| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time 16:15 - Jul 24 with 9683 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
Cometh the hour, cometh the TWTD collective.
I've posted on here about 219 times over the past 18-24 months about wanting to relocate from Suffolk, and circumstances have finally levelled out and got to the point where I can finally really look towards taking the step.
My reasons for wanting to leave both Suffolk and England are numerous, and I won't bore you with them all. But the main ones include wanting to minimise my chances of coming across ignorant Brexit-voting gammon heads, as well as finding some of the main facets of English culture (such as going to the pub, or watching/talking about Love Island) incredibly painful, trashy and boring. I'm also just bored in general, and need a fresh start somewhere new, where I can feel invigorated and re-energised.
I could work towards moving to Canada as a physiotherapist, although that would take another 12-18 months, and would require first completing a Master's degree, plus regular French lessons, to get a higher number of immigration points.
I've been looking into it seriously and have applied for some MSc courses. I've been to Canada before (AB and BC; the main city I 'know' being Vancouver), and I think it would be a great way of life.
The problem though is that I love Europe too much. I love European culture, European history, European architecture, as well as simply being close to Europe. No where in Canada (apart from Quebec City - which you may as well forget if you aren't fluent in French) can give you that. Whilst being a great city, on a deeper level I find somewhere like Vancouver soulless and lacking the things that I mention.
So I keep coming back to Edinburgh, despite having never been there. It looks different from anywhere in England, and it looks the most 'European-y' city in the UK. I also believe it has more of an international population, which naturally means you encounter more people with different views of the world.
If I could, though, I'd leave the UK altogether, and go to Europe (that's obviously much more difficult now, and I'm no longer seriously making an effort to make that happen, after having explored many options which led nowhere). The future of the UK just looks grim to me. From its politics, to its economic outlook (poorer than Poland by 2030), to its migrant-hating media and large swathes of the population who lap it all up.
So if I'm to stay here, I need to somehow avoid those negatives as much as possible.
The fact that the majority of Scotland voted to remain in the EU at least gives me some hope that people up there are a bit different. Isn't there also a slightly increased chance of getting back in the EU through an independent Scotland?
What I mainly want to know is, will I find the things that I love, whilst minimising contact with/impact of the things that are frustrating me so much, in Edinburgh?
If not, then I may as well go to Canada. But I don't want to feel forced out of the UK if there's actually a way to make it work and to be happy here.
Bit of a rambley post but having some more objective viewpoints (or subjective ones based on other peoples' experiences) would provide valuable information to help with making a decision.
Thanks. [Post edited 24 Jul 2023 16:19]
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 14:33 - Jul 25 with 1513 views | ElephantintheRoom |
With a sister living in Vancouver and having lived in Jimmyland for a few years perhaps I can offer some perspective?
I’m surprised you’d want to relocate to Edinburgh without having been there. And Vancouver is possibly the least Canadian City - though possibly the warmest and the only one I’d consider living in
When I was sentenced to Scotland, admiitedly a good few years ago I soon realised neither Glasgow, nor Edinburgh was for me and settled in Stirling - something as a gateway to the North, smaller - and nicer - and accessible to both. Also considerably cheaper. The nicer parts of Edinburgh are hideously expensive - as are the trendy places towards the coast.
Scotland is very much like living in a foreign country - and a cold, damp one at that. You’d be replacing your Brexit legacy with a simmering independence conundrum - albeit with UK tax payers funding free education and healthcare. If you want to leave England I’d seriously think about Ireland.
Vancouver is a great place to live - but again ruinously expensive and quite isolated. It’s also got a huge drug problem now (a bit like Edinburgh)
Before I relocated abroad I spent years visiting different regions at different times of the yr. even so there have been a few surprises - but Îve never regretted it for an instant. You don’t realise what a poor place to live the UK has become until you go somewhere else. |  |
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 15:12 - Jul 25 with 1467 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
Just wanted to post a quick reply to say thank you very much to everyone for all the responses, which I am reading with interest. I'll sit down soon and respond properly when I have time to fully process it all. Until then I don't want to seem like I've posted for advice and then rudely not acknowledged peoples' time. | |
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 15:48 - Jul 25 with 1444 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 13:14 - Jul 25 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
You need to take a longer look at immigration laws. While it is a lot easier than moving to the US, it’s not that simple to just move to Canada with an extra qualification and speaking a bit of French.
