Ontario from Scotland?

[rhonaclearie]

Hi

I'm looking for advice about moving from Scotland to Ontario. We are a 37yr old couple with two children, 7 and 1 and looking for a better quality of life. We have friends in Hamilton and would like other peoples points of view, to know how life compares from Scotland? Lifestyle, work ethic, wages, schooling, weather..any information possible? My husband is a qualified plumber/gas engineer and I own an off sales/liquor store and work in Admin with our local goverment. We have researched the area and would like to live in Burlington, but any nice residential area would be great. Also wondering how long the process will take?

Thanks

Rhona

[Auld Yin]

Originally Posted by rhonaclearie

Hi

I'm looking for advice about moving from Scotland to Ontario. We are a 37yr old couple with two children, 7 and 1 and looking for a better quality of life. We have friends in Hamilton and would like other peoples points of view, to know how life compares from Scotland? Lifestyle, work ethic, wages, schooling, weather..any information possible? My husband is a qualified plumber/gas engineer and I own an off sales/liquor store and work in Admin with our local goverment. We have researched the area and would like to live in Burlington, but any nice residential area would be great. Also wondering how long the process will take?

Thanks

Rhona

I came to Canada many years ago when it was a much easier process. Canada (Ontario) has been very good to/for me and hopefully I have reciprocated.
There is no easy answer to your questions. Some come here and love it, some are so-so about it and some abjectly loathe it. When I came there was little or no information base other than the propaganda spouted by the Canadian Government. No internet to consult.
Lifestyle, work ethic and schooling are no better no worse than in the UK, providing you're doing well there. Weather is much better in Summer but, of course, we have our infamous winters. Schooling seems to be more praised than criticized by ex-pats here.
I don't know if you've ever visited Canada but it is NOT like the UK so please do not look for that here. We do not have Indian restaurants on every corner and food in supermarkets is different as is much of the other shopping. Cost of living basically evens out, some things more, some less expensive.
I'm sure you know that you cannot own/run a private liquor business here. All sales of beer and liquor products are government controlled.

Good Luck.

Originally Posted by rhonaclearie

Hi

I'm looking for advice about moving from Scotland to Ontario. We are a 37yr old couple with two children, 7 and 1 and looking for a better quality of life. We have friends in Hamilton and would like other peoples points of view, to know how life compares from Scotland? Lifestyle, work ethic, wages, schooling, weather..any information possible? My husband is a qualified plumber/gas engineer and I own an off sales/liquor store and work in Admin with our local goverment. We have researched the area and would like to live in Burlington, but any nice residential area would be great. Also wondering how long the process will take?

Thanks

Rhona

We had to wait 2 years from 2003-05

After 5 years of being in Ontario, we're returning in 2 days.
It is nothing like Scotland what so ever!
There are no mountains, sea sides, country lanes, quaint villages, historic buildings. One town looks like all the rest, as do the cities with their sky-scrapers.
The choice of food is limited as is the choice in clothing.
Cost of living is as high as in the UK with half the wage, so you'll be worse off financially then there's driving for hours and hours and hours to different shops with the same old scenery to pass.
The summers can be unbearably hot with mosquitoes biting you. Springs ok, as is autumn, but winter can start from Nov and last until April, ok you have blue skies more often, but the snow is deep and labour-intensive to move and as for the freezing rain that makes the road into a skating rink and coats your windscreen in seconds. Very Dangerous. Big car engines and trucks make highways noisier than the UK. You have to change your tyres from Winter ones to summer ones or buy a 4 wheel drive. The look of the buildings and hedgerows and fences are just not as neat and tidy as the UK ones,
Neighbours popping in for a cuppa don't exist.
Drugs and crime exist, it's just not publicised in the press the same.
Work ethic :It's WHO you know not WHAT you know that will get you a job. 2 weeks hol/year, less wages and perks.
No uniforms at school unless you go to a Catholic one. Education is nowhere near as good as Scotland or England. No school dinners.
Car insurance seems to be twice as much as there aren't as many people "putting into the pot".
TV programmes are terrible.
All in all the grass is not greener and it hasn't improved in 5 years. But that's my opinion

[patient man]

Reading from your posts I see someone, who due to problems prior to landing didnt really want to be there,, didnt you research Canada prior to going, as others have said the cost of living irons out, houses are cheaper, fuel is cheaper, and they dont use wear designer clothes although I am sure if you drive to the cities you will find them maybe thats why the Candadian kids are respectful and have manners(well the majority of the ones I had contact with when I was there).
I believe you bought the dream before trying it out and it has cost you dearly so come back to britain pay the overinflated house, car prices, fuel costs and if you cant get a job join the other 2 million who live of benifits, ( the majority can get a job or can work but choose not to because we the taxpayers give them too many benifits) pay 20% vat and then car tax, over priced fuel because the government has applied so much tax you need a mortgage to drive and pay for it.
You have allowed yourself to be drawn into the mindset I am an immigrant and no one likes me being here, so please dont try to instill your negativity on to others who want to try the dream
Regards The Canadian Dreamer

