Moving to Canada from US - Pros and Cons Discussion Topic

[kumbu.bumbu]

I landed 2 years back from US (MA). Living in GTA

Cons
Salary or earnings is at least 10% less than US.
I pay 3 times for my car Insurance. Insane.
I had to pay 1.5 times more for mobile phone and fewer minutes talk time.
I see education of children at little down side comparing MA which has got much better standard. My High school er says they teach kids stuff at High School.
On the road people drive crazy. There are few polite and considerate drivers.
Everything is about 25% more expensive than US

Pros
Health Insurance. No co pay. Walk in Clinic, don't pay anything even for prescription. Once you find the family Dr. all visits are free, prescriptions are free. Even if you lose the job no worries about health Insurance.
Because of high mobile phone charges I had to switch to switch to pay as you go and pay 10 $ per month and my time is saved a lot.
Being from South Asia  I get food and movies as if I am in home. Less expensive and more choices like in home.
No hidden racism. People are polite and friendly.
With H1 in US always treated rough at Airports. When you enter US question is When will you go back? With PR here On landing Welcome to Canada. On every revisit Welcome back. (Will be the same in US if you have US GC)
I like green vegetables. Locally grown and fresh. Less expensive in warmer months.
I feel that I am in home. In US I always felt 'I am Alien'.


I pay same rent as in MA.

[J1visa]

This is my story. I was in the U.S on a J1 visa. I moved to Canada in June 2010 with a low-paid job in hand. After 5 months in Canada without any better job, I got my U.S. Green card. I decided to drive back to the U.S with a low-paid job again in hand. After 4 months in the U.S. I have just received a job offer with good pay and high reputation in Canada (I applied 4 months ago when I was in Canada). Now I am preparing for a long drive back. There is a loop for my life, my next thinking should be how to keep my US Green Card. I am not a patient person, so I have to move around. Actually, I do not know which side is good, Canada or the U.S. For me, the good place is the place where you can obtain a good job.

[Leon]

If you go to the US every 6 months or at least more often than every 12, you might be able to keep your green card.  For a while anyway.  They have the right to take it if they feel you have moved to Canada permanently.

[J1visa]

Thanks Leon. I think I will cross the border frequently to keep my GC, say one time for every two months since it is just few hours from Edmonton to the border.

[me2land]

CeeGee - you are right on. I only lived in the US for few years but that's exactly my observation and I thought I'm the only one. From Looking for a home to banks to grocery stores ... I have consistenly encountered bad or at least lower standard of customer service in Canada that the U.S.

¬m2l

[Acelawyer]

I am in the US and university tuition was a pleasant surprise.CAD4000 as opposed to $30000. That alone has me sold on Canada.

[Canooknic]

SERIOUSLY?
If its so terrible why are you, and hundreds of thousands of others, trying to immigrate there?

[washington.state]

SERIOUSLY?
If its so terrible why are you, and hundreds of thousands of others, trying to immigrate there?

I am sick of this question. This is a general Human thing that something is always better than nothing but this doesn't say that "something" will become "best thing" just because you applied for it or got it. People will always look for "best thing" because everyone has desire to live better life, be rich and prosper.

As a short answer, people are immigrating there to become a Citizen of Developed nation + instant rights of PR will allow them to do whatever they want or whatever is available. If US h1b was little flexible then nobody will even come to Canada to pee but infact people are migrating because freedom and rights make them do many things such as
-creepy jobs in a legal way
-Business dreams
-keep one spouse in US and one in Canada and get together monthly basis

[Canooknic]

And I'm sick of negativity! I would not settle for less than the best for my family, so if the US is so much better why not do whatever it takes to get there instead of being unhappy in Canada? It just doesn't make sense to me.
I have friends that have downsized their home to save money so that they could return to university to get qualifications to enable them to come to Canada, it has taken them 3 years just to be able to submit paperwork! They could have moved to Australia immediately, but they have waited and worked to get what they feel is the best for them and their daughters.
that's why I have an issue with someone moving to Canada and then being unhappy with virtually everything. I don't want to cause offence, I just wanted to understand. I couldn't imagine being so unhappy somewhere but still being willing to stay there.

[washington.state]

And I'm sick of negativity! I would not settle for less than the best for my family, so if the US is so much better why not do whatever it takes to get there instead of being unhappy in Canada? It just doesn't make sense to me.
I have friends that have downsized their home to save money so that they could return to university to get qualifications to enable them to come to Canada, it has taken them 3 years just to be able to submit paperwork! They could have moved to Australia immediately, but they have waited and worked to get what they feel is the best for them and their daughters.
that's why I have an issue with someone moving to Canada and then being unhappy with virtually everything. I don't want to cause offence, I just wanted to understand. I couldn't imagine being so unhappy somewhere but still being willing to stay there.

It seems easy to say "I would not settle for less and blah..blah.." but when you understand the laws of both countries then you have very few choices and you have settle for less at least for a while. But this settlement doesn't reduce the standards of "best thing" or best choice. It remains just an option which is relatively better than anything else in plate.

[jckdry]

i agree with u washington
luck, chance, fate, destiny, whatever
we r stuck here and cant seem to find a needle in the haystack

[Canooknic]

Why not go to a different country? Somewhere in Europe? There has to be somewhere that would feel happier?
Please don't get defensive or feel that I am attacking you in anyway, I still just don't understand why you would stay in Canada if you really don't like it. The world is a huge place, life is previous and short so why not look elsewhere?

[Canooknic]

East is full of *censored word*s. If that was such a nice place then millions of Jews would not have settled in NY, CT and RI. Hitler was not the only reason. Europeans are also looking for visa to work in US. There are only 5-6 developed nations rest of world is developing so you go there as a tourist and take picture of naked citizens and slums. Out of those 5-6 Nations US is the #1 Choice and whole drama is to get this thing.

That's quite a broad statement, but I won't take it personally!! Wherever you go in the world there will be people trying to leave. Loads of people leave the UK for Australia, but if (for example) you go to London it's full of Australians who are happy to have left. It doesn't mean that Australia isn't still a wonderful, beautiful, cultural place, it just wasn't right for them.
I hope you find happiness wherever you finally settle, and I hope it happens sooner rather than later for you...

[aerogurl87]

Washington I have to disagree with you. The US is in a recession and a college degree there is sometimes not even worth the paper it's printed on. I am a native US citizen and I moved because the job situation was horrible, well that and I wanted to live with my boyfriend. Where I'm at now, here in Canada, there is actually a SHORTAGE of workers. Most people here are living happily and are gainfully employed with good paying jobs. My boyfriend makes the same amount of money as both of my parents combined, my parents who live in the US I may add. So I guess it depends on where you live, cause here things are on the upswing.

[SaugaBoss]

so far think US is much cheaper and would definitely consider convincing the hubby to move there with me! i make 10,000 more at my job in canada than i did in the US and i make the same taxes r insane! the doctors from experience since i am 24 weeks pregnant are horrible!!!! even the hospital doctors dont follow up unless u harass them 1000 times same goes for family doctors. everything from clothes to food to a bar of soap is more expensive. never shop for clothes in canada doing all my baby shopping in the US for sure!