I’m from Canada and I lived in the UK for a year, and living in the UK was one of the worst experiences of my life. Granted, I might’ve enjoyed it more if the work culture was better, but a lot of the things that make you complain about Canada, make me complain about the UK.
The food in the UK is awful, the beer is too warm and the local stuff largely all tastes the same. When it comes to fresh food, I found no difference between fruits, veg, bread, milk, etc between the two countries. You’re right there aren’t any bakeries, but I never recalled seeing any when I lived in the UK. They’re everywhere in France, Italy, and Germany, but I can’t recall seeing a single one in England – except maybe a French cafe-style bakery here or there. Dependence on cars is real, but most everyone in Canada has a car anyway so it’s not that big of a deal. It’s the price you pay for big plots of land and front yards, I guess.
The countryside in the UK also never feels really isolated – there’s always a town or a freeway or other hikers in sight. It’s not like Canada where I can just got lost in the wilderness. Granted, some parts of the UK are very beautiful nonetheless.
I found the social life in the UK was lacking too. I find Brits dull and unattractive.
I don’t agree with much in your post, and tbh a lot of it sounds made up (particularly the warm beer) but I do agree with this. For some people Canada will have everything they want. For most Europeans I think they will find it will be lacking. The key is to know what it is and what it isn’t.
Some will read my description and say “yeah I don’t care about any of that” and will be happy with what it offers. If you want lots of land, don’t mind bears and mosquitos, don’t mind snow and lots of riving, Canada is a place where you can get that. For me I’m not interested in hunting, fishing, sledding, homesteading, etc and Canada doesn’t offer much else.
I came to Canada uninformed about the downsides and that was a mistake. Others may like it and that’s their prerogative.
I’m from Canada and I lived in the UK for a year, and living in the UK was one of the worst experiences of my life. Granted, I might’ve enjoyed it more if the work culture was better, but a lot of the things that make you complain about Canada, make me complain about the UK.
The food in the UK is awful, the beer is too warm and the local stuff largely all tastes the same. When it comes to fresh food, I found no difference between fruits, veg, bread, milk, etc between the two countries. You’re right there aren’t any bakeries, but I never recalled seeing any when I lived in the UK. They’re everywhere in France, Italy, and Germany, but I can’t recall seeing a single one in England – except maybe a French cafe-style bakery here or there. Dependence on cars is real, but most everyone in Canada has a car anyway so it’s not that big of a deal. It’s the price you pay for big plots of land and front yards, I guess.
The countryside in the UK also never feels really isolated – there’s always a town or a freeway or other hikers in sight. It’s not like Canada where I can just got lost in the wilderness. Granted, some parts of the UK are very beautiful nonetheless.
I found the social life in the UK was lacking too. I find Brits dull and unattractive.
All this to say: to each their own.
I don’t agree with much in your post, and tbh a lot of it sounds made up (particularly the warm beer) but I do agree with this. For some people Canada will have everything they want. For most Europeans I think they will find it will be lacking. The key is to know what it is and what it isn’t.
Some will read my description and say “yeah I don’t care about any of that” and will be happy with what it offers. If you want lots of land, don’t mind bears and mosquitos, don’t mind snow and lots of riving, Canada is a place where you can get that. For me I’m not interested in hunting, fishing, sledding, homesteading, etc and Canada doesn’t offer much else.
I came to Canada uninformed about the downsides and that was a mistake. Others may like it and that’s their prerogative.