New Zealand or canada
Jul 16th 2015, 8:31 am
#16
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Re: New Zealand or canada
A move away from Glasgow to elsewhere within the UK would achieve all the things you want though, without the hassle of visas, and without costing tens of thousands of pounds.
Where I live (Berkshire), we have next to no crime, and I don't even lock my door most of the time. My kids are always outside too, we've had about 2 days of rain in the past month but even that doesn't stop them.
If you love Canada and NZ then go for it, but as has already been said, it's far better to move for the love of the country rather than the perceived negatives of the one you're leaving behind.
I've no idea about NZ, but there's crime in Canada too (more murders per capita than in the UK actually), and your children wouldn't be more likely to play outside there as in the summer it's (generally) very hot/humid and with lots of god awful biting insects, and in the winter it could be snowy and freezing for months on end. The UK is actually far better for an outdoorsy lifestyle IMO, although perhaps not in rainy Glasgow!
Another thing to think about with Canada if the work/life balance improvement is what you're after, is that generally you'll only get 2 weeks annual leave a year in Canada, and often nothing at all in the first year (for instance in BC, you have to work the full year first before you're entitled to any holiday at all). If you're senior or have specialist skills then you may be able to negotiate more, but if you're looking for more time with your family then only 2 weeks a year annual leave is perhaps something to consider.
HTH, good luck.
Where I live (Berkshire), we have next to no crime, and I don't even lock my door most of the time. My kids are always outside too, we've had about 2 days of rain in the past month but even that doesn't stop them.
If you love Canada and NZ then go for it, but as has already been said, it's far better to move for the love of the country rather than the perceived negatives of the one you're leaving behind.
I've no idea about NZ, but there's crime in Canada too (more murders per capita than in the UK actually), and your children wouldn't be more likely to play outside there as in the summer it's (generally) very hot/humid and with lots of god awful biting insects, and in the winter it could be snowy and freezing for months on end. The UK is actually far better for an outdoorsy lifestyle IMO, although perhaps not in rainy Glasgow!
Another thing to think about with Canada if the work/life balance improvement is what you're after, is that generally you'll only get 2 weeks annual leave a year in Canada, and often nothing at all in the first year (for instance in BC, you have to work the full year first before you're entitled to any holiday at all). If you're senior or have specialist skills then you may be able to negotiate more, but if you're looking for more time with your family then only 2 weeks a year annual leave is perhaps something to consider.
HTH, good luck.
Jul 16th 2015, 9:06 am
#17
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Re: New Zealand or canada
Another thing to think about with Canada if the work/life balance improvement is what you're after, is that generally you'll only get 2 weeks annual leave a year in Canada, and often nothing at all in the first year (for instance in BC, you have to work the full year first before you're entitled to any holiday at all).
Quite similar in NZ regarding having to work a full year before you become entitled to your leave and that is the way it is written in employment law. If you're lucky some employers do allow you to take leave in advance / or as it accrues but many strictly enforce the rules.
The standard (minimum) leave is four weeks here but many employers have enforced shutdowns over Christmas and make you take your leave for two to three weeks whether you like it or not.
Jul 16th 2015, 9:13 am
#18
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Re: New Zealand or canada
A move away from Glasgow to elsewhere within the UK would achieve all the things you want though, without the hassle of visas, and without costing tens of thousands of pounds.
Where I live (Berkshire), we have next to no crime, and I don't even lock my door most of the time. My kids are always outside too, we've had about 2 days of rain in the past month but even that doesn't stop them.
If you love Canada and NZ then go for it, but as has already been said, it's far better to move for the love of the country rather than the perceived negatives of the one you're leaving behind.
I've no idea about NZ, but there's crime in Canada too (more murders per capita than in the UK actually), and your children wouldn't be more likely to play outside there as in the summer it's (generally) very hot/humid and with lots of god awful biting insects, and in the winter it could be snowy and freezing for months on end. The UK is actually far better for an outdoorsy lifestyle IMO, although perhaps not in rainy Glasgow!
