Would you sell your home and uproot your family for a new beginning overseas? For a growing number of Britons, the answer is a resounding yes. Official figures reveal a significant trend, with 639,000 people leaving the UK in the last year alone, marking a near 10% rise in emigration since 2023. One Yorkshire family has joined this exodus, trading their life in Huddersfield for a fresh start in a Canadian city they say is packed with fellow Brits – but also comes with some eye-watering costs.
The Leap Across the Atlantic
Jack Masterson, 36, and his wife Natalie, 35, decided to turn their long-held dream into reality. "For years, Natalie and I both had this nagging question in the back of our minds, 'what if we moved elsewhere?'" explained Jack, a videographer. "That conversation quite quickly became 'where and when.'" The couple, seeking a different future for their two children, discovered a pathway through Canada's immigration system. Because Natalie is a former NHS nurse, the family qualified for a category-based Express Entry visa, a scheme launched in 2023 to tackle critical shortages in healthcare. Their entire relocation was completed in just six months.
"With this option available to our family, Canada became a no-brainer," Jack shared. "They’re short on nurses over here. So, Natalie came across in March, followed by the kids and me a month later – if you can do it and want an adventure, look no further." The family settled in North Vancouver, in the shadow of Grouse Mountain in British Columbia, and quickly discovered they were far from alone in their journey.
A 'Limey' Community in Lynn Valley
Life in Canada has been a dramatic change from Yorkshire. Jack is rebuilding his videography business while embracing the outdoor lifestyle, exploring areas like Lynn Canyon Park with his family. What has struck them most, however, is the size of the existing British community. "There’s a reason it’s called British Columbia, it’s because there are so many Brits here," is a common local joke they've encountered.
The area even has a nickname for British residents: 'limey', a term dating back to the 19th century. "We’ve got quite the limey community here in Lynn Valley," Jack noted. Despite the familiar faces, he admits there's one thing they all miss: the traditional British pub. "They’ve got a lot of microbreweries here, which is ace, but the pub is a British institution," he said, pointing out that in British Columbia, beer isn't sold in supermarkets but in government liquor stores. The idea of opening an authentic pub has become a running joke among the expats.
'Insane' Prices Amid a Prettier Place
The transition hasn't been without its financial shocks. While taxes may be lower, Jack highlights the staggering cost of everyday essentials. "It’s the prices of everyday items that are insane," he revealed. "A loaf of bread can cost you about CA$5, so about £2.50 – which is a hell of a lot more than it costs in a Tesco or Sainsbury’s."
Relocation expert Simon Hood, Executive Director of John Mason International which assisted the family, confirmed the cost-of-living challenges in Canada post-pandemic. "Questions around affordability... are rife in Canada since COVID. They’re experiencing many of the same issues we are here in the UK," he said. However, he added that clients are moving not for affordability, but for an intangible 'something more' that Canada offers.
For the Mastersons, the trade-off is worth it. "Life in Vancouver has certainly been an adjustment, but one I wouldn’t change for the world," Jack concluded. "In comparison to Yorkshire, you’re just in a prettier place in Canada. People are more welcoming, and the kids love it." While he's still getting used to the tipping culture, the ability to hop in the car for a family hike in one of the world's most beautiful regions is a prize he wouldn't swap.
