from the heart.....this is where we now feel at home and rooted.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming back after however many years is just to do what feels right and don't spend too long agonising over it.
Hope this hasn't been too long and boring for those of you who've read it....and Good Luck to anyone preparing to come home.
OH and I were fast approaching 60 when we decided to come back, and it has been the best decision for us. I emphasise "us", the reason being everyone is different and has different needs and experiences at different times of their lives. Going back to Canada was right when we went, coming back was also right; going out there was a decision made with the head.....we analysed it all, researched as much as we could….everything from property prices to climate to the cost of living. We’d lived in Ontario in the 80’s and made many friends, some of whom are still close friends today, so we decided to try Southwestern Ontario this time as we did have friends in that area. OH went out a year earlier, staying a few weeks looking at the towns and villages carefully marked on our well worn map, investigating employment prospects, which we knew would be a little thin on the ground given our ages, but we felt our experience and qualifications would get us some sort of basic employment at least. You name it, we researched it…. and still it didn't work the way we would have wished. What we found was a vastly different country from the one we had known, so we stuck with it for almost four years doing any type of work we could….apple picking through October and November for $4 an hour! We worked as set-up crew in for a new store opening in Stratford; the wage of $4.50 an hour was slightly better! I eventually got work in a mortgage centre in a bank, whilst OH worked at a Honda factory doing quality control. Both jobs entailed travelling over an hour each way in opposite directions. It was a very hard, frustrating, miserable time and now feels like a Big Black Hole; it’s as if that time has been stolen from me. So, we came up with a Plan….or should that be Plan A, as we never did have a Plan B! We came back to the UK for a month in March of 2008 to do a feasibility test on our plan. We went back to Canada, put the house up for sale (without the use of a real estate agent!), sold it a week later, saving $8000 in fees, packed up and flew home on June 30th 2008!
We are extremely lucky to have found the employment we wanted in an area that is breathtakingly beautiful; our employers are lovely people who have provided us with a home, and an income and regard us as part of the furniture. Given our ages and the fact that we were completely unknown to them we realise just how fortunate we are, so this job has actually become more than “just a jobâ€â€¦.it’s now our way of life and we wouldn’t change if for anything. Compared to the big, oversized house and garden we had in Canada, we now live in a matchbox, but it’s really all we need, and it takes only half an hour to clean it right through!
Best of all? We're an hour's drive away from our daughter, who stayed behiond when we went to Canada in 2004, and 4 hours drive (or by train) from friends and family "up North". I honestly want for nothing more, and if all this sounds just a bit too cheesy and sentimental, too bad, that's how I feel these days.
As for those who think the financial crisis is worse here than there…wherever that may be….it’s all swings and roundabouts. Some things are cheaper here, some things are not. I think the real decision should be about what you want from life…the big house? The outdoor pool? The huge garden and sit-upon lawn mower? All material things which are transient anyway…you never really own anything in life, you have temporary possession only. I discovered that the most important thing in my life was family and peace of mind.
Coming back was a decision from the heart.....this is where we now feel at home and rooted.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming back after however many years is just to do what feels right and don't spend too long agonising over it.
Hope this hasn't been too long and boring for those of you who've read it....and Good Luck to anyone preparing to come home.
Thats a great story and not boring at all! life is too short to be miserable in a place which doesn't make you happy and at peace!
I have expat friends who ache after the big house/swimming pool etc, but all i can think is who cares if you don't have people you love to enjoy it with you!!
I am pleased that you are settled and content with life, i want to be like that at your age too. I also know it isn't going to be here, we will get out in the next year or so and restablish our what we realise now, very full of fun and happy lives back in our lovely yorkshire village.
All the best.
Jul 15th 2010 | 1:19 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,390
From: Canberra
Re: 2 year update
Good to hear that everything has slotted back into place for you - inspiring reading for anyone contemplating moving on to UK!
Jul 15th 2010 | 2:30 pm
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 793
From: Leicester UK
Re: 2 year update
Great story...... could you post it over on the 50s and 60s thread, I think it will inspire us over there.
so happy for you!
so happy for you!
Jul 15th 2010 | 6:20 pm
#6
Thread Starter
itchy feet again!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,013
From: Ex-Canada: now rural West Sussex.
Re: 2 year update
Hi Lorry1....I come from the Manchester area originally and now live a few miles south of Haslemere, off the beaten track near a tiny village called Lurgashall, where there's one tiny general shop/post office, a village hall and a pub in front of which is the village green where cricket is played........honestly it's like something out of a story book!
