Canada is a great country full of culture, amazing places, and even greater people. It also has a very vibrant economy which makes it the perfect place for any professional looking for opportunities. And since it is part of the commonwealth, you won’t feel so much out of place there as a UK expat. With that being said, Canada is still very different from the UK in many aspects. None of these differences should be shocking, but you still need to prepare for them. Here are some of the things you should know before you make your move to Canada.
Canada is Immense
Most people know that Canada is a large country, but few people truly understand how big it is. Just to put things in perspective, you could fit the UK into Canada 40 times. And the cities on the East Coast are actually closer to England than they are to the West Coast. A flight from Halifax to Vancouver will take you about six to seven hours while the same trip to London would take about five hours and thirty minutes.
Another interesting thing about Canada is that most of the major cities are right next to the US border. As a matter of fact, about 90% of all Canadians live within 150 miles of the Canada-US border. You could even walk from places like Montreal and get to the US border in less than a day. So, if you feel like going to the US for a quick trip and coming back the same day, know that this is entirely possible if you live in Canada.
The Thing About Canadians Being Nice is Not a Myth
Canadians are a nice and generally friendly bunch, so don’t be surprised if strangers strike up random conversations on the street or if people say hello to you in small towns. You should also know that Canada is a rather egalitarian society and it’s not uncommon to see people of very different social standing living in the same neighbourhoods. So, this is something you’ll need to prepare for.
Canada is Cold. Very Cold.
Canada is one of the coldest countries in the whole world, and you can’t live there without knowing how tough things really get in the winter.
Know that it’s not uncommon for temperatures to fall well below zero in the winter. Winters can get very long in Canada too. If you’re lucky, you might be able to walk around without a coat from March to November, but it’s not uncommon for the country to see freezing colds and snowstorms well into April while October snowfalls are not uncommon.
You should know that some parts get colder than others too. The east coast and the centre of the country get much colder than the rest. You should also know, however, that some parts of the country have temperatures much closer to what we have here in the UK. The temperature rarely gets below -10° in places like Vancouver, for instance, and the place doesn’t get much snow, so if you aren’t keen on freezing cold weather, this could be the place for you.
Prepare Your Move Carefully
You also have to prepare yourself for your move and be strategic. Arranging a move from the UK to Canada is not like moving to somewhere else on the continent. You may have to think about leaving some of the stuff you have behind and hiring a removal company that specialises in this kind of move.
If you’re looking for a removal team that routinely organises international removals to Canada, we suggest you check out 1st Move International. They have some of the best deals you’ll find anywhere and will handle any type of move. They can ship all your items and valuables safely and fast to most major ports in Canada. They offer great rates too, so give them a call today and see what they have to offer.
You Might Want to Learn Some French
You can get service in English pretty much everywhere in Canada, but if you can’t read or speak French, you’ll run into issues if you’re in places like Quebec. You cannot live comfortably in the province without speaking French fluently. You might be able to visit it and enjoy yourself as a tourist, but you will be obligated to speak French if you want to start a business there or work, even in a bilingual society like Montreal, so consider yourself warned.
The Education System is Great
We don’t hear about it often, but Canada has one of the best education systems in the world and the country ranked first on the OECD adult education rankings in 2017. Schools are very affordable too with a good mix of public and private institutions. So, if you have kids, know that they will have access to top-notch schools. This is also a great place to continue your education if you want to add some feathers to your cap.
Canada is a wonderful country and one of the best places to relocate as a Brit if you ask us. So, learn as much as you can about the country and get some pointers from other Brits who have lived there before you make the jump just to make sure that this is the right place for you.
