Your reasons for emigrating

lufties · 11-02-2014 04:25PM

Electric Sheep wrote: »

I suppose if your idea of humour is "jokingly" insulting people under the guise of slagging, Canada would not be your kind of place.

I'm currently in hong kong and have expat friends mainly from the UK, we can have a laugh and a 'slag' but there is a line that isn't crossed. I agree with your sentiment that in Ireland you can be ridiculed with insults dressed up as 'slagging'. Personally that used to aggrevate the **** out of me, then you are accused of being easy to wind up, so you can't win really.

I don't know what the humour is like in canada, personally I like a mixture of british and Irish humour. Not bullying, insulting type stuff.

Thargor · 11-02-2014 05:15PM

Does anyone regret moving to Canada/US/Oz in this thread? I really have no idea whats keeping me in Ireland besides visiting my parents once a month, every evening is spent eating a sandwich then staring at the tv or laptop until its time for bed, not one single thing keeping me here besides being a coward.

Alf Veedersane · 11-02-2014 05:18PM

Thargor wrote: »

Does anyone regret moving to Canada/US/Oz in this thread? I really have no idea whats keeping me in Ireland besides visiting my parents once a month, every evening is spent eating a sandwich then staring at the tv or laptop until its time for bed, not one single thing keeping me here besides being a coward.

In Australia you wouldn't need to turn on the heating when you're on the couch watching the tv. Win!

lufties · 11-02-2014 05:40PM

Thargor wrote: »

Does anyone regret moving to Canada/US/Oz in this thread? I really have no idea whats keeping me in Ireland besides visiting my parents once a month, every evening is spent eating a sandwich then staring at the tv or laptop until its time for bed, not one single thing keeping me here besides being a coward.

I don't regret going to Oz, I think getting out of the comfort zone is the way to go, wherever that may be. Its life experience, challenging yourself etc. Its not a utopia in these places but personally moving around has made me appreciate my homeland more and taught me lessons I wouldn't have learned if stayed in Ireland.

juice1304 · 11-02-2014 05:42PM

bluewolf wrote: »

And now I'm working on moving there

LoL me too moving to NRW in about eight weeks time. :P:D

tomwaterford · 11-02-2014 08:31PM

Thargor wrote: »

Does anyone regret moving to Canada/US/Oz in this thread? I really have no idea whats keeping me in Ireland besides visiting my parents once a month, every evening is spent eating a sandwich then staring at the tv or laptop until its time for bed, not one single thing keeping me here besides being a coward.

id love to go to oz...but people I would know over there are there with years and I know myself id have nothing in common with them

and im terrible at making new friends as I don't like small talk:(

mandrake04 · 12-02-2014 01:22AM

AngryHippie wrote: »

And yet understand fcuk all about it.

If you have been relying on the mainstream media for your "objective facts" then you have already fallen flat on your face as far as intelligent discussion is concerned.
They consistently display the "facts" "polls" and Statistics that suit their current viewpoint (i.e that of their owners). The only semblances of actual fact are ABC and SBS, and even then, they are usually cautious.

Enjoy your blissful ignorance

I wouldn't rely on the ABC, despite being government funded they are very Left leaning/Labor orientated. They have been caught out a few times over the last few weeks and are now under a review.

Vito Corleone · 12-02-2014 01:45AM

I haven't emigrated but I intend to. I feel I need to get away somewhere very far from here. I want to be anonymous. I've always dreamed of leaving and not telling anyone where I'm going.

Jamsiek · 12-02-2014 05:09AM

tomwaterford wrote: »

id love to go to oz...but people I would know over there are there with years and I know myself id have nothing in common with them

and im terrible at making new friends as I don't like small talk:(

You should go for it anyway while you still can. If you don't like it, you can always go back.

I was the same as you but I found that it's very easy to make friends when you are away from home as people are more open about mingling, especially if they have something on common with you.

I'm in Vancouver and have made some fantastic friends and didn't need to use small talk which I also hate.

Jamsiek · 12-02-2014 06:05AM

jank wrote: »

Standard of living is subjective of course. If one has little or no skills than one is probably better of living in Canada especially if they can avail of government services (sot sure if IEC visa allow this) but cost of living is much higher in general.

Yes Canada is more expensive than the US but it has a very high standard of living with 3 of it's cities in the top 10 most liveable cities in the world according to the Economist magazine. Much safer than the US too.
I suppose it's the same reason Scandinavian countries are the most expensive in Europe.
By the way the top US city is Honolulu at No 29.

