davidjh

Well we are going back to the UK from Canada.

Two dogs - two children 1 & 2 – me and my wife Kate came here two and a half years ago and have never really settled for lots of reasons.
When we arrived in Toronto - Canada the Dot.com balloon had just popped big time in Canada and the US, which made it virtually impossible to get a job within the IT sector. This was a massive difference from what I was used to in the UK, Anyway after six weeks of trying we could not find work and things started to get a bit desperate to say the least. I would have gone back to England then but we had the dogs and at the time they would have had to be put into 6 months quarantine on return and there was not a chance in hell that I would leave them in Canada.
So we decided to hire a mini-van and load our gear up and head west from Toronto and see if we could find work elsewhere.
Six weeks later after quite an adventure we arrived in Calgary and we decided to stay has we could go any further as both Kate and me the dogs and kids where boarding on madness.
Anyway to cut a long story short we managed to find jobs in Calgary purchased a 4-bed 2-½ bathroom detached living the life in the Rocky Mountains.

But as the days crept by things started to get on our wicks about living here in Canada.
Not that Canada’s a bad country to live with low crime space est., the problem is we are British and have found it impossible adjust to the way of live here and its culture.
I am point now was I missing the bad things about England as well as the good.

Interested

Hey,

Its a shame you are going back so soon, but you know what is right for you ! I have been here for almost two years and I am still adjusting, I think it'll be a couple more years before I feel really a part of things ! I am not going to pack it all in though, I really really want to make a go of it.

I guess you had your kids whilst over here, so you are probably missing the support of family back in England. There is nothing like a stint in another country to work out how much they mean to you !

interested.

AndrewR

Just wanted to wish you good luck with the move back! Like you I'm in canada, and I certainly don't dislike the place, far from it, but we intend on moving back to the UK. I've been here four years now, will probaly be here for another couple (job situation) before we move on. I think after a few years away you certainly have a better appreciaition of the UK....not that I had any problems in the first place, making me want to leave...anyway I'm starting to ramble.....best of luck with the move!

Spindleman

Been in Canada now for 29 years and returning home in a few weeks...many reasons why we are returning home,..Canada is a great country but I have never felt it was my real home,so with kids grown up and gone from the nest,and family and friends back home it is time for a new begining..and just before anyone says
"Britain has changed since you left" we have been home many times.. Aug of 02 was our last trip and we loved it,and we can't wait to get back.We know all about the pitfalls high crime,heavy traffic etc.. let me just say it is right for me and my wife at this point in our lives. Good luck to anyone for returning to Blighty
it is you OWN decision it must be right for you.Happines is a state of mind. If you do not like something to-day CHANGE IT for the chances are you probably won't like it tommorow also!
Enough ranting.....

Peace to you all......

BigBill

Good for you spindleman! Sincerely hope the move works out for you. Wise words too I think. Too many people moan about the bad things in their lives, without trying to change it. Have a great time....

flashman

A good perspective. I've been in Canada for over 30 years and my Canadian wife and myself have considered a move to the UK on retirement. We have decided against a permanent move but might take extended vacations or work assignments.

My last visit was in 99 and I noticed changes which I think were due to the "Thatcher Revolution" of the 90's which started the standard of living improvements. Before that I would never have considered it. Was the Thatcher regime a big change?

While the standard of living may be comparable, I still would prefer the quality of life in Canada (we are not pubgoers). I like the scenic and cultural diversity, the living space (I find the UK is claustophobic) and the distinct seasons.

AndrewR

I think so....ie the Thatcher years started a big improvement in the standard of living. I basically grew up during the thatcher years, so its hard for me to make a direct comparison, but if you think about what was happening in britian in the late seventies to its situation now, theres been a big step forward. Certainly the thatcher years were a big change, quite confrontational as she pushed through the changes, but i think they had a lasting impact, and the fact that the Uk economy has been growing now for ten straight years has been built on the back of those reforms.
I can see where you're coming from about the scenery etc here in Canada, but for me one thing I really like about being in the Uk is the availability of the travel options. I found it alot easier to get cheap flights abroad and to get out and see lots of different countries. Anyway...as has been said before, its all about personal choices, and whats right for you.
oh btw flash, I know you posted a question about trying to find work in the Uk/europe....I was just wondering if you had found anything....I'm just being nosy, so please feel free to ignore me (lots of other people do )

flashman

I'm not really trying to find "Work" per se but temporary short term (2-6 week) contracts for a working vacation. I'm semi retired management consultant so, at my age, I don't expect to find that kind of opportunity through normal job search methods. (If anyone can help just contact me privately and I'll provide details of my background).