Another thing to think about with Canada if the work/life balance improvement is what you're after, is that generally you'll only get 2 weeks annual leave a year in Canada, and often nothing at all in the first year (for instance in BC, you have to work the full year first before you're entitled to any holiday at all). If you're senior or have specialist skills then you may be able to negotiate more, but if you're looking for more time with your family then only 2 weeks a year annual leave is perhaps something to consider.
HTH, good luck.
Where I live (Berkshire), we have next to no crime, and I don't even lock my door most of the time. My kids are always outside too, we've had about 2 days of rain in the past month but even that doesn't stop them.
If you love Canada and NZ then go for it, but as has already been said, it's far better to move for the love of the country rather than the perceived negatives of the one you're leaving behind.
I've no idea about NZ, but there's crime in Canada too (more murders per capita than in the UK actually), and your children wouldn't be more likely to play outside there as in the summer it's (generally) very hot/humid and with lots of god awful biting insects, and in the winter it could be snowy and freezing for months on end. The UK is actually far better for an outdoorsy lifestyle IMO, although perhaps not in rainy Glasgow!
Another thing to think about with Canada if the work/life balance improvement is what you're after, is that generally you'll only get 2 weeks annual leave a year in Canada, and often nothing at all in the first year (for instance in BC, you have to work the full year first before you're entitled to any holiday at all). If you're senior or have specialist skills then you may be able to negotiate more, but if you're looking for more time with your family then only 2 weeks a year annual leave is perhaps something to consider.
HTH, good luck.
Actually Wellington gets more rainfall than we do in Ireland and because you have more sunny days in Wellington with a high UV radiation, kids constantly need to put on sunscreen. At the end of the day all locations can offer an outdoor lifestyle, but it seems that in the UK the mentality is different. Parts of Canada are bloody freezing but people adapt and install a hot tub, while in OZ people need a pool to cool down.
Jul 16th 2015, 8:59 pm
#19
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Re: New Zealand or canada
I think all 3 countries can offer those things but it depends on the circumstances. For example, there are jobs in NZ where you might be expected to work those long hours. Other jobs stipulate 9 to 5 and you are forbidden to take work home with you. Also there are places to live where you might feel safer than others. I think overall, NZ is a relatively safe country, but so is Australia and Canada, and so is the UK for that matter.
Thanks for the info....yeah I think as far as I'm led to believe work-life balance is better in New Zealand....although I've been told Canada is not as safe...
I'm sure time will tell
Jul 16th 2015, 9:04 pm
#20
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Re: New Zealand or canada
A move away from Glasgow to elsewhere within the UK would achieve all the things you want though, without the hassle of visas, and without costing tens of thousands of pounds.
Where I live (Berkshire), we have next to no crime, and I don't even lock my door most of the time. My kids are always outside too, we've had about 2 days of rain in the past month but even that doesn't stop them.
If you love Canada and NZ then go for it, but as has already been said, it's far better to move for the love of the country rather than the perceived negatives of the one you're leaving behind.
I've no idea about NZ, but there's crime in Canada too (more murders per capita than in the UK actually), and your children wouldn't be more likely to play outside there as in the summer it's (generally) very hot/humid and with lots of god awful biting insects, and in the winter it could be snowy and freezing for months on end. The UK is actually far better for an outdoorsy lifestyle IMO, although perhaps not in rainy Glasgow!
Another thing to think about with Canada if the work/life balance improvement is what you're after, is that generally you'll only get 2 weeks annual leave a year in Canada, and often nothing at all in the first year (for instance in BC, you have to work the full year first before you're entitled to any holiday at all). If you're senior or have specialist skills then you may be able to negotiate more, but if you're looking for more time with your family then only 2 weeks a year annual leave is perhaps something to consider.
HTH, good luck.
Where I live (Berkshire), we have next to no crime, and I don't even lock my door most of the time. My kids are always outside too, we've had about 2 days of rain in the past month but even that doesn't stop them.
