To all the Brits that have moved to Canada, if you had PR for both Canada and Oz, would you still had moved to Canada knowing what it's like first hand?

Better the devil you know.

Not having lived in OZ its hard to say. I cant imagine its better than Canada though for me. From what I hear though Oz is
A: Its way too hot.
B: Full of Australians I hear
C: Way too macho/ mysoginistic for my taste
D: There are way too many creatures that seem to be lethal there :scared:

My 2c

Iain

If you're giving me a choice between Canada and Australia - I'd still choose Canada, same as I did first time round.

If you're asking me if I would still come to Canada or would I rather stay in the UK - I'd still choose to come to Canada, I would just do some things differently when I first came over.

Difficult to say, having never been to Aus.
However, having family still in the UK, I'm happier knowing that the UK is only an 7 hour plane ride away, rather than a 24 hour one.

MapBoy, I see that you're in Missisauga. I know that the weather in Vancouver is similiar to the UK but how does one cope with the -30c that Ontario can go down to? In addition the 2 weeks paid vacation sounds measly. I must admit that the 7 hours flight time is attractive when compared to 22-24 hours to Sydney. I've been to both countries and saw that the quality of life seems similiar in both places. The weather seems to be the main difference on the surface of things. Can't really do a real comparison unless one has spent an extended period in both countries though.

There is heating in Canada....its not -30 inside. Outside its sunny in the winter, and there is clothing to deal with the cold. In reality in the populated bit of Ontario there are probably on average 5 days a year below -20 during the daytime, and about ten down to -30 at night. With the sun shining it can be very pleasant. If theres a storm, hunker down with a good book in front of a log fire. If the wind is blowing, which too be honest isnt too often, then cover up that exposed flesh!

One of the things that surprised me moving here is how much I enjoy the winter and the contrast in the seasons, hot sweltering summer (not this year ) beautiful fall colours, pristine crisp sunny winter, relief at end of winter in spring!

If you are going to live in non BC canada you have to embrace the winter, its great to skate on a local pond or X-C ski in the woods, and the sun and snow makes everything look pristine and different. Coastal BC you have to embrace the rain I guess, and interior BC Im not sure how its fixed for occupations

Two weeks hols definately takes some getting your head around. In canada we "live for the weekend", many own cottages, boats, RVs etc so that helps. The real answer is that with a relatively stress free life here, every day is more relaxing than it ever was in the UK, so I dont miss the long holidays all that much, but i have to confess I try not to think about it too much!

Canada is far from perfect, but it offers me a great balance between all the things that are important in my life. But thats just one mans perspective.

Cheers

Iain

I think the attitude of many Ozzys to the brits can be a factor too, Canadians dont seem to be quite so in your face about it as Aussies can be, but then we dont play Canada at cricket, rugby, footy etc on a regular basis, which helps avoid tension

Anything that those of us who haven't yet arrived might need to think about...?

1. I would have tried to absorb Canadian culture faster and stopped openly comparing Canada to the UK sooner.
2. I would have tried to actively network sooner.
3. I would have left my first job sooner and grabbed Canada by the nuts sooner.
4. I wouldn't have given in quite so much to homesickness & culture shock.
5. I would have tried to ignore the local media more.
6. I would have bought a smaller house.
7. I would have stopped thinking of running back to the UK as a way out sooner.
8. I would have taken up running sooner.

Some of those are mutually exclusive to some degree ... how do you absorb canadian culture and ignore the local media, until you've learned what's important and what can be ignored?

Number 4 you can't do too much about, apart from try not to wallow in it.

Number 7 fits my own view on life.

Number 6 is the real killer for most new Brits ... yes you can buy a huge new house in Canada, but there isn't much point until you know what you have to live on.

As someone that back packed through OZ for 3 months after secondary school, I can tell you am happy here, and won't trade it for OZ. Now that is one country with a lot of boonies, and you are either in the big cities, or out of existence

The treatment of Aboriginees, that is another issue

Treatment of the Native canadians has been pretty shocking in canada too at times. Not too great now in fact.

Good God, we agreed on something...should I send you some Karma?

Iain

Hi

That is a hard question to answer....I wanted to go to Oz (lived there for a year), other half wanted Canada. So somehow Canada it was! I comprised by choosing the OKanagan - hot summers, mild winters, beaches, lakes etc. Big bonus is the cheap and quick flights back to UK, unlike OZ. And the snow is a bonus too as you get to do a lot more due to the winter activities etc. But still can't answer your question and often wonder what things would have been like if we had gone to OZ....probably would have been wondering what things would have been like if we had gone to Canada!!!!!!!!

JJ

History-Aussies were Transported,Canadians were of their own Free Will !

Having lived in Australia for two years and Canada I would pick Canada.
Australia has great family lifestyle and weather but we found the distance too great .Canada has the lifestyle and scenery and being close to the U.K if needed.The only major draw back being behind some years to the rest of the world in the lack of vacation :