I moved from the UK to Canada – it’s expensive but has better weather

A British expat has revealed four things people should know when considering moving to Canada.

Research has shown that the North American nation is the most desirable destination for people who want to relocate from their home country.

Expat Alex Minion moved from Manchester, England, to Vancouver, Canada, in 2023, and has no regrets, telling MailOnline she will be extending her two-year visa to remain in the country for longer.

Here she reveals why her new Canadian home has ‘enriched’ her life and why the country’s weather may surprise people – it’s not the snowscape many might imagine it being.

Read on for more – and scroll down to vote for the country you’d most like to emigrate to…  

Anticipate an outdoors lifestyle

Alex’s first tip is to expect a very different way of living. 

She explains: ‘Since moving to Vancouver, my lifestyle has become much more focused on outdoor activities. 

‘There is a lot more sunshine than in a typical English summer, which is great, and it means you can enjoy the stunning scenery, hike around mountains, lakes, and trails, or sit on a beach or on a bar’s outdoor patio enjoying the weather.’

Get stuck into sports 

Alex says: ‘People in the city are very active, and it’s infectious – I started running after the move, tried surfing, and learned to ski in winter because some of the world’s best mountains for skiing are so close!’

 Moving to Vancouver has enriched my life with outdoor adventures and new experiences Alex – UK expat in Canada 

Relationships will change 

‘While I enjoy the outdoor activities, I do miss my old community and the irreplaceable connections with friends and family,’ adds the expat. 

‘Adjusting to a new social circle can be challenging despite the exciting lifestyle changes.’

Consider the cost-of-living 

Alex notes: ‘Living in Vancouver comes with its challenges, notably the high cost of living. Expenses can mount quickly, and budgeting becomes crucial as money might not stretch as far as it did back home.

‘Moving to Vancouver has enriched my life with outdoor adventures and new experiences, yet weighing these against the emotional and financial considerations of leaving behind a familiar community and adjusting to the higher cost of living is essential.’ 

Canada is the No.1 choice for those looking to relocate

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Relocation experts at 1st Move International analysed Google search data to determine the countries people are most interested in moving to – and Canada was the No.1 choice in 74 countries.

It used Google Keyword Planner to find the number of searches for relocating, moving, and houses in each country to reveal the most-searched-for nations.

Canada was put in first place thanks to an impressive 1.5million hits, with 1st Move International stating: ‘Canada is a diverse country with a high quality of life. 

‘Along with publicly funded healthcare and education, Canada boasts stunning natural beauty. 

‘However, Canada has a high cost of living, especially if you are living in a city.’

The data found that Canada was closely followed in the relocation ranking by Australia (second), New Zealand (third), Spain (fourth), and the UK (fifth).

In sixth place was Portugal with Japan (seventh), Germany (eighth), France (ninth) and Switzerland (tenth) rounding out the top 10.

UK residents were most likely to want to move to the United States followed by Australia (second), the United Arab Emirates (third), Canada (fourth) and new Zealand (fifth). 

You can find the research in full here: www.shipit.co.uk.