[Closed] Permanent move to Canada

Having lived overseas a few times, I would instinctively say do it. The life experience and change alone make it a valuable and enjoyable adventure.

But I have always moved overseas because of work (and usually a promotion), with a ready made life already waiting for me. As such, making the leap of faith that you describe is quite different. Only you can make that decision, but all I would say is that despite the excitement, moving to another country is stressful enough even with everything in place without the added stress that you are imposing on yourself. At the risk of stating an obvious question, is there any way to set up a job and some more of the basics before you commit?

I have worked with many Canadians over the years, and spent prolonged periods of time working there. Whilst I love visiting the place, and it would once have ranked highly in my list of places to live, I am not so sure now. It is cold and dark for much of the year. The economy lives in the shadow of the US and has to manage a large country with very few people living there. The cities are congested. The healthcare is expensive. The working culture is easy going, but the holidays are poor. And don’t let the language fool you. It is absolutely a foreign culture, and French as a second language is highly recommended. And as you rightly point out, housing and living costs are mental, particularly if you have to take a pay cut to go. When our business relocates people to Canada they treat the cost of living allowance in the same way as Hong Kong, San Francisco, Sydney and New York. It is as expensive as London in the big cities.

Having said that, the outdoors lifestyle is amazing, the people are friendly and the sense of national pride is strong. I know a lot of people who have done it and loved it. I know nobody who has regretted it. That says a lot.

Good luck with the decision. Better to regret the things you do than the things you don’t.

I’m just waking up here in Canada on the East Coast. I landed here as a Permanent Resident in January, aged 49. My wife is Canadian, and we have in-laws and friends which is a massive help. Overall, I love it - the remote outdoors, fresh air, view of the sea etc. But it’s not without it’s challenges. I was fortunate to land a job pretty quickly which I enjoy, but pay lots of tax, have gone down from 6 to 4 weeks holiday + stats and have to recertify, which is somewhat irritating. The country seems very bureaucratic; internal travel monopolized by Air Canada is very expensive; and construction industry, attitudes are 1980’s UK. We love the West Coast and initially considered Vancouver Island but priced out of the housing market, and its a very long / expensive journey to the UK if you go back regularly. I don’t think that $80k is enough to enjoy Vancouver, depending on what you’re doing for housing but it’s a fantastic city with access to some of the best MTB trails in the world. Hope above is balanced, I found the Canadian BritishExpats Forum excellent, and happy to try to answer questions. Should say the most irritating thing at Christmas is there’s no bloody mince pies 😂

I'd jump at the chance to move to Vancouver in a heartbeat. It's one of my most favourite places. (Whole area really, even down to the PNW of America).

Sure big cities are expensive, but how's that different to the UK (pending where you live of course!). I'd rather live in a small house near Vancouver than a mansion in the UK. With the skytrain its still only 20 minutes into centre from as far away as New Westminster, and the upcoming areas which are more affordable.

I’ve Been here 10 years, hard to tell from your post if you are having serious doubts or just nerves, emigration on a whim is for young people, it’s stressful and takes its toll and will be hard to settle as you are naturally always comparing to back ‘home’, nearly all the Brits I’ve met here have been a bit moany

I’ve had a great life here but it’s nearly cost me my relationship a few times as there is no support at all, Id go back to the UK just for our parents and friends etc

Done very well materially but poorly spiritually has been my experience, grown a lot as a person though and don’t think I would have if I’d stayed in the Uk, I asked my Mum once how she felt, she said she hates us being here but thinks it’s the best thing I ever did and would give her right arm to have my life.......always good to get another perspective lol

Another expat here, 9 years in Toronto (a less interesting part of Canada...), and I say do it. Hanky summarises it pretty well: it's a great place to live and amazing to have the opportunity to be here, but everywhere in the world has its shortcomings.

The quality of life in Canada is (IME) undoubtedly better than in the UK. People don't take work as seriously as in the UK, and there's much more focus on going to the cottage, doing outdoor stuff etc. It can be intensely frustrating at times (when you have to get something done, or need people to apply their brainpower to solve a client's problem), but you adjust. And there's no doubt that it's a much healthier attitude to work.

Some stuff is expensive: groceries, alcohol, mobile phone plans to name a few. But you work out the hacks and ways to save, and the places where you can find proper British bacon and sausages, UK Cadburys and Heinz beans, etc.

