Even though I'm British, I just love to watch your videos. It has really upset me to think you've had times when people have given you nasty comments regarding being in the UK. Always love your videos and thank you for sharing your life and experiences in the UK
As a Brit living in Qc I have known some of that attitude but really an expression of small minded people. Having an open online presence that you have, you’re an easy target for such trolls, don’t let them get to you. I can identify many of the things you said on credit, driving, PAYING TAXES in Qc, etc, Above all else enjoy what you do wherever you are, thanks for sharing.
Me too and the irony that Alanna probably knows more about the UK than the people telling her she doesn’t belong. It makes your blood boil. Glad you have meet far for nice people than horrid. 👍
I'm shocked that anyone in the UK would tell you to "go home". In many ways you are the poster girl/model immigrant for this country. You are from an English speaking nation with a broadly similar culture, you came here legally, you are enthusiastically integrating and embracing the British way of life. You (and several other similar long term immigrant RUclipsrs from North America) are a real benefit to our country, your perspective on the UK is refreshingly different and your videos always interesting. Don't let anyone tell you that you're not welcome, just ignore/block them: your subscriber count speaks for itself. The UK loves Adventures and Naps: long may it continue! :)
@@mementomori1022 Joshua Taylor is correct in his statement. There is implied racism in the comment - "You are from an English speaking nation with a broadly similar culture". I'm not saying the comment was meant to be racist but it belies an underlying assumption that if Alanna were not white and/or came from a non-English speaking country the welcome would not be as warm from them.
Hi Alanna. The loud minority who are unwelcoming or unkind to you or any visitor to our shores are narrow minded idiots. I, for one, celebrate the fact that you have decided to make your home here and I love your take on life as an expat. Many thanks and keep it up.
As an English UK citizen, I was always appreciative of the way that migration enriched the society around me. So many interesting people with different backgrounds and cultures (including yourself) have made the country of my birth a better place! And now I am also a migrant (in Austria).
It’s just occurred to me that you moved to the UK at the same age as my mum did. She had planned to stay for two years...she’s lived here for over 50 years now 😅 Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us, this was a very informative vid, Alanna!
As a 73 year old Brit, I officially pronounce you Welcome on this island, and hope you would like to spend the rest of your life here. I've watched you for years, remember sitting on the floor in front of the sofa :)
Its so sad to hear you say Alanna! that you get people tell you that you are not wanted here" and as a britt I wish to apologise for this and any hurt this may have caused you? You are very welcome here as long as yu want to stay and I hope you have happy time here! And thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts in your videos.
I’m British and shocked that people are telling you to ‘go home’ especially when you pay way more in tax just to be here! It’s also sad to hear that you can’t access public funds, it seems very unfair when you’re contributing. Maybe find council in a good accountant to see if they can help you with tax relief
Well yes and no. Did you know, to break even and “put in” as much as you take out, the average citizen needs to make at least £45,000 per year. So although she reaches this criteria no doubt with RUclips alone and more - most people ( including English citizens) do not. So this argument that “it’s unfair if somebody comes here and works” etc. is absurd. Because it still isn’t sustainable unless they earn at least £45,000 and most, do not.
@@JoejoeEngit never about how much the superwealthy should contribute only what the poorest must. UK has created over 100 billionaires over the last decade in an economy that hasn't grown. It's not this country isn't wealthy enough, it's just that all the wealth is in private hands.
I've never heard any bad thing said about a Canadian, Older Generation especially know what Canadians went through in the 2nd World War, and how much they helped thre UK 🇬🇧.
As an immigrant, you are not ruining the country. On the contrary, you raise the average in so many areas. I love watching your videos. I always feel happier after them because you have such a lovely personality. Just ignore the nasty, small-minded xenophobes. You can’t be on social media without encountering them - and the trolls who try to wind people up.
No-one has an issue with immigrants coming here through the proper channels. Calling out widespread illegal immigration (and probably people trafficking) isn't xenophobia.
I’m glad you haven’t let negative experiences deter you from continuing to live here. I for one am glad to welcome you. I think the more the merrier, it’d be a very dull boring life if we were all the same. Although I’ve never met you, I watch your videos and you are doing a great job. I think you are funny, intelligent and really sweet and I hope you continue to enjoy life here x
Must be odd to lose the identity you'd had up to then, floating between two homes! Glad things more settled for you now. More good insights! Thanks Alanna! 🙏
Cheers Alanna thanks for another great video, be rest assured that the overwhelming majority of us are happy your here unfortunately there's always some weird creatures living under the rocks, best to just ignore them yuk!
Unfortunately that isn't true, the English voted for Brexit, mainly because they didn't want foreigners living in their country, she needs to move to Scotland where we are a lot more inviting.
@@daveaglasgow I personally didn't vote for brexit but I know people who did and they voted for brexit because they were sick of European politicians deciding how Britain will be run! There are plenty of narrow minded morons who voted to stop immigration believing what they were being told by Nigel Farage and co.
Some times the best way to learn about a place is to go there and experience it for yourself the way you have living in the UK. It may have been difficult at times but it has given you a better insight to the country which comes across well in your videos. Well done Alanna. ☺
Great video - very instructive about things not often considered. On the subject of money, something one doesn't think about is the weight of coins you will be carrying. I found during my time in Edinburgh that I needed to always wear a belt to keep my pants from sagging due to all the coins my pockets would collect throughout the day. Those one- and 2-pound coins aren't light!
Cheers Alanna. Very informative. England is a weird place. Sorry to note that you found this out the hard way. Your smiles hide your pain extremely well. Remind me not to play Poker with you. Thank you for sharing.
Another good one Alanna - and you really are delving into things that a lot of arrivals in foreign countries maybe won't have in their initial thinking, so probably very helpful for them. Of all of them the idea of paying in but not benefitting seems especially harsh and yet you seem amazingly philosophical about it...not sure I would be!
Great advice. I do know that, as much as you can learn to put up with negativity from others, it can ware you down. People need to know their happy places and the positive people to be around. As a brit living in Australia, without a British accent anymore, some will show disdain when they realise where I am from. Crazy.
The license thing is so lucky! You are very correct, Americans have to take the licensing exams (theory and practical). They are tough, but I am a MUCH better driver now, after taking lessons. As a two-time immigrant (Czech Republic to US as a 12 year old, and US to UK as a 42 year old), I have no idea who I am. I ADORE the UK, and I am never leaving though. Luckily, the Northerners are fairly welcoming.