If you love Canada and NZ then go for it, but as has already been said, it's far better to move for the love of the country rather than the perceived negatives of the one you're leaving behind.
I've no idea about NZ, but there's crime in Canada too (more murders per capita than in the UK actually), and your children wouldn't be more likely to play outside there as in the summer it's (generally) very hot/humid and with lots of god awful biting insects, and in the winter it could be snowy and freezing for months on end. The UK is actually far better for an outdoorsy lifestyle IMO, although perhaps not in rainy Glasgow!
Another thing to think about with Canada if the work/life balance improvement is what you're after, is that generally you'll only get 2 weeks annual leave a year in Canada, and often nothing at all in the first year (for instance in BC, you have to work the full year first before you're entitled to any holiday at all). If you're senior or have specialist skills then you may be able to negotiate more, but if you're looking for more time with your family then only 2 weeks a year annual leave is perhaps something to consider.
HTH, good luck.
Yes we lived else where in the UK for 7 years and enjoyed it...but still felt like we should go abroad...we generally feel the the life style abroad would suit us better...Glasgow has virtually no outdoor lifestyle unless your willing to pay an arm and a leg...
Thanks for your advice
Jul 16th 2015, 9:10 pm
#21
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Re: New Zealand or canada
Indeed a move somewhere else in the UK might make more sense. Even in the rain you can do outdoor things. Best example is water sport (surfing, swimming, kajaking etc.), because you're going to get wet anyway Actually Wellington gets more rainfall than we do in Ireland and because you have more sunny days in Wellington with a high UV radiation, kids constantly need to put on sunscreen. At the end of the day all locations can offer an outdoor lifestyle, but it seems that in the UK the mentality is different. Parts of Canada are bloody freezing but people adapt and install a hot tub, while in OZ people need a pool to cool down.
Actually Wellington gets more rainfall than we do in Ireland and because you have more sunny days in Wellington with a high UV radiation, kids constantly need to put on sunscreen. At the end of the day all locations can offer an outdoor lifestyle, but it seems that in the UK the mentality is different. Parts of Canada are bloody freezing but people adapt and install a hot tub, while in OZ people need a pool to cool down.We lived away for 7 years in the UK and loved it but feel our children's life's would be better abroad....we are an outdoor family here but it cannot compare with Canada New Zealand or OZ....if comparing it to GLasgow there is no comparison....we will still keep looking for comparisons to see where to go...thanks though
Jul 16th 2015, 10:33 pm
#22
Muskoka, Ontario
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,045
Re: New Zealand or canada
Hey there,
We lived away for 7 years in the UK and loved it but feel our children's life's would be better abroad....we are an outdoor family here but it cannot compare with Canada New Zealand or OZ....if comparing it to GLasgow there is no comparison....we will still keep looking for comparisons to see where to go...thanks though
We lived away for 7 years in the UK and loved it but feel our children's life's would be better abroad....we are an outdoor family here but it cannot compare with Canada New Zealand or OZ....if comparing it to GLasgow there is no comparison....we will still keep looking for comparisons to see where to go...thanks though
Jul 16th 2015, 10:34 pm
#23
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Re: New Zealand or canada
Hey there,
We lived away for 7 years in the UK and loved it but feel our children's life's would be better abroad....we are an outdoor family here but it cannot compare with Canada New Zealand or OZ....if comparing it to GLasgow there is no comparison....we will still keep looking for comparisons to see where to go...thanks though
We lived away for 7 years in the UK and loved it but feel our children's life's would be better abroad....we are an outdoor family here but it cannot compare with Canada New Zealand or OZ....if comparing it to GLasgow there is no comparison....we will still keep looking for comparisons to see where to go...thanks though
In all honesty, if you can't deal with Glasgow rain, then temps of 35 and crazy amounts of humidity, or -20 in the winter, are going to make it even harder IMO.
We're outdoors far more here than we were in Canada, plus it's free, plus the countryside is open to all.
