What's it like to live in Canada?

[HensTeef]

We have the opportunity to go to Canada for a few years with my DH's job, with a view to making it permanent if we all like it. Our eldest DC has just started high school and we feel now is a good time as we wouldn't want to uproot him in the middle of GCSE's.

DH has done some travelling throughout Canada in his twenties but I've never been. We have some distant but friendly relatives in New Brunswick. This would be one of the areas we are looking at. We also really like the east coast but housing etc seems a lot more expensive that direction.

I've done a fair bit of reading online, but I really want to hear from people who have lived/are living in Canada what their experiences are?

Thanks!

I know little about Canada, but I have heard there is no social security for the unemployed, which would concern me.

I lived in Canada for 9 years. I thought it was great, loved it. I made loads of good friends.

Friends who have moved out love it.
Family who live their are a bit more jaded like any natives would be I suppose.

I'd love the chance to live there.

I’ve been a couple of times and my BIL lives there ( on the west coast) It’s a vast place - they think nothing of driving a couple of hours to go for dinner with friends! He thinks our house is really expensive for what we get - houses where he lives (Edmonton) are relatively cheaper and seem to have lots of land / space. A friend of mine emigrated to Vancouver a few years ago with her DHs job, but it took her 3 years to get herself a job because her qualifications didn't transfer easily so she had to study again. If you're hoping to work, you may have some difficulty. Will your DHs job provide him with health insurance for the family? The cost of medical care can be exorbitant. Also, if he did lose his job, would he have his work permit revoked?
Personally I get the vibe that its quite a bit behind the UK generally, although the cities are very vibrant and multi cultural.
It’s a beautiful country to go for a holiday - not so sure if I’d want to actually live there! As far as your DS goes, I believe that his age is actually one of the worst ages to move countries. If you could move before he started high school perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad, but making new friends in a completely different country is no easy task.

Canada has EI (Employment Insurance) for those out of work: www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html

I lived in Toronto for thirteen years and loved it. Do it!

Lived on the East Coast of Canada for the past 12 years.

Medical and healthcare second to none. I've had 2 mat leaves, been on unemployment benefits and can confirm that both were generous.

It's true that you get a hell of a lot more for your money out here, land, space etc and all houses are bigger.

Not sure about it being behind the UK - if this means less crowded, less aggressive people and more community spirit, I'll take it.

With regards to education, daycare is heavily government subsized from 6 months. DS is currently in his second year of elementary and so far so good.

There is a huge leaning towards activities for kids, especially outdoors stuff. Very child friendly.

I suppose by the time we actually move my eldest could be about 14 and maybe starting high school at the same time everyone else is in Canada. He has got some really good friends over here, but he seems pretty positive about it on the condition that his mates can come and visit and they can all go skiing. They went on a school ski trip last year and now they're all mad for it.
My 2nd eldest is DC is 6, so if I waited until my eldest had left school to move my other DC would then be about 12 when we move and we would just be in the same situation.

We are in the very early stages of planning so we haven't ironed out all of the details just yet. My DH's company is based in Canada but he works remotely from home over here. He is approaching his boss about it this week and hopefully then we will know more about how realistic it is and how healthcare etc would work.

I’ve only holidayed there, but I loved it and would definitely try it if I had the opportunity

I googled random houses in New Brunswick - look at this, with bay views, for less than £100k

www.point2homes.com/CA/Home-For-Sale/NB/2-Scovil-Street/100182932.html

What's the weather like? Is there anywhere in Canada that stays warm throughout winter? (Or at least warmer than UK)?

Though I would maybe go for this one for £150k

www.point2homes.com/CA/Home-For-Sale/NB/Miramichi/Chatham/1606-Water-Street/101735604.html#lg=1&slide=3

Sorry, final one - £250k and I am sold

www.point2homes.com/CA/Home-For-Sale/NB/Shediac-Cape/1-Baie-Vista-CRT/87198495.html

Right, I better get back to work - good luck with your research.

I like that they still have seasons.

That house is gorgeous! We could sell our house here and be mortgage free at that price.

This is the weather where we are at the moment....

[quote CormoranStrike]Though I would maybe go for this one for £150k

www.point2homes.com/CA/Home-For-Sale/NB/Miramichi/Chatham/1606-Water-Street/101735604.html#lg=1&slide=3[/quote]
I want this house. Absolutely love it.

@HensTeef

That house is gorgeous! We could sell our house here and be mortgage free at that price.

Wow, that’s an incentive band a half.

WOW. We could be mortgage fres and have lots left... and we live in tiny terrace in a not great area in the uk
..

I lived in Vancouver for 5 years there are good points and bad points like anywhere but I would say go for it you may love it.
Good points for us were,
Relaxed schooling in primary years, "you're taking the kids out for a holiday? Awesome have a great time!"
Being able to ski without having to shell out £££s
Summer camps for kids are fabulous and I wish we had them here
Sushi- cheap and much better than supermarket offerings here.
Proper summers
Getting paid fortnightly which I much preferred
Bad points;
Felt I only got to know Canadians in a very superficial " how are you doing today?" kind of way
and like I lived in an episode of Stepford Wives although that may have been the particular suburb we lived in.
Didn't laugh all that much and almost never belly laughed, I missed British humour.
It felt very conformist and Conservative with a small c.
Ultimately not really connecting with people other than ex pats probably led to my return.

I think the East Coast is very different from the West which I'd say is a bit more Californian in its outlook. If I could do it again I'd probably try the East side.

Just to add my cousin who is from Vancouver lived in Halifax for a while and hated it. He found people very insular and parochial which is not surprising as Halifax is so difficult to travel in about of.
I guess my point is that the places and houses may look lovely but for me it was about being able to connect with people and finding like minded people to hang out with.

Cold and expensive

Oh that second house is my dream! I'd love to live in Canada go for it op.

I found Vancouver quite insular too. It was fun to live there for a few years though and explore the surroundings.
The Maritime provinces are cheap for a reason. They are beautiful but employment opportunities are limited.
Toronto is fantastic. It’s very cosmopolitan and easy to assimilate. It’s skyrocketed in terms of cost of living over the last few years but there are still affordable areas.

East or west Coast? Quebec different from Toronto. Would you want to live in eg Churchill or somewhere in the Yukon? New Brunswick and Nova Scotia look stunning.