Is Canada a Better Place Than the UAE / Gulf?

[21Goose]

Hi ,

I am staying Dubai now for 6 years and my husband like 12 years. We are debating on moving to Canada . I am kind of settled in Dubai now with all basics needs, specially driving license and secure job . But my husband has been on mode to move out to a different country and try Canada . We both are from retail back ground (Fashion and Hospitality) . I am hesitant to move , reason we are 36 yrs old and don’t know if we will be able to find jobs in Canada , and have a decent living . I keep reading comments and msges , feedback about Canada , reviews are mixed . Can’t make up my mind .
Canada does give security and dubai security is gone with the job
Any suggestions

It comes down to one simple factor - are you willing to go back to your home country (India?) if you lose your job? As you said, you have no permanent status in Dubai.

If you are happy to move back, then moving to Canada will be difficult since it's undoubtedly a struggle to get used to a brand new country especially since you're older. You will face a certain level of hardship, and if you are looking at your home country and wondering why on earth you moved to Canada, it will be even harder to justify your choice.

If, on the other hand, you really don't want to move back to India for whatever reason, then you will be willing to put up with a few years of hardship.

I don't know if you have kids - if you do, that changes things since bringing them up as PR and then citizens in Canada will probably be easier than bringing them up in Dubai, where they will likely never get permanent status.

 

[canuck78]

Hi ,

I am staying Dubai now for 6 years and my husband like 12 years. We are debating on moving to Canada . I am kind of settled in Dubai now with all basics needs, specially driving license and secure job . But my husband has been on mode to move out to a different country and try Canada . We both are from retail back ground (Fashion and Hospitality) . I am hesitant to move , reason we are 36 yrs old and don’t know if we will be able to find jobs in Canada , and have a decent living . I keep reading comments and msges , feedback about Canada , reviews are mixed . Can’t make up my mind .
Canada does give security and dubai security is gone with the job
Any suggestions

Retail and hospitality jobs in Canada are not known to be exceptionally well paying. All depends on whether you are willing to lower your quality of life to secure longterm status in Canada.

 

[Naveenandtina]

I have lived for 7 years in Middle East and Im tired of it.. Hahaha..

Some of the negatives i felt...

1.If you are a person who loves a relaxed life and wants to live close to Nature, i assure you Middle East is not the place for you.
Im someone who admires Nature the most and gets a lot of positivity around it..
I look at photos from Canada and think how lucky that country is, to get such beautiful landscapes and terrains.
I mean thats all required to make a decision.. All those plush greenery, trees, water bodies.. Even the snow .. Uff...

2.The people who came and started a business or Job in Middle east, 25 or 30 years back are leading a relaxed life in good villas and flats away from all the crap middle east has to offer... Thats it..
New Comers struggle like anything .

3. Everything (i mean 90%) is Man made. Its all concrete and dazzling lights. There are no natural parks or greeneries anywhere!! You cant keep enjoying and exploring man made stuff more than a couple of times!! You get tired of it... There is no life to it... Sadly Its all fake...

4. More than half of the population stays in tightly packed residential areas, more like a concrete jungle. From morning 5AM you hear all the bloody honks and chaos on streets.

5. The traffic fines/laws are way too much.. 90% of population gets a parking ticket fine or speeding fine or wrong parking ticket, toll fine, etc... If you think its a good thing, then you are wrong.. . These many people get fine only because they are helpless... The Government doesnt have enough infrastructure to let people live a relaxed life...No enough parking spaces...They impose a lot of restrictions and people are trained to live like robots.


6. Something personal i have felt- One complete month During Ramdan, no one is allowed to eat or drink anything outside anywhere in public... No hotels or restaurants open... Oh God, what kind of a system does that!! Whatever be the religious based excuses its not good for any country to impose such inferior rules when expats are working their ass off.
... This is just one example that shows their respect and consideration towards expats of other castes....Just Barbaric...

7. Heat and Dust - If you cant handle these two, please dont even think about coming to middle east.. Its a hot air balloon filled with dust for 7 Months in a year.
8. Im most part of the Gulf, infact except UAE, you wont be comfortable to wear western fashion attires... I don't mean bikini or very vulgar dresses ... U cant walk comfortably in a normal top above knee or a torn jeans etc... Reason - You get stared like you are some kind of evil who has come from hell.