HTH, good luck deciding.
Jul 17th 2015, 1:18 am
#24
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Re: New Zealand or canada
Hi there,
Yes we lived else where in the UK for 7 years and enjoyed it...but still felt like we should go abroad...we generally feel the the life style abroad would suit us better...Glasgow has virtually no outdoor lifestyle unless your willing to pay an arm and a leg...
Thanks for your advice
Yes we lived else where in the UK for 7 years and enjoyed it...but still felt like we should go abroad...we generally feel the the life style abroad would suit us better...Glasgow has virtually no outdoor lifestyle unless your willing to pay an arm and a leg...
Thanks for your advice
Jul 17th 2015, 3:46 am
#25
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Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
Posts: 251
Re: New Zealand or canada
Hi there,
Yes we lived else where in the UK for 7 years and enjoyed it...but still felt like we should go abroad...we generally feel the the life style abroad would suit us better...Glasgow has virtually no outdoor lifestyle unless your willing to pay an arm and a leg...
Thanks for your advice
Yes we lived else where in the UK for 7 years and enjoyed it...but still felt like we should go abroad...we generally feel the the life style abroad would suit us better...Glasgow has virtually no outdoor lifestyle unless your willing to pay an arm and a leg...
Thanks for your advice
I am from Glasgow and moved to BC, Canada. Can I ask what part of Glasgow you are coming from and why you feel it it really unsafe and non outdoorsy? We moved here as my husband is Canadian. To be honest, I have friends and family from all around the Glasgow area and there are a ton of things to do......Not all costing an arm and a leg. If its sports, the cost of sports is much more in Canada as well as dance etc. (well in the area we are in BC) I think its unfare to say Glasgow is unsafe - Its a big City with many areas under the Glasgow umbrella. Vancouver has REALLY unsafe areas but wouldnt call the City unsafe. I feel sad that you are feeling this.
Having been in Canada for 5 years I need to say the grass isnt always greener. Its an expensive move to be mistaken especially with children.
My sister moved to Christchurch without children and is planning to move back to outside Glasgow. Jobs are not great, housing is expensive, weather isnt fab in winter etc etc.....
Thinking positive......I would suggest you sit and write the countries with preferred cities you would like to be in. Research everything from employment, housing costs, schooling and compare. Check the police reports etc and really think about what you are looking for in an ideal world. You wont get everything on your list. I mean, I know you say you are looking for a work/life balance but think about commute time for work, the environment that is best for family (is snow a no go/is humidity ok/oceans/mountains/city living etc). Do you want to walk places or happy to drive? etc
Lots to think about! it will help you narrow down the country of choice. Also.......We have friends in many places we thought about but remember, being with friends in their environment on holiday is different to actually living there.....We had to think of that too. Friends may not be able to have BBQ 4 nights a week or go out on the town all the time/road trips etc.
What about visa/work permit timelines.......Will this affect your decision? Eg, one country getting you BOTH in and working quicker than another.
None of this is trying to tell you what to do.....Just thinking of things we had to think about/didnt even think about at all and wish we had! Good luck.
Jul 17th 2015, 7:17 am
#26
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Re: New Zealand or canada
Your kids life will be different not necessarily better....we're in Canada and my son does play out a lot here, but he also now has multiple scars on his arms and legs from mosquito/black fly bites that I suspect he will have for life to remind him of when mum and dad moved him to Canada. Equally he's played out in snow storms and cried on ski slopes at how cold it was (he's 9 btw) and it was this year -30 to -40 quite a lot of the time. Skiing also costs an arm and a leg too. In fact most sports and outdoor activities in Canada do cost a lot...
I do think however we are pulling more towards New Zealand or Australia purely because Canada will always be a option to us ( I have a citezenship)
Jul 17th 2015, 7:21 am
#27
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Re: New Zealand or canada
so they can at least go out, I would put up with extreme weather in the winter if it meant a hot summer...They can take part in outdoor sports...
Somewhere the children dobt have pressures of the things they do here....
