To consider 3 years in Canada?

[ScatteredMama82]

DH might have an opportunity to work in Canada for 3 years. Just found out, details still sketchy but we are at least keen to find out more and consider it. Would you? The implications are huge, taking kids (4 & 9) away from the only home they know. Change of schooling, friends, far from family. It’s terrifying.

I’d have to leave my job too, I love it and have worked there for 8 years.

Do it. What a great opportunity, especially to get away from Brexit GB!

Annual leave over there can be shit.

I would be on that plane so fast. What a great opportunity.

I went to live in a different country for 3 years my dc were 5 and 2 what an experience. If i had went to Canada i probably would still be there

Canada is a lovely country, I’ve visited a few times and I have close friends there. There are the same problems as anywhere but it will be an amazing opportunity. I’d definitely do it. Just remember the seasons can be a lot more marked than here.

I’d do it in a heartbeat! (Provides the package was fine if course) It’ll be a fantastic experience & opportunity for you all.

You don’t need to worry about school - they’re not sitting their a levels anytime soon! Broadening their horizons is far more beneficial

Where abouts in Canada?!

I’d probably only consider Toronto or Vancouver areas. We looked into it a bit and even Ottawa, which is so close to Toronto on a map, looks absolutely brutal in winter. You may be more hardy than us.

I’m not a traveler & don’t enjoy being away from home, but lived in Canada for a month working when I was 21 (in the Rocky Mountains, no less!) Now Canada is the only place outside the UK I could be persuaded to emigrate to - and it wouldn’t take that much persuading. Definitely go for it.

(While I was there I briefly stayed with a family who were a friend of my mother’s. They had moved from Scotland a few years before and love it there.)

How bad the winters are depends on whereabouts in Canada.

We're in southern AB and we do get v cold and plenty of snow, but it's super sunny and the chinook winds warm us up regularly (temp can go up 20 degrees in less than a day - it's weird)

Some places in BC are mild, like the UK.

It's ace here

I'd leave the UK for Canada depending on the location.

Montreal and Quebec City yes
Ottawa no
Toronto no
Vancouver - yes if the package was good
Calgary probably
More rural Canada, not sure

I already live in northern New England so I'm used to tough winters.

Wow, you’re all really positive about it! My DH’s mum grew up in Canada. He actually has dual nationality. The job is in Ontario.

It would depend a lot on 'the package' for me.

When ours were younger, dh had a few opportunities to work in different places, but we relied on my salary combined with his to make ends meet. I'd worked myself into a senior roe, but part time, so wasn't going to be able to easily walk into similar (even with moves within the UK, even less chance if moving abroad). It isn't about you just 'managing' either - in terms of what happens when you come back, can you re-enter your role at that point, etc.

If the numbers work though, how exciting. Scary, yes, but what an experience

I'd want to find out where (remember some of Canada is French speaking) and find out about cost of living, how much leave he'd get, hours he'd need to work, etc etc etc, not just look at the renumeration.

Canadian winters would be a deal breaker for me, but everyone’s different

I'm positive about it because we moved abroad when my kids were young, and it was such a great experience. Also because DH and I both lived abroad as children, and found it enjoyable and enriching.

I haven't lived in Canada, but I do go there fairly often as I live very close - it does seem like a fabulous country in many ways. Everyone I know who has moved there from the UK has been very happy with it.

Your experience will still depend on things like where you move, whether you're paid enough to live comfortably, how much holiday your husband gets, etc. Hopefully you're in a position to negotiate a good package.

There are downsides - it's hard living a long way from family and friends. You have to start all over again with making friends, and it can be lonely especially at first. But IME it's worth it.

And yes, you do need to think about whether you're willing to give up your job - can you do something similar in Canada? Can you get your old job back?

Canadian winters would be a deal breaker for me, but everyone’s different

Yes - they definitely should not be under-estimated!

Do it! Kids are at a perfect age for it. Just don’t be surprised if those three years turn into forever. It did for us (not Canada) and several of our friends.

I lived in Ontario for a bit. The winters were brutal and also the summers- so hot. I would Check annual leave entitlement as one of the first priorities.

Absolutely I would if I knew I could come back. 4 and 9 are OK ages to change schools, and at least they don't have to learn a new language.

Go and have an adventure!!

Absolutely would go in a heartbeat!

Three years? Go for it. What an experience.

You can always come back.

Do the adventure. Your dcs will never forget it.

Is it likely you could come back to your job?

Definitely - I LOVE Canada.

Where abouts in Ontario? There is a big difference between living in Toronto or Brampton compared to Sudbury or Timmons!