Canada - British Expat Forum

Hi all,

I just thought I would post an update to all those who were very kind and helpful in giving us advice. Re - 'Reality hits, going back!'

Hubby started looking for work in the UK and sent off his CV to a few job applications. He didn't get much response from any of them, I think the Canadian address didn't help (Wouldn't be able to attend interviews, etc). He then had to return to the UK himself for 1 week (his company sent him on a contract) and used the opportunity to job hunt. He was basically told by everyone that companies are either letting go or freezing employment.

Well, everything happens for a reason and I really do believe in fate!

It is now March and things are looking a bit brighter for the future. Hubby has just had 2 interviews here in NS and thinks he did quite well. He has been offered a second interview for both.
We have our house on the market and are hoping to sell whether we are staying or not, and whether hubby gets a new job or not. This house is too big for us and we would like more disposable income to allow us holidays and just things we want.
Hubby is still also looking for work in Ontario where I think we will end up. I would love to be near a bigger city with more job prospects, more variety and choice. We'll have to see what happens now.

One big piece of advice I will offer to those coming over to Canada from the UK, or to anywhere new in fact, RENT a property first until you know what your budget is!
Live a few months and work out what you need to live on, what your outgoings and incomings are.
You really don't know all this until you are in a new Country for at least a year. No planning can prepare you for what you spend and what bills will be coming in.

We moved from England where we were fairly well off, hubby had a good salary and we had disposable income, but we lived in a 3 bed semi.
We came her looking for THE big house with lots of space. We wanted acreage and lots more things I can't even remember. We found the house and love it, but really, your priorities change once you arrive here. Acreage doesn't look so nice when you have no neighbours, you have no chance of meeting anyone and your miles from any shops, schools and amenities. Now, this big house we have, well it's too big and we want to downsize.

I think also the good weather coming helped us think rationally about a move back to the UK, after all, we did leave for a variety of good reasons and we would return to the same thing, worse infact because of the economy people are losing jobs so there is no work there!
Do I really want my children returning to a British school?
Do I really want them growing up there with the 'yob culture', teenage attitude, crime and drugs?
Do I really want to return to the busy British roads, the motorways that have traffic jams for hours, the road rage?
Do I really want to return to the crowds of people that don't even look at eachother in passing beacause they are in such a rush?
These are just a few questions I asked myself once I came around.

Yes, I miss Europe bad, I miss being so close to it. I miss the history and culture. I miss the UK for just the way it feels and would have stayed if not for all the above listed. Yes I probably will want to go back again next winter when the cold comes back, but I know in my heart that Canada is the best place to be and to bring up my kids.
I know there are drugs here and there is crime here, but it is not on the same scale as the UK. There is more space to breathe here with far less people.
So, hubby is kind of relieved that we are now going to try again here and make it work.

Take care everyone

Good words of advice. I agree with you and have now decided that what I miss about the UK is the heritage and history - rolling Devon countryside, castles, riverside walks and old fashioned country pubs.

But in reality how often did I use these things - not much. And now I appreciate them when I visit.

Glad to hear you are giving it a go here.

Me too. All good thinking Lorry. Best wishes to you all.

Best wishes from me too. I'm glad you're not giving up on your dream.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone.

Here's to the future

Hi Lorry,

Glad to hear things are starting to look up your end.

Where are the jobs your hubbie has applied for, NS or Ontario? Will this determine whether you leave NS? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

We have our medicals Saturday. I'm dreading it. I have convinced myself they will turn us down. It is so tough being so close to a decision but still having to endure this god-awful wait!

Keep us posted on how things are going.

Mel x

P.S. Did you get manage to get the braces by the way?

Hi Mel,

Thanks for your support.

I remember our medicals and they were not too bad. You will have a couple of blood tests, examinations and chest x-rays.
The medicals are one of the final hurdles you have to jump before receiving your PR, so hold on tight.

After not hearing a thing from the Commission for about 2 years, all of a sudden things started happening. 6 months later, we were in Canada!

The last few weeks were total chaos, packing our goods to ship, throwing and giving stuff away, tipping other stuff. Calling all the utility companies etc and trying to continue life as usual, it sends your head spinning! lol

Yes, hubbys interviews were in NS, so if he gets a job here we may stay for another couple of years or so.
We are continuing to sell our house as it would be nice to downsize a bit and have some more disposable income.

