Moving to Canada from US - Pros and Cons Discussion Topic

[nag1d]

I recently completed my landing process in Canada and need to decide on the move to Canada. I am in the US on a H1-B visa and have got my green card processing going on in parallel. I am in a dilemma on whether to move to Canada aborting my US green card process or continue to wait. I would like to have members in similar situation share their thoughts on this thread. It would be great if members can share their thoughts on the following areas:

US vs Canada Comparison

• Salary - Earning and Saving potential
• Schooling for kids - Quality of education, safety
• Cost of living - Housing, Living Expenses
• Options for getting back to US

[Baloo]

I find it a bit surprising that you have gone through the process without looking at these issues.

So I have to ask, did you look at the background at all? If you did, then you must have decided that Canada was a better option, if not, why proceed?

The first question to look at is, do you have guaranteed work in Canada and the US?

[nag1d]

I find it a bit surprising that you have gone through the process without looking at these issues.

So I have to ask, did you look at the background at all? If you did, then you must have decided that Canada was a better option, if not, why proceed?

The first question to look at is, do you have guaranteed work in Canada and the US?

Baloo,

Thanks for the reply. I realize it appears strange that I had not considered these before I applied but things were different for me. There was a great deal of uncertainty on my US visa front last year and that is when I applied for the Canadian PR as a fall back option. I was almost certain that I would go ahead with the move once I got my PR until I visited Canada for the first time during landing. That is when I learned a bit about the schooling system in Canada, got more insight into the cost of living (I knew it would be more expensive, but it actually hit me when I was there). Also, I realized only recently that getting back to the US after Canadian citizenship is not a very straight forward process. So, basically my dilemma started only after my landing process. I also felt that there could be very many others in my similar situation and wanted to gather their thoughts. Hence this post.

I do not have a job in Canada yet and if I decide to move, it will be after I get a job in Canada and this is something I intend to pursue from the US.

More thoughts are welcome.

Regards,

nag1d

[Leon]

I think you should stay where you have a job.  As a Canadian PR, you have 3 years you can stay outside Canada before you lose your PR status.  If your US green card application is not through and not looking good at that time, then you can reconsider if you move to Canada to keep your PR.

If you get your US green card, you might lose it if you move to Canada.  Even though they say you can stay outside the US for 6 months to a year at a time without it being a problem, they can still take your green card if they feel that you have moved to Canada permanently. 

[nag1d]

I think you should stay where you have a job.  As a Canadian PR, you have 3 years you can stay outside Canada before you lose your PR status.  If your US green card application is not through and not looking good at that time, then you can reconsider if you move to Canada to keep your PR.

If you get your US green card, you might lose it if you move to Canada.  Even though they say you can stay outside the US for 6 months to a year at a time without it being a problem, they can still take your green card if they feel that you have moved to Canada permanently. 

Thanks Leon. I am aware of the 3 yr period that I can stay outside Canada. I am considering that as well. However, I wanted to find out from people who have either made the move from US to Canada or in the process of doing so, and get their thoughts on various aspects. Any information that provides comparison of life in the US vs Canada would be great. I would like members to share their experiences and thoughts on this thread 

[rubyalabar]

try to ask in these threads, most members are on H1B in the US and have appplied for Canadian PR thru AINP

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/only-who-submitted-cicainpsrsus-visa-holder-category-application-t15729.0.html

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/ainp-srs-h1b-landing-experience-and-post-landing-related-activities-t46784.0.html

Thanks Leon. I am aware of the 3 yr period that I can stay outside Canada. I am considering that as well. However, I wanted to find out from people who have either made the move from US to Canada or in the process of doing so, and get their thoughts on various aspects. Any information that provides comparison of life in the US vs Canada would be great. I would like members to share their experiences and thoughts on this thread 

[jckdry]

I was in US on h1 B and workigna fulltime ok paying job
I applied and got Canadian PR - and my advice is do NOT come to canada

•Salary - Earning and Saving potential
The economy is small not as big as US and pay here has lot of taxes and other deductions
Even if I made 50 % of what i make in canada in the US  - I still would save more in US
all hst n gst n taxes r ridiculous in canada compared to US
•Schooling for kids - Quality of education, safety
Safety depends on area where u live
college education is cheaper in canada then USA but very competitive n very hard to get admission then USA
•Cost of living - Housing, Living Expenses
way higher expenses in Canada - double rent, groceries, triple car insurance n phone n such things dont leave anything in your pocket
•Options for getting back to US
even after u get canadian citizenship - its nto a free road to USA unless u have greencard


