What's your reason for leaving Canada for the UK?

[cordobaman]

I thought I'd ask to see what other people think.

My wife and I just want a change of pace and sick of the way things are here (in Canada). I've previously been on a WHM visa and I have to say things are so much more laid back in the UK (and Europe in general)- 7 hour workdays, 5+ weeks holidays, etc etc. People ask us all the time if we're crazy for wanting to move but I don't really think so. Owning a vehicle is something we all take for granted in this country, whereas once we move I don't think I'l likely ever own one- not because of the cost but just the practicality of it. Sure, some things are expensive in the UK but I feel it's only as expensive as you want to make it. I find being in North America we really "over-live" our lives, not modest like in Europe.

These are just my feelings, what do others think?

[Sarah1983]

It's something I've wanted to do since I saw the recruitment posting at my school 3 years ago. It's always been on the back burner not sure if I wanted to pursue it. I was in Italy last year May 2008 for the entire month and when I returned I was considering it then, more seriously. I then (unfortunately) found a job here however there was something missing and I felt very unhappy so that's when I made the decision I have to follow my heart before it's too late.

I also want to do more travelling and I feel like I'll have the opportunity to do so there.

[oohmercyme]

My reason was simple.I'd never been here before!

I a social worker and its a tough job market, but the opportunity to live abroad and be able to work was to good to pass up. I've been here close to 4 years, with plenty of ups and downs, but am very glad I took the opportunity when I had it.

Plus- the travelling from here is fab! 10 countries in 3 years. I had never been out of North America the first 32 years of my life!

And- like you have said, in NA we are a bit OTT (over the top) we want everything bigger and better and we want it RIGHT NOW THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Frankly, I sometimes find NA overwhelming when I go home. Do I really need 100 choices of cold medicines when the 10 here will do just fine?

[Steven]

If you look at the official stats from the Home Office in the UK and the CIC in Canada, you will see there are more UK citizens moving to Canada than the other way around - and bear in mind it's a harder move because Canadians often have a claim on UK citizenship through ancestry than the other way around.

Somewhat bizarrely the top destination in Canada for UK citizens is Red Deer, Alberta, but I assume that's because BP's Canadian HQ is there.

Obviously another factor is that the UK has a larger population too.

[Steven]

These are just my feelings, what do others think?

I have to say I'm much happier living in Canada than I ever was living in the UK. Everything just seems so much more straightforward in Canada. Except maybe income taxes, but that is because the UK Govt. wants to make the system as opaque as possible so you don't see how much money is being taken off you, so they make it as automatic as they can.

I can understand how people might want a change of scenery though or experience the culture, etc. You can make more money in the UK if you pick the right job but on the other hand, the cost of living is higher too.

A temporary move to the UK for a specific reason I could understand but permanently moving from Canada to the UK makes no sense to me. If only because of the inheritance tax!

There are just lots of little things about the UK that get up my nose, and on their own they're not a big deal but put them together and it makes life more stressful. A simple one would be parking spaces. Parking spaces in the UK are really small. And the traffic is horrendous and the aisles in supermarkets are narrower and so on.

The one major gripe I have about Canada is that the banking system stinks big time. Stupid cards with magnetic stripes on that often don't work in POS systems. Banks that insist on sending paper statements even though you get the info on-line. Statements that come mid-month rather than with the month end date on them. Having to pay fees for even the simplest account. Having to pay for cheque books (and then having to set up direct debits using voided cheques). Bank employees who don't have the vaguest idea what the tax implications are of different methods of interest, RRSPs etc.

And on and on, those are just the minor problems I've had with banks here, from a business standpoint using business accounts it's almost a joke sometimes.

[oohmercyme]

Steven-
I'm curious why you hate the UK so much. Why did you go? Why did you stay? Is there not anything positive you can say to someone looking for the adventure of living in another country? Every post you have about the UK is dire.

[Steven]

I think basically what it boils down to is that Canada is a freer country than the UK. I felt "put upon" in the UK. Endless taxes, CCTV everywhere, speed cameras, etc. I always find the way the police treat you is the best indication of a country. Most of the police I dealt with in the UK were awful. Ask them for directions and they ask you to step back. I remember once I got stopped and searched in London because I had walked into a "stop and search" zone that had been designated for the day. No particular reason for searching me, they just felt like it.

This whole thing at the moment about detention periods for suspected terrorists is a good example. The CPS and the DPP can't even make out a reason why they need to detain people for long periods, the police say they want the power but can't articulate a reason why. So the Govt. rams it through Parliament.

Of course I'm not a terrorist but it's just the mindset I don't like. Another good example is the ID card system that is going to be introduced next year. What is the point to that? I actually heard the Home Secretary say "we need a clean database because there are so many people with multiple NI numbers". Okay, it's illegal to have multiple NI numbers. He is effectively in charge of the agency responsible for enforcing the law - so is he going to enforce it? No, introduce another stupid police state law that will cost you money and achieve zilch.

I don't mind people whining about things when they are well thought out arguments based on actual facts and experience, but go into any pub in the UK and people just sit there whining endlessly and mindlessly, frankly.

Just got on my nerves, the British are the world's leading experts on subjects they know nothing about.

In Canada people are more tolerant and open-minded, in my experience. Possibly because it's an immigrant nation.

My cousin has lived in many countries and he has a similar opinion, formed independently, he calls the BBC the "British Bullshit Corporation". I do get that vibe when I watch the BBC news sometimes, kind of a condescending attitude.

I call it the "island mentality". I've lived in various countries for substantial amounts of time and the UK definitely has something about it that puts me off.

[republican]

No, I totally get where Steven is coming from. I went to the UK because as a child I had no choice and I stay because I am saving money and want to return home.
I will say however that if I had stayed in Canada as a child I probably would have moved to the UK as an adult just for the experience and because I have a UK passport.
However, as this is a be nice to the UK thread I will list the positives as I see them:

Travel-I have been able to go to so many places in Europe because I live in the UK and can do it cheaply.
History-I love that in my small town I pass buildings that are older than my home land.
Adventure-moving to any new country can be an adventure and a chance to see another culture.
And yes, I do like some British food and I think there are some nice places to go visit in Britain. My feeling to anyone wanting to visit Britain is to try it. I mean as I said at the top of this post in all honesty Britain is not my sort of place-mainly for the reasons Steven already wrote but we are all different. Just because I don't like somewhere doesn't mean X Y or Z won't.