No, daughter hasn't got braces yet, she has a dental appointment next week to get a tooth pulled out first.

Good luck with the medicals, I'm sure you'll be fine

Hi Lorry

I'm glad to hear that things are working out for you. We have been here three years and I miss Europe too..pretty much for the same reasons.
To make matters worse, I lost my job in January, I hated it but it was a pay cheque. The company went into bankruptcy so there was nothing I could do. Obviously thoughts start to wander to "back home" where I had a good secure job, nice house etc....you know the things I mean.
We have many days where I question if we have done the right thing...but then hubby ALWAYS comes back with the same quote"What would we be going back to?"...and I know what we would be going back to.....so we are looking to relocate to another part of Ontario. We live in Barrie and there really isn't anything in the way of jobs unless you want retail or food trade.
I wish you well and will look out for your updates on here

Mal

Hi Deppfan,

I'm sorry to hear you have been having problems. I hear Barrie is very nice, and in a snow belt! lol
Which part of Ontario are you looking to move to next?
Do you have children that would be going with you?

Your hubby is right about England, there is not much to go back to right now. This is why we are staying in Canada.

Good luck to you and hope things work out.

Hi Lorry

Barrie is a nice place to raise kids but for me personally there is not enough up here to sustain us. We are looking to move to either Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph or Cambridge.....there seems to be a lot more work opportunities down there, plus our daughter will be going to uni down there in September. Our 8 year old guy probably won't like to move but he is friendly and will make new friends.

I know hubby is right, but when the chips are down, you kind of look for comfort and for me that would be going back home, shopping in M&S and seeing my mum LOL

We just have days where it seems we take 3 steps forward but 20 back....guess everybody has days like that too.

What about you...where have you decided to go and do you have children?

Mal

Hi Deppfan,

I know what you mean, I look for comfort and familiarity too. I never thought I'd say it, but I actually miss Tesco! lol

I guess it makes it easy for you that your eldest is going to Uni?
Your 8 year old will bounce back and adjust, he is still young enough.

Too be honest, I don't know what our future plans are. We have agread on the fact that we are giving Canada another go. We realise we made a few mistakes when we arrived, but we are hoping to rectify our situation and move forward.

If hubby gets a new job in NS, then this is where we will stay.

We have our house on the market, just in case!

I would love to go to Ontario, but I am scared what another big move for my kids (age 14 and 6) will do.
But, if hubby gets a real good job offer in ON, we will have to consider moving.

Again, good luck with your move, I hope you find a new job and nice new home soon

Hey Lorry: So, I can finally put a face to the name, and so can you.

(To clue others in, I called in with my wife for a business appointment in Halifax and our antennas picked up on a "fresh" English accent on the phone at an adjacent desk. It was you. I asked you how long you had been in Canada, and you told me that yes, you do go on British Expat Forum. I will never forget the look on your face, and your smile, when my wife said "This is Buddyboy!" What a way to meet, eh.)

First thing I did when getting home was to check on your latest posting and here it is. I'm glad you are still focusing on staying here if you can. I did remember your circumstances while speaking with you but, as you were at work with others around, couldn't say too much. If you and your family are ever able to come down our way (you know where we are from your files) do drop by. It's a really picturesque drive with some beautiful places to visit down here. We can give you lots more reasons to resolve to stay, and maybe tell you lots about Ontario too, as that's where we spent our working lives. I confess to being absolutely prejudiced in favour of Canada, just bear that in mind. My signature says it all.

If you can get over the initial hump, you'll have it made. We still can't believe how we ran into you.

Bernie

Wow, what a coincidence!

Hi Buddyboy,

I will never forget that moment either, I knew this was a 'small town, but that was just so mad!
It was lovely to meet you and your wife, I never expected that to happen at all.
I got home and told hubby straight away, he just couldn't believe it either.


I would love to take you up on your offer of meeting up sometime, maybe when the weather stabilises a bit!

I hope you enjoyed your stay in Halifax.

Fantastic story about meeting in that way!