Well now the positive side... Few actually...

1. Around 5 months is a pleasant weather
2. You can eat all kinds of food from around the world... Easily available...
3. You can save money and spend it back home if you stay indoors mostly and don't t hang around much.
4. A lot of man made stuff, which makes it a good one time visit Tourist spot... Well, definitely Not clean or beautiful like Singapore, Malaysia etc...
5. If you want to lead a comfortable and decent life, you have to spend a lot of money in UAE itself and there is no other way ... Only 20-25% gets to do that.. Everyone else struggles and sends money back home to families which indeed is one of the most beautiful thing.........

To conclude, friends of mine who are already rich, back in their home country have moved to Western countries like Canada, US, New Zealand, Australia etc...
And
The others goes to Gulf, leads that robotic life enjoying those man made stuff over and over until a time when they realize what all they miss. But its too late... Like me...

 

[canuck78]

I have lived for 7 years in Middle East and Im tired of it.. Hahaha..

Some of the negatives i felt...

1.If you are a person who loves a relaxed life and wants to live close to Nature, i assure you Middle East is not the place for you.
Im someone who admires Nature the most and gets a lot of positivity around it..
I look at photos from Canada and think how lucky that country is, to get such beautiful landscapes and terrains.
I mean thats all required to make a decision.. All those plush greenery, trees, water bodies.. Even the snow .. Uff...

2.The people who came and started a business or Job in Middle east, 25 or 30 years back are leading a relaxed life in good villas and flats away from all the crap middle east has to offer... Thats it..
New Comers struggle like anything .

3. Everything (i mean 90%) is Man made. Its all concrete and dazzling lights. There are no natural parks or greeneries anywhere!! You cant keep enjoying and exploring man made stuff more than a couple of times!! You get tired of it... There is no life to it... Sadly Its all fake...

4. More than half of the population stays in tightly packed residential areas, more like a concrete jungle. From morning 5AM you hear all the bloody honks and chaos on streets.

5. The traffic fines/laws are way too much.. 90% of population gets a parking ticket fine or speeding fine or wrong parking ticket, toll fine, etc... If you think its a good thing, then you are wrong.. . These many people get fine only because they are helpless... The Government doesnt have enough infrastructure to let people live a relaxed life...No enough parking spaces...They impose a lot of restrictions and people are trained to live like robots.


6. Something personal i have felt- One complete month During Ramdan, no one is allowed to eat or drink anything outside anywhere in public... No hotels or restaurants open... Oh God, what kind of a system does that!! Whatever be the religious based excuses its not good for any country to impose such inferior rules when expats are working their ass off.
... This is just one example that shows their respect and consideration towards expats of other castes....Just Barbaric...

7. Heat and Dust - If you cant handle these two, please dont even think about coming to middle east.. Its a hot air balloon filled with dust for 7 Months in a year.
8. Im most part of the Gulf, infact except UAE, you wont be comfortable to wear western fashion attires... I don't mean bikini or very vulgar dresses ... U cant walk comfortably in a normal top above knee or a torn jeans etc... Reason - You get stared like you are some kind of evil who has come from hell.

Well now the positive side... Few actually...

1. Around 5 months is a pleasant weather
2. You can eat all kinds of food from around the world... Easily available...
3. You can save money and spend it back home if you stay indoors mostly and don't t hang around much.
4. A lot of man made stuff, which makes it a good one time visit Tourist spot... Well, definitely Not clean or beautiful like Singapore, Malaysia etc...
5. If you want to lead a comfortable and decent life, you have to spend a lot of money in UAE itself and there is no other way ... Only 20-25% gets to do that.. Everyone else struggles and sends money back home to families which indeed is one of the most beautiful thing.........

To conclude, friends of mine who are already rich, back in their home country have moved to Western countries like Canada, US, New Zealand, Australia etc...
And
The others goes to Gulf, leads that robotic life enjoying those man made stuff over and over until a time when they realize what all they miss. But its too late... Like me...

