Thanks for your question!

As for standard of living, I haven’t live in Europe in a few years myself but each time I go visit my parents in France, I notice that prices are generally higher there. Groceries, housing, insurances etc. is cheaper in Canada.

Yes, heating bills are more in the winter. However, we try our best to reduce it by adding a few blankets, not using the air-con too much in the summer etc.

It also depends where you plan to live. Toronto is always more expensive. Ottawa is a bit cheaper but it’s still a bubble, since a lot of people living there have a steady and relatively higher income thanks to government jobs.

Money-wise, I’m pretty sure that if you can survive in Europe, you can survive in Canada. But the psychological aspect of moving back to Canada may be tougher.

I’m sure the country changed since you lived there, and it hasn’t, well, you may have You are bound to feel some disappointments because you may feel your dream life there may not be as good. It’s basically a new experience for you.

If I were you, I’d come here for a little trip, see if I can meet some old friends, check the standard of living etc. And then I’d make a decision. Places change, people change…

Good luck!

@zunnur – It takes time to everybody actually… I mean, even Americans or British, who are closer to Canadian culture, experience come culture shock.

@Brenda – Granted, Canada has the best heat system!

@Gail at Large – And it’s fascinating too, I find. Yes, adapting is tough but at the same time, it’s such a cool and unique experience…

@Celine – Sure, I’d love to share!

You know, I tell newcomers that the best guides are not really the native (as in, born-and-raised local) people, it’s the other newcomers who arrived recently and the experiences are fresh.

I’ve expatriated myself several times (Australia, UK, and USA), and wasn’t born in Canada, so I know the feeling of being foreign even though I didn’t have to learn a new language. (Although, in Australia and the UK, it was like learning a new language!) It’s a feeling of isolation, but eventually you figure out how to get around, make some friends, and it gets easier.

@Peter McCartney – Canada does have a lot in common with OZ, and it’s somehow at the same time the opposite. Trade beaches for forests and lakes, summer for winter etc. I loved OZ!

@Seraphine – Nah, they don’t eat us. They have poutine and beavertails!

@Sidney – One day, why not?

@durano lawayan – I really hope it helps some, I had trouble finding info when I first came to Canada. Besides, it’s fun to share experience and knowledge!

@shionge – You would be just fine, you seem to love traveling and therefor, I bet you adapt well!

@Aiglee – You seem to have survive just fine!

@Cori – Oh, I trust you on that, each province has its own culture and I bet I’d have to learn some skills again if I were to move to Alberta or Saskatchewan! I went to Manitoba last year and so many things were different: shops, companies, local lingo, weather etc. It’s really funny!

@Khengsiong – I don’t miss French food much, except for the cheese I guess. And I can find Chinese food really easily, plus I’m living with a Chinese-Canadian so it’s not an issue. I actually get sick of rice pretty quickly! Food has never been a huge issue to me, besides, I cook a lot.