Anyone here living in Canada?

[HensTeef]

My DH and I are debating a move to Canada from the UK. Would love to hear from others who are out there, or lived out there and have come back.

We love in Ontario, have loved in a couple of places, very distinct seasons. We're now in what's called the snow belt, so very snowy but does get hot in the summer. But we'd have to go north for any chance of skiing.

Kids adjusted quickly. School helps. And where we are now, there are so many international people that they don't feel like the odd ones out by not having Canadian accents (although they're picking one up) and saying weird things like "jumper" and "bobble" (they're starting to adapt).

They’re not terribly cynical and don’t swear with the fluidity I enjoy

The swearing is a big thing. My DH and I swear a lot, just normal being ex-military. We've had to tone it down when around friends, although there are times we've queried what Canadians think are swear words.

There is humour but it's different to Puram they struggle with my sarcasm.

I moved here (Vancouver) expecting to make loads of new friends but that hasn't happened and we've been here for five years. My DC have made friends at school but the adults are harder to get to know. People are friendly but not warm or particularly welcoming. And so politically correct! I'm always afraid I'm going to put my foot in it. Not much humour, either.

It is beautiful and there's lots to do outdoors although skiing is horrifically expensive. It rains most of the year and in the summer, it can get very hot and smoky (from forest fires). You get used to the rain, though and when the weather's good, it's paradise. The beaches! The parks!

It's extremely expensive; you have to be seriously wealthy to buy anything (in metro Vancouver) and rent is also high. Food is also expensive, more so obviously since Covid.

So better than the UK (I think) but not without considerable drawbacks.

I’m Canadian and have a sense of humour

😁

Just speaking as someone who has moved in the other direction, it’s not particularly easy to make friends in Britain either. Locals tend to have their own family, grandparents, childhood friends, colleagues etc. It’s not easy knowing what is off topic/politically incorrect. I’m lucky that I met DH and he had lots of female friends who welcomed me. Otherwise, 15 years on, I wouldn’t have tons of local friends in the U.K. who are not from Australia/US/Bangladesh/India.

@Mancity100

I used to live there , but I prefer the UK , what jobs do you do as it's not always the same roles

People are friendly I'd say but have no sense of humour

Agree with this. I used to live there too (Toronto). We didn't really connected with the culture. Too similar to America, obsessed with 'Big' and 'More' but maybe that's just Toronto? We found Canadians very friendly but very conservative in their views compare to the Brits, no sense of humour (you will get lots of blank looks 😶) Even Toronto felt very provincial and generally the look on life too inwards looking, so imagine NB even more so. Not as many opportunities for jobs as in the UK, and they always ask if you have Canadian experience but depends what your job is and if you have already secured one. Cheese prices are eye watering but the food is amazingly fresh and choice is great though much more expensive. We sent double or triple on our weekly shop compare to here, even when shopping at Waitrose, but we like nice quality foods. Property prices are insane to the quality on offer, genuinely ugly small houses sale for millions, but in NB I am sure will be way cheaper. Check schools and education, we thought the UK education system is way better, subjects addressed more in depth and generally push for academic achievements and expanding interests and more international agenda (if this is important to you?) I think kids will be fine but 12 yr old may get a shock! I find kids in the Uk more savvy generally, especially if they come from cities, but skiing may be a good way to bond with friends. Pretty much most kids ski or engage is sport. Ice Hockey is worshiped and is no. 1 on the national agenda, honestly I got so bored with the news as this is all they talk about. Prepare for an accent change! It's amazing how quickly this happens..

It's a big move OP and with 4 DCs!! You are very brave. You need a lot of money and good support unless you are planning not to work for a while and be with the kids.

Do a lot of research! One place to go is Britishexpats.com the Canada forum. Many brits on there with great tips.

Sorry for not delivering too much of excitement 😬