Jul 17th 2015, 8:00 am
#28
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Re: New Zealand or canada
Hi
I am from Glasgow and moved to BC, Canada. Can I ask what part of Glasgow you are coming from and why you feel it it really unsafe and non outdoorsy? We moved here as my husband is Canadian. To be honest, I have friends and family from all around the Glasgow area and there are a ton of things to do......Not all costing an arm and a leg. If its sports, the cost of sports is much more in Canada as well as dance etc. (well in the area we are in BC) I think its unfare to say Glasgow is unsafe - Its a big City with many areas under the Glasgow umbrella. Vancouver has REALLY unsafe areas but wouldnt call the City unsafe. I feel sad that you are feeling this.
Having been in Canada for 5 years I need to say the grass isnt always greener. Its an expensive move to be mistaken especially with children.
My sister moved to Christchurch without children and is planning to move back to outside Glasgow. Jobs are not great, housing is expensive, weather isnt fab in winter etc etc.....
Thinking positive......I would suggest you sit and write the countries with preferred cities you would like to be in. Research everything from employment, housing costs, schooling and compare. Check the police reports etc and really think about what you are looking for in an ideal world. You wont get everything on your list. I mean, I know you say you are looking for a work/life balance but think about commute time for work, the environment that is best for family (is snow a no go/is humidity ok/oceans/mountains/city living etc). Do you want to walk places or happy to drive? etc
Lots to think about! it will help you narrow down the country of choice. Also.......We have friends in many places we thought about but remember, being with friends in their environment on holiday is different to actually living there.....We had to think of that too. Friends may not be able to have BBQ 4 nights a week or go out on the town all the time/road trips etc.
What about visa/work permit timelines.......Will this affect your decision? Eg, one country getting you BOTH in and working quicker than another.
None of this is trying to tell you what to do.....Just thinking of things we had to think about/didnt even think about at all and wish we had! Good luck.
I am from Glasgow and moved to BC, Canada. Can I ask what part of Glasgow you are coming from and why you feel it it really unsafe and non outdoorsy? We moved here as my husband is Canadian. To be honest, I have friends and family from all around the Glasgow area and there are a ton of things to do......Not all costing an arm and a leg. If its sports, the cost of sports is much more in Canada as well as dance etc. (well in the area we are in BC) I think its unfare to say Glasgow is unsafe - Its a big City with many areas under the Glasgow umbrella. Vancouver has REALLY unsafe areas but wouldnt call the City unsafe. I feel sad that you are feeling this.
Having been in Canada for 5 years I need to say the grass isnt always greener. Its an expensive move to be mistaken especially with children.
My sister moved to Christchurch without children and is planning to move back to outside Glasgow. Jobs are not great, housing is expensive, weather isnt fab in winter etc etc.....
Thinking positive......I would suggest you sit and write the countries with preferred cities you would like to be in. Research everything from employment, housing costs, schooling and compare. Check the police reports etc and really think about what you are looking for in an ideal world. You wont get everything on your list. I mean, I know you say you are looking for a work/life balance but think about commute time for work, the environment that is best for family (is snow a no go/is humidity ok/oceans/mountains/city living etc). Do you want to walk places or happy to drive? etc
Lots to think about! it will help you narrow down the country of choice. Also.......We have friends in many places we thought about but remember, being with friends in their environment on holiday is different to actually living there.....We had to think of that too. Friends may not be able to have BBQ 4 nights a week or go out on the town all the time/road trips etc.
What about visa/work permit timelines.......Will this affect your decision? Eg, one country getting you BOTH in and working quicker than another.
None of this is trying to tell you what to do.....Just thinking of things we had to think about/didnt even think about at all and wish we had! Good luck.
We are from the south side, generally seen as a nicer area...it's not unsafe that you can't go out at night or anything not at all and I would never not recommend anyone to come visit but for living and bringing up my children it's not for us.