The people are generally pretty nice, friendly and welcoming, and definitely more so than in British cities. And of course the British accent gets you a long way ("oh my gaaahd, I love Australians!!") in work and out of it.

At your age, if the paperwork side of it works (for being allowed to work, basically), do it. You say it's permanent, but you could really move back to the UK after 2 years if you hated it - you'd be amazed how little will change back home in that time. And in the meantime, it's the kind of life change that really makes you appreciate the small things, from walking to work and seeing the mountains and sea in the background; to just driving north for a week to the Arctic Circle; to going mountain biking/ skiing every weekend.
Happy to chat further if you want more info

I’m thinking of something similar (for a couple of years at least). My current question is whether I should buy in the UK first or not.

All sorted to do so now and the idea of having a base to come back to is a strong one but it Means most of my cash buffer is gone for that ‘getting started’ phrase... hmmm

Well, it is a hard thing for me to advise upon as my young family and I have never lived abroad as a family unit. However, I did so as a kid (Hong Kong, then San Francisco, CA) and loved it - but I was 3-7 yrs old, so not working or taking any admin stress on. I would move abroad with the family if an opportunity arose (unlikely in my wife and I's job roles), but complications of increasingly involved in grandkid's lives parents on one side and a very ill mother mean it is very likely not going to be a realistic option for us. I don't mind missing out on UK stuff, but would of course miss family and friends.

My perspective is of course different and I don't know what your relationship, family, employment or other details are, so can not really add anything useful. But as posted above, I would instinctively be encouraging and say go for it.

Places are expensive for a reason; I assume like many international cities, because Vancouver is nice and lots of people also want to enjoy the lifestyle and take advantage of the work opportunities. But think of the things you enjoy doing - if it involves the outdoors (which I guess certainly involves being on a bike), you would be living next to a goldmine of winter and summer mountain sports. I am sure there are loads of rich cultural opportunities and unique experiences that you would benefit from.

We don't get a second run at life, so my advice is to give it a go. There is no shame in doing so and then coming back in 2 years and saying it didn't work. You would have tried at least. You would be gutted if you were also saying to yourself 'what if'?

And as an aside, if the only downside is that you can't get mince pies (I was totally unaware of this), my wife makes amazing home made ones and I will fly them out to you - I have to say I am looking for every excuse possible to go biking in Whistler and think that sort of good deed would be a valid reason to pay for a ticket.

I think the holiday allowance thing is only an issue if you continue to think of them from a UK mindset.
If you treat your time off like a Canadian then you'll be 'on vacation' every evening, weekend, long weekend and using up your vacation days in extending 'long weekends' locally through the spring/summer/fall and perhaps a winter week in the sun.
The biggest vacation frustration for us is having to burn it up (time and $) going back to the UK and limiting what we can use it for here.
Vancouver is expensive, there's no escaping that. Squamish is also now expensive as it's 'commute-able' in the same kind of time as the suburbs east of the city with a much improved access to recreation. The secret is out.

There are hundreds of other BC communities though that are priced far lower than Vancouver/sea to sky, but these obviously are further removed from the ocean and international airports but still provide a very Canadian way of life with recreation access.

What line of work are you in?
What's your marital/family situation? Aging parents in the UK? Or are you flying solo with no one else to have to worry about?

If I might offer some observations from the perspective of having done the opposite. Born and raised in Canada, I moved to the UK in 2003.

My hometown was Winnipeg, but I left in 1994, and proceeded to live in Montreal, Halifax, and Northern Saskatchewan, so most of my experience is Eastern.

1. BC is an existentialist's dream, but an historian's nightmare. If you love history and culture, you will find places like Vancouver a bit "new age-y". The young are all on the ganja, and the old all moved to BC to rollerblade their way out of obligation to their ancestors.

If, on the other hand, you don't care about your local castle/church/wassail/stone circle, none of that will matter. In which case, crack on!

2. Unless you have lived your entire life in Cambridge or the surrounding fens, every part of Canada will feel flat - other than the Rockies themselves.

3. You will love having wide, unbroken pavements that don't have trees growing right through them, lovingly fertilised by glass fragments from the local bus shelter.

4. There are things to love no matter where you live. So, for example, Winnipeg might not be a favoured destination for many, but while the city is fairly nice in itself, what people who don't already live there wouldn't realise is that a 30 minute drive away is one of the planet's nicest beaches (Grand Beach on Lake Winnipeg), while 90 minutes East is the beginning of the Canadian Shield, cabins, lakes, woods, rivers... So living in a place like Winnipeg might not be London or New York, but it proffers more than you would realise. The same can be said of most places in Canada. And if you buy the argument, then you also stand to save HUGELY on property and living costs.

