Are you currently living in the UK and planning to immigrate to Canada for work or study purposes? Although, both Canada and the UK are two welcoming and remarkable countries with high standards of education, and employment opportunities, among other benefits. However, immigrating to Canada from the UK is a great decision even though there are some factors you’ll have to consider.
Immigrating to Canada is a dream of every foreigner planning to start a new life abroad. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a country with diverse natural beauty, high-quality healthcare, and educational systems? Furthermore, Canada has one of the easiest and simplest immigration programs compared to many other countries.
Canada has over 90 immigration pathways including skilled worker programs, student visas, business visas, and many others. Although, it may be impossible to say Canada is better than the UK because every country has its distinctive characteristics and differences. But based on what your demands may be, there are some significant differences.
For instance, you will likely find expensive and affordable cities in both Canada and the UK. Even though the cost of living in Canada is greatly lower than in the UK. It will be in your best interest to base your research on some factors before deciding to immigrate to Canada from the UK.
In this article, we’ll discuss some factors you should consider before immigrating to Canada from the UK, so Read on.
Factors To Consider Before Immigrating to Canada From The UK
Generally, relocating from one country to another is a tedious job. Therefore, before you decide to immigrate to Canada from the UK, you should consider the kind of income you’ll make, household bills, and the cost of living, among other things. Listed below are some factors to consider.
1. Housing
Canada is the second largest country in the world, so immigrating here can be tedious and challenging, but eventually, it’ll be worth it. Therefore, securing good and affordable accommodation in Canada should be at the top of your priority list. One major difference in the housing market is that space is abundant in Canada.
Compare this to the UK where it’s a premium and you’ll notice the difference. Canada has an abundance of land, so most of the homes are with large plots of land. Just like every other country, Canada has some costly places to live in such as the major cities of Vancouver and British Columbia.
The average price per square meter for a house here is $13,574 or £8,750 and in Toronto, an apartment costs $12,585 or £8,113 per square meter. However, if you want to save some money, you should consider moving to the suburbs and smaller towns instead. Such areas include Saint John in New Brunswick, with houses priced at an average of $171,592, and Greater Moncton, priced at $174,832.
2. Salaries
Salary/wage plays a significant role in determining the kind and quality of life one can live. However, the majority of immigrants moving to Canada do it solely for job opportunities. If you are contemplating Immigrating to Canada from the UK, you should consider your potential earnings.
Canada doesn’t joke with education and the skill sets you possess, which is a crucial factor when considering who is permitted to enter the country. Furthermore, your salary will greatly depend on your educational qualifications and experience. Meanwhile, the average annual salary in Canada is around $75, 000 (£43,895) compared to the UK which is around £35,500 ($60,650).
3. Groceries Shopping
It’s usually costly to buy groceries and meals in Canada because many of their foods are imported. However, having outdoor fun and eating out is cheaper in Canada compared to the UK. This suggests that British people need to be more economical than their Canadian counterparts when considering eating out.
The pattern is still there when engaging in leisure activities like going to the movies. For instance, going on movie dates and shopping for clothes and other items cost more in the UK than in Canada.
4. Household Bills
Generally, you’ll spend a significant part of your monthly expenses on water, heating, and electricity irrespective of whether you are in Canada or the UK. It’s a known fact that Canada experiences colder winters than most of the UK, which will have a big impact on your heating costs. However, if you rent an apartment in Canada, the heating and hot water bills are often included with the rent.
Keep in mind that energy prices are rising in the UK and this has led to higher gas and electricity bills in the past year. The current rate of electricity bills in the UK is outrageous.
5. Basic Healthcare
As a permanent resident in Canada, you are entitled to a great deal of basic healthcare. Medicare is provided through universal public health insurance and is available to Canadian citizens. Furthermore, It guarantees that most health conditions are covered and that others, like optometry, are affordable.
This health program is similar to the NHS including all of its benefits. However, if you are a temporary resident, you’ll have to purchase private insurance because you won’t have access to this free service. Therefore, if you are immigrating to Canada from the UK, you should plan a package that includes medical insurance to cut down on your health expenses.
6. Transportation
Access to efficient and dependable public transportation is a must to ease your daily activities. Canada offers a great deal of public transportation systems, these may include subways, buses, and streetcars. In addition, each city has its own provider that is user-friendly, active, clean, and punctual.
However, in the UK, local buses have been the major source of public transportation serving multitudes over the past years. Trains and taxis are also popular options for getting around the cities. The cost of public transportation in the UK is slightly higher than in Canada. As Canada is a vast country, many residents choose to drive and fuel costs should be taken into account. Petrol costs in Canada are £1.00 per liter, which is cheaper than the £1.55 per liter in the UK.
Benefits of Immigrating to Canada
Immigrating to Canada from the UK has a whole lot of benefits and most of them will directly enhance the quality of life of immigrants and their families. These benefits include free healthcare, high-standard education, employment opportunities, and life in a pollution-free and safe environment. Listed below are some of the benefits of immigrating to Canada from the UK.
1. Safe Environment
In Canada, you can live in a calm, safe, and pollution-free environment. Crime rates are also relatively low and Canadian society is large, peace-loving, tolerant, and open to diversity. This is also one of the major reasons why lots of foreigners globally are attracted to Canada and will continue to immigrate there. In addition, compared to other developed countries, Canada has strict gun laws.
2. Robust economy
Canada’s economy is growing steadily, ensuring vast career opportunities for immigrants. It is one of the most powerful economies in the world. Canada’s economy has shown an annual growth rate and is one of the richest countries in the world. The country is also a member of powerful organizations such as NAFTA, G8, and OECD.
3. Scenic place
Canada is a place blessed with incredible natural beauty, where some of the world’s most scenic places are located. These include Niagra Falls in Ontario, River Capilano in British Columbia, and the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. Another of the major benefits of Canadian immigration is that the immigrants can enjoy the natural beauty of Canada.
Conclusion
Canada and the UK are both welcoming countries, with Canada being more liberal and generous while the UK is a bit more austere. Although very similar when it comes to providing plenty of international opportunities, the countries drastically differ on many terms. However, Canada is a better place to immigrate to in recent years considering its plenty of conveniences and preferable options.