(this advfn poster is an old friend- I dont think he will mind)
FSE - 20 Nov'05 - 16:53 - 602 of 624 (premium)
Interesting to have a thread like this.
I quit the UK probably permanently this time round in 2002. I have a place in Montenegro which I regretably do not have the time to use much.
That area is really rebounding and its important to understand that Montenegro has its own government and uses the Euro. Its not run by Serbia.
I am not at liberty to say all the details at the moment but there is to be a huge cash injection into the place, new Marinas and Condos etc.
If you are considering buying property there its fairly straightforward, time is not on your side though and it may already be too late for fab dals but prices are still very good value indeed. There is a growing English presence there.
Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia) is where we are based at the moment so I was interested to read slicedtomatoes comments above regarding the Toronto area.
My brother is a lawyer in Oakville which is a pleasant enough place,
The Maritime Provinces though have a lot more charm.
Nova Scotians are very British (old style) in many ways and you could be forgiven for dreaming you were back in the UK 50 yrs ago sometimes.
The people here are very much friendlier than those from Ontario who they refer to as "upper Canadians" !
Halifax where I have a business is a University City (3 of the top Univ in Canda are here) and a centre of learning. Arts colleges and a large interst in Film Making is evident. They are always shooting some flic here.
Property prices in the city have been rising but are still inexpensive by UK standards. If you are a country person though and dream of space for a small hobby farm and horses etc etc... then you are in luck. Rural property here is so cheap its insane and its beautiful land with a great climate in places like the Annapolis Valley which faces on the Bay of Fundy. Areas like Caribou Island have the warmest water North of the Carolinas due to the reverse currents.
You can swim in the lakes in the summer but the Ocean on the South shore which ironically is the coldest area is bracing (like the UK !)
Overall prices are very much lower than the UK and cheaper than the Toronto area.
Wages are low unless you have some specialised niche, but your dollar goes a long way. People trade a lot and seem to manage a high standard of living without spending a fortune.
Its hard to fault the place and there is plenty to do and you dont ever feel remote which is a problem with many ex pat areas.
so the plus are that the place is very good value for money, excellent coming from the UK. There are excellent schools and universities. Good (not great restaurants except for mine ;-) Theatre and the arts is booming here.
Pubs are OK here if you go downtown Halifax.
You can catch all the Rugby games at the Split Crow Pub which has a shrine to rugby downstairs. Nova Scotians play rugby and are becoming quite useful.
The under 17 touring team is back from thrasing most of the UK private schools.
I just heard 5 mins ago from my brother who delights to tell me that they beat Cranleigh (my old school) 13 to 0.
Cranleigh were their toughest test !
The people are as I say very friendly and British in nature. We do have a fair few people from the Middle East and the Far east but they are not in a majority like Toronto. They are all well accepted into the area and the cultural diversity is welcomed... ie there is littel racism here...
Downside would be there is no football, Eastern Canadians are into the Rugby but the Footy is nonexistant. Ice Hockey is the main sport but this is not a sports crazy place.
The weather is brilliant for 5 or 6 mths of the year, tollerable for another 2 months and downright unpleasant for 3 to 4 mths of the year.
A lot of people just take off for a month or so in the winter to try to break it up. We are on the same latitude as Paris France.
If anyone is interested in learning more about Atlantic Canada I can post some links etc...
@: http://www.advfn.com/cmn/fbb/thread.php3?id=6363495