Not sure what you are expecting from Canada. Sure there is nature but most people live in cities. Living in Canada is very expensive as well and the jobs often don’t pay as well. Your lifestyle may not be great in Canada. If you are expecting to become rich by moving to Canada you will be disappointed.

 

[Naveenandtina]

Not sure what you are expecting from Canada. Sure there is nature but most people live in cities. Living in Canada is very expensive as well and the jobs often don’t pay as well. Your lifestyle may not be great in Canada. If you are expecting to become rich by moving to Canada you will be disappointed.

No dear

Definitely definitely its not about getting rich.
I have read and interacted with many friends over the years in Canada. You have a better Life (which includes Nature, Freedom to dress as you feel and be comfortable, you can go for a long drive, visit so many different places, lesser impositions, cleaner environment etc etc...)

What i mentioned is my friends who are already rich or who doesnt have much liabilities back in home country moved to Canada. They have a pleasant or atleast a happier life.
Those who wanted to make money moved to Gulf. They are happy as well, but that bar is set too low....

 

[mahi2020]

No dear

Definitely definitely its not about getting rich.
I have read and interacted with many friends over the years in Canada. You have a better Life (which includes Nature, Freedom to dress as you feel and be comfortable, you can go for a long drive, visit so many different places, lesser impositions, cleaner environment etc etc...)

What i mentioned is my friends who are already rich or who doesnt have much liabilities back in home country moved to Canada. They have a pleasant or atleast a happier life.
Those who wanted to make money moved to Gulf. They are happy as well, but that bar is set too low....

If you can bear brutal cold 8 months a year, then you shd be just fine.

Freedom to dress -> translates to -> freedom to wear 1-5 layers.

 

[mahi2020]

Hi ,

I am staying Dubai now for 6 years and my husband like 12 years. We are debating on moving to Canada . I am kind of settled in Dubai now with all basics needs, specially driving license and secure job . But my husband has been on mode to move out to a different country and try Canada . We both are from retail back ground (Fashion and Hospitality) . I am hesitant to move , reason we are 36 yrs old and don’t know if we will be able to find jobs in Canada , and have a decent living . I keep reading comments and msges , feedback about Canada , reviews are mixed . Can’t make up my mind .
Canada does give security and dubai security is gone with the job
Any suggestions

Salary & Weather wise you would be disappointed.

Other factors probably favour Canada/Australia.

 

[canuck78]

Think you may be disappointed. Living in some cities is really less scenic and more of a concrete jungle with lots of traffic. I think car insurance rates or transportation rates in general may also shock you especially in some provinces. If you are complaining about tolls and tickets places like Ontario are likely much worse.

 

[21Goose]

Think you may be disappointed. Living in some cities is really less scenic and more of a concrete jungle with lots of traffic. I think car insurance rates or transportation rates in general may also shock you especially in some provinces. If you are complaining about tolls and tickets places like Ontario are likely much worse.

I have to disagree. I live in Toronto, pretty much in the heart of it.. and if you think Toronto is a concrete jungle with lots of traffic, you have never lived in any Indian city. If you've spent any time in New Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore (I have, all three), you will find Toronto traffic to be oh so pleasant.

Toronto has trees.. lots of trees. And parks in every neighborhood. And a lake that is clean and beautiful (Bangalore lakes catch fire because of the chemical pollution. I'm not kidding. Google it). There's a waterfront and even a beach. And the beach is clean.. I could go on.

It's all relative of course - I also lived in the US for many years (Boston/Cambridge), and Cambridge was nicer and had much better traffic, but it was also a lot smaller than Toronto.

If @Naveenandtina are from India as their names suggest, they will find Toronto traffic and life in Canada a lot nicer than India. If they are from a developed, first-world nation, then sure, Toronto may not be very nice compared to say Oslo, for example.

I agree with the points about insurance and tolls, but that's true of most any developed country. I paid more in insurance in Mass than I do in Toronto. MA is notorious for high rates as well.

 

[Naveenandtina]

Think you may be disappointed. Living in some cities is really less scenic and more of a concrete jungle with lots of traffic. I think car insurance rates or transportation rates in general may also shock you especially in some provinces. If you are complaining about tolls and tickets places like Ontario are likely much worse.

