I didn't catch where you're from in the U.K. (I'll presume England) but my hometown in Scotland has the highest crime rate in Britain, at least it had the last time I checked. I have rarely encountered the type of impoverished area that I was raised in, during any of my travels in North or South America. Some reserves and parts of Chile have about the same living standards.
Emigration to Canada is a no-brain-er in that respect.
I've been in Canada since 1979 and have lived in various parts of BC and also in Cape Breton. I have traveled extensively within Canada & down into some of the western States in the U.S. I love all of it with the exception of Vancouver (crime) and the Lower Mainland. (Air quality)
I can honestly say that I know of not one single place in Scotland that would allow me the same space and freedom that I enjoy here.
I'm on Vancouver Island now where the climate is more moderate than the rest of BC and Canada. It's about the size of Scotland and has less than a million residents.
Free enterprise is alive and kicking and the job market is extremely healthy.
I have no Queen but would gladly kneel for Buffy St. Marie, even if she is American. (Heard she blew them away at the Mission Folk Festival, last week)
Emigration is good for the sole.
Regards.
Jim