Which would YOU choose? ;)

Hi everyone,

I have a very general question that may attract a biased answer given where you currently live now, but I would really appreciate it if you could try to put that aside for now.

Based on all the differences and similarities between Canada and Australia, which country would YOU say you prefer to live in forever over the other; Canada or Australia?

I know that family and friends make a huge difference to people so...

...imagine you could have all your friends and all your family in one country - which would you choose? and why???

Thanks in advance,
Mary

I responded in the other thread then spotted this. So I've copied my response here.

I can't really answer your question. I don't think either country is "better" than the other. I love them both for different reasons.

The only thing that would keeping me from staying for good would be the distance from my family. If they were here I could eaisly stay. My husband would be a different story. He does really like it here but he misses the different season, especially winter for some reason. Even if his family were here I'm certain he'd still want to go back to Canada. But while we are here for the next year or two he does like it and is enjoying himself.

So, sorry I can't give you a definitive answer. It's just that I'd happily live in either country at the moment. I love the weather in Australia although it would be nice to have a fall or spring like you do in Canada just for a bit of variety. Although I've been told if you're around Melbourne you do get to experience a wider range of seasons.

We have chosen Australia but in saying that we are hoping to buy a house in Canada to rent out and live there some months of the year.

The lifesyle suits us better here, the beach and the warmer weather. We hope that my in laws move here after they retire and then maybe my husband's sister and her family but who knows if that will all happen.

Live in forever? Forever is a looong time if you've been bitten by the travel bug Ideally, keep a home in each country and go back and forth.

Both countries are in flux so it's difficult to rate one as best. You really have to compare similar sized cities to get a honest opinion. There are advantages to living in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver that you wouldn't find living in small towns in Canada - the same is true of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Of course, if you come from a small town in Canada you probably would enjoy the same type of small town in Australia.

I personally am enjoying Aus a lot, but more for the location I live at; I came from a dead-end decent sized city in Ontario, but am now living in a small, remote town in QLD that is one of those "Everyone knows everyone" sort of places. I like the quiet of this town, the remoteness, and how close to nature it is, however I don't like the challenge of finding work at all (probably due to my visa and personal difficulties from my condition), let alone close enough.

I miss the crazy seasons at home; I don't miss the winter cold, but as summer is starting to warm up I am envying the 5 to -5C average home is having right now. Last year I ran to the corner store in shoes, fuzzy gloves, and a sweater in -4C to get milk, so that kind of cold I can handle. This 28C before humidity is killing me xD

The culture here is nice, the people are nice and rather understanding, but still might be a bit disturbed by my less-than-normal behaviors; I'm used to that. Really, I ideally want to stay here, maybe move a little bit closer to the coastline (the nature photography is SO much better only 20 minutes away from me), but that's only an idea. First I need to sort out my visas for staying here with my boyfriend and his family, then eventually just me and my partner xD