Should i go and live in canada or stay in england?

Question

I have spent my life in england and am now over 30. I am canadian by birth and so could go and live in canada.I am not sure which is better to live in. i know canada is supposed to have a higher standard of living and is very vast and beautiful. However i am a bit worried about the long cold winters and the health system. Also i am not in contact with anyone there, i am single and only have some relatives i haven't seen for about 20 years!

Answer 1

Why aren't you there already. Ive been looking at homesteads in Brunswick, cant wait to be off.

Answer 2

I think Han's answer is the best. Come over for a holiday and see for yourself what the nation is like.

Winters? You get used to them easily and, contrary to myth, we are not covered in ice and snow all year long.

Our health care system is certainly stretched to the limit and, contrary to (usually American) myth, Canada's health care system is NOT free so if you come over for a visit please make sure you have supplemental health insurance because you would have to pay for any medical services you believe.  

Answer 3

canada

Answer 4

My brother decided to go and live in Edmonton thinking that because he was born in Canada he would take to it easily. He lasted a year before he returned home. It turned out to be a huge disappointment for him.

Answer 5

Its a difficult decision to make, I'm in the same boat but on the other end of the ocean right now, I'm in Canada and moving to Scotland within the next year, I've found things in the area that I live in (near Niagara Falls, ON) have gone really downhill over the last 5-10 years, property prices have more than doubled, rent prices are through the roof (a one bedroom apartment can run you about $800.00/month + utilities), the cost of everyday goods I find is becoming quite high (a loaf of bread is $1.99+ tax, a 4L of milk is $5.00) and crime is on the rise.

Winters in my area are dreadful, we get hammered with snow and it can become very very cold. most summers are beautiful with the exception of this year, it has been very cold and rainy lately, a far cry from the 40 degree temperatures and sunny conditions many Canadians have grown to enjoy.

My advice would be to give Canada a visit, spend a couple months here and see if you like it, if not, just hop on a flight back to the UK (we have flights leaving multiple times per day : )

good luck !

Answer 6

This would be a no-brainer for me if I could live in either country without going through all the immigration nonsense. I'm Canadian by birth and would have loved to be able to move to Britain and stay and work for a while without being a tourist or having a time limit. I deeply envied friends who could do that. Why not just try it out, since you can easily go back if you don't like Canada? Come for a visit, call those relatives, see as much as you can of the country before deciding where to settle.

So what if you don't know anyone? You soon will, and in any place of any size there always seem to be some ex-Brits willing to ease the transition for new arrivals.

Some people love the winters, some don't, you won't know till you try it, and winter is different everywhere. Most of BC doesn't get too hard of a winter, and on the coast it is said to have a climate similar to Britain's though I'd bet that the summers are better.

The health care system isn't perfect but for the most part works reasonably well. Unless you already have major health concerns, chances are very good that someone your age will hardly spend a dime on health stuff though you will have to pay for dental care. Many employers provide an extended health care plan which  pays at least part of whatever the provincial plans don't pay for, including dental and temporary disability coverage.

Answer 7

Perhaps initially you could take a holiday there? - spend some time in the country, see those relatives and ask them what it's like to live there.  Permanently moving countries is a big decision, so you need to plan a few trips first to see if you think it would be a good move.  

Answer 8

I'm Canadian by birth and have never lived in another country.  I can't give you any advice about comparisons between the UK and here or how difficult it would be, but I can give you the perspective of a Canadian.

I have lived in Labrador, Nova Scotia and Alberta, I have relatives in almost every other province and have spent considerable time visiting them.  May I ask where you live in England?  What is the climate typically like where you live?  what standard of living do you enjoy?  and what impressions do you have in regards to our health care system?

One of the biggest misconceptions about Canada are it's 'long cold winters.'  It really depends on where you live.  In Halifax it typically doesn't snow until December and the temperature during the winter usually hovers slightly below 0 Celsius with a real cold snap in late January and March.  This year was a bit out of character with the sheer amount of snowstorms we had, but the snow didn't last very long.  Winter in other places in Canada are completely different.  Vancouver is rainy most of the winter and it doesn't snow that often.

As for the health care system that's hard to address without specific questions.  In general, yes it's free.  Yes there are waits for certain kinds of treatment.  Care is assessed by need.  Most Canadians have additional health care insurance to cover things like prescription drugs.  Depending on where you live it can be difficult to find yourself a primary care physician.

As for our standard of living yes it certainly is high, but I can't comment on how it compares to the UK.  I suspect that much like Canada your standard of living is dependant upon your education level, your employment, and where you live.  

Others have mentioned it here, but I will agree with them; you are lucky in that you will be able to skip over most of the red tape.  Over 30 is hardly too old for a new start, and your decision should be based on what you expect to change in your life, what you hope to gain from moving here, and what you will be leaving behind in England.

Answer 9

As you said it's a vast countyr.

It's not all like int he arctic.. the winters aren't that bad depending upon where you go, which I suggest, you do more research on to decide.

I've been to England.  I live in Alberta on the prairies.  -10 C here feels like 0 C in England just becuase it's dry out here and wet in England.  The coldest summer I ever had was in England.

The Health Care system is just fine as well, it's actually pretty similar to yours.

But go with what your heart says... I'd say research it a bit more before you make that decision.. it's a pretty big decision.. ti's a very vast country so pick and choose location carefully.

Best of luck to ya!