There has been a major study released about the 'Glasgow effect' I'm sure if you google it, my mums involved in it and Glasgow has been ranked the worst area to live and in the next ten years will be the second highest level of obesity in the world, has the highest level of MS in Europe due to low levels of sunlight exposure, was voted the UKs most violent city... The list can go on. we have wanted to move abroad for over 4 years and are now in e position to do it so living in GLasgow is not an option for us, all these negatives are for people living in Glagow bringing up there children and I would always tell people it's a wonderful friendly city to visit....but I personally do not want my children to grow up here.
I think we are going towards New Zealand, my husband has a job offer in Auckland and before that we had 140 points, I'm pretty sure the weather cannot be as bad as here in the winter....my dad lives in NZ and has done for nearly 12 years n thinks it's amazing especially if children...
Yeah I think we will do the lists etc that a good idea....
Thank you very much for your post
Jul 17th 2015, 8:00 am
#29
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Re: New Zealand or canada
a beach lifestyle where the children can run free...not as much rain so they can at least go out, I would put up with extreme weather in the winter if it meant a hot summer...
They can take part in outdoor sports...
Somewhere the children dobt have pressures of the things they do here....
so they can at least go out, I would put up with extreme weather in the winter if it meant a hot summer...They can take part in outdoor sports...
Somewhere the children dobt have pressures of the things they do here....
. There is also no point on focusing on a country just because you think the kids will then have a beach lifestyle, if you have no specific job offer. So far you didn't manage to have a beach lifestyle in the UK, but I can tell you that it's more achievable in the UK than OZ, because you are never really far away from the coast. Australia is not cheap and where you have nice beaches and jobs, means housing is very pricey. At your age and especially with kids, I would just be very careful. The thousands you'll spend on a move could have got you a small house in Spain, where the outdoor lifestyle is even better than OZ.
Jul 17th 2015, 8:02 am
#30
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2013
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Re: New Zealand or canada
Hi there,
We are from the south side, generally seen as a nicer area...it's not unsafe that you can't go out at night or anything not at all and I would never not recommend anyone to come visit but for living and bringing up my children it's not for us.
There has been a major study released about the 'Glasgow effect' I'm sure if you google it, my mums involved in it and Glasgow has been ranked the worst area to live and in the next ten years will be the second highest level of obesity in the world, has the highest level of MS in Europe due to low levels of sunlight exposure, was voted the UKs most violent city... The list can go on. we have wanted to move abroad for over 4 years and are now in e position to do it so living in GLasgow is not an option for us, all these negatives are for people living in Glagow bringing up there children and I would always tell people it's a wonderful friendly city to visit....but I personally do not want my children to grow up here.
I think we are going towards New Zealand, my husband has a job offer in Auckland and before that we had 140 points, I'm pretty sure the weather cannot be as bad as here in the winter....my dad lives in NZ and has done for nearly 12 years n thinks it's amazing especially if children...
Yeah I think we will do the lists etc that a good idea....
Thank you very much for your post
We are from the south side, generally seen as a nicer area...it's not unsafe that you can't go out at night or anything not at all and I would never not recommend anyone to come visit but for living and bringing up my children it's not for us.
There has been a major study released about the 'Glasgow effect' I'm sure if you google it, my mums involved in it and Glasgow has been ranked the worst area to live and in the next ten years will be the second highest level of obesity in the world, has the highest level of MS in Europe due to low levels of sunlight exposure, was voted the UKs most violent city... The list can go on. we have wanted to move abroad for over 4 years and are now in e position to do it so living in GLasgow is not an option for us, all these negatives are for people living in Glagow bringing up there children and I would always tell people it's a wonderful friendly city to visit....but I personally do not want my children to grow up here.
I think we are going towards New Zealand, my husband has a job offer in Auckland and before that we had 140 points, I'm pretty sure the weather cannot be as bad as here in the winter....my dad lives in NZ and has done for nearly 12 years n thinks it's amazing especially if children...
Yeah I think we will do the lists etc that a good idea....
Thank you very much for your post