Michael and Melissa first crossed paths in London about 12 years ago. Michael is from Essex, which is just East of London, and Melissa had moved to the UK from Thunder Bay to teach.
They made the move from the UK to Thunder Bay in 2024 for a variety of reasons.
“We had our first child, and London and the suburbs around it are just so busy. It’s so hectic. I was spending 3 or sometimes 4 hours a day commuting. I got to the point where I had just had enough of doing that,” says Michael.
The cost of living was also a factor.
“It’s out of control how expensive it is,” Michael tells me.
Thunder Bay was not new to Michael when they eventually decided to make the move here, he had been coming here with Melissa to visit for years. But, as he says, “it’s always very different when you’re visiting somewhere compared to actually living there.”
Melissa confirms that there were many factors that they considered when they decided to move to Thunder Bay.
“There was not really one reason we decided to move back, but rather a few smaller reasons that made it seem like the right choice for us,” she explains.
“We always knew we wanted to spend time in Canada at some point, and after having our son, we thought it would be a great opportunity for him to get to experience his Canadian half and spend time with friends and family here. I think Thunder Bay is one of those places that until you leave and come back, you don’t fully appreciate all it has to offer. The slower pace of life, and unlimited access to the most picturesque settings.”
“Although,” she adds, “I did forget how cold it gets here.”
When I ask if he was ready to embrace the Thunder Bay winters, Michael says his visits here did not prepare him for how long they would be.
“It’s not the cold so much that bothers me, it’s more the length that’s tough. Our friends seem to hibernate and you don’t see people as much,” he says.
Having spent years managing golf clubs in England, Michael found a role at the Fort William Golf and Country Club where he is the General Manager.
He reached out to a few of the clubs in town upon his arrival and he was able to move into an administration position at the FWGCC. Michael moved into the GM role upon the departure of the previous GM Stacy Hutton.
“I was very fortunate,” says Michael, “especially because it’s a very niche kind of field, and there aren’t a ton of clubs in Thunder Bay.”
Melissa works in the EarlyON Education Centres which operate out of a few locations, like Intercity Shopping Centre and Northwood Mall. She also teaches as a supply educator.
So how is Michael adjusting to life across the pond from the UK?
“I can’t even compare the lifestyle,” he says. “It feels so different. It feels culturally different. It probably took me a good 18 months to adjust. But there are lots of positives. I love that my drive to work is 10 minutes and that there are areas of natural beauty everywhere. Outside of London, there is nothing like that. It’s all accessible here.”
“There’s more community here,” he adds. “There are things you can do with your kids and it isn’t going to cost you 50 pounds. To do anything back home, you had to sit in traffic and pay for parking.”
He maintains his love for London, despite the cons of living there: “I think it’s one of the best cities. It’s a great place, but we just got to a point where we felt a bit burnt out.”
Some of the things they enjoy doing most in the city are frequenting the local coffee shops.
“We have come to love some of the local shops - our favourites are Dolce and Sweet North,” says Melissa.
Melissa says that they’re finally feeling more settled, so they are starting to get more involved in hobbies and after-work activities.
“I enrolled our son in Ukrainian dancing, which was so special for me as it was a huge part of my life when I lived here. Mike also loves going for walks and exploring, and our son has inherited his love for adventure. He often convinces us to go exploring, which has been really amazing as I have discovered places I didn’t even know existed!”
“I have to say, though, the best bit of moving back is getting to watch Emerson and Mike experience all the Canadian firsts (snow, swimming in the lake, camp, campfires, s’mores) and so much more that we forget is so exciting because we become so used to it.”