I posted this because for most of that time in Canada I was so miserable and thought I would never get back home, but we did it, despite our ages and the expense; maybe others will take heart and stop the should I/shouldn't I debate.
I posted this because for most of that time in Canada I was so miserable and thought I would never get back home, but we did it, despite our ages and the expense; maybe others will take heart and stop the should I/shouldn't I debate.
Jul 15th 2010 | 6:53 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 115
From: Crete, Greece
Re: 2 year update
Lovely post, thank you.
Jul 15th 2010 | 8:34 pm
#8
Éireann go Brách
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,932
From: White Man in Hammersmith Palais
Re: 2 year update
Isnt that funny JB, i drove right by there a month back. I was blown away with the entire area. We stayed for the weekend down near Arundel. Cant believe its two years since you left.
We're currently looking at getting work near Brighton to move to the area and to get away from the endless unemployment im looking at in Ireland.
We're currently looking at getting work near Brighton to move to the area and to get away from the endless unemployment im looking at in Ireland.
Jul 16th 2010 | 12:12 am
#9
Thread Starter
itchy feet again!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,013
From: Ex-Canada: now rural West Sussex.
Re: 2 year update
Isnt that funny JB, i drove right by there a month back. I was blown away with the entire area. We stayed for the weekend down near Arundel. Cant believe its two years since you left.
We're currently looking at getting work near Brighton to move to the area and to get away from the endless unemployment im looking at in Ireland.
We're currently looking at getting work near Brighton to move to the area and to get away from the endless unemployment im looking at in Ireland.
Jul 17th 2010 | 7:55 pm
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,406
From: NI (back from Toronto)
Re: 2 year update
Hi JB glad to read how well life is treating you and your OH. I've been back 2 years now as well and can't imagine every wanting to live anywhere else
Wishing you continued happiness
Wishing you continued happiness
Jul 17th 2010 | 9:16 pm
#11
Éireann go Brách
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,932
From: White Man in Hammersmith Palais
Jul 18th 2010 | 4:45 am
#12
Thread Starter
itchy feet again!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,013
From: Ex-Canada: now rural West Sussex.
Re: 2 year update
Have you found this past two years has flown by, yet the previous years spent in Canada dragged? I cannot believe we've been back this long.....we seem to have done so much. The time I spent in Canada is just a big Black Hole.
Jul 18th 2010 | 9:41 pm
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,406
From: NI (back from Toronto)
Jul 18th 2010 | 9:58 pm
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,406
From: NI (back from Toronto)
Re: 2 year update
Thanks EB....Lovely to hear from you, and that you, too are happy.
Have you found this past two years has flown by, yet the previous years spent in Canada dragged? I cannot believe we've been back this long.....we seem to have done so much. The time I spent in Canada is just a big Black Hole.
Have you found this past two years has flown by, yet the previous years spent in Canada dragged? I cannot believe we've been back this long.....we seem to have done so much. The time I spent in Canada is just a big Black Hole.
Jul 22nd 2010 | 12:44 am
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,393
From: England
Re: 2 year update
Well here I am, back Home just over 2 years and loving it. I just thought I'd drop by and give you an update as I used to be a regular visitor here when I lived in the most miserable town in Ontario. I was known as Oldbag then and found BE a great source of support.
OH and I were fast approaching 60 when we decided to come back, and it has been the best decision for us. I emphasise "us", the reason being everyone is different and has different needs and experiences at different times of their lives. Going back to Canada was right when we went, coming back was also right; going out there was a decision made with the head.....we analysed it all, researched as much as we could….everything from property prices to climate to the cost of living. We’d lived in Ontario in the 80’s and made many friends, some of whom are still close friends today, so we decided to try Southwestern Ontario this time as we did have friends in that area. OH went out a year earlier, staying a few weeks looking at the towns and villages carefully marked on our well worn map, investigating employment prospects, which we knew would be a little thin on the ground given our ages, but we felt our experience and qualifications would get us some sort of basic employment at least. You name it, we researched it…. and still it didn't work the way we would have wished. What we found was a vastly different country from the one we had known, so we stuck with it for almost four years doing any type of work we could….apple picking through October and November for $4 an hour! We worked as set-up crew in for a new store opening in Stratford; the wage of $4.50 an hour was slightly better! I eventually got work in a mortgage centre in a bank, whilst OH worked at a Honda factory doing quality control. Both jobs entailed travelling over an hour each way in opposite directions. It was a very hard, frustrating, miserable time and now feels like a Big Black Hole; it’s as if that time has been stolen from me. So, we came up with a Plan….or should that be Plan A, as we never did have a Plan B! We came back to the UK for a month in March of 2008 to do a feasibility test on our plan. We went back to Canada, put the house up for sale (without the use of a real estate agent!), sold it a week later, saving $8000 in fees, packed up and flew home on June 30th 2008!