I would advice u to stay at your job n maintain PR of canada for 3 years as a back up option if u loose yr job
once u get green card u would not want to come to canada anyway
so u can let canadian pr expire  after that
please do nto do the same mistake i did of coming to canada

[nag1d]

I was in US on h1 B and workigna fulltime ok paying job
I applied and got Canadian PR - and my advice is do NOT come to canada

•Salary - Earning and Saving potential
The economy is small not as big as US and pay here has lot of taxes and other deductions
Even if I made 50 % of what i make in canada in the US  - I still would save more in US
all hst n gst n taxes r ridiculous in canada compared to US
•Schooling for kids - Quality of education, safety
Safety depends on area where u live
college education is cheaper in canada then USA but very competitive n very hard to get admission then USA
•Cost of living - Housing, Living Expenses
way higher expenses in Canada - double rent, groceries, triple car insurance n phone n such things dont leave anything in your pocket
•Options for getting back to US
even after u get canadian citizenship - its nto a free road to USA unless u have greencard


I would advice u to stay at your job n maintain PR of canada for 3 years as a back up option if u loose yr job
once u get green card u would not want to come to canada anyway
so u can let canadian pr expire  after that
please do nto do the same mistake i did of coming to canada

JckDry,

Thanks for the honest feed back. Are you in the Toronto area? How long has it been since you moved to Canada? Did you abort your US green card process to move to Canada?

As far as elementary and middle schooling is concerned, is the standard lower than that of US? I read in a couple of other forums (City-data.com) contradicting views about the standard of schooling in Canada as compared to the US.

My present job in the US is a bit shaky but I am hanging onto it due to my green card. My GC may be 2 years away and I am not sure if my present employer will be in business until then.

Regards,

nag1d

[me2land]

nag1d  - I think jckdry raised good points. Here are my 2 cents

 - In terms of education the 2 are very close

 - Cost of living in Canada can be as high as 30% more compared to the US (excluding medical expenses)

 - salary ranges seem very close ( minimum wage is much higher in Canada but that probably won't affect you)

 - Quality of social life appears to be better in Canada

 - A lot more opportunities in the US

If you look long term, I would say even cost-wise the 2 become very close. Americans spend something like 30% of their retirement savings on medical expenses. It's true you can save less in Canada but they have more social programs, means testing assistance and more government incentives to help you save for retirement than the US.

I think your decision should be based on what type of person you are and probably your age. If you are young, healthy, have few or no kids, don't mind taking risks, can save on my own attitude, then you should cling to the US as much as you can. On the other hand if you are older, require frequent medical attention, large family, risk averse and prefer the government to play huge role in your retirement then by all means Canada.

Why are you asking for options to get back to the US? Long term you will have to decide to be in one place. You can't have both ways. If in the future you decide to move, the immigration process will have to start all over.

¬m2l

[jckdry]

i am in vancouver area
its been alomost 1.5 years since i moved to Canada - due to brother n mom n dad in canada
i did abort US green card process to move to Canada.

As far as elementary and middle schooling is concerned, no idea - dont have kids still single.

My present job in the US is a bit shaky but I am hanging onto it due to my green card.
My GC may be 2 years away and I am not sure if my present employer will be in business until then.
--- Well it wont hurt to hang on until u can - its better than quiting or leaving.
--- eb2 takes 4-5 years for chinese n indians so i didnt wait n came to canada
but still cant find a nicer job or peace of mind here

Regards,

[nag1d]

nag1d  - I think jckdry raised good points. Here are my 2 cents

 - In terms of education the 2 are very close

 - Cost of living in Canada can be as high as 30% more compared to the US (excluding medical expenses)

 - salary ranges seem very close ( minimum wage is much higher in Canada but that probably won't affect you)

 - Quality of social life appears to be better in Canada

 - A lot more opportunities in the US

If you look long term, I would say even cost-wise the 2 become very close. Americans spend something like 30% of their retirement savings on medical expenses. It's true you can save less in Canada but they have more social programs, means testing assistance and more government incentives to help you save for retirement than the US.

I think your decision should be based on what type of person you are and probably your age. If you are young, healthy, have few or no kids, don't mind taking risks, can save on my own attitude, then you should cling to the US as much as you can. On the other hand if you are older, require frequent medical attention, large family, risk averse and prefer the government to play huge role in your retirement then by all means Canada.

