Australia vs Canada - Relocation Options

TheGlossy

Hi all,

I have been wanting to relocate. Part of me wants to wait until I actually purchase an apartment before thinking of moving elsewhere (at least, I'll have a place to come back to as I intend on coming back), but with the way things are going, I don't know if it's realistic to wait until I buy an apartment.

I work in finance, so I can find job pretty much anywhere provided I speak the local language. So, I have been thinking about Australia or Canada. The grass isn't always greener overseas and both Australia and Canada are expensive countries, but they are English speaking. Australia would be a good option (I wouldn't mind the weather), but not long term as I can't picture myself settling there forever. Canada a bit more, but the cold weather is a turn off (Ireland's cold weather is enough for me). For Canada, I think I would be a good fit for the Permanent Residency application (Express Entry), but Australia visa options are only the Work Holiday Visa which isn't exactly what I'm looking for as you can only do temp work.

If anyone has experience living in either, I would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks!

riclad

i,m not an expert but taxs are maybe higher in australia, property very expensive in both countrys . i think to get a permanent visa in australia you need to be qualified, eg nurse ,builder, in certain professions.i have relations living there .

Potential-Monke

This is a completely personal opinion, but Canada in a heartbeat. There's far less things in Canada that want to kill you. Literally everything in Australia wants to kill you. The water. The air. The heat. The wildlife. The locals. THE F%£KING SPIDERS!!! Mainly the spiders. And the heat. But I'm ginger and slightly arachnophobic so...

Peregrinus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118949944#Comment_118949944

Life expectancy in Australia is longer than in Canada so, balancing the deadly spiders of Australia against the freezing winters of Canada, it seems that, taking the rough with the smooth, Canada poses a (slightly) greater risk to your life than Australia does.

dxhound2005

Vancouver or even Toronto would not be much colder than Ireland.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118949944#Comment_118949944

Just stick to the urban areas, and you can avoid most of it. It was the sharks, crocs and water snakes that bothered me.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058242454/australia-vs-canada-relocation-options

Weather wise, you can find areas with variable conditions, so Canada isn't always as cold as you might be expecting. Same with Oz, there are places with awful dismal weather. I lived in Brisbane, which is in the north east. Gorgeous weather, but then you have to deal with water shortages, dust storms, etc. But they're really minor things and mostly you just get on with things.

I'd recommend doing Oz for a year. It would be easy enough for you to get a year contract working, and then you could experience it for yourself. There's something to be said for directly experiencing the work ethic there, and seeing for yourself, what life is really like. For something as important as picking a country to settle in, you don't really want to stick to second hand opinions.

On a side note, why just Canada and Oz? Why not consider Singapore or other places that are great destinations for finance roles? I love Asia.. and will likely settle permanently there. It's definitely worth a gander.

Whatdoesitmatter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058242454/australia-vs-canada-relocation-options

Go West young man. That is where fame and fortune lies

TheGlossy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118950681#Comment_118950681

Yeah, I was contemplating Singapore for a while, but it's very expensive and seems quite difficult to emigrate to. I'd pick Singapore over Canada in a heartbeat though.

In terms of the work culture, I suppose it depends on the industry / company, but would there be much of a work / life balance in Oz? I work for a US employer in Dublin and the work / life balance is non-existent and overtime unpaid on top of that. Working until 8pm back at 9am the following day rinse and repeat all year round isn't something I want to stick to.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118951081#Comment_118951081

I did just shy of two years in Brisbane, doing temp contract work for the first year, and something more permanent for the second year. Both were finance roles, although my area is more related to credit control and liquidation of assets. My experience was that Australia was far more relaxed than Ireland.

Corporate positions are the same everywhere you go. I suspect you know that kind of lifestyle already. The smaller companies were very interested in a good work environment and ensuring employee satisfaction. Honestly, I'd rate Oz as being very good in how they treated professional staff. There's the usual staff activities, donuts or gym memberships, BBQ meetings, etc. Mostly my working hours were 8-6, with flexi-time being an option if I wanted it. Weekends were never touched. Naturally, my work commitment increased drastically when I went for management and then a partner position, but generally speaking, I had plenty of time for a life outside of work.

A side note is that I received a lot of leeway with holidays or sick days.. with a greater flexibility in missing work than anywhere else I've been.

So, yeah, Oz is really good. Asia... um.. I'd recommend more if you want to build a serious career. There's a greater focus on working longer hours there. Competition is much higher, which is why I eventually left finance entirely. However the scope of lifestyles is far greater.. along with the work related partying. It really depends on whether you like mixing your personal life with your work life. In any case, I still think it's better than what you'd generally experience in Europe.

phormium

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118950643#Comment_118950643

Don't know about Vancouver but the Toronto winters are a lot colder than here, lots of snow. Family member moved home here as couldn't actually take another winter there. I visited once in end February, bicycles tied to posts beside road practically covered with snow it was that deep, I have never been so cold! Foolishly went without a hat and I thought my ears would snap off from the cold. Yes it's a drier cold but once the snow turns slushy on paths etc it's pretty miserable trying to get around. Other than that I loved the place 😊