Montreal or Quebec is going to give you a much greater European feel than Suffolk.
You say you like being in and close to Europe. I assume you’ve done that your entire life. Look at what living in North America gives you in regards opportunity for visiting new countries, even if slightly longer flights.
The notion that going to Europe post Brexit is impossible and Canada much easier simply isn’t correct either. Even before we left Europe Brits left for countries with much tougher immigration laws moving to Europe (outside of Spain). America and Australia being obvious examples. Too lazy to learn the lingo.
Also just re-read your post. With respect it sounds like you’re not taking this all that seriously if you’ve never even been to Edinburgh and it’s a 50/50 chance. Jump on Easyjet or the train and spend 5 day there! It’s just up the road in comparison to Canada. [Post edited 25 Jul 2023 13:23]
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Re your first paragraph, can you please explain further what you mean?
I've been playing around with the CRS calculator for Express Entry on their Federal Skilled Worker route, to work out what would get me a strong amount of points to then be given an invitation to apply (having a MSc plus strong French scores would be what made the difference for me in that respect). I've also got the required minimum amount of skilled work experience.
Of course an application doesn't guarantee acceptance but I meet all other minimum criteria. Am I missing something else? | |
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 16:17 - Jul 25 with 1429 views | SE1blue |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 15:48 - Jul 25 by ThisIsMyUsername |
Re your first paragraph, can you please explain further what you mean?
I've been playing around with the CRS calculator for Express Entry on their Federal Skilled Worker route, to work out what would get me a strong amount of points to then be given an invitation to apply (having a MSc plus strong French scores would be what made the difference for me in that respect). I've also got the required minimum amount of skilled work experience.
Of course an application doesn't guarantee acceptance but I meet all other minimum criteria. Am I missing something else? |
I want to add that you shouldn’t get drawn into using a professional service to do your application to move here - unless you have an employer willing to pay for it.
It’s really lengthy but it’s also easy enough to do yourself.
And one other (major) thought that is very much been ‘my journey’…don’t underestimate how much you need to learn as an immigrant, whether that’s Scotland or Canada.
Different places have different systems, approaches and even words for things you’ve been doing without thinking since you were a baby. Immigration involves learning so much and changing your ways on some things. This can be exciting (trust me!) but also massively frustrating, time-consuming and make you feel stupid all at the same time.
I’m still learning five years on. |  |
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 16:38 - Jul 25 with 1410 views | WeWereZombies |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 16:17 - Jul 25 by SE1blue |
I want to add that you shouldn’t get drawn into using a professional service to do your application to move here - unless you have an employer willing to pay for it.
It’s really lengthy but it’s also easy enough to do yourself.
And one other (major) thought that is very much been ‘my journey’…don’t underestimate how much you need to learn as an immigrant, whether that’s Scotland or Canada.
Different places have different systems, approaches and even words for things you’ve been doing without thinking since you were a baby. Immigration involves learning so much and changing your ways on some things. This can be exciting (trust me!) but also massively frustrating, time-consuming and make you feel stupid all at the same time.
I’m still learning five years on. |
Did you use anything like one of these, either before you went (to help with the decision) or as an ongoing tool ?
https://www.stanfords.co.uk/Canada-Culture-Shock_9780761456612 |  |
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 16:42 - Jul 25 with 1404 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 15:48 - Jul 25 by ThisIsMyUsername |
Re your first paragraph, can you please explain further what you mean?
