AIBU to be seriously considering moving to Canada during this pandemic?

[HensTeef]

We have been given the opportunity to move to Canada with DH's work. I know there are lots of pros and cons to emigrating, but I'm specifically asking if I'm being unreasonable to consider it during a global pandemic. He works remotely so we don't need to live in or near a big city.

Canada's deaths per population is much lower than here in UK so it seems they are dealing with it a lot better than us. We are looking at relocating to an area with good access to nature, hikes and trails etc, so would be hopeful that we would get a more outdoorsy and better quality of life even if some restrictions persisted.

On the other hand we would be moving away form family during a pandemic. Our parents are between the ages of 56 and 65, none have underlying health conditions. We have been abiding by the rules and so haven't been seeing much of them at all anyway, but if something went badly wrong for either us or them it would be quick and easy to offer whatever support is allowed at that time.

So
YABU - now is a terrible time to move
Or
YANBU - I would jump at the chance.

I would check out the dire situation with women’s rights in Canada at the moment - women have lost their right to define themselves as a discrete sex class (ie not including male people) and this will (and is) affecting Sex discrimination and rights to single sex spaces.

People in Canada are bring prevented from speaking out about this.

I know Canada pretty well and would not move to NB!

Where would you move to Kaptain ?

Well it's not about me is it, OP, you are the one contemplating the move so I'm interested in where you want to go.

Probably Okanagan Valley. We want reasonable housing, decent summers, snowy winters, easy access to outdoor activities, good schools.

The okanagan is lovely, but although things seem to be open, people are restricted on travel distances. Remember it is 2 flights or a long drive and a flight to get home from there.

Considering the ages of your children and your parents, I'd say do it now if you are keen. Easier than moving with teenagers, and your parents are so young: take advantage of the freedom this gives you.

Okanagan is beautiful, absolutely stunning but it will be difficult to find good paying work. I would have a very solid plan work wise before moving there. Otherwise you need to anchor yourself to a major city like Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary.

I think moving now is fine. Live must go one, it's a year now. That's a year lost, just have to get on with life.

Quality of life will be much higher in Canada. Average sized house for example is about 2x what it is in UK. Public healthcare system is better but at same time they don't have private option so that sucks. If you like the outdoors you will fall in love with it but if you don't like the outdoors you might find yourself with less to do than in the UK and might regret it. Especially in the Okanagan it's mostly about the outdoors and scenery there.

@PinkyParrot Of course. And the unicorns are real.

I know from previously having lived abroad that nowhere is perfect. Except, obviously, my planet, when I'm finally in charge. ;)

And on balance, for health reasons, we'd rather be somewhere with a slightly higher chance of sunshine than the cold, grey, and miserable UK. (And that's just in the summer where I grew up....) There are certainly plenty of places we won't be moving to, ever.

Life must go on**

In principle, no YANBU to move if you can get in to Canada for all the reasons you’ve listed in your OP

However, be very aware that once you move, during the pandemic, it may become extremely difficult to come back to UK if you feel you need to (ie family emergency) and then also to go back to Canada.

So if you go, come to terms that it may be at least a year or two until you can come back due to pandemic and any related quarantine or other restrictions.

Non pandemic related -
Then also perhaps talk to others who have emigrated. You need to know that life goes on with family/friends when you leave and you’ll not be a part of this in the day to day. These relationships change, you’ll no longer be in their radar/ out of sight/out of mind. and you’ll need to understand that.

I would imagine New Brunswick will be wet as surely near the Atlantic