I think a lot of it is to do with the standard of the tests from the issuing country. The US driving test is considered too easy to pass and not rigorous enough in terms of things needed to drive on UK roads. I guess if your licence was issued in an obscure country where not many people come from (to the UK), they probably also play it safe and make you sit a test.
Hi my friend i was so glad to hearyou do selfassment as it was starting to worry me great job. throught the last 6 years you helped me a lot by helping me think of my life.
i could never imagine people being mean to you because you're Canadian. opinions are like assholes, everybody got one and most of them stink. you do you and rock on
You hit the nail on the head with the existential and identify crisis points! As a NYer living in the UK I no longer feel like I fit in fully back home, nor do I feel that way about where I currently live either (outside Manchester). Although it can be confusing at times I actually prefer it, I think it makes me a more well rounded human! I have no idea where my British husband and I will end up either. Good point about all the taxes we need to pay as expats and as the British citizens do. It is a lot but as the Brits always like to remind me, it contributes to a more equal society. But does it? 🤔 There are so many pros and cons to both countries but all I know is that I love living in the UK for now and we’ll see what happens!
I came from Australia where we drive on the same side of the road, but even then the roads here are hectic. Higher speed limits (and miles unfamiliar to me), very narrow roads and lots of minor differences that caught me off guard.
You may by now be able to get permanent residency. Looking at the gov page "Check If You Can Get Indefinite Leave to Remain", if you've worked here for 5 years you can get it, or 2-3 years for a tier 1 visa. It's another slice of money / forms, etc, but once you've got it, that's it. You then get full access to public funds, etc. There's some misconceptions about losing UK permanent residency if you later move abroad again, and stay away for 2 years. What you lose after 2 years is the thing that says you are a permanent residence. However, having been granted ILR / permanent residency in the past, you are automatically entitled to renew your residency for a much smaller admin fee. As I understand it, all you have to do is show that you coming to the UK with the intention of being resident, rather than just passing through. Showing that involves something like a rental agreement, job offer, possibly just declaring it, moving with family, etc. Satisfy that test, and a new BRP is issued. The jargon is "Indefinitely Leave to Enter" (note: "enter", not "remain"), and you apply for a "Returning Resident Visa" for (currently) £531. It kinda makes sense; there's no point doing all that admin for saying "this person is allowed to be here and to access public services", if you're just here for a couple of weeks holiday. And if you don't want that hassle, ILR can be turned into citizenship fairly straightforwardly.
Thanks Alanna 🖖. And at times like this, and days like these, I just want to say, I hope your Biometric Residents Permit is treating you good 😁. And remember haters hate because they hate themselves. 👍👍👌😀
I think it could be said that you've grown up on RUclips. You are more British than many people who claim to be true Brits. We're happy to have you here.
I'ma brit in Canada, i live in this constant state of missing the other place which is super interesting. The concept of home is interesting to me too, because neither place feels like home. The UK isn't how i left it and Canada doesn't feel that familiar either.
I'm also a brit living in Canada currently and it does confuse me as I'm not sure which country I want to live in long term. Partly cause I haven't been back home to England for almost 2 years.
Very interesting video , as usual. Don't worry about the haters , if you did not live here , it would be a far more dull place. And we wouldn't have your great videos. Tuesday is Adventures day , Friday is naps day !!! Keep it up Alanna 😀 👍
Your comments about your identity changing, not being Canadian, not being English, but somewhere in the middle, made me think of the Tom Hanks movie The Terminal. I suggest that you watch it if you haven't already done so.
on the credit front, if you know you'll be moving to the UK and are in a country where it's available, sign up for an AmEx card! If you've had it for 3+ months, you can apply for Global Transfer in a new country, which will essentially allow you to transfer your (in my case) US credit card to a UK equivalent!
@Nicky L that’s ok! it’s accepted at some of the bigger shops (ASOS, Asda, Tesco, Boots) but it’s very hard to get a credit card without credit so it’s a good start!
The thing about Manual/Automatic cars in the UK. A reason we favour the Manual is because historical automatic cars use much more fuel than a manual. Only within the last 10 years have Autos started being about as economical as Manual cars. Add the fact fuel over here is drastically more expensive it is clear why we would choose the more fuel efficient option.
As a Brit moving to the US I had the same issue with credit score. The difference is with the US credit system it is based on how profitable you will be for the lender and less so on how able you can repay your debt. I paid off my car loan 2 years early and my credit score went down!!
Hi Alanna, when Mick Jagger moved to France in the seventies as a tax exile and was questioned after a few years of living there about whether he now felt french, he said no, but also didn't feel british anymore that he was now a transient and didn't fit into either category. This is a common situation that people feel when relocating to another country
Without darkness we would not see the light, and some of these are dark aspects indeed for the expat choosing to make a home and a living in a foreign country. As always, you outline them with a brave candour, Alanna, and it can only be hoped that others will take heart from your words. Fitting in isn't easy when you have obvious differences; you can change and adapt but some things may be ingrained so deeply into your being that it's a case of asserting yourself and having the host society like it or lump it - on which note, to anyone reading this who might be in the "Alanna go home" mindset, she's been here for seven years, she contributes to our society and economy and if you don't like it, lump it! We love our CanadaBrit and there's a place for her among us.
I used to work with quite a few Fillipinos. I remember one girl moved here with her husband, not having any long term plans. They just sort of rolled with it. Then she got pregnant and rolled with it. Before you knew it, the kid was 10 years old and had a 6 year old sister. The kids are 100% British. They dont speak Tagalog and have no desire to move to the Fillipines. The point? The decision about your long term future gets made for you, when you dont make it yourself.
