Thread: Whats it like living in Canada?

Hi all:v_SPIN:
Just wondered how expats feel about living in Canada after the honeymoon period has worn off.

Is it what you expected, are you happier than in the UK.

What have been the ups and downs that you have dealt with?

Sorry for all the questions but moving to Calgary in Feb and really want to know if living in Canada will live up to our expectations. We have lived in Cyprus for the last year but unfortunatly have struggled with earning enough to live on, so don't want to make the same mistakes when moving to Canada.

My hubby has just got job offer and although we wanted to go to BC, can't turn down a good job offer, so Calgary here we come.

Would love to hear from anyone living in Calgary with advice on where to live, schools, lifestyle etc.

What is the weather like in Calgary? think the winters are going to be a shock after living in sunny Cyprus

All answers greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Denise

Moved over here from the UK just over 5 years ago. Love the country,except for the mosquitoes in the summer and the snow and freezing rain (black ice) in the winter. BUT .... some of the petty by-laws they have really suck. I'm in Ontario, Alberta may be different. One such by-law is that if you are a house owner, you are EXPECTED to keep the sidewalk (footpath) clear of snow. Even though you are paying the taxes and they keep saying that the sidewalk is not your property. They also expect you to buy your own salt (to melt the snow) with your own hard earned cash to put on THEIR streets. - Needless to say I DON'T DO IT. :no:The other thing over here is jobs. In my CV (resume) all of my British jobs have been full time while over here they are all part time, so if your husband has a job to go to that's a bonus. Things are half the price compared to Britain and the price you pay for a house here would be the same in pounds sterling as dollars - 1 pound = 2 dollars roughly. That been said, I have been back home once in the 5+ years which only cemented the feelings I have for here. Don't think I could ever live in the U.K. again.

Originally Posted by sheena

hiya, welcome to brits abroad! hope you enjoy the forums!!
the by law your talking about they have the same in germany, its so if someones falls on the snow out side your house, that person can and will claim on your insurance, so could end up costing you thousands, so for the price of salt etc is it worth it? i can see where your coming from though, but in germany the slightest bit of snow and they are all out getting rid!!

sheena

But MY response to that is
a)It's not my property, sue the government
or
b)If it IS my property, WHY were you trespassing on it?
Either way, I REFUSE to do the work that could be done by some poor unemployed guy, especially when I'm paying my taxes - and with so many car manufacturing plants closing up over here there are PLENTY of guys looking for a job.

Originally Posted by sheena

i know what you are saying, but you cant win really can you?
they get you everyway they can!



sheena

Well I would certainly give it a try. The canadians are a weak lot letting the government dictate to them and they daren't speak back; but us Brits are a more hardy bunch who stand up for themselves more and fight back.

Don't think so. The Brits don't stand for as much as the canadians do. The gov here says 'jump' the cannukes say "how high" where as the Brits would say 'WHY"

Read my 1st posting on that

Originally Posted by Esseare

Moved over here from the UK just over 5 years ago. Love the country,except for the mosquitoes in the summer and the snow and freezing rain (black ice) in the winter. BUT .... some of the petty by-laws they have really suck. I'm in Ontario, Alberta may be different. One such by-law is that if you are a house owner, you are EXPECTED to keep the sidewalk (footpath) clear of snow. Even though you are paying the taxes and they keep saying that the sidewalk is not your property. They also expect you to buy your own salt (to melt the snow) with your own hard earned cash to put on THEIR streets. - Needless to say I DON'T DO IT. :no:The other thing over here is jobs. In my CV (resume) all of my British jobs have been full time while over here they are all part time, so if your husband has a job to go to that's a bonus. Things are half the price compared to Britain and the price you pay for a house here would be the same in pounds sterling as dollars - 1 pound = 2 dollars roughly. That been said, I have been back home once in the 5+ years which only cemented the feelings I have for here. Don't think I could ever live in the U.K. again.

HI

Thanks for your comments.
Not too bothered about mozzies, we have loads of them her in Cyprus aswell, just have to buy lots of spray. Sort of got used to them now.

Not too sure about the snow and freezing rain though. I hate being cold!!!

Hubby has got a good job offer and I'm looking for part time work so hopefully we should be ok for work.

I know from being in Cyprus a year that after the first few months, reality sets in. I like to think I am very easy going and usually take everything in my stride but the little niggles start to grow and we have now got to the point that Cyprus is no longer the place for us. But Cyprus is culturely very different and not much opportunities for younger people

Pleased to see that you haven't felt this in Canada, (apart from the bylaws).

We feel the same as you, really don't want to go back to UK, so Canada here we come

Would love to hear from anyone living in Calgary to give us an insight into the lifestyle there.

Thanks
Denise

Originally Posted by sheena

hiya, welcome to brits abroad! hope you enjoy the forums!!
the by law your talking about they have the same in germany, its so if someones falls on the snow out side your house, that person can and will claim on your insurance, so could end up costing you thousands, so for the price of salt etc is it worth it? i can see where your coming from though, but in germany the slightest bit of snow and they are all out getting rid!!

sheena

Hi Sheena

Thankyou for your welcome.
I note you live in Australia, how are you finding it?
You seem to have a lot of knowledge of Canada aswell, have you lived there aswell?

We originaly where looikng at Australia to move to, simply because of the sunshine but hubby and kids weren't too sure because of the distance away from family in the UK. Then we got job offer in Canada so that sort of made our minds up for us.

Looking forward to going to Canada but wish we could have visited Australia to see if we could fit in there. I much prefer the sunshine to the snow!!!!.

But one thing we have learnt is that sunshine doesn't make for a happy relocation, so much more to consider aswell.

How have you fitted in with the locals, we have found it quite hard to be accepted by the Cypriots, really hoping the Canadians are more welcoming