Is The Tide Turning?
 

Hi All,

Long time no post on here. I'm calling it a day in Canada after 5 years and heading home. Been lurking recently and I'm surprised at the number of quite well-established posters who are heading home to the UK, particularly from Canada. I know there are various reasons in play - retirement, homesickness, etc. - but it's striking that there seems little regret expressed by those making the move back and I consequently can't help feeling that the tide may be turning against the Great Emigration Adventure generally.

Or am I reading things wrong?

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

For me it was retirement and time for a new adventure. After 34 years in Canada, it certainly was not a case of returning home - quite the opposite, leaving home for a new adventure.

Canada was great for us while we were working but with more leisure time, we thought it was time for a change.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Clearly there is one trend that I see throughout Asia, and no doubt in other parts of the world, and that is the ever declining breed of the expat. There appears to be a lot of countries now who are making their immigration tougher.

Singapore, especially, has 25% foreigners, and they are concerned that the new graduates will have less opportunity for jobs, and hence their 2% unemployment rate could rise. It's seriously tough to get a position in Singapore now as a foreigner, unless you are at senior level of at least MD, CEO, etc.

Additionally, companies too are cutting costs, and instead of paying £70-£150k a year plus schooling for kids, they are just employing the locals on similar packages, but don't need to cover the huge cost of schooling.

I've had a number of friends and ex colleagues who have had to return to their home countries as a matter of necessity following something happening with their job, such as redundancy.

So, some of the immigration to the UK will be of British Expats who have met a wife/husband during their new life and want to go to the UK together.

The numbers are comprised of quite a complex bunch of reasons for going home.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

I spend time on the Canada and moving back forums. Just my impression but it seems to me that more are taking steps to move to Canada than to move back. Whether they make it to Canada remains to be seen, of course, whereas those wanting to move back likely have fewer obstacles and are probably more likely to make it.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

To be honest I think you just sub-consciously notice it more, it's like your car you never see your make and model until you get yours then suddenly everyone has one.

I always used to see Pontiac Sunfires because it's what I drove but these days I never see them 'cause i don't drive one anymore.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Nicely put, sir.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

That would be because they haven't been made for ten years and were unreliable pieces of junk. :rolleyes:

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

We're seriously considering moving back to the UK from Thailand, mainly because of health issues, I had a heart attack whilst we were on a long weekend to Singapore with my medical treatment costing me, or rather my travel insurers in excess of £16,000.

A further procedure in Bangkok cost me a further £4,000 which I had to fund myself, when I moved here eight years ago affordable health insurance wasn't available, thankfully before we flew to Singapore we purchased travel insurance.

So we are considering moving to take advantage of the NHS, as a UK taxpayer I don't feel guilty about this. I know the NHS has its own problems, but it's still very good.

Lots of soul searching at the moment, my wife is Thai and has to go through the tick box visa exercise which costs about £1,000, and then we have to rebuild our life in the UK.

The NHS will certainly give us peace of mind but I will miss the weather and the cheap cost of living, I certainly wont miss the corruption, traffic, double pricing and the dirt away from the tourist areas.

We are having two trips to the UK this year to get a feel for the place out of holiday mode, it's going to be a massive change for my wife who over the years when friends have asked her if she wants to live in the UK has replied "ok for a holiday".

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

After 45 years here in Canada and the U.S. I don't want my bones whitening here. Got to catch the tide before it is too late.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Are you extremely aged or were you dragged, kicking and screaming, across the Atlantic by your evil parents?

45 beats my 38.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Don't know if 67 is extremely aged-still working.

Nearly sixty years since my family first came here, but we have all ping-ponged back and forth, here and there, mainly France and Italy.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Not very aged at all. I'm only 2 years younger, but I only emigrated when I was 27.

Slow learner you see.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Thank God for old people like dave2003 and Novocastrian on this forum. Makes me feel like a spring chicken at a mere 51 :thumbup:

Novocastrian: it must have been a brave and monumental decision for you to move back having been in Canada for so long... my respect and best wishes for the move sir.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

I see this kind of comment a lot - as a UK tax payer why would you feel guilty about using the NHS?

Not sure why people would feel the need to apologise for returning to their country of citizenship ... maybe it's a British thing. :confused:

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Not at all. It's -25C outside this morning. I'd have to be insane to stay here after I retire this summer.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Hi Novocastrian

It nice to be back in the UK compared to the winter we had in the Ottawa Valley. We live just outside Dover and today in my garden it was 15C. I managed to stain one of my garden sheds. The wife sat in the sun on our south facing patio in a t-shirt.

hudd

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

I know exactly where you're coming from. It was winter last year that did it for me and finally made up my mind. Snow on the ground from October to June and constant double-figure minus temperatures. Much milder this year generally than last, but too little too late for me.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Hi hudd,

I remember you, I think you lived in Pembroke? I have friends in Deep River and know that the winters up there are much more severe than here in the GTA.

Our -25C (-39 with windchill) today is an exceptionally cold one for us, but nonetheless when you start feeling your age a bit, the winters in Ontario are simply not conducive to normal human living.

We'll be splitting our time between Normandy and the UK from July on.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Novocastrian

Yes we lived in Pembroke. Deep River is where some of my friends still live.
Winters were too long in Ontario for us. I found February the hardest winter month. I did liked end of August to early October in the Ottawa Valley.
I like being outside when not at work and found in England you can be out most of the year in the garden or in the countryside. Living both in France and the UK seems a good retirement life style.

We are looking to stay in England when we retire, but looking to move the East Midlands to buy an acreage with a country home in the next few years. so I can have a hobby farm/workshops. I just looking for a new role for the next 15 years until I can retire.

hudd

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Were you associated with AECL?

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Novocastrian

I worked for AECL as an Operation Manager. I liked the job/people, but unfortunately it was 5500km away from our family in the UK. We went back to be near our family and schooling for our sons.

hudd

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Fair enough. Most of the folk in Deep River work there too (including my long time friend). He's been there for 22 years now and I think intends to stay after retirement. Yes, he's mad. ;)

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

I returned to the UK, just over 2 years ago, after 30+ years in Canada (mainly Calgary). I love the climate here and also that I can enjoy the garden year round vs. a short season in Alberta.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

lf1
We lived in Calgary 1997 and then Hanna AB until 1999. I was amazed that there was no real spring in AB. I had the dream of buying an acreage, but really did not appreciate the long winters and short growing season. I now spend many weekends in the garden or greenhouse when it been dry/mild in the winter. I have managed to prune all the fruit trees, coppice a large willow and done some landscaping already this winter.

hudd

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

You wouldn't believe what a ghost town Hanna is now.

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

It's a scary thing relying on the Canadian / GBP exchange rate as regards pension transfer. I decided the risk was not worth it after 23 years in Canada and yes, with a British Pension. Any news on whether the U.K. Government will change their mind on indexation (Hope it is appropriate to ask this question here)

Re: Is The Tide Turning?
 

Welcome to BE. That question comes up regularly over in the Canada section of this site. The consensus is there's not a chance in hell of indexation in the foreseeable future.