[Auld Yin]

Originally Posted by patient man

Reading from your posts I see someone, who due to problems prior to landing didnt really want to be there,, didnt you research Canada prior to going, as others have said the cost of living irons out, houses are cheaper, fuel is cheaper, and they dont use wear designer clothes although I am sure if you drive to the cities you will find them maybe thats why the Candadian kids are respectful and have manners(well the majority of the ones I had contact with when I was there).
I believe you bought the dream before trying it out and it has cost you dearly so come back to britain pay the overinflated house, car prices, fuel costs and if you cant get a job join the other 2 million who live of benifits, ( the majority can get a job or can work but choose not to because we the taxpayers give them too many benifits) pay 20% vat and then car tax, over priced fuel because the government has applied so much tax you need a mortgage to drive and pay for it.
You have allowed yourself to be drawn into the mindset I am an immigrant and no one likes me being here, so please dont try to instill your negativity on to others who want to try the dream
Regards The Canadian Dreamer

I agree entirely with your sentiments Patient Man. Yesterday she had two days left in Canada which suggests she goes back to UK tomorrow and like you I think it can't come quick enough. Obviously Canada wasn't/isn't for her and that's okay, but her vitriolic comments and way over the top. The sooner she leaves the better for her and certainly the rest of us.

Originally Posted by patient man

Reading from your posts I see someone, who due to problems prior to landing didnt really want to be there,, didnt you research Canada prior to going, as others have said the cost of living irons out, houses are cheaper, fuel is cheaper, and they dont use wear designer clothes although I am sure if you drive to the cities you will find them maybe thats why the Candadian kids are respectful and have manners(well the majority of the ones I had contact with when I was there).
I believe you bought the dream before trying it out and it has cost you dearly so come back to britain pay the overinflated house, car prices, fuel costs and if you cant get a job join the other 2 million who live of benifits, ( the majority can get a job or can work but choose not to because we the taxpayers give them too many benifits) pay 20% vat and then car tax, over priced fuel because the government has applied so much tax you need a mortgage to drive and pay for it.
You have allowed yourself to be drawn into the mindset I am an immigrant and no one likes me being here, so please dont try to instill your negativity on to others who want to try the dream
Regards The Canadian Dreamer

We came here to try a different country, don't like it and are returning after making good profits from our rental properties. We have elderly parents who are ill and can't be sponsored here as a result and they don't like the scenery or lifestyle here, so we're being unselfish and returning to be nearer them.
I have stated honest facts, you are a bully and have taken it too personally and attacked me. I have attacked no-one. Oh and guess how Professional it is here? We've just been phoned bu the vets that they haven't got the tick/tapeworm treatment for our pets and THAT I SHOULD HAVE GOT IT, to return to the UK................15 minutes later, they phone again to say they have got it, it was lack of communication oh and they're sorry. Usually we don't get an acknowledgement when a Canadian is on the wrong. My experiences. Some are great, but they're outweighed by the immature unprofessional ones. I do not suffer fools gladly.

Originally Posted by Auld Yin

I agree entirely with your sentiments Patient Man. Yesterday she had two days left in Canada which suggests she goes back to UK tomorrow and like you I think it can't come quick enough. Obviously Canada wasn't/isn't for her and that's okay, but her vitriolic comments and way over the top. The sooner she leaves the better for her and certainly the rest of us.

I said it was my opinion, and selflessly and with loadsamoney from rental properties that we wisely invested in in Ontario we're going back to be near our loved ones, family and friends. Sad for you to be stuck here, but you made your Auld bed and you can't face the wrong decision you made. Why on earth do you think millions are returning to their homeland? Rhetorical question as I don't want a reply from you- ever!