We are extremely lucky to have found the employment we wanted in an area that is breathtakingly beautiful; our employers are lovely people who have provided us with a home, and an income and regard us as part of the furniture. Given our ages and the fact that we were completely unknown to them we realise just how fortunate we are, so this job has actually become more than “just a jobâ€â€¦.it’s now our way of life and we wouldn’t change if for anything. Compared to the big, oversized house and garden we had in Canada, we now live in a matchbox, but it’s really all we need, and it takes only half an hour to clean it right through!
Best of all? We're an hour's drive away from our daughter, who stayed behiond when we went to Canada in 2004, and 4 hours drive (or by train) from friends and family "up North". I honestly want for nothing more, and if all this sounds just a bit too cheesy and sentimental, too bad, that's how I feel these days.
As for those who think the financial crisis is worse here than there…wherever that may be….it’s all swings and roundabouts. Some things are cheaper here, some things are not. I think the real decision should be about what you want from life…the big house? The outdoor pool? The huge garden and sit-upon lawn mower? All material things which are transient anyway…you never really own anything in life, you have temporary possession only. I discovered that the most important thing in my life was family and peace of mind.
Coming back was a decision from the heart.....this is where we now feel at home and rooted.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming back after however many years is just to do what feels right and don't spend too long agonising over it.
Hope this hasn't been too long and boring for those of you who've read it....and Good Luck to anyone preparing to come home.
OH and I were fast approaching 60 when we decided to come back, and it has been the best decision for us. I emphasise "us", the reason being everyone is different and has different needs and experiences at different times of their lives. Going back to Canada was right when we went, coming back was also right; going out there was a decision made with the head.....we analysed it all, researched as much as we could….everything from property prices to climate to the cost of living. We’d lived in Ontario in the 80’s and made many friends, some of whom are still close friends today, so we decided to try Southwestern Ontario this time as we did have friends in that area. OH went out a year earlier, staying a few weeks looking at the towns and villages carefully marked on our well worn map, investigating employment prospects, which we knew would be a little thin on the ground given our ages, but we felt our experience and qualifications would get us some sort of basic employment at least. You name it, we researched it…. and still it didn't work the way we would have wished. What we found was a vastly different country from the one we had known, so we stuck with it for almost four years doing any type of work we could….apple picking through October and November for $4 an hour! We worked as set-up crew in for a new store opening in Stratford; the wage of $4.50 an hour was slightly better! I eventually got work in a mortgage centre in a bank, whilst OH worked at a Honda factory doing quality control. Both jobs entailed travelling over an hour each way in opposite directions. It was a very hard, frustrating, miserable time and now feels like a Big Black Hole; it’s as if that time has been stolen from me. So, we came up with a Plan….or should that be Plan A, as we never did have a Plan B! We came back to the UK for a month in March of 2008 to do a feasibility test on our plan. We went back to Canada, put the house up for sale (without the use of a real estate agent!), sold it a week later, saving $8000 in fees, packed up and flew home on June 30th 2008!
We are extremely lucky to have found the employment we wanted in an area that is breathtakingly beautiful; our employers are lovely people who have provided us with a home, and an income and regard us as part of the furniture. Given our ages and the fact that we were completely unknown to them we realise just how fortunate we are, so this job has actually become more than “just a jobâ€â€¦.it’s now our way of life and we wouldn’t change if for anything. Compared to the big, oversized house and garden we had in Canada, we now live in a matchbox, but it’s really all we need, and it takes only half an hour to clean it right through!
Best of all? We're an hour's drive away from our daughter, who stayed behiond when we went to Canada in 2004, and 4 hours drive (or by train) from friends and family "up North". I honestly want for nothing more, and if all this sounds just a bit too cheesy and sentimental, too bad, that's how I feel these days.
As for those who think the financial crisis is worse here than there…wherever that may be….it’s all swings and roundabouts. Some things are cheaper here, some things are not. I think the real decision should be about what you want from life…the big house? The outdoor pool? The huge garden and sit-upon lawn mower? All material things which are transient anyway…you never really own anything in life, you have temporary possession only. I discovered that the most important thing in my life was family and peace of mind.
Coming back was a decision from the heart.....this is where we now feel at home and rooted.
My advice to anyone thinking of coming back after however many years is just to do what feels right and don't spend too long agonising over it.
Hope this hasn't been too long and boring for those of you who've read it....and Good Luck to anyone preparing to come home.