@@Martyntd5 It is considered by many as almost as offensive as referring to someone of African heritage by using the N or S word or calling the French by the name of the animal they eat the legs of and the French calling us by the Sunday roast we like to eat or as a nation of shopkeepers.
automatics have been around since maybe the 20s, if not the 30s so its not like its that much newer than manuals. Personally i prefer manuals because you can actually pre-emptively change gears and I feel a lot more involved in driving and not switching off
Automatics have been around a long time. After learning a bit about bits and pieces of the European auto industry, that European countries have mandated people to drive a manual transmission car, and pass the driving test in a manual transmission car, to get an unrestricted license, unlike North America (especially the United States with civilian driving, though commercial driving does have that restriction, if the test is passed in an automatic). So manual transmission cars have had a wide variety there, even with luxury cars, until the past few years. In North America, as a kid, manual transmission cars were mostly on budget and sports cars. Certain models were strictly automatic transmission only. Cadillac I would say before the 2000's were only automatic, as a majority of the models had front bench seats, and the shifter handle was on the steering column. Manuals were for the most part, only on cars with front bucket seats. I would say up to maybe the early 70's, where some cars had the manual shifter on the steering column, called a 3 on a tree, and it was a 3 speed manual transmission car. Once 4 speed manual transmissions came out, the manual shifter moved exclusively to the floor, as manual shifters could no longer be placed on the steering column beyond a 3 speed. It looked odd, but I watched a few people drive one of those cars in the 80's, that were from the 60's. As baby boomers were the large buying power in the North American auto industry, many started opting for the automatic transmission cars and trucks in large numbers for convenience, and decided overall to not teach the Gen Xers and millennials on how to drive manual transmission cars. I learned to drive at age 24, and got my license 3 weeks after turning 25, and driving schools back then (at least local to me) only taught driving automatic transmission cars. This was in 1998. My brother got his license at 16, and he also learned in an automatic in 1982. He learned how to drive manual transmission cars from people old enough to be my grandpa. I didn't have that same experience. My mom's side only drove automatics, and the few family members on my dad's side that learned manual transmission driving, are now dead. To this day, my brother refuses to teach me, even after mentioning that I would buy my own car with a manual transmission. My Aunt Nancy's husband (who I refuse to call uncle for not marrying my Aunt Nancy in the 90's, and waited until she retired, because she would have no health insurance while still being single, and he married her, so she would be on his insurance) had the nerve to tell me that I would appreciate an automatic a lot more, and that I don't really need to learn to drive one. What a d**k.
14:50 same here when I moved to the US. My visas were dependant on my employment. I still paid taxes and more explicitly, into social security and Medicare. But I wasn't eligible for those or unemployment or anything else because if I wasn't working at the job the visa was tied to, I had 10 days to leave the country.
The difference between the driving types is mainly due to the distances covered and the style of Road, we do have some straight roads for a bit lol but many are twisty and turny meaning a manual is more effective, Canada and the US massively long straight roads perfect for an Automatic & Cruise Control
One of the most annoying things about driving in the US and Canada is not being able to find manual and diesel cars to hire. I have only ever owned a manual car as they are so much more fun to drive and give you greater control, and has nothing to do with how advanced technology is. I also prefer diesel cars as they are so much more economical and very common in Europe where unlike the UK it is generally cheaper than petrol.
Thank you alanna.i felt genuinely surprised at certain parts of your video.i have been a subscriber to your channel from day one and to me it's been a joy watching your videos I find them really informative.and may I just say anyone who has the audacity to say to you to go back to where you came from.i have one word only TO HELL WITH THEM! Once again thank you for another great video 👏. peace and love 💛
The "No recourse to public funds" restriction can be a big problem but not quite as harsh as it appears because it doesn't prevent you claiming benefits that depend on your National Insurance Contribution Record. The main one is that once you have at least 10 years in that record you'll be entitled to a UK state pension years in the future.
Automatic cars used to be annoying, due to the lack of engine braking. Since 2016, however, I have driven automatic Hondas with gear override flippers on the steering column. I can shift gear up, or down, if necessary. This means that I don’t need to keep my foot on the brake pedal, if I am driving down a long hill.
For Americans, whether you can exchange your licence depends on the state. The UK has checked the thoroughness of your driving licence requirements across the US and only a few states allow a full licence in exchange - my wife's Florida licence was exchanged (yay!) , but Virginia is a no.
My wife had to take a driving test and managed to fail despite driving in the USA for over 30 years! Strange thing is it was then perfectly legal for her to drive home from the test centre on her American licence, despite having just failed the test. She passed the 2nd time :)
Also, Thank you for this video. I’m 27 and my partner and I are planning on moving in together in the north of England but she currently lives in North Carolina. I’ll be obviously able to help with the transition but I won’t be able to understand what it’s like. Thank you!
Alanna you are correct in saying that driving on the opposite side of the road to what you are used to is scary. I know this from experience having driven in Canada and America and Europe- crazy drivers in France. All this using a gear shift/ manual car 😵💫🤪🤔
The strange feeling of not feeling British or Canadian, I've had that a few times when I go abroad to Europe and I feel like i have more an affinity with Germany or Czech Republic than the UK. Maybe it is me, or at least what I have seen myself, as if you're from North American you seem to be more welcomed here than said the over the little stretch of water and across.
I'm british and i want to move to canada. I see many people say it was the worst decision they've ever made and the cost of living is extremely high. watching this video to help me decide from a canadian perspective 💓
I know a Canadian who's been here since 94/95, had a child here when they go back to Canada to visit family and friend, the girl is centre of attention due to her accent being English; but she does deploy the mom when she's wanting something.
As a British citizen proving my identity is so hard especially as I’m not allowed to drive because of epilepsy, so I can’t even hold a provisional I can’t afford a passport so theirs my valid photo ID gone. I couldn’t even get a bank account at one point.
Hi! You can't claim income related benefits but, if you've made sufficient national insurance contributions, you'd be able to claim contribution based benefits for 6 months to a year or more if you were out of work.
Edited: Alana, your tax liability is calculated from your PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and self-assessment income combined - you’re not stung twice. However, it does mean that because your PAYE tax is paid ongoing, by the time you file your online self-assessment tax return, you will have likely already reached the minimum tax-paying threshold of £12,570 (as most reasonably paid office jobs are around £30k these days) and so will be paying the full 20% tax off the bat, even if your income from your own business is small. And now that it’s all done digitally, when you reach the end of filing your online return, the system will automatically factor what you’ve already paid through PAYE into the calculation, so the final figure for the tax you owe should be correct. Basically, if you were to add up your combined earnings from both employment and self-employment for any particular tax year, you would be paying 20% over the minimum threshold, and then 40% over about £50k, if you manage to earn that much. That said, when people like yourself have more than one income status, there is definitely more room for error, and so adjustments may sometimes need to be made after the fact, meaning you may have paid too much. But they’re usually pretty prompt with issuing rebates now (they never used to be).
Very good point, Alanna, because if this was a Muslim, Chinese, South Asian, or Black who is told to "Go back to where you came from!", don't just blindly cite racism as the reason because any foreigner could be told to do so and this has mostly a lot to do with xenophobia, not necessarily racism.