[back2basic]

Originally Posted by patient man

Reading from your posts I see someone, who due to problems prior to landing didnt really want to be there,, didnt you research Canada prior to going, as others have said the cost of living irons out, houses are cheaper, fuel is cheaper, and they dont use wear designer clothes although I am sure if you drive to the cities you will find them maybe thats why the Candadian kids are respectful and have manners(well the majority of the ones I had contact with when I was there).
I believe you bought the dream before trying it out and it has cost you dearly so come back to britain pay the overinflated house, car prices, fuel costs and if you cant get a job join the other 2 million who live of benifits, ( the majority can get a job or can work but choose not to because we the taxpayers give them too many benifits) pay 20% vat and then car tax, over priced fuel because the government has applied so much tax you need a mortgage to drive and pay for it.
You have allowed yourself to be drawn into the mindset I am an immigrant and no one likes me being here, so please dont try to instill your negativity on to others who want to try the dream
Regards The Canadian Dreamer

I completely agree with what your said "The Canadian Dreamer". I know Canada is such an amazing place having visited there a few years ago and I had a great time. The Canadians are a friendly bunch of people and do go a long way to help you settling into their country.

I remember doing a road trip in Canada around the outskirts of Toronto, and I was with a group of friends in a van and surprisingly it broke down in the middle of the road. A nice friendly couple around their 50s pulled over in their car and offered to help us. We had no idea where we were and they wanted to take us back to their place to fix it. As we got back to their place, we were offered a meal, drinks, usage of free internet whilst the van was being fixed. I still can't thank them enough after all these years. Now you tell me if anything like this in the UK would happen....my feeling would be absolutely nothing. Even although I live in the UK born and bred you will never get the same feeling like that in the UK. For starters when is it you see people in the UK smile....very rarely. I hate the fact that so many kids and especially the Chavs get away with so much trouble....thats the most annoying thing about living in the UK.

Steve

Originally Posted by elouisapresley

We came here to try a different country, don't like it and are returning after making good profits from our rental properties. We have elderly parents who are ill and can't be sponsored here as a result and they don't like the scenery or lifestyle here, so we're being unselfish and returning to be nearer them.
I have stated honest facts, you are a bully and have taken it too personally and attacked me. I have attacked no-one. Oh and guess how Professional it is here? We've just been phoned bu the vets that they haven't got the tick/tapeworm treatment for our pets and THAT I SHOULD HAVE GOT IT, to return to the UK................15 minutes later, they phone again to say they have got it, it was lack of communication oh and they're sorry. Usually we don't get an acknowledgement when a Canadian is on the wrong. My experiences. Some are great, but they're outweighed by the immature unprofessional ones. I do not suffer fools gladly.

So the vets made a mistake. They did call back and correct it didn't they? Mistakes happen everywhere.

I have lived as an expat in a few places, including China, Dubai, and England. You just cannot expect things to be the same as in your home country. You don't say where in Ontario you live, but did you really expect seasides in the middle of the country? Sorry, but Canada is a much newer country than England. And didn't you know it snows in Canada?

And with regard to your comment about work ethic, I take great exception to that. In every country there are people who don't have a work ethic, it doesn't mean they are all like that. I came across many people with no work ethic in the UK, but I don't think they're all like that!

And excuse me? Mountains in England? Where exactly are they? And as a matter of fact, there are mountains in Ontario, guess you missed them, just like you missed the quant villages - maybe not hundreds of years old (Canada is, after all a much newer country), but if you had travelled a bit around Ontario you would have seen them

Living in another country means you have to make the most of it. There were many things that frustrated me about the UK, but I learned to accept them and appreciate the differences. You have many things we don't have, and vice versa. Too bad you didn't take the time to appreciate and experience them.

[Auld Yin]

Originally Posted by elouisapresley

I said it was my opinion, and selflessly and with loadsamoney from rental properties that we wisely invested in in Ontario we're going back to be near our loved ones, family and friends. Sad for you to be stuck here, but you made your Auld bed and you can't face the wrong decision you made. Why on earth do you think millions are returning to their homeland? Rhetorical question as I don't want a reply from you- ever!

You don't want a reply from me-ever. Well too bad, so sad.
You are such a shallow individual. So you made loadsamoney (sic)? So what? And who are you to suggest that I made the wrong decision? For your edification I made the correct decision for me and have been well contented because of it. If I put my assets up against yours I'm sure I could buy and sell you many times over but I was raised to not blow my own horn, unlike you..
I'm not surprised you're returning to be near family and friends because, with your snobbish attitude, I truly doubt you have any friends here other than those of the same snooty ilk. As far as millions returning to their UK homeland that's a gross exaggeration to say the least, and if Australia, New Zealand and Canada opened up immigration there would be such an exit from the UK your head would spin.
The UK is a financial mess with an 8% unemployment rate and with so many people on the public purse it'll take years to bring it back from recession. It won't affect you with your privileged life in the Lake District but you're probably the type to not care about anyone else.
From Canada's perspective, good riddance to you and don't let the door smack you on the arse on your way out TOMORROW, Hooray.