Canada is actively looking abroad for new immigrants as it's such a huge country with so many untapped resources.

From what I hear, the US on the other hand, isn't looking for immigrants as it has unemployment problems due to the economy. However some parts are doing much better than others so it depends on where you go.

jank wrote: »

However, if you have a skill that is anyway in demand than the US has more opportunity for you to hone, develop and ultimately be more successful.

Yes but I would say this depends on what part of the US you are in.

jank wrote: »

That is not saying Canada is a bad spot. Only saying so many Irish people are going over there at the moment because of the easy availability of visa's.

If the US offered something like that in the morning, I would safely bet any amount of money that there would be greater demand for them than Canadian visas. Hence my comment about the 'poor mans US'.

I'm sure you could be right as it has better weather for instance and is cheaper to live in but the US doesn't seem to be the same land of opportunity that it used to be or they would have more visas on offer.

Don't get me wrong, I live near the border and love going down there. I would like to live there sometime in the future. I am a permanent resident in Canada and would like to get citizenship. That might help me if I have opportunities in the US too somewhere down the road.

jank wrote: »

I have heard Vancouver is a good spot, but very expensive and very tough to get a job in with so much competition.

Vancouver is a beautiful place and has a great lifestyle, the natural scenery is amazing. Mountains in the winter and beaches in the summer and it gets hot believe it or not.

It's expensive but a lot of that is down to demand. It constantly scores near the top liveable city in the world. It was No 1 an few years ago, I think it's at No 3 now but I'm not sure.

Yes the competition is very high lately, my girlfriend is out of work and finding it tough. She's an engineer so we are considering a move to Alberta as it's booming over there.

jank wrote: »

In Canada you have a handful of cities. In the US, the choice is endless. From West Coast LA, San Fran, to east Coast NY, Boston, Phili, DC down to Florida and everything in between, New Orleans, Chicago, Denver, St Paul. I just think if you give someone a choice of one or the other, most would pick the US.

Yes, Canada is much smaller population wise but the cities are all growing and the north of the country is also undergoing development due to mining and oil and gas.

I would like to live in the US sometime for the experience of another country and I've always liked it there but being an engineer I would have to adjust to the olde worlde measurements. That might take some getting used to :-)

dave3004 · 12-02-2014 06:25AM

Left in 2010 to travel and been in Melbourne since end of that year. Landed my dream job but now I'm getting worried that I'm unknowingly stuck in a rut. Have stopped travelling, miss Ireland and only reason keeping me in Oz is my job. Without it, I'd be off backpacking again.

Circle of friends diminishes very quickly once you've been abroad a while too. In the beginning it's fine but once your in your own place and paying bills etc it gets tougher.

Can't stay here forever just for a job.... Can I : )

Oranage2 · 12-02-2014 06:42AM

Thargor wrote: »

Does anyone regret moving to Canada/US/Oz in this thread? I really have no idea whats keeping me in Ireland besides visiting my parents once a month, every evening is spent eating a sandwich then staring at the tv or laptop until its time for bed, not one single thing keeping me here besides being a coward.

Come to China, it's where all the weirdos go.

wuffly · 12-02-2014 07:38AM

Thargor wrote: »

Does anyone regret moving to Canada/US/Oz in this thread? I really have no idea whats keeping me in Ireland besides visiting my parents once a month, every evening is spent eating a sandwich then staring at the tv or laptop until its time for bed, not one single thing keeping me here besides being a coward.

No regrets about leaving. (doesn't mean I don't look forward to moving home someday.) Took the opportunity to travel before settling down after leaving, not sure I'll ever get to that again, although i love the idea of driving home when we leave Dubai. I had never worked abroad before i left at 26 not even for a summer, the thought is scarier than reality just try and plan. Decided to leave on a whim after 2yrs talking about it, just reached the point where it was now or never. Knew at the end of the day if we really really hated we could always go home, not ideal but not the end of the world. Honestly if you go i don't think you'll regret it.

lufties · 12-02-2014 08:30AM

dave3004 wrote: »

Left in 2010 to travel and been in Melbourne since end of that year. Landed my dream job but now I'm getting worried that I'm unknowingly stuck in a rut. Have stopped travelling, miss Ireland and only reason keeping me in Oz is my job. Without it, I'd be off backpacking again.