As a younger man, I had a lot of credit that I didn't manage particularly well, so that my credit rating was lower than it could have been. A few years ago, a private pension scheme from a previous employer matured and with the 'lump sum' I received I paid off all of my credit. I haven't had need to use credit since then. However, I still get regular updates on my credit status and was pleased (ish) to see it rising steadily. Then about a couple of years ago it stopped (at about 93% of the maximum achievable,) and it has stayed the same ever since. Though this didn't bother me (I don't want credit: I have no call for it these days,) I was still curious until I discovered that the reason my credit status couldn't reach the maximum level is because I DON'T have any current credit agreements to judge me on! Never mind - suits me!
Sorry that you had this experience. When I lived in Ottawa, a passing Scot heard my accent and told me to go home to the UK, unfortunately there are a few bigots everywhere.
The list of countries / territories whose driving licenses can be exchanged are Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe
Strange because in the US, most people drive automatic, but it’s still always more expensive than manual. Also, we don’t have separate licenses either. You pass your drivers test in whichever car you drive to the dmv, and can drive whatever you want after. **Edit) If you take a British drivers license test, does your auto insurance become as cheap as a UK citizen?
Load of useful information here Alanna. Question: If you were to go for British Citizenship I presume the NHS Surcharge would no longer apply? Great video as always!
@@AdventuresAndNaps I’m amazed you don’t qualify yet! The UK government website says you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years living in the UK and citizenship 1 year after that. Do you have ILR? By the way, love your videos. I’m an Irishwoman who immigrated to Canada over 30 years ago and I’m a dual citizen. (It took me 6 years in Canada). I have experienced the same existential crises as you have. I’ve been lucky in Canada as I brought needed skills and I’m not a visible minority. Nobody has ever told me to my face that they don’t want me here. I still have to think twice when people ask me “where are you from?”.
Alanna, the whole 'Go back to where you came from,' (or in my case) 'Go back to Africa!', I used to get as a child at school because I'm black. Funny, I was born in Woolwich and parents aren't from Africa.. Don't let the nay-sayers trouble you, we can't please everyone nor should you have to try. the warm-hearted will find like for like and most of us are glad you're here! God bless 👍
They should know either West Indies or Nigeria/Somalia/Sudan for most black in the UK . They had one probability out of two. Go back to where you came from is the sentence in which they risk less to be wrong.
You're a commonwealth cousin, no one should tell you to go home. You have such a charming manner and mesmerising smile Im sure you'll get through life fine where ever you live
While there is a long list of public funds not available to immigrants until they get indefinite leave to remain, there are exceptions including free schooling (if staying longer term), child benefit (depending on country) and payments based on the NIC paid like jobseeker’s allowance, incapacity benefit, retirement pension and statutory maternity pay. It also doesn't prevent you being a partner of a UK citizen on a joint claim for universal credit.
I'm shocked about credit scores, you'd think if you built up a good credit score in North America it would count in the UK and Europe as a whole and vice versa, in many cases the credit providers will be international companies as will the companies providing credit scores.
I think after 10 years, you can apply for British citizenship, and still keep your Canadian passport. As for the credit card, if you never incur any debt the card will probably not be renewed. So I would advise when you to incur a tiny amount of debt and pay it off a month later.
Now strangely I am doing this in reverse. I moved aboard and have moved back. And now I feel like an immigrant in my own country. The thing is, when I moved to France I had no intention of being French. I enjoyed the cheese but had know interest in the culture and was to be ignored or at least tolerated so I could climb mountains.. well this could have been a mistake but for you at least they spoke the same language.
Just so you know. If your visa indicates no public funds you still have access to a lot of services. For example primary education and ESOL training to help you settle in the uk.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Even though I'm British, I just love to watch your videos. It has really upset me to think you've had times when people have given you nasty comments regarding being in the UK. Always love your videos and thank you for sharing your life and experiences in the UK
Thank you so much!! ☺️
As a Brit living in Qc I have known some of that attitude but really an expression of small minded people. Having an open online presence that you have, you’re an easy target for such trolls, don’t let them get to you. I can identify many of the things you said on credit, driving, PAYING TAXES in Qc, etc, Above all else enjoy what you do wherever you are, thanks for sharing.
I think the negativity towards foreigners comes from the people who live in areas swamped by foreign tourists.
American tourists are the worse.
Anyone who tells you that they don't want you here, should themselves leave, they are not the sort of person that we need in the UK.
Me too and the irony that Alanna probably knows more about the UK than the people telling her she doesn’t belong. It makes your blood boil. Glad you have meet far for nice people than horrid. 👍
I'm shocked that anyone in the UK would tell you to "go home". In many ways you are the poster girl/model immigrant for this country.
You are from an English speaking nation with a broadly similar culture, you came here legally, you are enthusiastically integrating and embracing the British way of life. You (and several other similar long term immigrant RUclipsrs from North America) are a real benefit
to our country, your perspective on the UK is refreshingly different and your videos always interesting. Don't let anyone tell you that you're
not welcome, just ignore/block them: your subscriber count speaks for itself. The UK loves Adventures and Naps: long may it continue! :)
This is racist comment. Think about what you've actually said here.
@@mementomori1022 Joshua Taylor is correct in his statement. There is implied racism in the comment - "You are from an English speaking nation with a broadly similar culture". I'm not saying the comment was meant to be racist but it belies an underlying assumption that if Alanna were not white and/or came from a non-English speaking country the welcome would not be as warm from them.
Hi Alanna. The loud minority who are unwelcoming or unkind to you or any visitor to our shores are narrow minded idiots.
I, for one, celebrate the fact that you have decided to make your home here and I love your take on life as an expat.
Many thanks and keep it up.
As an English UK citizen, I was always appreciative of the way that migration enriched the society around me. So many interesting people with different backgrounds and cultures (including yourself) have made the country of my birth a better place! And now I am also a migrant (in Austria).
Ahh thank you! Hope you are having a wonderful time in Austria!!
It’s just occurred to me that you moved to the UK at the same age as my mum did. She had planned to stay for two years...she’s lived here for over 50 years now 😅 Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us, this was a very informative vid, Alanna!
Oh wow! Guess she liked it then 😂 thanks so much for watching!
As a 73 year old Brit, I officially pronounce you Welcome on this island, and hope you would like to spend the rest of your life here. I've watched you for years, remember sitting on the floor in front of the sofa :)
Duncan you’re so cringe
Yup.
