Wanted: Advice on relocating life back to Canada

Hi All,

I've been in the UK for over 8 years... when I first bought the one-way ticket I never thought I would stay away so long! Although I am fairly well set-up, there is a nagging voice at the back of my head telling me it is 'time to go home'. I'm listening to it and exploring the possiblity. Anyone out there with the same experience?

I am Canadian so a visa is no issue. I'm single without kids so there is nobody else I have to worry about in the move. But it is still overwhelming... you are completely re-locating your life. What if I have become too British in my time here and hate it? I've read about 'reverse culture-shock'... has anyone gone through this? I know it took me years to adjust to the UK.

Where should I aim to live? I am from the Maritimes but people have suggested I might need a bigger city. How do I find a job so I am not unemployed when I arrive? Will employers consider me when they see a UK address?

There is also all the little things like:
- What does it cost to live in Canada? How much money do I need to save for the move?
- How do I get back on the Canadian Healthcare system?
- How much will the removals company cost or should I just sell up everything here?
- Banking... how do I swap that? I did an MSc in the UK so have a student loan... can I pay it from Canada? Credit Cards?

I appreciate any advice, comments, experiences, anecdotes, etc. My family think this is an easy decision; however, having gone through the challenges and adjustments of moving/settling in the UK, I am not naive enough to think going back will be without a few potholes!

Thank you!

Brace yourself for the cost of living. Canada's cost of living has climbed substantially compared to 8 years ago. As an example, my wife and I used to own a condo in Vancouver, original price was 160K, it is now probably worth 300K+!

Getting back into the medical scene is pretty straightforward, you just need to provide proof of residency, so a driver's license.

Etienne

I lived in the UK for just over 9 years and found it a culture shock returning to Canada. It took me a while to adjust. There were many things that annoyed me about Canada after returning. Banking wasn't a problem. Setting up a bank account is much easier than in the UK. I waited a bit for a credit card but my girlfriend got one fairly soon after she was working. The cost of living has gone up but it's still better than the UK I think.

Stay in the UK I am from Vancouver and have been away since 2001. I was away for 6 years. Returned to Vancouver in 2007 and 6 months in I realised I should have stayed in the England. So I returned England in 2008 when a good job came up. I subsequenty switched to another company and a 'better' job and will be moving to the Bay Area in a month.

As much as I really really liked living in England, the UK economy, the cost of living in the South-east, ageing Canadian parents, lack of job flexibility as a work permit holder, and other things, has led me to the US. If I win the lottery - removing all those concerns - I would be back in a shot. But all things (and its a long list) being considered I am making the Bay Area my last move*

*I've said last move before

Speaking of work permits/visas, after 8 years do you have dual citizenship now? If I had a British passport I cannot help but think I could very likely be there.

For me the biggest change after that first 6 years was that all my friends in Canada got married, had kids, etc... and social life speaking they were all homebodies. For me, going down the pub for a nice pint of brown beer was and always will be a treat. I lived in a great town chalk full of great pubs and we'd be out 3 times a week on average, through in a Sunday roast too and that's the part I miss the most. The proximity to Europe, the proximity of all the National parks, the very nature of the place is irreplacable as well.


IMHO, living in or near a big city would be key in getting back into Canadiana. I used to be able to get to St. Pancras in 20 mins on the train and then it was, what do we do next. We used to go muck about London with no plans just cause there was always something on. Unless you're near Toronto, Montreal, or maybe Vancouver, things will feel small and less interesting because they are.

With my relocation to the Bay Area in a month, I am chuffed to bits about it. Having San Fran, with lots of State and National Parks within close-ish driving distance, I am hoping it will get me back to the lifestyle I enjoyed when I lived in Herts, just outside London.

Practically speaking, I kept my Canadian bank acct, much like I've still got my UK bank acct, so that was no problem. I was still making mortgage payments on my flat I sold in the UK after I was back in Canada, as the sale overlapped my return home and there was never a problem. Driving license was a simple swap as well. Health cards, you just have to go apply for one.

This has ended up more rambling than focused, maybe I'll tidy it up later, lol

If you choose to come back to Canada-I vote Toronto. It is quite easy to find affordable housing, along the streetcar line (which will take you into the heart of the city within an hour for $3), a hop, skip and a jump from Lake Ontario, close to all major hwy's, a $20 cab ride to the airport, close to a couple of Go train stations, and still be in the city. The area we currently live in (and I grew up in) is great for a million reasons, but wont elaborate unless you are interested.

I am planning to skip out and head to England, so wont push for you to leave, but if you are up for a chat-I am happy to go on:)

To answer a few questions:

- What does it cost to live in Canada? How much money do I need to save for the move?

Depends on where you choose to go. There are ALOT of duplex-triplex/6-plex with anything from bachelor-3 bdrm apts in this area. You'd have a better chance of getting into one of these than you would a large apt building because of credit/employment checks etc.

www.viewit.ca should help you get an idea of price ranges. The area I am referring to is Ontario, Etobicoke, E2 when making your selection on that site. You can also check out kijiji or craislist and search South Etobicoke or Alderwood...

- How do I get back on the Canadian Healthcare system?

I believe it is a 3 month waiting period for people who have been out of country.

- How much will the removals company cost or should I just sell up everything here?

We weighed this up for coming to England and decided that it was better for the kids and our pocket to ship things abroad. You may be in a better position to sell stuff-depending on currency conversion and whether or not you have anything you are desperate to hang on to...

- Banking... how do I swap that? I did an MSc in the UK so have a student loan... can I pay it from Canada? Credit Cards?

We don't have the answer to this one. It's easy enough to open an account here. My husband left his UK bank/credit cards etc open despite living in Canada all these years...if ever we use them it is because we were traveling abroad and we make paypal payments from Canada to UK bank account and then transfer funds to the card...

He signed POA to a lawyer in the UK to deal with the sale of the house, etc.

It took him FOREVER as a newcomer to Canada to build his credit rating here despite having an amazing line of credit in the UK, having owned property before, having stable job for 10+ yrs etc.

Anyhow-good luck with your plans! Let me know if you have questions.