Circle of friends diminishes very quickly once you've been abroad a while too. In the beginning it's fine but once your in your own place and paying bills etc it gets tougher.

Can't stay here forever just for a job.... Can I : )

I've heard a lot of Irish are leaving Oz moving back westwards for whatever reason.

stefan idiot jones · 12-02-2014 08:54AM

lufties wrote: »

I've heard a lot of Irish are leaving Oz moving back westwards for whatever reason.

Sharks?

steddyeddy · 12-02-2014 08:55AM

Corruption and cronyism and the weather.

jester77 · 12-02-2014 09:34AM

Vito Corleone wrote: »

I haven't emigrated but I intend to. I feel I need to get away somewhere very far from here. I want to be anonymous. I've always dreamed of leaving and not telling anyone where I'm going.

Go for it. The great thing about where I am is that I am anonymous. Not anonymous in the sense that I am hidden away, but anonymous in the way I am not judged and no one is talking about me behind my back or begrudging of what I have done. I can go and do my own thing and not have to worry about what others think. No nosy neighbours gossiping, family giving grief, workplace politics or nanny state laws. It's refreshing and liberating.

12-02-2014 10:17AM

jester77 wrote: »

Go for it. The great thing about where I am is that I am anonymous. Not anonymous in the sense that I am hidden away, but anonymous in the way I am not judged and no one is talking about me behind my back or begrudging of what I have done. I can go and do my own thing and not have to worry about what others think. No nosy neighbours gossiping, family giving grief, workplace politics or nanny state laws. It's refreshing and liberating.

I am all emigration it is healthy and good to see other culture's and the opportunities are sometimes better my daughter has a much better job in the uk that she would ever have here.

But your reasons are boarding on the level of paranoia, your family, neighbour's, work colleagues in fact the whole community was watching you, judging you, and talking about you?.

Electric Sheep · 12-02-2014 10:30AM

mariaalice wrote: »

I am all emigration it is healthy and good to see other culture's and the opportunities are sometimes better my daughter has a much better job in the uk that she would ever have here.

But your reasons are boarding on the level of paranoia, your family, neighbour's, work colleagues in fact the whole community was watching you, judging you, and talking about you?.

Never lived down the country then?

jester77 · 12-02-2014 11:12AM

mariaalice wrote: »

I am all emigration it is healthy and good to see other culture's and the opportunities are sometimes better my daughter has a much better job in the uk that she would ever have here.

But your reasons are boarding on the level of paranoia, your family, neighbour's, work colleagues in fact the whole community was watching you, judging you, and talking about you?.

Have you lived in Ireland all your life?

You can't do anything but someone has a comment on it. If you buy a new car, instead of congratulating you people will pass comments on it based on the year of the number plate. Too old and people will say you are cheap, too new and people will say are you trying to compensate or prove something or a rich aunt must have passed away. Go on a holiday and people will be saying, isn't it well for some that can go away instead of wishing you a good time. Get a job promotion and most people will wish you well through gritted teeth.

12-02-2014 11:24AM

A lot of this how you view it and about temperament, you don't mention how when someone dies everyone goes to the funeral, how neighbours drop around meals and generally look after the house or how family and neighbours dig in the grave, or if a mother gets cancer or a serious illness meal are made and children picked up from school all with out making a fuss or even how emigration was facility by a neighbours helping another neighbour get a start in.

Do you really want to live without any community.

12-02-2014 11:25AM

Canada sounds awesome

lufties · 12-02-2014 11:25AM

jester77 wrote: »

Go for it. The great thing about where I am is that I am anonymous. Not anonymous in the sense that I am hidden away, but anonymous in the way I am not judged and no one is talking about me behind my back or begrudging of what I have done. I can go and do my own thing and not have to worry about what others think. No nosy neighbours gossiping, family giving grief, workplace politics or nanny state laws. It's refreshing and liberating.

I romanticsise about living in Ireland in the future, but in reality I don't think I could. Being away has improved my self confidence..You get tired of all the begrudgery in Ireland, instead of just wishing people well. living there can be both suffocating and exhausting.

jester77 · 12-02-2014 11:57AM

mariaalice wrote: »

A lot of this how you view it and about temperament, you don't mention how when someone dies everyone goes to the funeral, how neighbours drop around meals and generally look after the house or how family and neighbours dig in the grave, or if a mother gets cancer or a serious illness meal are made and children picked up from school all with out making a fuss or even how emigration was facility by a neighbours helping another neighbour get a start in.