Its so sad to hear you say Alanna! that you get people tell you that you are not wanted here" and as a britt I wish to apologise for this and any hurt this may have caused you?
You are very welcome here as long as yu want to stay and I hope you have happy time here! And thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts in your videos.
I’m British and shocked that people are telling you to ‘go home’ especially when you pay way more in tax just to be here! It’s also sad to hear that you can’t access public funds, it seems very unfair when you’re contributing. Maybe find council in a good accountant to see if they can help you with tax relief
Well yes and no. Did you know, to break even and “put in” as much as you take out, the average citizen needs to make at least £45,000 per year. So although she reaches this criteria no doubt with RUclips alone and more - most people ( including English citizens) do not. So this argument that “it’s unfair if somebody comes here and works” etc. is absurd. Because it still isn’t sustainable unless they earn at least £45,000 and most, do not.
@@JoejoeEngit never about how much the superwealthy should contribute only what the poorest must. UK has created over 100 billionaires over the last decade in an economy that hasn't grown. It's not this country isn't wealthy enough, it's just that all the wealth is in private hands.
I've never heard any bad thing said about a Canadian, Older Generation especially know what Canadians went through in the 2nd World War, and how much they helped thre UK 🇬🇧.
As an immigrant, you are not ruining the country.
On the contrary, you raise the average in so many areas.
I love watching your videos. I always feel happier after them because you have such a lovely personality.
Just ignore the nasty, small-minded xenophobes.
You can’t be on social media without encountering them - and the trolls who try to wind people up.
No-one has an issue with immigrants coming here through the proper channels. Calling out widespread illegal immigration (and probably people trafficking) isn't xenophobia.
I’m glad you haven’t let negative experiences deter you from continuing to live here. I for one am glad to welcome you. I think the more the merrier, it’d be a very dull boring life if we were all the same. Although I’ve never met you, I watch your videos and you are doing a great job. I think you are funny, intelligent and really sweet and I hope you continue to enjoy life here x
Well said, you touch upon delicate topics with wisdom and sensitivity 👍
I appreciate that!
Must be odd to lose the identity you'd had up to then, floating between two homes! Glad things more settled for you now. More good insights!
Thanks Alanna! 🙏
Thanks so much!
Cheers Alanna thanks for another great video, be rest assured that the overwhelming majority of us are happy your here unfortunately there's always some weird creatures living under the rocks, best to just ignore them yuk!
Thank you!! I really appreciate that
Unfortunately that isn't true, the English voted for Brexit, mainly because they didn't want foreigners living in their country, she needs to move to Scotland where we are a lot more inviting.
@@daveaglasgow I personally didn't vote for brexit but I know people who did and they voted for brexit because they were sick of European politicians deciding how Britain will be run! There are plenty of narrow minded morons who voted to stop immigration believing what they were being told by Nigel Farage and co.
Absolutely brilliant, thoughtful and honest. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I am sure that the information you pass on to people with your videos is so helpful. Keep up the good work, love the videos.
Another great video of things I've never really thought about so really worth watching, thanks.
You pay you stay glad to have you, Adding to our culture 💯 😘
Thank you!
Great video! I always like how you don't sugar coat the trials and tribulations of moving countries. I for one am very glad to have you here!
Thanks so much! ☺️
Some times the best way to learn about a place is to go there and experience it for yourself the way you have living in the UK. It may have been difficult at times but it has given you a better insight to the country which comes across well in your videos. Well done Alanna. ☺
Well said! Thank you so much for your support over the years!
@@AdventuresAndNaps You're more than welcome.
Alanna, I love listening to you. Whatever you choose in future (eg if you decide to return to Canada to have a family), please keep making videos.
Great video - very instructive about things not often considered.
On the subject of money, something one doesn't think about is the weight of coins you will be carrying. I found during my time in Edinburgh that I needed to always wear a belt to keep my pants from sagging due to all the coins my pockets would collect throughout the day. Those one- and 2-pound coins aren't light!
Cheers Alanna. Very informative. England is a weird place. Sorry to note that you found this out the hard way. Your smiles hide your pain extremely well. Remind me not to play Poker with you. Thank you for sharing.
Another good one Alanna - and you really are delving into things that a lot of arrivals in foreign countries maybe won't have in their initial thinking, so probably very helpful for them. Of all of them the idea of paying in but not benefitting seems especially harsh and yet you seem amazingly philosophical about it...not sure I would be!
Alanna thanks for another great video. I for one Love the fact that you are living in the u.k. We could do with more people like you.
Thank you so much!
Great advice. I do know that, as much as you can learn to put up with negativity from others, it can ware you down. People need to know their happy places and the positive people to be around. As a brit living in Australia, without a British accent anymore, some will show disdain when they realise where I am from. Crazy.
The license thing is so lucky! You are very correct, Americans have to take the licensing exams (theory and practical). They are tough, but I am a MUCH better driver now, after taking lessons. As a two-time immigrant (Czech Republic to US as a 12 year old, and US to UK as a 42 year old), I have no idea who I am. I ADORE the UK, and I am never leaving though. Luckily, the Northerners are fairly welcoming.
I think a lot of it is to do with the standard of the tests from the issuing country. The US driving test is considered too easy to pass and not rigorous enough in terms of things needed to drive on UK roads.
I guess if your licence was issued in an obscure country where not many people come from (to the UK), they probably also play it safe and make you sit a test.
It's interesting how balanced this is between logistical and existential topics 😂
🙏🏻
Hi my friend i was so glad to hearyou do selfassment as it was starting to worry me great job. throught the last 6 years you helped me a lot by helping me think of my life.
i could never imagine people being mean to you because you're Canadian. opinions are like assholes, everybody got one and most of them stink. you do you and rock on
😂 thank you!
@@AdventuresAndNaps I can assure you that 99% of Brits would be delighted you are here😀
@@Isleofskye Agreed, there are very few who would treat Alanna like that. Don't conflate this with illegal immigration which is highly contentious.
Thanks for the video, I hope you have a great week
Thanks, you too!
You hit the nail on the head with the existential and identify crisis points! As a NYer living in the UK I no longer feel like I fit in fully back home, nor do I feel that way about where I currently live either (outside Manchester). Although it can be confusing at times I actually prefer it, I think it makes me a more well rounded human! I have no idea where my British husband and I will end up either.
