From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

After spending the past 24 years or so in Canada we are considering a move back across the pond.

There seems to be pro's and cons with both.. Anyone made such a leap?

The main concern is access to affordable excellent healthcare which we do get here in Canada.
Apart from that, we want somewhere that would give us a better quality of life to pursue the things we enjoy, which in turn I feel will help my husband over some of his health issues..
We love art, museums, Cathedrals, history, culture, countryside, photography.. We are foodies, (not the fish & chips and pint down the local types) more, country pubs in the UK or Tapa's and locally owned restaurants rather than touristy ones in Spain.

Cost of living will play a part, It was easy moving to Canada, far more bang for your buck.. Moving to the UK the opposite will be true..

Thoughts anyone :)

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

How about a punt on Scotland? They will have cheap healthcare, lower taxes, free buses, etc etc by the time you arrive. Mind you it might be a bit like the Wild West - might not all be roses.

Sorry that was just my humour.

I would try somewhere other than the UK and Spain. Both have the two fastest increasing national debts in the whole of the EU. The UK at £3000 a second and Spain even higher. There will be a bloody correction in my view.

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

I've seen many similar posts over the years where people list all the problems with UK, and at the same time highlighting the good things about the country they are living in now. So if their current abode is better, why consider UK? Their current country is obviously nor doing it for them or they would not be thinking about upping sticks and leaving, it's expensive and a huge upheaval. Spain or UK? Lots of pros and contras, Spain certainly better weather, but you know the weather in UK and it's still on your list. Certainly from your list, art, museums, Cathedrals, history, culture, countryside, photography, country pubs, UK certainly ticks all those boxes, as would Spain. (just been watching a programme featuring Ely Cathedral, what a building, fantastic!) If you have no Spanish, away from the Brit ghettos on the coast you might struggle, I suspect they wouldn't be for you. Or me!;) Difficult decision, really depends on your finances and expectations. Oh, and unfortunately I've spent more time with the NHS than I would like, but I've found it OK, but it can be a postal lottery.
Just seen Olivefarmer's post, I don't live in Scotland, but all my healthcare is free, including prescriptions, and even buses, although I've never used it.

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

I wish the millions trying to get in would heed your advice, and that includes all the Spanish arrivals to UK.;) The men that dish out the triple A ratings still believe in UK (unlike the EU), others think we are on track as well, but maybe they are not as well informed as you. I'll get them to have a chat with you, you can put them right. ;)

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

Well, we can spend all our lives, worrying about the what if's...The way I see it, the USA is down the toilet by 2016 they won't be able to service their debt or all their unfunded future liabilities!!
When the USA catches a cold the whole world gets a cold, except China is buying all the natural resources it can from around the world.. (I don't want to move to China or Singapore thanks.. LOL )

At least in Spain the people aren't so far removed generational from 'The land' and in 'Greater Depression' hyper inflationary world would be better able to cope than those that think that food grows in Supermarkets and live on a expectation of the Government will provide...
Wow.. Phew enough of that.. If I were to think in those terms I'd stay either in Canada or move to a country with low debt and a stable currency.. That rules out most of the world.. Soooooo that said....

Why not just follow our heart and move to a Country that feeds our Soul and moves us..
Spain or England!!
..

..
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Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

Unfortunately the track record of the "experts" is not great. How many forecast the severity of the downturn we have experienced?

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

A big consideration for me would be language. If you are not fluent in Spanish as you age and are more reliant on healthcare and other services, language becomes an issue. Unless you live in an area with a large expat population language may become a problem. I suspect you do not wish to live in an expat area.
Ignoring property costs, that have huge variances in both countries I do not think there is a great deal of difference in the cost of living unless you smoke and drink a lot.
I can see the attraction of Spain but for me it would be the UK, with long holidays in Spain/elsewhere.

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

That is a very good point - the two countries are only a couple of hours flight or so from each other. Perhaps the criteria should be proximity to a well-used airport ie one that has plenty of cheap Easyjet connections? Main drawback with the south-east of England is the high price of accommodation, whether renting or buying. Having said that, although rents can be cheap in Spain, you may find you get hammered with taxes if buying there.

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

True, but if I was a betting man, I'd still be putting my money on UK being in better financial state than Spain in 5-10 years time. Let's not forget, UK has always been a net contributor, Spain the largest recipient ever of EU funds, yet it's still in a lot worse state than UK, Spain seems incapable of surviving on it's own. I don't think we need to be, or need to consult an "expert" to know that getting unemployment down from 26% to a UK/Germany equivalent of ~7% ain't going to happen in our time. Spain will be a country for old people, the young will have all emigrated looking for jobs! :rofl:
And for me! We don't know the OP's financial situation, but I've always said Spain is great to move to if you are rich, not so great if you aren't rich.

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

After 24 years away from the UK you might find some drastic changes on your return. Not if you're returning to the Pembroke coast or the Black Isle, but if you could hear the Bow Bells where you were born, then that part of the country no longer exists.

Spain is a vast, diverse and under-populated country, where foreigners are mostly made welcome by the local population, but the diversity especially is astounding. Even in expat areas you can hardly compare genteel Moraira with brash Mijas Costa.

In 'real' Spain, a misnomer, you need a decent fluency in Spanish for a comfortable life, and the various facilities you desire may not be present. Unless you're a qualifying EU pensioner, medical services are not free, though excellent.

Whichever you choose, good luck.

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

Comparing Spain to the UK based on your needs is almost impossible.

Flip a coin. When it is in the air, you will know which way you want it to land.

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

Unless your finances are simple, Spain is a real ball ache, we dare not even think about moving to Spain. If you go on the horrendous Expat Forum, that actually ought to be called the retired public sector forum, you will note that most of the members have their public sector and state pensions plus what is left of their tax-free lump sums as savings, this fits in with the Spanish system like a glove.

We have state and private pensions, shares, ISA's, fixed interest deposits and investment property, a birthday for the Spanish tax man. :eek:

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

As we do not know the ages of the OPs, then there is healthcare to factor in, in the UK the NHS would be free, but not in Spain, unless you are a pensioner, but even then you have to pay something towards the healthcare costs, there is also no benefit net in Spain, perhaps the OP will not need that, but it is something to consider.

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

Yes, my first thought when the OP wrote

"The main concern is access to affordable excellent healthcare which we do get here in Canada."

Re: From Canada to....U.K. or Spain ?
 

I sometimes think that more then half the expats in Spain have state and private pensions, and most of them must be worried about the latest tax developments, my wife and I are.

A glimmer of light seems to be Spain finally emerging out of recession and posting record exports, and even house prices going up over the last quarter, something that hasn't happened for many years. I also read that they've lowered the fines for drunk driving - how can you make sense of that?

But I wouldn't bet on any of it.