Do you really want to live without any community.

The whole funeral thing in Ireland is ridiculous. Here when someone dies, it's immediate family, mourn a few days and back to normal. None of this wake, removal, blocking the roads, funeral, meal afterwards nonsense that goes on in Ireland where the majority of the people attending barely even know the person that passed away and the people mourning are suffocated and given no time to mourn in peace. I definitely don't miss that.

As for the rest, it's no different. Community spirit is alive and well. Often have BBQs and beers with neighbours, sport together, help each other out, organise things together, like window cleaning, gardening so we get bulk deals. Community playgrounds where the children hangout together. No real difference to life in Ireland.

Legs.Eleven · 12-02-2014 11:59AM

jester77 wrote: »

Have you lived in Ireland all your life?

You can't do anything but someone has a comment on it. If you buy a new car, instead of congratulating you people will pass comments on it based on the year of the number plate. Too old and people will say you are cheap, too new and people will say are you trying to compensate or prove something or a rich aunt must have passed away. Go on a holiday and people will be saying, isn't it well for some that can go away instead of wishing you a good time. Get a job promotion and most people will wish you well through gritted teeth.

That wasn't how it was for me when I lived there. Just sayin'. Sounds like country life in absolutely every country on the face of this planet.

lufties · 12-02-2014 12:14PM

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

That wasn't how it was for me when I lived there. Just sayin'. Sounds like country life in absolutely every country on the face of this planet.

Quite possibly true actually,. I cant really compare, I did spend some time in a small town outside frankfurt and found people fine and not busy bodies, but wasn't there long enough to really make an educated opinion.

Legs.Eleven · 12-02-2014 12:16PM

Things I like about Spain and have kept me here for over 4 years:

Great weather (that is numero uno for me).

Lots of work for English teachers.

Spanish men (one man specifically)

Outgoing, warm generally friendly people. I've met so sooooo many nice people here.

Their fighting spirit. Protesting and getting your voice heard is pretty routine amongst a large proportion of the city and it's contagious. You feel like you're doing something and it's good for your mental health and confidence.

Their lust for life. This country is in serious crisis but people make the most of simple stuff like walks and having a beer with friends and simply talking.

How civilised they are. People don't get ****-faced to the point of falling over and you rarely see fights on the street. I've only felt intimidated once here.

Their directness. I have a "love/hate" relationship with this aspect of their personalities as it's contrary to what I grew up with and can be a little hard to take when you're having a bad day but generally, they don't give or take bull**** and I respect them for that. Zero falseness.

Cheap fruit and veg! Cheap everything bar rent, in fact!

Things I don't like so much would be:

Stress heads. At least in Madrid. People here are very hot-headed and arguments in public places between total strangers happens often.

Their directness. Sometimes it's not directness, it's just plain auld rudeness.

Their love of stereotyping.

Can be quite closed-minded and negative comments about foreigners would be common place.

The crisis. It's ****.

lufties · 12-02-2014 12:17PM

jester77 wrote: »

The whole funeral thing in Ireland is ridiculous. Here when someone dies, it's immediate family, mourn a few days and back to normal. None of this wake, removal, blocking the roads, funeral, meal afterwards nonsense that goes on in Ireland where the majority of the people attending barely even know the person that passed away and the people mourning are suffocated and given no time to mourn in peace. I definitely don't miss that.

As for the rest, it's no different. Community spirit is alive and well. Often have BBQs and beers with neighbours, sport together, help each other out, organise things together, like window cleaning, gardening so we get bulk deals. Community playgrounds where the children hangout together. No real difference to life in Ireland.

where are you exactly?

Legs.Eleven · 12-02-2014 12:20PM

lufties wrote: »

Quite possibly true actually,. I cant really compare, I did spend some time in a small town outside frankfurt and found people fine and not busy bodies, but wasn't there long enough to really make an educated opinion.

Do you speak German, Lufties? I ask because only when you learn a language of a country do you get a real insight as you find out what they feck they're saying ;-) That's been the case for me here. I hear the same busy-body conversations among relatives of my boyfriend that I heard at home. Hilarious.

lufties · 12-02-2014 12:22PM

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

Do you speak German, Lufties?

A bit, I can understand more than i can speak.

Your reasons for emigrating

Comments