I wanna move to Canada

[GQBlues]

...By the way, hubby warmed up to Canada! yay

That's good to know Aloe...If and when you both do make the move, I hope he stays that way because Vancouver rivals Washington in terms of rainy days...Personally, I like Vancouver very much.
 
Anyway, yes Misha and all the other Canadians we have on the site can definitely give you good input and/or information about the location. I suggest maybe also getting Boethius' opinion on the matter.
 
Here's a nice little site that gives a(n) glimpse/idea of the cost of living there...
 
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Canada&city=Vancouver
 
Good luck.

[datingada]

so sad but its problem to all people but it is your life so best of luck.

[Eduard]

The best thing about living in Canada is that you can get in your car and drive down to Florida for the winter! 

[Misha]

The best thing about living in Canada is that you can get in your car and drive down to Florida for the winter! 

knowing that you can always LEAVE Florida....

[Eduard]

knowing that you can always LEAVE Florida....

but even if you could leave Florida, where would you go? 

[Anotherkiwi]

but even if you could leave Florida, where would you go? 

New Zealand!
 
(Just a shame that you can't drive all the way from Florida...) 

[Eduard]

Misha, I hope you didn't take offence at my joke? I love Canadians, just don't like cold weather!

[Misha]

but even if you could leave Florida, where would you go? 

Southern France

[Donhollio]

I wanna move to Canada! Yesterday we were watching the news and it suddenly struck me. I just don't see this as a good place to raise children (this place being Belgium). There is no nature here. You have to drive far away to get to nature. I don't want my kiddies to grow up only seeing nature once a year. And i want them to play in the snow, riding on their butts on plastic baggies or other plastic objects from a snowy mountain like we used to. Snow is tons of fun for kids. You can build stuff from it, you can roll around in it, you can ride off snowy hills and mountains. I just have so many wonderful memories related to playing in the snow. There is like no snow here.  If it snows it either melts immediately or the next day. But that's just half the problem. The main thing is the lack of nature. There are just crop fields, pastures and houses here. I haven't seen nature in years. Kiddies walking outside and there is nothing there, just houses and crop fields all around, all you can do is walk on the roads between them. No room to play anywhere and no nature. It's awful.

Did i mention, Belgium has some of the worst air pollution in europe and gets warnings from Europe about it. And there are like 5 nuclear stations within like 300 km of each other... if one of the dozens of reactors goes leaking, this entire country goes to hell..
Or if economy collapses you die from starvation, cuz there is no nature, so you can't hunt for food. You can only grow some stuff on your tiny piece of land. But we don't have any land.

I really really wanna move to Canada.

I wonder if i moved to Canada, if i wouldn't wanna move somewhere else a couple of years later. I seem to like moving I wonder if this means i'm failing to integrate in Belgium. I just don't like it here much.

Hubby says he doesn't wanna move, because of the uncertainty, and it's too scary and unknown and that he doesn't wanna leave 'everything we have' here. Lol. Everything we have being like a few pieces of furniture.

[Leelou]

It's crazy, if I would believe everything that Aloe writes, I would simply not recognize my own country...

Where the hell do you live in Belgium, if I may ask? 'Cause nothing that you say seems even close to the place where I live in (I am 15min by car from the center of Brussels).

I lived in many countries around Western and Eastern Europe during the last 7 years, and I came back to Belgium this year because it is a great place where to have family and to raise children.

The country is small and so you can reach everything easily. You never spend more than 2 hours by car to go somewhere. There is no super megapoles that suck out your energy but still Brussels is big and interesting enough not to feel in a village. It is a very international city, you hear plenty of people speaking different languages there and so for a foreigner you never feel like an Alien.
There is nature in Belgium, some places in the South are even part of world patrimony. There is the sea in the North, do a 1 hour drive and you have the Dutch countryside. Some places in Germany are great too with the Black Forest and it's all close, never any long travel, actually this is a reason why so many foreigners love this country, it's because it's so close to everything. And you can go to London, Paris and Amsterdam in less than 2 hours of train.

Level of life in Belgium is very high, I still haven't lived in a place that offers better services on the long run.
The social security system is one of the best and most generous in the world, healthcare is of high standard. the cost of life is way lower than the one of the countries around. An average flat in one of the best neighbourhoods of Brussels is around 700 euros per month, knowing that the average income is of 1700 euros per month. If you're both working, you can afford to live in great places without any harm for your wallet. Food is overall of good quality and way cheaper than in other places. I was in London during the last 2 years and over there I was spending 2 times more money for food that was of lower quality!!

I don't think the quality of the air or environment is worst than in any big city or place in Russia/Europe. I actually do think big cities in Russia are extremely bad for health. And talking about a place like London, I was terrified by what I saw... shit houses with bad conditions, high level of crime, never ending pollution, ecc,...