You haven't really given us enough detail to help you, but I would be happy to offer more. The only place in Canada I haven't spent any time at all is Newfoundland, so suspect there is much I could tell.

Please feel free to PM.

I moved to Canada as a permanent resident at 47. Wife was 37. Our son was 8 months! It is going well. We live I Whitehorse in The Yukon.

Vancouver is expensive, as you know. Personally, I’d look elsewhere. What do you want out of life in terms of job and career and what do you want to do with your free time? Living in smaller or rural towns is cheaper than the cities, but you’d need to work in whatever the local industry happens to be. Choose well and you’ll live in a town with great trails and a lot of riders.

as said above, it is cold and dark for much of the year, but the closer you are to the southern US border the lighter the days are in winter. it rains a lot in Vancouver. It hardly rains where I am. But it is cold in winter and a winter hobby is essential. Fat bikes do it for me. Summer is endless days of dusty trails.

food, Bike bits and beer are all expensive and European bargain shops won’t shop SRAM or Shimano products to North America. The positives folk have outlined above I agree with.

some, if not all of the best times of my life have been when I’m living and working in foreign countries.

someone asked about buying a house in the I’m before an extended visit to Canada. My answer would be a big yes.

Edit: is be surprised if you were paid less if you are a new immigrant.

I don’t understand why you’re rushing it if you have no job to go to - what exactly is the deadline? If you have a good job, pension etc then why not save a bit, and get a decent job lined up. At 40 you’re still plenty young enough. I know it seems to buck the trend of this thread but I know roughly an equal number of people who have seriously regretted emigrating as those who have loved it....

From what you’ve written I’d say take a bit more time over it, decide exactly what you want from the move etc, but as this thread shows there’s plenty of other people have made the jump and not regretted it...

I would agree with timbog about not rushing unless your permit is going to expire. Research locations and apply for jobs. Telephone interviews are common given the size of the country.

ive not met any British folk living here who regret their move. Though if we’d ended up living in Texas, as was looking likely, I wouldn’t have liked it as much.

Some interesting folks on here! SaxonRider: I went to Winterpeg for the first time this summer, and found it very appealing.
And LAT, why Whitehorse?!

It occurred to me that I know a lot of expats here (it just kinda happens), and I don't know any who regretted moving here - even the ones who returned to the UK within a couple of years

Have you thought about Scotland as an alternative?

Saxonrider
Great to get your perspective. Im from Scotland but living south. Fallback plan is to head back up to Scoltand/ Northumberland. This is the safe option but don’t want to give up PR as I Know I wont ever consider doing this again at my age.

As above spent considerable time in Vancouver / Whistler / Squamish. As a city thought Van was real hotpotch so get what you say. What I loved about the place was the obvious location and accessibility to everything I love. I woudnt say i’d ever consider the place as the best top 3 location in the world which it seems to constantly get awared for. I love history so know exactly what youre saying above.

Im at a stage of my life where I want to reduce my city time and be able to live in the outdoors more. I feel like ive been couped up for the past 15 years in a city environment so really wanting to change this perspective and increase my quality of life. This is key for 2020 – be it Canada or UK.

Lat
Props for heading up to the Yukon…wow! Totally get what your saying but job would connect me city for the time being. Its having the balls just to say FGGG it!

Timbog
PR will expire a month so hence decision neeed – had it extended due to injury.

ALL – thanks for all your valued comments – greatly appreciated!

Solarider
Thanks for your detailed comments. Re getting a job lined up pre move: this has been the ballache – ive tried for the past 12 months to set something up to no avail. This makes me concerned for the lack of options open to me when I actually arrive. Everyone is saying im bonkers giving up what ive got so had a lot of noise to contend with. If I had a job lined up id be there in a flash.

Ive spent a season up in Whistler and yeah loved it but I was conscious of how much of a bubble this place was. I was doing a lot with the WMSC / BC team but serious knee problems are putting a halt to that (at least for the time being).

Hanky
Thanks man – the britexpats forum has been super useful but again really feel that in light of my situation the negativity prevails. Most on there that comment requlgarly take the view that youd be crazy to come to Canada with no job etc etc

Apedoctor
I know what you mean about the opportunity but when it becomes a daily slog to make ends meat then the shine of living in such a wonderful place is dimmed somewhat so really trying to make as informed a decision as I could.

