Briton moves from Manchester to Vancouver reveal soaring relocation costs

A Briton who moved from Manchester to Vancouver, described as one of the world's most desirable places to live, says relocation costs are rising sharply. Alex told 1st Move International that while the outdoors and scenery are stunning, the price of living here is high.

A day pass to Whistler is about $300, before ski rentals and travel, she said. 'A day pass to Whistler is $300, before even factoring in ski rentals and travel,' Alex added. Shortly after moving, she faced a dental bill she hadn’t anticipated: 'A month after arriving, I had to pay $700 for a dental filling out of pocket. Even with insurance through my partner's job, coverage is limited, and more complex procedures can cost thousands,' she told the outlet. The lack of a universal health system similar to the NHS was a recurring theme: 'Canada doesn’t have the NHS,' she noted, and that can mean higher out-of-pocket costs.

Canada's appeal as a relocation target is illustrated by research by 1st Move International, which found that Canada topped a list of countries people are most interested in relocating to. The analysis showed 269,220 relocation searches for Canada, followed by Australia with 207,900, Ireland with 179,400 and New Zealand with 177,700; Japan ranked fifth with 172,880 searches.

Since moving, Alex has embraced life outdoors. 'Since moving to Vancouver, my life has completely shifted towards the outdoors. There's far more sunshine than a typical English summer, which makes it easy to enjoy hiking through mountains, exploring lakes and forest trails, or simply relaxing on a beach or a bar's outdoor patio. Everyday life feels so much more connected to nature,' she said. She also started running and tried skiing and surfing, noting that locals are 'incredibly active' and that the energy is infectious.

But not all days are carefree. The time difference—Vancouver is eight hours behind the UK—can make staying in touch with friends and family difficult, especially during holidays. 'The time difference hits hardest,' she admitted. 'Most days, it's fine, but at Christmas or on tough days, it can feel incredibly isolating.'

Yet for all the challenges, Alex said the experience has yielded 'magical moments' that help balance the costs. 'There are countless magical moments here, waking up to mountain views, watching three baby bears swimming in a river, and even spotting a pod of killer whales playing in the sea. These are moments I simply wouldn't have in Manchester.' Moving to Vancouver, she added, has enriched her life with outdoor adventures and incredible experiences, but it also requires weighing the emotional costs of leaving a familiar community against the financial realities of life in Canada.