Good point about all the taxes we need to pay as expats and as the British citizens do. It is a lot but as the Brits always like to remind me, it contributes to a more equal society. But does it? 🤔
There are so many pros and cons to both countries but all I know is that I love living in the UK for now and we’ll see what happens!
I came from Australia where we drive on the same side of the road, but even then the roads here are hectic.
Higher speed limits (and miles unfamiliar to me), very narrow roads and lots of minor differences that caught me off guard.
You may by now be able to get permanent residency. Looking at the gov page "Check If You Can Get Indefinite Leave to Remain", if you've worked here for 5 years you can get it, or 2-3 years for a tier 1 visa. It's another slice of money / forms, etc, but once you've got it, that's it. You then get full access to public funds, etc.
There's some misconceptions about losing UK permanent residency if you later move abroad again, and stay away for 2 years. What you lose after 2 years is the thing that says you are a permanent residence. However, having been granted ILR / permanent residency in the past, you are automatically entitled to renew your residency for a much smaller admin fee. As I understand it, all you have to do is show that you coming to the UK with the intention of being resident, rather than just passing through. Showing that involves something like a rental agreement, job offer, possibly just declaring it, moving with family, etc. Satisfy that test, and a new BRP is issued. The jargon is "Indefinitely Leave to Enter" (note: "enter", not "remain"), and you apply for a "Returning Resident Visa" for (currently) £531.
It kinda makes sense; there's no point doing all that admin for saying "this person is allowed to be here and to access public services", if you're just here for a couple of weeks holiday.
And if you don't want that hassle, ILR can be turned into citizenship fairly straightforwardly.
Thanks Alanna 🖖. And at times like this, and days like these, I just want to say, I hope your Biometric Residents Permit is treating you good 😁. And remember haters hate because they hate themselves. 👍👍👌😀
Thanks so much!
@@AdventuresAndNaps No problem Alanna 👍👍👍👍
You're one of us now. One of us, one of us, one of us!!!
Looking forward to finding out what today's video is all about, now pizza is ready I'm all set to get into it 😃 this should as always be great 🥳
Hope you enjoy!
I think it could be said that you've grown up on RUclips. You are more British than many people who claim to be true Brits. We're happy to have you here.
I love your videos your always welcome in this country 😘👍
Very genuine and authentic take I'd say.
🙏🏻 I appreciate it pal
Always a delight to see your videos Alanna.... Bless you darlin..... :-))) xxxx
I'ma brit in Canada, i live in this constant state of missing the other place which is super interesting. The concept of home is interesting to me too, because neither place feels like home. The UK isn't how i left it and Canada doesn't feel that familiar either.
Welcome to the club my friend 😅 hope you're still enjoying Canada, though!
I'm also a brit living in Canada currently and it does confuse me as I'm not sure which country I want to live in long term. Partly cause I haven't been back home to England for almost 2 years.
Great video as always Alanna. You made some good points.🙂
Thank you! 😁
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences
Thanks for watching!
Very interesting video , as usual. Don't worry about the haters , if you did not live here , it would be a far more dull place. And we wouldn't have your great videos.
Tuesday is Adventures day , Friday is naps day !!! Keep it up Alanna 😀 👍
Your comments about your identity changing, not being Canadian, not being English, but somewhere in the middle, made me think of the Tom Hanks movie The Terminal. I suggest that you watch it if you haven't already done so.
on the credit front, if you know you'll be moving to the UK and are in a country where it's available, sign up for an AmEx card! If you've had it for 3+ months, you can apply for Global Transfer in a new country, which will essentially allow you to transfer your (in my case) US credit card to a UK equivalent!
What a great suggestion, thanks so much!!
@Nicky L that’s ok! it’s accepted at some of the bigger shops (ASOS, Asda, Tesco, Boots) but it’s very hard to get a credit card without credit so it’s a good start!
The thing about Manual/Automatic cars in the UK.
A reason we favour the Manual is because historical automatic cars use much more fuel than a manual.
Only within the last 10 years have Autos started being about as economical as Manual cars.
Add the fact fuel over here is drastically more expensive it is clear why we would choose the more fuel efficient option.
Plus people like to actually feel they are 'driving' a car.
You done a fast show 'nice'!!
You're a true brit now!
Existential Crisis, good luck with that, I'm 53 and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.
Let me know when you figure it out!
As a Brit moving to the US I had the same issue with credit score. The difference is with the US credit system it is based on how profitable you will be for the lender and less so on how able you can repay your debt. I paid off my car loan 2 years early and my credit score went down!!
Love this video! I agree. Living abroad isn’t all fine and dandy.
Great vid! Love your complete honesty. R
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Alanna, when Mick Jagger moved to France in the seventies as a tax exile and was questioned after a few years of living there about whether he now felt french, he said no, but also didn't feel british anymore that he was now a transient and didn't fit into either category. This is a common situation that people feel when relocating to another country
Without darkness we would not see the light, and some of these are dark aspects indeed for the expat choosing to make a home and a living in a foreign country. As always, you outline them with a brave candour, Alanna, and it can only be hoped that others will take heart from your words. Fitting in isn't easy when you have obvious differences; you can change and adapt but some things may be ingrained so deeply into your being that it's a case of asserting yourself and having the host society like it or lump it - on which note, to anyone reading this who might be in the "Alanna go home" mindset, she's been here for seven years, she contributes to our society and economy and if you don't like it, lump it! We love our CanadaBrit and there's a place for her among us.
I used to work with quite a few Fillipinos. I remember one girl moved here with her husband, not having any long term plans. They just sort of rolled with it. Then she got pregnant and rolled with it. Before you knew it, the kid was 10 years old and had a 6 year old sister. The kids are 100% British. They dont speak Tagalog and have no desire to move to the Fillipines. The point? The decision about your long term future gets made for you, when you dont make it yourself.
Good life lesson!
Fillipino is regarded as a derogatory name for Philippines natives nowadays, Pinay is more correct.
@@tonys1636 Regarded by who?
@@Martyntd5 "regarded by whom?" Sorry, couldn't resist.
@@Martyntd5 It is considered by many as almost as offensive as referring to someone of African heritage by using the N or S word or calling the French by the name of the animal they eat the legs of and the French calling us by the Sunday roast we like to eat or as a nation of shopkeepers.
I'm happy you're here - ignore the fools - and tbf being a native ain't always great
The weather one moment lashing rain and a few minutes later blue skies and boiling hot .