Thanks for your input on the Thatcher years. Maybe while the standard of living has improved the downside is that the result is a more Darwinian society with less social awareness resulting in increased crime, drugs etc.

AndrewR

Quite possible. I think one of the downsides to the UK is that its not such a 'connected' society as it used to be ie neighbours in touch with each other for example. Possibly as a result of increasing affluence, possibly as a result of the social upheaval the UK went through in the eighties. I think that the the reforms she pushed through were needed at the time, otherwise who knows where the UK would be economically right now, but there were definite downsides in some area's eg less social awareness?

GetMeOutOfHere

Since 1997, NL(new labour) have begun the so-called "Third Way" project, first term in office they did nothing except benefit from economic policies inherited from the Tories. That lasted until the end of their first term and Blair called an election just as people were beginning to question what had they done, hospital waiting lists were growing, crime was rising alarmingly, illegal immigrants were hell bent on getting in to the UK even though many are just economic migrants. Anyway, Blair pleaded for another term in office and the UK public fell for it, and now we can see that the "Third Way" is just the same old Labour socialist TAX & SPEND dogma with a glossy spin to it. Taxes are rising to pay for thier grand plans, nothings improving and our billions in extra tax is getting wasted. The economy has been growing only on the back of property equity increases, people remortaging and spending money thats not theirs. Trouble is around the corner, the chancellors figures are wrong, more taxes will be required. Crime is increasing, judges want criminals not to go to jail, the police are powerless, schools & hospitals have been caught out fiddling figures to look as if they are hitting their targets. Most are working not knowing if they will have a job next year, wages for the majority are decreasing in real terms. The public sector wage bill is increasing 1 in 4 now work not contributing to the economy, while those in the private sector are working longer hours with more reposibilities and no extra pay.
I'll stop now but theres plenty more I could add....and you want to come back to this quality of life?

joebloggs

You know despite anything else i would choose to live here, rather then anywhere else in the world. I don't know if you've twigged yet, but every country has its good points and bad points. Maybe you'll move abroad and love it (not sure where you're going to), maybe you won't. Ive tried australia, but i've got to say, its good to be back here. Figure out whats right for you, and i'll do the same thanks...

AndrewR

Yes. I really don't feel like getting involved in a long drawn out discusion about all of this, but I will say that I actually agree with parts of your posting (to some degree) and there are parts I disagree with (to some degree) I will say though that inefficient, grasping goverments are hardly the sole preserve of the UK....something I think you might have a better idea of if and when you do emigrate. Also, as i've said before on other postings, all my family still live there, i keep in touch with friends still back there, and i've managed to get back three times within the last year and and a half, so I have a fair idea of what i'm letting myself in for....

GetMeOutOfHere

Good luck to you, I mean it.

I am not trying to put you off, just trying to give a a bit more info/background to whats happening.

Your mind is set and I wish you well, you at least can look back and know you tried it and I admire anyone for having a go.

daisymoll

I definitely agree with this. I personally think that one of the main reasons why there is less community spirt in the UK is because so many women are now working full time. I think in the past that they would have been the cement of the community but now they no longer have time for housework, runnning around after kids etc. I am not being sexist either coz I am a woman!!!

Also, on another point I was just dicussing England with my husband and I think the disappointing thing about England is the pessimism that seems to exist despite people actually doing quite well. Take my inlaws for example, they have a massive house, a pension sorted out as far as we can make out, they are away in their caravan for the fifth time this year and this isn't even their main holiday and they seem to be able to get whatever they want and yet England is still rubbish. One thing I find about the Candians is that even though deep down I think they know some things are rubbish, I find that they don't like to hear a bad word said against their country. I wish more Brits would follow suit and take pride in their country a bit more. It was great last year with the jubilee and the football coz it felt like the whole country united for a bit, we need more of that spirit. I think Brits just really need to realise that it isn't all bad!!!

daisymoll

I think taxes may be just as high over here you know. I may be wrong but it sure feels like it and we don't seem to get a s many services. I also never felt as if there would be a problem getting a job when I was in the UK.

As for longer hours, some companies over here start their employees off on as little as five days holiday. Yes some employees in the Uk work ridiculous hours but it all comes down to choice and time management in the end and that is the same in the UK and the world over. In each country my husband has worked he has had coworkers who do the long hours (Over here some people even go in on the weekends). We choose not to fall into this trap and I have to say that my husbands career has never been hindered by this. He gets his work done well and that has always been recognised. If people are willing to do it than employers aren't going to say no are they... You talk as if these problems are unique to the UK, believe me they are not