Move to Canada or stay in HK

[RMDNC]

You and your wife have much more upside in terms of career opportunities in Canada (also consider the US). Additionally, you have a much greater opportunity to improve your quality of life. Living in a house instead of small apartment in a high rise is a world of a difference IMO. Your kids will also have a much better upbringing in North America. I can't think of any benefits to staying in HK in your case unless there are other factors which you have not stated for even wanting to stay rather than making a change.

[orel100x]

Probably still not as expensive as HK! Or for the same price as what you are paying in HK you will get probably four times the size.

But obviously other costs involved, such as you may need a car, higher taxes, colder weather, etc etc.

Pros and cons for everywhere really.

Really depends. If I move to Canada, my financial situation would deteriorate considerably. The property would be cheaper, but the kind of work I do commands much smaller salaries over there from what I understand. Also, I hate winter. So I'm staying put

The original author of the discussion should do his due diligence.

[pin]

Really depends. If I move to Canada, my financial situation would deteriorate considerably. The property would be cheaper, but the kind of work I do commands much smaller salaries over there from what I understand. Also, I hate winter. So I'm staying put

The original author of the discussion should do his due diligence.

No doubt, each to their own. I would be in a similar situation to you as well if I were to leave HK. With all its problems, HK does have some very good advantages.

[Kowloon Goon]

"Your kids will also have a much better upbringing in North America."

[Cornmeal]

Keep in mind Canada's taxes will be much higher although you do get additional publics services but not all places are equal.

As for your wife you need to look seriously at whether or not she can get her degree recognized. I met a GP from Egypt who just began a new degree of study because it was so difficult getting his credentials recognized. Likely this depends on the issuing country but each province has their own rules and process.

While you may want to move to one of Canada's big cities, Montreal is out (unless you speak French, in which case bienvenue!) leaving Toronto (pricey housing), Vancouver (even pricier housing), Calgary, Regina, and Winnipeg. Out of those last 3 I'd go with Calgary it's the only one that gets relief during the frigid (~-40C) winter prairie temps. Seriously winters are long and brutal.

However you're more likely to find job in the smaller cities and towns where there is some sort of booming industry/development happening, so many people want to come to Canada to work and become residents/citizens the competition is fierce and they all want to live in the urban centers so those willing to venture out into the vast rural landscapes (80%+ of the county) might have a better chance of landing something. You both belong to desirable skill categories but again it depends on their origin, having worked in HK will probably be in your favour.

Do extensive research, as others have mentioned Canada is massive and varies a lot from place to place as does the ease of finding a job and immigrating.

[civil_servant]

While you may want to move to one of Canada's big cities, Montreal is out (unless you speak French, in which case bienvenue!) leaving Toronto (pricey housing), Vancouver (even pricier housing), Calgary, Regina, and Winnipeg. Out of those last 3 I'd go with Calgary it's the only one that gets relief during the frigid (~-40C) winter prairie temps. Seriously winters are long and brutal.

Ottawa is also nice, high household incomes and property prices are OK. Still frigid though.
Another area is the Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph region. Similar weather as Toronto.

[Golem]

There are a lot of similarities between Canada and Australia. They both have high taxes but more social services. Property in the major cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Vancouver and Toronto is very expensive. Not quite HK like but far too much for what you are getting. Both governments have taken measures to cool the property market by taxing foreign investors and implementing things like vacancy taxes. Both countries have received a lot of immigration so the main cities have lots of different cultures however it gets lily white in a hurry once you get out of the cities. In my opinion, you get better schooling in Hong Kong but there's more pressure for kids to perform academically and it's not cheap. Kids that are not high achievers academically will likely be happier in either Australia and Canada and there's better support for those needing help. Lifestyle in both countries is less centered around work and leisure pursuits are more important. From Canada, you have closer access to Europe, US and Latin America. From Australia, it's easier to go to Asia. Both countries have a big car culture and you can drive forever in many directions. The biggest difference is climate and cultural, winter is a big thing in Canada. If you don't like the cold, it's misery from October to April. Vancouver, Victoria are warmer but rainier in winter and high property prices. The East Coast is colder, snowier and somewhat cheaper. Popular sports are north american(american football, baseball, basketball and of course hockey). In my opinion, the weather is better in Australia and the culture is closer to the UK with rugby, cricket, OZ rules being the main sports. Great for watersports, golf, cycling etc... Can get wicked hot in the summer with days over 40C and you can still have a taste of winter in the Victorian Alps or if you go to NZ.

Best to at least take an extended holiday to get a feel for it. No one can advise you on how you will feel. If you grew up in a warm climate, you're likely to enjoy Australia more. After HK, you will feel like you are getting raped on taxes in both countries and if you have private health insurance, you're likely to find it a bit hard to go back to public hospitals. In Canada(like HK), you can wait for months and even years for elective surgery, scans etc... Of course, if you're willing to pay or you have private insurance then there are no issues.

[GeoTommy]

Also take internet speeds into consideration—depending on your work / browsing requirements / streaming habits of course:

Australia ranks 50th in the world for internet speeds

[Jaz Paul]

My younger brother in Australia rung me last week to tell me that his wife was pregnant and also to get some general advice from me. I'm no doctor but I was appalled to know that their doctor hadnt prescribed her folic acid which is widely believed to support a healthy pregnancy , at least in the earlier stages.

As I've mentioned earlier, public medical system in hk is far more reliable and effectively beyond comparison IMO.

He told me he pays over 30000 AUD per year (roughly 175000HKD) in taxes.

[Cornmeal]

Ottawa is also nice, high household incomes and property prices are OK. Still frigid though.
Another area is the Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph region. Similar weather as Toronto.

Yes, Ottawa is nice (not too pricey, lots of bike paths, easy to get out into the countryside), but again you may need some French depending on the employer/industry, also just as brutally cold as MTL.