Amazing to think you’ve spent nearly a quarter of your life here!
🤯
automatics have been around since maybe the 20s, if not the 30s so its not like its that much newer than manuals. Personally i prefer manuals because you can actually pre-emptively change gears and I feel a lot more involved in driving and not switching off
Automatics have been around a long time. After learning a bit about bits and pieces of the European auto industry, that European countries have mandated people to drive a manual transmission car, and pass the driving test in a manual transmission car, to get an unrestricted license, unlike North America (especially the United States with civilian driving, though commercial driving does have that restriction, if the test is passed in an automatic). So manual transmission cars have had a wide variety there, even with luxury cars, until the past few years. In North America, as a kid, manual transmission cars were mostly on budget and sports cars. Certain models were strictly automatic transmission only. Cadillac I would say before the 2000's were only automatic, as a majority of the models had front bench seats, and the shifter handle was on the steering column. Manuals were for the most part, only on cars with front bucket seats. I would say up to maybe the early 70's, where some cars had the manual shifter on the steering column, called a 3 on a tree, and it was a 3 speed manual transmission car. Once 4 speed manual transmissions came out, the manual shifter moved exclusively to the floor, as manual shifters could no longer be placed on the steering column beyond a 3 speed. It looked odd, but I watched a few people drive one of those cars in the 80's, that were from the 60's. As baby boomers were the large buying power in the North American auto industry, many started opting for the automatic transmission cars and trucks in large numbers for convenience, and decided overall to not teach the Gen Xers and millennials on how to drive manual transmission cars. I learned to drive at age 24, and got my license 3 weeks after turning 25, and driving schools back then (at least local to me) only taught driving automatic transmission cars. This was in 1998. My brother got his license at 16, and he also learned in an automatic in 1982. He learned how to drive manual transmission cars from people old enough to be my grandpa. I didn't have that same experience. My mom's side only drove automatics, and the few family members on my dad's side that learned manual transmission driving, are now dead. To this day, my brother refuses to teach me, even after mentioning that I would buy my own car with a manual transmission. My Aunt Nancy's husband (who I refuse to call uncle for not marrying my Aunt Nancy in the 90's, and waited until she retired, because she would have no health insurance while still being single, and he married her, so she would be on his insurance) had the nerve to tell me that I would appreciate an automatic a lot more, and that I don't really need to learn to drive one. What a d**k.
Great video! The thing about credit scores was sobering, I don't think I've ever heard an ex-pat mention that before.
It sucks, but it's pretty important!
@@AdventuresAndNaps I'm 51 and have no credit score. It's annoying when trying to open a bank account as I have to send documents through the post.
14:50 same here when I moved to the US. My visas were dependant on my employment. I still paid taxes and more explicitly, into social security and Medicare. But I wasn't eligible for those or unemployment or anything else because if I wasn't working at the job the visa was tied to, I had 10 days to leave the country.
The difference between the driving types is mainly due to the distances covered and the style of Road, we do have some straight roads for a bit lol but many are twisty and turny meaning a manual is more effective, Canada and the US massively long straight roads perfect for an Automatic & Cruise Control
Not necessarily more effective but definitely more fuel efficient.
One of the most annoying things about driving in the US and Canada is not being able to find manual and diesel cars to hire. I have only ever owned a manual car as they are so much more fun to drive and give you greater control, and has nothing to do with how advanced technology is. I also prefer diesel cars as they are so much more economical and very common in Europe where unlike the UK it is generally cheaper than petrol.
Thank you alanna.i felt genuinely surprised at certain parts of your video.i have been a subscriber to your channel from day one and to me it's been a joy watching your videos I find them really informative.and may I just say anyone who has the audacity to say to you to go back to where you came from.i have one word only TO HELL WITH THEM! Once again thank you for another great video 👏. peace and love 💛
Thank you so much for sticking with me throughout the years!! That means a lot
The "No recourse to public funds" restriction can be a big problem but not quite as harsh as it appears because it doesn't prevent you claiming benefits that depend on your National Insurance Contribution Record. The main one is that once you have at least 10 years in that record you'll be entitled to a UK state pension years in the future.
Hope you're well, Alanna. I'm just commenting to boost your video.
You're the best!
@@AdventuresAndNaps No, you is! 😄
Automatic cars used to be annoying, due to the lack of engine braking. Since 2016, however, I have driven automatic Hondas with gear override flippers on the steering column. I can shift gear up, or down, if necessary. This means that I don’t need to keep my foot on the brake pedal, if I am driving down a long hill.
For Americans, whether you can exchange your licence depends on the state. The UK has checked the thoroughness of your driving licence requirements across the US and only a few states allow a full licence in exchange - my wife's Florida licence was exchanged (yay!) , but Virginia is a no.
How long ago was this? I don't think this is true anymore, all Americans have to take the test now.
My wife had to take a driving test and managed to fail despite driving in the USA for over 30 years! Strange thing is it was then perfectly legal for her to drive home from the test centre on her American licence, despite having just failed the test. She passed the 2nd time :)
The driving test in some parts of the US is a joke.
😂 Incredible!! Glad she got it in the end, though.
@@sie4431 and that is good. Nobody needs so many rules, regulations and hazards. Use common sense, be respectful and polite.
@@vipeton.8927 No it's awful. Drivers need to be competent, I don't want to be run over by a polite idiot
@@vipeton.8927 not everyone has common sense though.
Also, Thank you for this video. I’m 27 and my partner and I are planning on moving in together in the north of England but she currently lives in North Carolina. I’ll be obviously able to help with the transition but I won’t be able to understand what it’s like. Thank you!
Alanna you are correct in saying that driving on the opposite side of the road to what you are used to is scary. I know this from experience having driven in Canada and America and Europe- crazy drivers in France. All this using a gear shift/ manual car 😵💫🤪🤔
The strange feeling of not feeling British or Canadian, I've had that a few times when I go abroad to Europe and I feel like i have more an affinity with Germany or Czech Republic than the UK. Maybe it is me, or at least what I have seen myself, as if you're from North American you seem to be more welcomed here than said the over the little stretch of water and across.
I'm british and i want to move to canada. I see many people say it was the worst decision they've ever made and the cost of living is extremely high. watching this video to help me decide from a canadian perspective 💓
Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada, near Vancouver.
Alana, the answer is...42.
😂
Loved it when you said "it's a pickled onion" don't why just the way you said it.
