For those of you living outside of Canada

[Toje]

Do you ever see yourself going back to Canada? I personally don't, as where I live (Czech Republic), I've got a family now and a reliable job. For me, it is home. My son was born here as well. Canada just seems like a place I visit. It will always be where I was born and grew up, but it is hard to still feel attached to the country. I'm very proud of the country, but it feels like I've been away for too long. Yes, my family all still lives there, but that is it. I haven't lived in Canada 5 years, and I've been away in various countries for 11 out of the last 14 years.

I guess I just want to hear from other people in similar situations. How long have you been away? Why are you staying where you are? Do you still feel attached to Canada?

I posted under the name Sigma, but lost my password about a year ago.

[Soju]

I'm in a similar situation. Been away for over a decade now. I'm not sure if I'll ever live in Canada again or where I'll end up settling down, but I'm Canadian and try to represent what I feel are Canadian ideals while I'm abroad.

[Saviola7]

My experience is somewhat opposite than either of yours. I was out of Canada for 6 years but have come back. Unstable personal and job situations have contributed to that though. I can imagine that I might have seriously considered staying if I landed a good job, etc.

[Canuck in Boston]

Been in Boston for the last 15 years. I am a permanent resident (green card) and qualify for citizenship in August. My 2 sons were born here. I cant see returning to Canada, although living in Boston isnt really different from living in Halifax. The cities are pretty much the same there is just more to do in Boston if you so choose.

I am still very attached to Canada. Some might say too attached. I watch TV via my Bell satellite dish.

[Soccerpro]

Been in Boston for the last 15 years. I am a permanent resident (green card) and qualify for citizenship in August. My 2 sons were born here. I cant see returning to Canada, although living in Boston isnt really different from living in Halifax. The cities are pretty much the same there is just more to do in Boston if you so choose.

I am still very attached to Canada. Some might say too attached. I watch TV via my Bell satellite dish.

I'm from N.S, I would give my left nut to live in Boston. Plus, you're only a short drive from those wonderful giant N.H liquor stores and the ridiculous "live free or die" plates in that state.

[Unnamed Trialist]

I've been away for 24 years, all the time in Barcelona.

I go back summers to teach now, for the last 5 years, so have a foot back in the door. Also have many new friends in Canada, many of whom are people who have looked me up in BCN over the years.

The day my wife's parents are no longer around, which could be soon or not so soon, I would consider coming back. For at least a year, put my kid in high school and get my pension up. My friends in Vancouver say yes, come back, but don't come back for more than a year or two!! Meaning don't underestimate what it means to live in BCN, which maybe I do at times.

Visca Barça and Go Caps!!

[BearcatSA]

Based on some of the current selections of the German...er, USMNT by Klinsmann, we need to have more ex-pats fathering kids in soccer hotbeds of the world! (he says with tongue firmly planted in cheek)

[amacpher]

Net - migration from Mexico to the USA is now zero, so yeah, I would imagine not that many people want to move to Boston from Canada.

Personally I do not see myself moving back to Canada. Almost all my friends are here in New York since I suck at maintaining long-distance friendships over many, many years. So short-term: no. Long-term/retirement: also no. I sure as hell would not stay here for retirement, but if I'm starting over again anyway, I sure as hell wouldn't go back to Ottawa either. This is the only world we're ever going to live in, so might as well live in as many different places as possible, especially if you're no longer tied down with a job. So yeah, long-term probably move to Europe or South America (depending how much/little money I have).

The health-care issue is not really an issue unless you don't have a job. And please stop calling Universal health care "Free health care". That's like calling car insurance "free". Just because its mandatory to have it, doesn't mean its free. I think every civilized country should have health care but it's damn expensive!

[Soccerpro]

Net - migration from Mexico to the USA is now zero, so yeah, I would imagine not that many people want to move to Boston from Canada.

Personally I do not see myself moving back to Canada. Almost all my friends are here in New York since I suck at maintaining long-distance friendships over many, many years. So short-term: no. Long-term/retirement: also no. I sure as hell would not stay here for retirement, but if I'm starting over again anyway, I sure as hell wouldn't go back to Ottawa either. This is the only world we're ever going to live in, so might as well live in as many different places as possible, especially if you're no longer tied down with a job. So yeah, long-term probably move to Europe or South America (depending how much/little money I have).

The health-care issue is not really an issue unless you don't have a job. And please stop calling Universal health care "Free health care". That's like calling car insurance "free". Just because its mandatory to have it, doesn't mean its free. I think every civilized country should have health care but it's damn expensive!

But how on earth will people ever be able to respond to someone who states they like living in the U.S or that they have a higher quality of life living in the U.S without being able to shout free health care every sentence!

[Joe MacCarthy]

But how on earth will people ever be able to respond to someone who states they like living in the U.S or that they have a higher quality of life living in the U.S without being able to shout free health care every sentence!

Just wondering why these people who are so happy in the US are still trolling Canadian internet forums. Miss the auld country?