Living in Canada

I still have fond memories of living in Canada. My fellow blogger Boh Tong says HERE airline crews who left Singapore has a romantic view of the many countries they visited during the course of their work. The lens as a visitor living in a hotel expenses paid is very different from living and working there.

I do agree with him. Visiting a country for short period from a few days to weeks is very different living there permanently. The adjustment is huge. Discrimination is everywhere including the country we are living now, Singapore. However it is different when you are the one discriminated against. Having live in Toronto twice, first time four winters and after 5 years another three winters, I must say I will go and experience living there all over again.

I count winters like a Canadian. It is really nice to have seasons. Make it easy to remember any events like last fall or two summers ago this happens... Whereas in Singapore it is perpetual summer we do not refer any event like two rainy season ago i.e. the December/January two years ago, so and so bought a cottage.

Like what Boh Tong says, the first time life was miserable as we have to adjust to extreme cold in weather and treatment from Canadian. Until now, I believe there is such a thing called "Canadian Experience". Skills acquired in other countries are not recognised.

However, living in Canada, I made lot of friends with my colleagues. One is still visiting my blog regularly. He is now a Director in a Soccer Club. I also had a big team of 20 strong scattered throughout the different cities. So I get the chance to travel to Halifax, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. So my memories of living in Canada is sweet. We returned to Singapore because of the trauma of my sister-in-law untimely demise while on her way to visit us to see our new baby, B3.

I have no regrets living in Canada. We are very happy in Singapore too. With not much change in income, we have so much more to spend. My income tax rate was at 49% and we have to pay 15% sales tax when we buy anything.

I would say both countries have different attractions and negative factors. Singapore is a great place to work and raise kids but boring in terms of weather. Canada offers many choice in recreation like farms, fishing, water sports and winter sports but the tax really bites into you.