I’ve lived in Australia, Canada and the UK. Here’s my ranking of each

It was never my intention to live exclusively in English-speaking Commonwealth countries, but life has a way of unfolding in ways you don’t expect.

Born and raised in London, I was determined to live Down Under by whatever means necessary following a holiday when I fell hopelessly in love with the country. I eventually succeeded, with a stint of studying in Melbourne.

Writer Kirsten Powley, pictured here in Bruce Peninsula National Park in Canada with her husband, has lived all across the Commonwealth.Credit: Kirsten Powley

I later lived in Toronto for more than two years with my now-husband, who I met while we were both in Australia, as a resolution to the two-year, long-distance relationship we endured after we each returned to our home countries (me to the UK, him to the US). We now live together in London. It has been a mini-game of geographical musical chairs.

I’m often asked by friends which of the three, based on my experiences, is the best place to live. The unsexy answer is that it’s totally subjective and everyone will have different viewpoints according to their priorities. But that’s no fun, is it? So let’s try to break it down and pinpoint a winner…

Weather

When it comes to weather, Australia has few competitors.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Australia’s weather is simply stunning, and I won’t hear a word against it. Even when I was in Melbourne, the cloudiest of Australia’s major cities and referred to as sometimes having “four seasons in one day”, there was enough sunshine and warmth to put a smile on the grouchiest of faces. There’s a reason that the friend you know who moved to Australia always looks happier than you.

Canada’s weather fluctuates wildly; the grid format of Toronto creates winter wind tunnels that send painful, razor sharp gusts that chill your bones, while summers could be uncomfortably humid. I have since learned not to complain about the cold in the UK.

Britain’s lack of weather variation, therefore, can sometimes feel like a blessing in disguise. I just wish there was a touch less grey – a cold day with sun is, to me, preferable over a cloudy, mild one, and I like my summers to last for more than two weeks of the year.

The scores:
Australia: 9/10
Canada: 6/10
UK: 5/10

Friendliness

Meeting some friendly locals at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.

We’re simple beings; weather and temperament often go hand-in-hand, and I haven’t met a nationality so warm and welcoming as Australians (and that’s not just because I love the accents). The Aussie zest for life, adventure and humour is a joy to be around, and they make excellent drinking buddies.

Canadians are also – mostly – a friendly bunch, although in a much more reserved and polite way. They are a little frostier in Toronto, however. I recall crossing a road on a “walk” sign when a car barged its way through the pedestrians (not all that uncommon) and another person on the crossing threw not only expletives but also their hot coffee at the offending vehicle.

Britons (myself included) need so much coaxing out of their shells that, while we are many wonderful things, and possessing a wonderfully dry, sarcastic and dark sense of humour, “friendly” probably isn’t at the top of the list. Especially in London.

The scores:

Australia: 9/10
Canada: 7/10
UK: 5/10

Landscapes

The Canadian Rockies have some of the most breathtaking scenery.Credit: iStock

Australia contains a roll call of great natural wonders, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Blue Mountains. Visiting Uluru and Kata Tjuta remains one of the best experiences of my life, alongside tackling the Great Ocean Road. The fact of the matter is, if you love nature and dramatic landscapes, Australia is the real deal.

But Canada is no small fry on this front. Canada’s Rockies are jaw-dropping, its islands are bursting with wildlife, and Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula is reminiscent of the Caribbean. I still regret not going to Churchill to see polar bears or exploring the Maritimes provinces. One day…

The UK has exceptional experiences too: beautiful national parks like Dartmoor and the Lake District, and 12,429 kilometres of rugged coastline. But nothing quite rivals the heart-thumping experiences of Australia and Canada, which tie for first place in this category.

The scores:
Australia: 10/10
Canada: 10/10
UK: 7/10

Culture

Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern art gallery in London. When it comes to culture, the UK rules.Credit: Visit Britain

We can define “culture” in many ways, but however you cut it, Britain is hard to beat. For such a small island, there are huge differences in accent, dialect and way of life. It’s tirelessly fascinating to get a bunch of people from around the UK debating what they call the last meal of the day or what accompanies their chips.

On top of that, you’ve got an unfathomable amount of history you can still step into, which I never quite appreciated until leaving Europe and seeing how “new” some other places were. We also have sports, shows and wonderful dining throughout British cities – it’s almost overwhelming how much you can sink your teeth into.

That’s not to say there’s no history in Australia and Canada. Seeking out the experiences of Indigenous communities in both destinations comes with a lot of beauty and heartache. There is also Australia’s famous coffee culture and world-best restaurants, and when in Toronto, I loved the pride in their sports teams – go Maple Leafs (ice hockey) and Raptors (basketball)! Both also have excellent art galleries.

The scores:
Australia: 7/10
Canada: 7/10
UK: 10/10

Liveability

For all its faults, the UK is still one of the most liveable places.Credit: Getty Images

Rents and house prices are exorbitantly high across all of these countries. In Canada, however, wages also tend to be high, taking some of the strain. Its healthcare is famously accessible – not to the extent of the NHS, but many services are free or can be taken care of by your employer.

I remember the first time I went food shopping in Australia and I was shocked by the prices of everyday items. Sure, I was a student at the time, but it transcended even that budget-focused stance.

I do truly think the UK, while far from perfect, is one of the most liveable places. There’s no doubt we are in harder times because of the cost of living crisis, and perhaps I’m just fortunate, but it’s not often I feel hard done by living here. Food prices are fair; I wouldn’t say no to lower rail fares, though.

The scores:
Australia: 7/10
Canada: 8/10
UK: 9/10

The final results

Australia: 42/50
Canada: 38/50
UK: 36/50

Australia takes the crown, with Canada in second and the UK in third. But this is just based on my experience. I feel a pull towards where I can get the most adventure, sun and sea. I am at my most content when skiing, hiking rugged mountains or snorkelling in the oceans. Many are different. Swimming with sharks is one person’s dream, but another’s hell on earth.

Furthermore, I love each of these countries, and although the UK has placed third, it was up against some very stiff competition and remains one of the greatest places to live. I’m certainly happy to live there.

The Telegraph, London