I am 53 year old . migrated to Canada in 1998 after working 8 years in Middle East. My son who is 22 has passed out Engineering and working full time as an Engineer in Toronto. Myself working as Civil Engineering Consultant for Canadian Employer for last 6 years outside Canada but I am visiting Canada every six months to stay for 1 to 2 months. Residence requirement is no problem since Employer is Canadian Company . Recently purchased house in Toronto after paying 25 %. And have liquid assets about 300,000 C$. Now the choice is between two alternatives:

Alternative 1

Continue to work overseas with saving potential of 50,000 C$ and more but quality of life will not be as good , since work is mostly in developing countries like South America , Africa , Asia and period of stay in each country will be 1 to 3 years. Further I will have to continue stay away from son for long period of time but my wife will accompany with me during postings.

Alternative 2

Look for work in Civil Engineering field in Canada , which will be difficult or look for an alternative career in Real Estate Sales. Another alternative will be to invest about 100,000 C$ in business . The advantage will be to stay in own house in Toronto with son and better quality of life in Canada. Myself and my wife will like to do some work for time pass or for small income. With present investments , survival will not be difficult in Canada for couple of years.


I am thinking of alternative 2.

Please comment on my decision to chose Alt. 2 .
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rak

Please respond to my choice.

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rak

this is a tough decision and only you can make it. i dont think you should be influenced by other opinions. What is important to you is what should help you make your decision. Every decision has tradeoffs.

Two years ago, I had decided to go for a similar thing as alternate 1 for you - except that I was going to leave Canada with the family. After staying out opfr three months, I decided to come back, only because I thought that my children will in any case have to come back to Canada in a couple of years to do their university. So I chose your alternative 2 to stay here with my family and provide good education to my children.

About 3-4 years from now, if I am still not settled in a job/business in Canada itself, I will leave Canada for a place which will give me better life - even if I have to go back to India and either retire or just run a small business with my savings. Reasoning? the children will be at/out of university, and they would start leading their own lives. If I am not settled in Canada fully then why restrict your own and children's life?

If I were you, I would chose alternative 1 since it gives you more money, chance to remain with your wife, and still maintain Canadian status. You will continue to meeting your son on a regular basis, and your yearly visits will be something he will really look forward to.

Believe me, starting life in a different manner at age 53 (as in your alternative 2) will be more frustrating than not being able to live with your child all 365 days a year.

Chandresh

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

by the way Rakesh, are you in Toronto now? I need a personal favour from you urgently if you are.

Chandresh

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

At present I am in South America but I will come back Toronto by 1 st week of April 2005. I will contact you.
Thanks

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rak

Quote:

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Orginally posted by chandresh

Believe me, starting life in a different manner at age 53 (as in your alternative 2) will be more frustrating than not being able to live with your child all 365 days a year.

Chandresh

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