Answer 10

i say go for it...you only live once

Answer 11

I have lived away from the Uk now for 26 years, I would advise anyone to MOVE!! if you want a better life in your  old age  the UK   has nothing to offer anyone in their later years 50+...

If you wish to spend the rest of your life without any hassle I say go, and go to where ever takes your fancy.

As for you I would love to go to  Canada, hot or cold.......just look at th Uk weather it is terrible there are no separate seasons anymore.

Good luck.

Answer 12

go for it, if you dont try it you will never know, i lived in Canada for 3 months and loved it the standard of living is wonderful and the family values are fantastic, if you dont like it you can come back see it as an adventure, your relatives will be thrilled to see you and welcome you because family is so important to them!

Answer 13

Go, unless your friends and family you have in England don't mean much to you. When I was 20 I left my country of birth and moved to the US and later to Canada. The first years were actually rough to be away from what I considered home. Now Canada is my home. I love it here. The UK is awesome too, but I would not want to live there because it is so crowded.

Answer 14

If i was you i would get out well the going is good as this country is over run now it will be finished when the other 3 come in to Europe. Good luck to you i wish i could go with you.

Answer 15

Climate is a very important factor in our life and well-being.

You're Canadian, but on the other hand you have practically only some relatives you have not treated for about 20 years.

If you have good contacts in England and feel well there, then you should seriously think it over. A higher standard of living doesn't always decide on your happiness.

Answer 16

go! i could have gone when i was single and 21 but didnt and cant now i have 2 kids. we hate england and would love to emigrate but we are so skint thanks to this govt! If you can, go for it!

Answer 17

A Canadian with no sense of adventure? This is an oxymoron!

Long cold winters are great! They are what give us skating and hockey and skiing and snowboarding and skidooing. They are what give us rosy cheeks and a good appetite. They are what give us Maple syrup in the spring and Quebec Winter Carnival in February and winter festivals everywhere. Cold winters are the very raison d'etre of the Polar Bear Club in Vancouver.  Long cold winters give us the Northern Lights and white Christmases.They are what make Spring and Summer so special. Besides, We have central heating and clothes designed to keep us warm when we go outside.

Our Health System might not be perfect - who's is? But it also means you cannot be turned away because cannot afford to see a doctor. I, among a whole lot of others, have very good reason to appreciate that. I have had cancer twice and am still here to talk about it thanks to our medical system.

No contacts? So make a few 'cold' calls to your relatives (pun intended for comic relief!). Brush up your sense of humour - we are a witty lot over here - and dust off your adventure gene - gotta have an adventure gene, all real Canadians do. :o). Come on over to the great White North, the true North, strong and free.

Answer 18

to canada.

Answer 19

I'm in exactly the same position as you with a duel nationality.

I'd say that if you have no ties here, and are mobile, then it's something you should go for. (What's the worse that could happen? If it doesn't work out, then you can always come back after a year or so.)

If it's on your mind now, then it will probably still be on your mind in 10 years time!

I spent a year in the Rockies, and the cold really wasn't too bad, because everyone there is properly prepared for it, (I can honestly say that I've felt colder in the UK at 0 degrees, than in Canada at minus 30 degrees!

Answer 20

here is my two pence worth if you can take an extended leave from your work have someone look after your flat and take a few months and visit the area that you would like to live in.  You will need a social insurance card to work and you should check with the province where you would like to go to see if you can buy into the health care system otherwise it will take you about 3 months to get health care.

I've made a good life over here BUT if I could (she who must be obeyed has other ideas) I'd move back home to live in a shot.  As with all things if you ask 10 people you will get 11 opinons  

Answer 21

It's a hard decision to make - but what have you got to lose, really?  I am a New Zealander and have been living in England for three years now.  I didn't know anyone - I didn't have a job or a flat lined up for when I arrived, and was terrified.  Yet it was the most exciting thing I ever did, and also the best decision I ever made.  Sometimes throwing yourself in the deep in, so to speak, is the greatest thing you can do for your life.  Get out of your comfort zone!

And remember, if you did move to Canada, and decided you didn't like it there, you can always move back.  But it's not the things we do in life that we regret; it's the things we don't do.

PS - As much as I love England, the weather here is hardly tropical, and the health service hardly immaculate!!   :)

Answer 22

Why don't you go for a long holiday to help you make up your mind. Visit your relatives and get a proper feel for the place. Nothing is irrevocable, you could give it a go for a couple of years and come back.

At the end of the day you need to have a compelling reason to move to Canada. Escaping the cr*p that goes on here is not usually sufficient as you may 'jump out of the frying pan into the fire'.

Answer 23

england is fastly becoming a c**p place to live, overpriced..generally racially intolerant attitudes..am looking to leave myself...go for it

Answer 24

Do you know how LUCKY you are ???

Most people in the UK, who want to get to Canada, are having to wait for 3 to 4 years to be approved. YOU can get a Canadian passport now, all you need to show at Canada House in London, is a Canadian birth certificate,  and in 6 weeks you have your passport.

Get on  your bike and get moving........NOW.

You have lucky horseshoes up your  backside, don't waste your  very good luck, by staying in the UK.

Jim B. Toronto.

Answer 25

If you really don't like winter you could move to the coastal parts of BC.  It's cloudy and raining all the time but warm for most of the year, it only snows for a few months.  And if you lived near near the boarder you could get to the states for any medical problems that the communist style public health care was not adequately treating.