Canada - British Expat Forum

Hi all,
The family and I are moving from the UK to Vaughan, Ontario on April 1st 2010 and wondered if anyone could let us know what we're in for?

We cant wait to flee England as we hate the lifestyle, weather, driving on tiny roads, TV and probably most of all (together with weather .... the pub/yob culture). It doesn't really stop there, the list goes on. There are a few things I like but not enough to keep me there.

Im looking forward to Torontos hot summers and winters that we can actually use (snow sports etc..) also its proximity to mexico and the caribbean (for vacationing).

I guess im asking,..if everyone is happy with their move from the UK to Canada. Or are there regrets. Ive read that more and more brits are emmigrating to Canada every year. It must be a great country. We have two toddlers (3 & 1) and want a better life for them. Im hoping there are more things to do over there for the kids.

Thanks for the insight guys, will see you soon!
Can't wait!

Have you been to Vaughan? Ikea is there! It is quite a built up area there.

Ive done a lot of research online on different places to live. Weve decided we definitely like Ontario and close to Toronto. Not in Toronto however as im not a city person, just within 30 mins drive because it has a lot of things to do there.

Im a suburb kind of guy and with two small kids Vaughan sounds great because it has the Canada Wonderland theme park, also close to Wild Water Kingdom Park, a great mall (Vaughan Mills), golf courses, and has a lot of other big box stores. Looks like theres a few parks and other things for kids there too.

Tons of homes have outdoor swimming pools in Southern Ontario. Does it really get that hot there in the summer months?.......excellent!

I would really go have a look at it first. It is very built up, and some of it not very nice. Make sure you like the area you will move to.

It is very close to Toronto though.

We came 3 or 4 times before we found where we wanted to live. We have not lived through a summer here yet, but we have visited in the summertime, yes it can be nice n hot.

Ask on this site where people live, why they live there, and what is good and bad about it.

Quote:

Tons of homes have outdoor swimming pools in Southern Ontario. Does it really get that hot there in the summer months?.......excellent!

Yes, except for last summer. The summer that my neighbour's kids taught my skinny son to swim. He didn't have enough body fat to keep him warm so would have to come out every 10 minutes for a dry-off and run-around. The summer before that it was hotter than Greece - but really humid which is quite tiring.

A really neat way to cool off are "splashpads" usually found in one or two parks in the city.

I've not been to Vaughan but I live in Oakville which is about 35 minutes from Toronto and I love it here. Mississauga is also worth looking at which is West of Toronto, both have the GO train into Toronto so commuting is nice and easy.