There came a point when we decided we had to leave the UK.
As anyone might imagine, it’s a huge decision to leave behind everyone and everything you know and relocate to a different country. Aside from the logistical difficulties which were immense there were significant financial outlays just to apply for visas. Then there was the emotional toll, not least on our children, and the sheer risk involved in starting again. It is, as they say, a big deal.
But we did it. As of the middle of March 2013 my wife, two young children and I became permanent residents of Canada specifically a small but growing city in Ontario, about an hour’s drive from the heaving mass of humanity that is Toronto. It’s very exciting but also utterly, utterly terrifying.
Part of the process of leaving was coping with the questions from people we knew, many of whom were themselves interested in emigrating. Some said we had inspired them and many, many said they would do the same thing but didn’t feel able to. Some were friendly yet envious and a few were jealous and even a little nasty. It was an eye-opener.
It’s important to understand that we have moved for positive reasons. We wanted to go somewhere; not to leave anywhere. Several times, people muttered to me about “Broken Britain” and how I was doing the right thing. Each time I didn’t get involved in the conversation. I love Scotland and I will miss it. I’m not running away from anything.
We’ve moved for family reasons. Since October 1 1974, my family has had members in Ontario, sometimes returning to Scotland or even swapping places but always with at least one person over here. In the late 90s my parents and sisters made the move, leaving me behind as I didn’t feel ready to join them. More recently, a family member had a significant illness and is doing well now but my wife and I felt so very far away, so a big decision was made.
I admit I won’t miss the Scottish rain or the fuel prices. Some things are more expensive here but, with all the big houses and cars and dozens of other factors, the quality of life comparison, I’m afraid, tends to favour Canada.
So for us, the idea of moving to a country famed for politeness and positivity, with a culture of hard work and plain-speaking, became irresistible. Being close to our family was the main reason but the destination had to be right and it is. Some people seemed to think I would need to build a log cabin upon arrival, but having trailblazers here before us has helped. We were simply picked up at the airport and installed in the family home, which even had the right cartoon characters on the children’s bedclothes. The real challenge is how we fit in.
Yes, we felt we had to leave the UK, but not because we wanted to leave it behind. Like so many before us, we wanted to see what was over the next horizon because we thought there might be an opportunity there.
Wish us luck.