I choose to go back to Belgium because I couldn't see another place in Europe right now that could allow me to create a family and have projects. Here I can have a life of great standards with a normal salary, something that is nearly impossible to achieve in any other capital of Europe. Actually in other western big cities, it's even impossible to afford a flat for yourself alone, you always have to share because it's so expensive. Not here. Brussels is also not lost in the world like some places in Norway or Sweden. From here I can go anywhere in Europe in less than 2 hours. We are at the heart of Europe and it's great.
Welfare is so that I don't have to worry about gettting good insurances for my family and children, there are good universities (there are not the best in the world but I studied in 4 different unis in Europe including the UK and I can say the level of Belgian unis is good), I know we have good hospitals with great value everywhere, it's rare to have to do more than one hour of drive to find good medical services here.

Concerning the snow... I know this year we didn't get anything enjoyable... but I remember last year we had mountains of snow, the whole country was blocked, how can you say there is no winter fun then??

I know Belgium is not perfect. I lived 7 years abroad so I also truly enjoy what other places have to offer... but when I hear that Belgium is no good place to raise children and start a family... I really don't know what you need, and I guess you don't either.

Cheers.

[Leelou]

"There is no snow in Belgium..."

I hope you look by your window today,
-> http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/belgique/2012-02-03/plus-de-1100-km-de-bouchons-un-record-894862.php

 

[GQBlues]

Leelou-
 
I do not doubt your sentiments about Belgium, but do realize every individual have their own personal likes/dislikes, etc...It may well be that Aloe's sentiment about Belgium runs parallel to your sentiment towards other countries, more notably London/UK. You made your choice, and I believe she's just trying to make her own. So, cut her some slack.

[Leelou]

I do not criticize the fact she might dislike Belgium, as she is totally free to do so, even in a manner that is not objective if this is how she feels it.
However, I just don't agree with posting information that is simply untrue.

From what she writes, I can see she has difficulties to adapt, which is sad... but when I read her posts, I also wonder if she really tries to (and maybe her husband doesn't help her that much with that too, but that only her can tell).

BTW, I love London, I think it's a great city. But I criticized the fact it's not a city where to raise children properly, mainly due to the very expensive cost of life, the high level of crime and the lack of good healthcare facilities. And I opposed that with Belgium which is the opposite (but is way more boring than London, I admit that )

[Misha]

"There is no snow in Belgium..."

I hope you look by your window today,
-> http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/belgique/2012-02-03/plus-de-1100-km-de-bouchons-un-record-894862.php

 

"durement touchée par les embarras de circulation survenus après la chute de quelques centimètres de neige."

 


Pour nous, dans mon petit coin du Canada, quelques centimètres de neige est à peine un saupoudrage de neige 

[Leelou]

"durement touchée par les embarras de circulation survenus après la chute de quelques centimètres de neige."

 


Pour nous, dans mon petit coin du Canada, quelques centimètres de neige est à peine un saupoudrage de neige 

If you read well my post, I never said nor even pretended there was more snow in Belgium than Canada...
I just reacted to her saying "There is like no snow here". That is untrue, on va pas chicaner pour une question de centimètres?

By the way, I am also quite surprised that the quantity of snow per year suddenly became the first argument discussed concerning good environment and ecucation for children and family. But I might live in another type of reality.... or maybe it's just I'm not Canadian (only joking  ).

[Misha]

Sorry Leelou, the article you posted about Belgium falling into crisis over a few centimeters of snow was too funny to pass on. It is almost as bad as Vancouver after a dusting of snow.

[Leelou]

Sorry Leelou, the article you posted about Belgium falling into crisis over a few centimeters of snow was too funny to pass on. It is almost as bad as Vancouver after a dusting of snow.

Well I understand, but what's the point in comparing a country that is geographically and culturally a winter country to typical western one?
It's like if someone would say that there is never sun in Canada, and then an Italian comes laughing...

Still it doesn't answer to the question about the fact why Belgium would have to be considered a bad country where to raise children because there is less snow than in canada/Russia... Sorry to insist on that point, but it seemed to me that was the main part of the conversation 

[Misha]

Quite simple: if you have warm childhood memories of skiing and skating and sledding down snow covered hills then you will often want the same for your children. Aloe clearly falls in this category and rightly considers that Canada can give her that as well as good schools, health care and so forth, no worse than Belgium.

[Leelou]

Quite simple: if you have warm childhood memories of skiing and skating and sledding down snow covered hills then you will often want the same for your children. Aloe clearly falls in this category and rightly considers that Canada can give her that as well as good schools, health care and so forth, no worse than Belgium.

She doesn't say that, she writes

"... just don't see this as a good place to raise children (this place being Belgium). There is no nature here. You have to drive far away to get to nature. I don't want my kiddies to grow up only seeing nature once a year... But that's just half the problem. The main thing is the lack of nature. There are just crop fields, pastures and houses here. No room to play anywhere and no nature. It's awful...I wonder if i moved to Canada, if i wouldn't wanna move somewhere else a couple of years later. I seem to like moving I wonder if this means i'm failing to integrate in Belgium. I just don't like it here much..."