Yes, i understood.
Anyways my dream is to live away from city in a friendly community and find a decent job, even if i have to commute... Hope for the best. Im waiting for ppr.

 

[Naveenandtina]

I have to disagree. I live in Toronto, pretty much in the heart of it.. and if you think Toronto is a concrete jungle with lots of traffic, you have never lived in any Indian city. If you've spent any time in New Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore (I have, all three), you will find Toronto traffic to be oh so pleasant.

Toronto has trees.. lots of trees. And parks in every neighborhood. And a lake that is clean and beautiful (Bangalore lakes catch fire because of the chemical pollution. I'm not kidding. Google it). There's a waterfront and even a beach. And the beach is clean.. I could go on.

It's all relative of course - I also lived in the US for many years (Boston/Cambridge), and Cambridge was nicer and had much better traffic, but it was also a lot smaller than Toronto.

If @Naveenandtina are from India as their names suggest, they will find Toronto traffic and life in Canada a lot nicer than India. If they are from a developed, first-world nation, then sure, Toronto may not be very nice compared to say Oslo, for example.

I agree with the points about insurance and tolls, but that's true of most any developed country. I paid more in insurance in Mass than I do in Toronto. MA is notorious for high rates as well.

Oh Yes, We are from India (South-Kerala)... Thats why im so concerned about all the greenery and nature.. ... I miss it a lot in Middle East... And well it would be great to gain new experiences and connections in a totally different continent... Every country definitely has its pros and cons...i guess We just have to find out what suits us and adjust...

 

[Copingwithlife]

If you can bear brutal cold 8 months a year, then you shd be just fine.

Freedom to dress -> translates to -> freedom to wear 1-5 layers.

“ Brutal weather “ ? Where do you live Nunavut?
I think that’s a tad bit of an exaggeration there.
People before they move to Canada fail to do any investigating regarding how huge of a country it is. The weather for example in Southern Ontario is FAR different then let’s say in Winnipeg

 

[Naveenandtina]

If you can bear brutal cold 8 months a year, then you shd be just fine.

Freedom to dress -> translates to -> freedom to wear 1-5 layers.

Yes i understand its a difficult situation...

Have you been to Middle east in summer? Im someone who sweats from top of head till my toes for 7 months every year.(i hate working outside) .. Thats also not at all great... I will definitely adjust better to cold climate in general. I hope so ... We atleast can control it by several layers of cloth...

 

[mahi2020]

Yes i understand its a difficult situation...

Have you been to Middle east in summer? Im someone who sweats from top of head till my toes for 7 months every year.(i hate working outside) .. Thats also not at all great... I will definitely adjust better to cold climate in general. I hope so ... We atleast can control it by several layers of cloth...

good for you. ppl like you are welcome here.

But remember one thing, salaries are low and majority of population is paycheck to paycheck.
Hence, ppl have become very mean here. Daily grind has made them sadistic and opportunistic.

Be careful with your credit card details. Even when you have cancelled a service they will charge your card and threaten you with filing false cases.
Same goes for cable tv, they will show low rates and once you have signed the 2 yr contract the second yr rate will be 200% of first year rate.

 

[21Goose]

good for you. ppl like you are welcome here.

But remember one thing, salaries are low and majority of population is paycheck to paycheck.
Hence, ppl have become very mean here. Daily grind has made them sadistic and opportunistic.

Be careful with your credit card details. Even when you have cancelled a service they will charge your card and threaten you with filing false cases.
Same goes for cable tv, they will show low rates and once you have signed the 2 yr contract the second yr rate will be 200% of first year rate.

Sorry to hear you're having such a bitter experience. I find Canadians in general to be very welcoming and warm. I certainly haven't met sadistic people!

Of course there are exceptions, it's not like everyone here is some sort of angel. However, Canada didn't get to be one of the happiest countries in the world and one of the best places to live just for no reason.

What you said about cable TV is just the way things work here (and in the US, for that matter). Yes, the cable and cellphone monopolies are expensive and irritating to deal with, but there are ways around it.