Deserter
Great to hear this view – been having lengthy conversation with my mum along these lines.

Nicko74
Thanks and yeah will take you up on the offer to chat more. I visitied Toronto for a few weeks. Great place – for someone who spent over 10 years in London I was looking to get away from the big metropolis as a way of life so swayed over to BC for that reason. Toronto would no doubt increase the job opportunites tenfold. It felt so flat to me and very NYC. I think if I was doing this at 30 then id be there first, get Canadian experience and move to BC once I had this in the bag.

Harryjan
Good to hear and hopefully this can help. If you are going to make the move id be inclined to use the capital for property over there. Even though its your primary residence Canadian government will tax capital gains on it. Another thing which is putting me off – Canada tax on UK assets.

Bearback
Hi – thanks for your comments. I was hoping you would write. Saw your van a few times down in Squamish. Blown away by the cost of housing around you now. Good friend just up from Braemar rd, bought nice offplan 3 bed for less than £400k – now valued at close to £1.25m. I would be coming over on my own and workwise after big skiing accident im working in financial services. Thus Vancouver or one of the other big cities is a necessity unfortunately – at least for time being.

Only my mum alive – so yes this is a concern. Shes all for it though (excuse for her to get out into the alpine!!)

I emigrated to North Vancouver in 2007, aged 43, with no job lined up. I left a secure job in a big multinational IT services company with excellent benefits including six weeks annual leave, flexi-time and bank holidays.

I echo what Bearback said about maximizing time off opportunities though as I don't feel the lack of vacation time that much of a problem anymore. Having said that, I lost my parents before I moved over here so I don't have the pressure to return to, or visit, the UK.

I did have a spousal work permit so found a job over here relatively easily but work much longer hours and have much less time off.

The house prices in Vancouver/Lower Mainland (and, to a slightly lesser extent, the Fraser Valley and Squamish) are eye-watering compared to what I was used to (Wigan!).

Certainly the way of life if you're outdoor/sports orientated is better. The infrastructure is sooooo much better than the UK (granted I'm talking about the highly populated lower mainland area) and though there isn't a rights of way like the UK there is no shortage of mountain biking trails (the famous ones, and the ones you see of maps, are only scratching the surface of what's available.

However, it's not all rosey...the pub culture is nothing like the UK (pubs are nearly empty on Christmas Eve!!!!) and the riding tends to be very same-y in a lot of lower BC as there's just so many trees so vast vistas are rare (or take a LOT of effort to get to)

@nicko74

our residency was in danger of lapsing, so my wife started applying for jobs. The first she was offered was in Whitehorse.

I can’t deny that I felt more than a little trepidation. She gave up a well paid job with good prospects in a very very big company, but if we were going to do it, it had to be done. It has worked out well and it is far more mountainous than I’d imagined. Oh, and it is far less peculiar than you may think from watching the discovery channel.

I'm surprised you haven't found a job  if you have PR and are in financial services.

I've been in Calgary for almost 11 years. It certainly still has it's ups and downs but it's home now. I'd say it took at least 3 years to really settle.  Aging parents is a big concern. Sweamrs is an only and we had the first "I'm just going in for some tests it's probably nothing" recently. Queue making sure we had funds for an immediate flight home if required.

The lifestyle is good and health care has a passing resemblance to the NHS which has good and bad points.

Personally I'd avoid the lower mainland. If you can afford it then it's great but it's so expensive. I think the Okanagan looks more attainable although prices also going up there.

To some extent it'll come down to regret. Which will you regret more - not trying or trying and then deciding it's not for you?

Feel free to message if you have specific queries.

I think if you like it on holiday, you will like it here. I had a Whistler holiday and decided to come out here to live. I had the advantage of no ties there and affordable rent here. Those days are gone. Rent is sky high now, local craigslist is a good source of info.
There are some very nice places east of Vancouver proper that have top notch mountains too. and like another poster said, having the option to go riding whenever you want is worth the hassle of moving, that is how i rationalized my move here.
luckily a local bakery make mince pies that are amazing too. there are a lot of nice things about living here, fly tipping is virtually non existent, most people pick up dog shit and litter and hardly anyone smokes.
With hindsight, if i had been to lots of uk mountain towns , i may well have ended up living there still. it rains a lot here but summer is usually warm and dry.