I know a Canadian who's been here since 94/95, had a child here when they go back to Canada to visit family and friend, the girl is centre of attention due to her accent being English; but she does deploy the mom when she's wanting something.
Great videos. Don't leave the UK. We want you here! Please stay! You come from Planet Earth, just like everyone else!
I had identical problems with credit when I moved to Canada from the UK
Of course you’re welcome here. Don’t listen to these people but if you ever struggle don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you trust.
As a British citizen proving my identity is so hard especially as I’m not allowed to drive because of epilepsy, so I can’t even hold a provisional I can’t afford a passport so theirs my valid photo ID gone. I couldn’t even get a bank account at one point.
Hi!
You can't claim income related benefits but, if you've made sufficient national insurance contributions, you'd be able to claim contribution based benefits for 6 months to a year or more if you were out of work.
Edited: Alana, your tax liability is calculated from your PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and self-assessment income combined - you’re not stung twice. However, it does mean that because your PAYE tax is paid ongoing, by the time you file your online self-assessment tax return, you will have likely already reached the minimum tax-paying threshold of £12,570 (as most reasonably paid office jobs are around £30k these days) and so will be paying the full 20% tax off the bat, even if your income from your own business is small. And now that it’s all done digitally, when you reach the end of filing your online return, the system will automatically factor what you’ve already paid through PAYE into the calculation, so the final figure for the tax you owe should be correct. Basically, if you were to add up your combined earnings from both employment and self-employment for any particular tax year, you would be paying 20% over the minimum threshold, and then 40% over about £50k, if you manage to earn that much. That said, when people like yourself have more than one income status, there is definitely more room for error, and so adjustments may sometimes need to be made after the fact, meaning you may have paid too much. But they’re usually pretty prompt with issuing rebates now (they never used to be).
Very good point, Alanna, because if this was a Muslim, Chinese, South Asian, or Black who is told to "Go back to where you came from!", don't just blindly cite racism as the reason because any foreigner could be told to do so and this has mostly a lot to do with xenophobia, not necessarily racism.
Hello cheeky face, keep the good work up. I love watching your videos. With out them I would have to work for a living aaaa
Very interesting! I agree with Tushar Pankaj❤️
As a younger man, I had a lot of credit that I didn't manage particularly well, so that my credit rating was lower than it could have been. A few years ago, a private pension scheme from a previous employer matured and with the 'lump sum' I received I paid off all of my credit. I haven't had need to use credit since then. However, I still get regular updates on my credit status and was pleased (ish) to see it rising steadily. Then about a couple of years ago it stopped (at about 93% of the maximum achievable,) and it has stayed the same ever since. Though this didn't bother me (I don't want credit: I have no call for it these days,) I was still curious until I discovered that the reason my credit status couldn't reach the maximum level is because I DON'T have any current credit agreements to judge me on! Never mind - suits me!
Sorry that you had this experience. When I lived in Ottawa, a passing Scot heard my accent and told me to go home to the UK, unfortunately there are a few bigots everywhere.
I've never seen anyone have an existential crisis on youtube. Kudos to you Alana. Personally i'm an absurdist. I'm not even sure I'm here.
🙏🏻 that's one way to look at it! Thanks for watching, though!
The list of countries / territories whose driving licenses can be exchanged are Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe
Strange because in the US, most people drive automatic, but it’s still always more expensive than manual. Also, we don’t have separate licenses either. You pass your drivers test in whichever car you drive to the dmv, and can drive whatever you want after.
**Edit) If you take a British drivers license test, does your auto insurance become as cheap as a UK citizen?
Load of useful information here Alanna. Question: If you were to go for British Citizenship I presume the NHS Surcharge would no longer apply?
Great video as always!
That is correct, I believe! Still need a few more years before I qualify 🤞🏻
@@AdventuresAndNaps I’m amazed you don’t qualify yet! The UK government website says you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years living in the UK and citizenship 1 year after that. Do you have ILR?
By the way, love your videos. I’m an Irishwoman who immigrated to Canada over 30 years ago and I’m a dual citizen. (It took me 6 years in Canada). I have experienced the same existential crises as you have. I’ve been lucky in Canada as I brought needed skills and I’m not a visible minority. Nobody has ever told me to my face that they don’t want me here. I still have to think twice when people ask me “where are you from?”.
Alanna, the whole 'Go back to where you came from,' (or in my case) 'Go back to Africa!', I used to get as a child at school because I'm black. Funny, I was born in Woolwich and parents aren't from Africa.. Don't let the nay-sayers trouble you, we can't please everyone nor should you have to try. the warm-hearted will find like for like and most of us are glad you're here! God bless 👍
They should know either West Indies or Nigeria/Somalia/Sudan for most black in the UK . They had one probability out of two. Go back to where you came from is the sentence in which they risk less to be wrong.
I've been living in England for 10 years (American) I made a word sandwich with my dual citizenship. AmeriBrit :)
Britican…
😂 maybe I could be CanBrit? 🇨🇦🇬🇧
@@AdventuresAndNaps It works! ;)
You're a commonwealth cousin, no one should tell you to go home. You have such a charming manner and mesmerising smile Im sure you'll get through life fine where ever you live
While there is a long list of public funds not available to immigrants until they get indefinite leave to remain, there are exceptions including free schooling (if staying longer term), child benefit (depending on country) and payments based on the NIC paid like jobseeker’s allowance, incapacity benefit, retirement pension and statutory maternity pay. It also doesn't prevent you being a partner of a UK citizen on a joint claim for universal credit.
I'm shocked about credit scores, you'd think if you built up a good credit score in North America it would count in the UK and Europe as a whole and vice versa, in many cases the credit providers will be international companies as will the companies providing credit scores.
I think after 10 years, you can apply for British citizenship, and still keep your Canadian passport. As for the credit card, if you never incur any debt the card will probably not be renewed. So I would advise when you to incur a tiny amount of debt and pay it off a month later.
Thank you
Now strangely I am doing this in reverse. I moved aboard and have moved back. And now I feel like an immigrant in my own country. The thing is, when I moved to France I had no intention of being French. I enjoyed the cheese but had know interest in the culture and was to be ignored or at least tolerated so I could climb mountains.. well this could have been a mistake but for you at least they spoke the same language.
Just so you know. If your visa indicates no public funds you still have access to a lot of services. For example primary education and ESOL training to help you settle in the uk.
do you think she needs ESOL training