Why are you asking for options to get back to the US? Long term you will have to decide to be in one place. You can't have both ways. If in the future you decide to move, the immigration process will have to start all over.

¬m2l

M2L,

Thank you. I think you have expressed your thoughts very well. At the end of the day, the trade off between "Uncertainty" and "Certainty" as well as the long term pros and cons of each place would need to be considered in making the decision.

- nag1d

[nag1d]

i am in vancouver area
its been alomost 1.5 years since i moved to Canada - due to brother n mom n dad in canada
i did abort US green card process to move to Canada.

As far as elementary and middle schooling is concerned, no idea - dont have kids still single.

My present job in the US is a bit shaky but I am hanging onto it due to my green card.
My GC may be 2 years away and I am not sure if my present employer will be in business until then.
--- Well it wont hurt to hang on until u can - its better than quiting or leaving.
--- eb2 takes 4-5 years for chinese n indians so i didnt wait n came to canada
but still cant find a nicer job or peace of mind here

Regards,

Jckdry,

Can you please elaborate a bit more when you say, you cannot find peace of mind here? What specific factors make you feel that way?

- nag1d

[CharlotteJ]

Honey,

believe me, I came here with a lot of good hope and a high amount of self confidence as I know who I am and what I am capable of, but I now seriously think of going back and only visit Canada as a tourist.

but if you have a great place like USA to visit where things are cheaper, service is excellent and nature is more fun and varied but would I come to visit Canada?

I go visit USA and spend my "Euro" there. 

Canada might become either a nightmare and/or an stressful experience. I suppose it is only good for a certain group of people.

[jckdry]

http://www.canadaimmigrants.com/forum.asp

check the opinions of many immigrants on this site

I mentioned I cant find peace of mind on account of many reasons :

1. expensive all hell
2. all stupid taxes
3. ridiculously expensive insurances, phone bills, health insurance charges( for those living in BC - 60 $ per month now), transit passes, etc
4. selfish, greedy, ignorant people
5. If u live in surrey, brampton, missisauga - neighbourhoods of toronto n vancouver in basements - which r the only ones u can afford cause of ridiculously high rents -even living in india is way easier as savings r more even in india
6. the weather in vancouver depressing - 24/7 rain -most days in a year, rest of country is still ice age for 6 months a year. Harsh winters
7. I find segregation among older immigrants n newer immigrants, even indians like punjabis who came here 30-40 years ago take advantage of newer indians when u work for them - these r the places where u will be able to land a job - if u can find one with cheap salary n hard work
8. The white canadian citizens seems still in english colonial mood. Directly or indirectly they dont treat me equally like USA. Indians in USA have good reputation of doctors, engineers, scientists n r expected to succeed and have earned respect in eyes of most white US citizens. Here most of Indians do cheap or labour jobs n drive taxis n drug crimes - many illiterate here. Also, read of gang wars and  drug dealer fights in Vancouver - they r surprisingly indians n chinese origins. Have u heard of an indian origin drug dealer in USA ??
9. Small economy n smaller population - not many jobs.  and % of new immigrants is very very very high compared to USA and keep on increasing every year. Not good as cheap replaceable worker is available all the time. Very competitive n hard to survive at a job even if u find one.
10. Visit any big city n goto a mall, bank, taxi drivers or anything - all u will find in this country is asian immigrants
11. the govt dont clean their roads and side walks in most neighbourhoods ( I know in surrey, brampton, windsor) and it looks dirty like india and not clean like USA - also alberta has lota gas pollution n cancers, manitoba houses have radioactive waste from age old US atomic waste
12. They dont care actual jobs or startup jobs for the immigrants - unlike US where u have to have H1 visa n job to get GC
13. If u lived in india n have good times n have a job in india - would u like to quit it n move to pakistan next door since u get perm resident there ?? Same is the case with US and Canada. Next door is bountiful resourceful country - why to stay in starving ice age poor country
Its very hard to stay in Canada long term as US is next door which has many virtues n less vices


I can go on ---
But, these r my experiences.
U can visit n stay for 1-2 months n share your experiences after that.

[nag1d]

Wow !!! That was quite something. Are there any pros at all  ??

I know that stability is one. By stability here, I mean in comparison to the status of people like me in the US where you are not sure if you can get your visa extended, limitations on travel, tied to your present employer since they hold your fate with regards to the green card etc, indefinite wait for your green card processing etc.

One would probably need to decide based on whether he/she is ready to bear with the uncertainty for a bit longer or wants freedom in a "not the same" kind of a place .