Sometimes the grass will always be greener too...moving to Asia may not solve your problems of finding friends as expats are always coming and going to the point where its hard to make actual friendships!

And depending on where you mean in Asia, not all of Asia is cheap to live in! Hong Kong and Japan are incredibly expensive compared to the UK for the same standard of living with 80% of the cost being accommodation

I know for me that the things I love about here are more material things and our general standard of life here but there are a lot of things that are much better in the UK and I can never shake off that my family and close friends are all still there so in the end you have to prioritise what is most important right now.

All the Canadians ? That's an odd thing to say. That's like a Canadian in the UK saying all British people and so forth. I lived in Canada a few years ago and met some of the best friends that I could ever wish to have. Still in touch with them, and still visit. There's good and bad in all respects all over the world.

I agree, though I'm struck by the fact that nearly all the friends we're still in contact with are British people who emigrated to Canada.

I think there are social differences that are concealed by the common language. We wouldn't -- or shouldn't -- move to Germany and expect Germans to have the same social codes, body language etc as we do in England, but we tend to expect that from the English-speaking places like Canada, Australia, and NZ.

We were in Canada for over 30 years, and I'm sure I picked up a lot of the non-language language, but I couldn't tell you what it is. I just know it's there. I think one is the joking tone and slang tones. Canadians can have a great sense of humour, but it's different IMO.

Try out a bit of the Royal Canadian Air Farce. And perhaps take warning from the punch line!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67-GeNYShbc

The British sense of humour is better, IMO, but the differences might mean something. Or not.

In one way, the differences are a reason not to emigrate, or to return if you're there and feeling alienated. If you like enough about the place to stay, then you have to listen and watch -- even watching Canadian TV (what a thought!) and try to send out the same signals as they do.

Bev

I find the winter here so much more bearable since I started to ski. Makes a big difference having something to look forward to in the cold weather.

Family problems follow you wherever you go unfortunately.

We have been here since 2006 moved from vancouver to Calgary for work in august 2006. became canadians last year but still not enjoying life here but the problem is i dont want to go back to the uK looking at asia but stuck with the house we have here due to losing the value since the down turn. I think if it was not for the house we would sell and go to asia
firefox

Where do you want to live i am looking at Asia Malaysia thailnad of Vietnam depends which is more stable

YILT well everyone has their own views & opinions others may say the same about the Brits the word ALL may be too extraverted but THE MAJORITY (from what i've seen) are that way. Your one of the lucky ones to have had that experience I've yet to find it after 2 years, been on holiday a few times IN SUMMER prior to moving and enjoyed it but to actually live here THROUGH WINTERS is different & SOME people change like the weather.

As BEVM said it is partially to do with the Brit & Canadian sense of humour they just dont get it!?.
THANKS CXX HOPE IT IMPROVES FOR YOU IN NB

Thanks for the reply. Two of my Canadian friends have lived in Wales in the past for a few years. They were Basketball imports, travelling the UK and delivering clinics to schools etc. They both met partners from the UK and all returned to Canada. The girls want to stay, but the boys are itching to come back and live here. They absolutely love the UK ! Funny how I never met them when they were here. Perhaps they adopted the British sense of humour.

Just out of curiosity, where in NB?

I noticed in another post you said French was first language.

Been here nearly 6 years and we still can't get over chatty people saying hello and actually stopping on the sidewalk or cafe for a chat with strangers.

I moved here in Jan 2007 on my own. I finished my degree in June 2006 and was offered a job and came right out. I d be lying if I said it hasn't been hard but on the whole I think its been worth it. I ve always lived in BC where the weather really isn't that bad in the winter and theres plenty of skiing.

I think people are alot more open and friendly here than in the UK, although initially some seem weary of outsider. When I first moved to Kamloops, BC I started coaching a kids football team just for something to do and the general lack of respect I was shown by Parents was eye opening. I guess that was the only time that I felt like packing it in altogether.

Everyone is different but I would that the grass always seems greener. I sometimes sit and think about a nice country pub or some proper fish and chips and really miss home, but then whenever I go back I feel detached from it and can't wait to get back to Canada.

Just my rambling thoughts but I'd advise to sit and think seriously about going. Hope all goes well

That's right. None of the 30 million or so of us Canadians understand the British humour.

Have you lived anywhere in Canada other than the place you are now? Perhaps if you lived somewhere else you might find that in such a huge country the population is extremely diverse. Could it also be possible that you enjoyed it more when you came on holiday because you were on holiday and not engrossed in the day to day of life?

As a Canadian, I find your comments inoffensive. It IS too cold here and the people are unfriendly, to boot! It's true.

I am actually dumbfounded. I am a Brit, going home in the next year or so hopefully but after living in Canada for over 30 years I have certainly not found Canadians unfriendly. I lived in Calgary, Lethbridge, Vancouver and now Salt Spring Island and had some great times, with great friends along the way. I find Canadians to be very friendly and social. A few of my good Canadian friends will be difficult to say goodbye to. I am wondering how old you are and if it is a generational thing because I find the younger ones of any nationality less friendly than we old farts.
As for the weather, did you not research the climate of Alberta before you went? Extremely cold winters, lots of snow, etc.? Living here on the West Coast has a climate much more like the UK.
I am not trying to play devil's advocate but I worked for 20+ years in Vancouver at a variety of jobs in both private and public sector and not once was I asked if I could speak Chinese.
As I say, I am quite baffled. Can only surmise that this is a sign of the times and the changing world.
I am going back because I love and miss England... the rolling meadows and pretty little villages, etc. etc.
Wishing you all the best,
Linda

Must agree with you in one respect, Linda... I think that the town where I live (Ottawa) is incredibly unfriendly. I was born here and immediately know when somebody is from 'away' and by that I mean born in the next town or province, never mind from overseas. Ottawa is incredibly unfriendly -- people quite cold, in comparison to other cities. Now I know people will say I am wrong, but I have lived here my whole life 35 years plus and it is a constant topic with people I know who have lived elsewhere.

I think people in other parts of Canada are much more friendly> I would NOT recommend Ottawa, not for the weather nor the people and especially NOT for the driving. They'll run you over. The rest of the country, especially BC, YES!

I agree about the weather, but I think the friendliness depends on where you live in Ottawa. We were there for 12 years and lived in a very friendly area -- Old Ottawa South, round about Bank Street and the canal. Active community center, the Mayfair, concerts in the park, skating on the canal, chatting on the streets etc etc. It's a very mixed area, or was. The prices there have rocketed so high the inhabitants have probably become less varied.

But it's a government town and a lot of people are obsessed by politics, which can make them odd and harried. Then it's on the Ontario/Quebec border so the Anglophone/Francophone thing is always simmering and can trip a person up.

As I say, it depends where you live, I think.

Bev