Another user replied to her that seen what she posts, Belgium is not the problem.

I already explained the lack of nature in Belgium is untrue. I grew up in Belgium and lived there 20 years, I have thousands of memories of being in nature and playing around, including in the snow. Our family's albums are full of this. This is why I asked her where does she live in Belgium because I really want to know the name of that place that is so awful as she describes

If her desire was to have the same for her children as during her childhood...why did she decide to leave Russia?

As I said previously, I do not question the fact she might dislike Belgium, I can understand not everybody can like here... but when I see her posts mentioning things me a born-and-raised Belgian do not know about and also informations about severe lacks in her process of integration... I do wonder if her desire to always change and move is not influenced by things inside of her that make her unhappy, rather than the real conditions of the country she's currently living in.

I am not sure about her, but from what she writes, I have more the impression of a person that is insecure and unsure about her life, and those people generally encounter problems everywhere they live as long as they didn't asked to themselves the right questions. I doubt the inner qualities of Canada would change that. She might then complain about the lack of sun and decide to move to Spain...

[Misha]

I have thousands of memories of being in nature and playing around, including in the snow.

How long did the snow last? According to Belgium's own data the average low temperatures don't even drop below zero degrees in the winter. Clearly, whatever few centimeters of snow does fall will melt within a few hours or days    How many memories do you have of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing do you have? 


Clearly, you like Belgium, and that is a good thing. However, Aloe should get some slack. She is frustrated and this certainly involves more than the lack of snow...

[Leelou]

Well none of my memories includes snow-fun that will match with your Canadian standards, that will always be the case 
But I can assure you I have many good winter memories in my childhood, including snow-battles, skiing and snowmen building. At least, nothing that makes me feel like winter was a bad season for me when I was a child

I agree with your last statement. But then the reason why I reacted is that I feel her frustration might come from something different than just the Belgian conditions she's always bashing on. For example, she also mentioned the problem of teh language, that she feels isolated... but you know, in the Brussels-region everything is available in French/Dutch/English/German, and Brussels is the city of Europe where the most languages are spoken and where publishing is available in a high quantity of languages... That's just an example, but I simply wonder if she really lives in a decent region of Belgium that would allow her a wmoother adaption.

My fiancée is gonna join me in Belgium, and for me I don't imagine in the first years living in any other place than Brussels. Especially because it is an international city, with a multi-cultural and multi-lingual atmosphere that will allow her to find easier activity in English and that will gives her opportunity not to feel like the only foreigner in town.

I really-really would like to know the region/city where she lives, it might give many answers to those questions.

[jeff9556]

Loads of people who move to other countries go through a period of hating it. I know I did, and many other immigrants I know say the same thing. The important thing is to get over it and start seeing the good things, and to stop seeing the different things as bad things.

Nothing seems quite like home, but eventually that changes and you start to feel like the new place is home. It took me quite a few years to get that feeling. I would still prefer to live in my own country, but right now that's not an option for me so I just get on with it and make the most of what I have here.

As for this idea about raising children in the snow etc, look around, I bet there are many awesome things the kids enjoy right there, where you are now, kids always have a good time. You can visit the snow any winter you like, but for goodness sake chin up and look forward. Your demeanor is far more important in child raising than the weather.

[Leelou]

Loads of people who move to other countries go through a period of hating it. I know I did, and many other immigrants I know say the same thing. The important thing is to get over it and start seeing the good things, and to stop seeing the different things as bad things.

Nothing seems quite like home, but eventually that changes and you start to feel like the new place is home. It took me quite a few years to get that feeling. I would still prefer to live in my own country, but right now that's not an option for me so I just get on with it and make the most of what I have here.

As for this idea about raising children in the snow etc, look around, I bet there are many awesome things the kids enjoy right there, where you are now, kids always have a good time. You can visit the snow any winter you like, but for goodness sake chin up and look forward. Your demeanor is far more important in child raising than the weather.

+1000

Thanks for posting, I started to feel alone when I said not only snow matters in child raising 

[Misha]

+1000

Thanks for posting, I started to feel alone when I said not only snow matters in child raising 

True, but different people have different preferences. You like Belgium, that is fine, but why does Aloe have to like Belgium? I would not want to live in a tropical country or one where it rains continually, even if many fine children are raised there. Others of course think differently. Aloe expressed her preference for snow, and that is her right....

[Leelou]

True, but different people have different preferences. You like Belgium, that is fine, but why does Aloe have to like Belgium? I would not want to live in a tropical country or one where it rains continually, even if many fine children are raised there. Others of course think differently. Aloe expressed her preference for snow, and that is her right....

You might not have read well my posts because I said many times it's fine for her not to like Belgium, even if sometimes (if not often) her critics are based on informations that are not true.

However, to declare that a country is not a good place where to raise children on the basis of idle arguments and facts such as the quantity of snow during winter is highly questionable. And as jeff said, weather is not the most important thing when it comes to raise children, but their parents' equilibrium is. And when I read Aloe's posts, I have several questions about it.