A couple who moved to a beautiful country full of Brits say there's only one thing they miss about home. Jack Masterson, 36, and his wife Natalie, 35, made the decision to leave Huddersfield in Yorkshire and move across the Atlantic to Canada, a country known for its dramatic landscapes, high quality of life and sizeable British expat community.
The couple, along with their two children, settled in North Vancouver, British Columbia, an area Jack describes as “packed with Brits” and surrounded by striking natural beauty. Since 2023, there has been an almost 10% rise in Brits relocating abroad, with around 639,000 people leaving the UK last year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Among those seeking a fresh start are families prepared to trade familiar comforts for new opportunities – even if it means giving up one beloved British tradition.
“For years, Natalie and I both had this nagging question in the back of our minds – ‘what if we moved elsewhere?’” Jack said. “That quickly turned into ‘where and when?’ We just wanted something new from old England for our two children.”
Their move was made possible through Canada’s Express Entry visa scheme, launched in 2023, which targets key professions facing national shortages. As a former NHS nurse, Natalie qualified under the healthcare category, allowing the family to relocate in just six months. Natalie moved out first in March, with Jack and the children following shortly after.
“With this option available to our family, Canada became a no-brainer,” Jack explained. “They’re short on nurses over here. If you can do it and want an adventure, look no further.”
Life in Canada has brought significant changes. Jack, who previously ran a videography business in England, is now rebuilding his client base while embracing an outdoor-focused lifestyle. Family hikes in Lynn Canyon Park, skiing trips and easy access to mountains and forests have become part of everyday life.
One of the biggest surprises, he says, has been just how many fellow Brits live nearby. “There’s a saying here: ‘There’s a reason it’s called British Columbia,’” Jack laughed. “We’ve got quite the ‘limey’ community in Lynn Valley.”
Despite the strong British presence, there is one aspect of life back home the family truly misses: pub culture.
“They’ve got loads of microbreweries here, which is great,” Jack said, “but the pub is a British institution. They don’t even sell beer in supermarkets in British Columbia – you have to go to government liquor stores. A few of us have joked about opening a proper British pub out here one day.”
While Canada offers stunning scenery and a welcoming atmosphere, the cost of living has been an adjustment. Jack admits everyday items can be shockingly expensive. “A loaf of bread can cost about five Canadian dollars – roughly £2.50 – which is way more than you’d pay in Tesco or Sainsbury’s,” he said. “Taxes can be lower than back home, but food prices are insane.”
Even so, Jack has no regrets. “Life in Vancouver has definitely been an adjustment, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said. “Compared to Yorkshire, you’re just in a prettier place. People are more welcoming, and the kids absolutely love it. I’m still not used to the tipping culture, but being able to jump in the car and go for a hike in one of the most beautiful regions in the world is unbeatable.”
Relocation experts say stories like Jack and Natalie’s are becoming increasingly common. Simon Hood, Executive Director at John Mason International, the company that helped the family move, says affordability isn’t always the driving factor. “Canada is facing many of the same cost-of-living pressures as the UK,” he said. “But clients tell us they’re relocating because Canada offers something more. Sometimes it’s the intangible things – lifestyle, space, opportunity – that matter more than the economics.”
For Jack and his family, the trade-off has been worth it. Even without a proper British pub on the corner, they’ve found a new home that offers adventure, community and a fresh outlook on life.
