Any recently-returned expatriates with experience to share?

[M. Essaie]

I've been outside Canada for about twenty years now and am contemplating returning permanently.

Has anyone out there done this recently? Any surprises, budgetary or otherwise, in the return? Anything you would do differently?

Thanks,

M

[bmc]

Nope. Still abroad. Ten year anniversary comes on September 28th this year.

+19C and out riding my bike in shorts yesterday. No yearning to return to Canada just yet?

[yycflyguy]

I was only out for 6 years.

Coming back to Canada was relatively pain free but expect delays with your Red Pass and a pain importing whatever personal effects you want to bring home. I was also flagged by our friends at Revenue Canada as I was a non-resident and didn't file while out of the country so you can expect an audit your first year back filing.

Pros:
Hockey night in Canada
Family and friends
Beauracracy that actually gets things done
electricity, cable, telephone and gas that always works

Cons:
Winter ops
Not as many Latinas
YYZ traffic
where is the friggin beach and palm trees?

[RIMsky]

I was only out for 6 years.

Coming back to Canada was relatively pain free but expect delays with your Red Pass and a pain importing whatever personal effects you want to bring home. I was also flagged by our friends at Revenue Canada as I was a non-resident and didn't file while out of the country so you can expect an audit your first year back filing.

Pros:
Hockey night in Canada
Family and friends
Beauracracy that actually gets things done
electricity, cable, telephone and gas that always works

Cons:
Winter ops
Not as many Latinas
YYZ traffic
where is the friggin beach and palm trees?

This sounds like a great destination that you're coming from. The ''latinas'' oooh lalala!