I've been playing around with the CRS calculator for Express Entry on their Federal Skilled Worker route, to work out what would get me a strong amount of points to then be given an invitation to apply (having a MSc plus strong French scores would be what made the difference for me in that respect). I've also got the required minimum amount of skilled work experience.
Of course an application doesn't guarantee acceptance but I meet all other minimum criteria. Am I missing something else? |
Individual Provinces/Territories of Canada can also give priority to certain skilled workers/professions, in addition to the main Federal Canadian Government list, so there are two routes.
I would be gobsmacked if a fully qualified health care professional in any field wouldn't be waved, and waived, straight through. | | | |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 17:01 - Jul 25 with 1367 views | leitrimblue |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 21:12 - Jul 24 by emergencylime |
I had been thinking about suggesting Ireland when reading the post, though largely because i live here.
However, i’d suggest Cork or Galway (especially as OP doesn’t mind rain!), purely on the basis that Dublin is one of Europe’s most expensive cities in which to live. Having moved from there to the west of Ireland during the pandemic, you get more for your money and is more closely matched with Suffolk in terms of scenery, more laid back lifestyle etc. [Post edited 24 Jul 2023 21:14]
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Galway is a good call. Easy fly back an forth to UK via knock. Perhaps try it for a few days. I'd suggest midweek as can be a bit hen party rich of a weekend. |  | | |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 17:04 - Jul 25 with 1365 views | hype313 |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 17:01 - Jul 25 by leitrimblue |
Galway is a good call. Easy fly back an forth to UK via knock. Perhaps try it for a few days. I'd suggest midweek as can be a bit hen party rich of a weekend. |
A friend of mine recently moved to Kenmare in Kerry, after visiting I'm seriously jealous, what a lovely place. |  |
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 17:14 - Jul 25 with 1350 views | leitrimblue |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 17:04 - Jul 25 by hype313 |
A friend of mine recently moved to Kenmare in Kerry, after visiting I'm seriously jealous, what a lovely place. |
I find most of the West of Ireland to be pretty stunning. I'd go for the North West personally(Sligo-Donegal especially) but obviously I'm biased. | | | |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 18:28 - Jul 25 with 1313 views | Keno |
| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 17:14 - Jul 25 by leitrimblue |
I find most of the West of Ireland to be pretty stunning. I'd go for the North West personally(Sligo-Donegal especially) but obviously I'm biased. |
And lest it gets over looked moving to Ireland has the obvious bonus of being with Irish people |  |
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 19:41 - Jul 25 with 1278 views | SE1blue |
I’ve never seen these! Will check it out. Thanks. | |
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| Canada or Edinburgh - decision time on 09:57 - Jul 27 with 1155 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
Thanks again to everyone who shared their advice, opinions and experiences.
A lot of really good points to think about, largely the fact that it is not correct or sensible to move to a country with a largely different culture, while hoping to retain a culture which is found in a completely different part of the world. Like people have said, it is all about fully embracing a new culture and way of life. Whilst somewhere like Quebec City looks very European, at this stage in the game Quebec is a trickier option for immigration than other provinces.
I admit that some of the reasons I stated for wanting to leave might have seemed a bit flippant (for example my comment about Love Island of all things), but ultimately they are a result of simply being very keen on a fresh start somewhere new and different.
I can also see how it looks a bit strange to be debating between Canada and a single, specific UK city without having been to that city. On reflection there were a couple of external reasons which were strongly influencing me to entertain the Edinburgh idea, for the wrong reasons, rather than having any genuine desire to live there:
- Like I said, not wanting to be too far from Europe (but in order to leave the UK this is obviously a necessary sacrifice, unless moving to somewhere like Ireland).
- Not really wanting to have to spend another 12-18 months working on a MSc and taking French lessons, whilst also pinning all hopes on actually getting the required scores in the exam, so I was looking for an 'easier' option which might give me a fresh start sooner.
Overall I do believe that Canada would be a positive choice. First step is to get my degree evidence all sorted and sent off to Toronto for validation, which I am now working on. [Post edited 14 Aug 2023 11:48]
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