USC moved to Canada - experience

[commonwealth]

Folks- I would appreciate to hear from US Citizen(s) or residents who recently moved to Canada.
Key drivers behind this move... Challenges faced during the transition and what would say to someone who is thinking about this move? Thanks

[Maaties]

good question

[commonwealth]

Optimistic about valuable experiences and learn --

[commonwealth]

I guess it depends... Didn't hear much so i assume stay put. Most folks who are resident in US move to Canada to sort out status/passport?
So far;

Extremely cold weather
Limited job market
Good social benefits
Citizenship in few years.....

[Maaties]

for now i am not worried about citizenship issues but social benefits is good.

The population in Canada is also more softer (whatever that might mean). I like the liberal social policies of Canada.

[commonwealth]

I heard taxes are higher; have any idea how much tax you pay in Canada?
What about Medical comparison?

[omm]

Medical are free mostly. Taxes are high I heared from my cousin she told me its 32% on everything (shopings, salary all), its ok I stayed in Europe and paid same taxes but medical is free for us its big benefits.
Right now I am in the USA I paid for my wife Delivery during her pregnancy its cost me 5400USD. so, its big cost for me after coverage of my inssurance.
I am on H1B, On H1B we must have to work only for H1B sponsor employer and spouse can not work on her H4 dependents visa, so if your spouse is high educated or similar to your education that is worthless for her. she will sure tired during your H1B - H4 stay.
I say the H1 - H4 rules are worst, when you apply for green card its take minimum 5years to 7years in the USA , and in Canada in 3years or max 3and haf years you will get citizenship, and Great deal is PR of Canada, your spouse can work anywhere. free medical mostly.
Thanks,
Ommkumar desai.

[qorax]

Medical are free mostly. Taxes are high I heared from my cousin she told me its 32% on everything (shopings, salary all), its ok I stayed in Europe and paid same taxes but medical is free for us its big benefits.
Right now I am in the USA I paid for my wife Delivery during her pregnancy its cost me 5400USD. so, its big cost for me after coverage of my inssurance.
I am on H1B, On H1B we must have to work only for H1B sponsor employer and spouse can not work on her H4 dependents visa, so if your spouse is high educated or similar to your education that is worthless for her. she will sure tired during your H1B - H4 stay.
I say the H1 - H4 rules are worst, when you apply for green card its take minimum 5years to 7years in the USA , and in Canada in 3years or max 3and haf years you will get citizenship, and Great deal is PR of Canada, your spouse can work anywhere. free medical mostly.
Thanks,
Ommkumar desai.

I second that.
This is exactly our driving force for a Canadian PR.

[commonwealth]

Thanks everyone for their input.

32% is not bad; I currently pay around 35% in US... I guess higher tax bracket if you make over 120K or something I am not sure.
I gather cost is going to be lower, any sense of quality of healthcare?

[omm]

my cousin told me 32% but may be he not completely aware, its below to 32%, its near to 26% to 29% max on different income. read more Complete info on Canadian Tax:
(Federal tax rates for 2009 are:)
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/fq/txrts-eng.html

15% on the first $40,726 of taxable income, +
22% on the next $40,726 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $40,726 and $81,452), +
26% on the next $44,812 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $81,452 and $126,264), +
29% of taxable income over $126,264.

Read above link for more details.

commonwealth : healthcare is very good in canada. my wife pregnant in the USA gynec never guide to what to eat and what to do not eat, my cousine is in canada when she was pregnant gynec told her what to not eat during her pregnancy means dont eat high sugar sweets or any sweetner related like caffeen or cocacola pepsi soft drinks, I read on internet and I ask to my wife gynec she told us no proble during pregnancy she can not drin alcohol but she drinks pepsi cocacola, and ultimately at the 7th months of her pregnency the test show high glucos and we stop to give her sugar or sweet food. so canada helthcare is better then USA healthcare, more important is insurance, you need to pay high money to inssurance company here in the USA, we paid $350 every 15days paystub.
if you earn in canada Cad$70k/year its good salary to live there.

Thanks & add your inputs will help others...
Ommkumar Desai.

[commonwealth]

Omm- I think these are just Federal tax rates, you might want to include state, medical, SSI  taxes and GST.

Here is US federal tax rates;Very close to Canadian rates.

Filing status: MARRIED FILING JOINTLY
10% on the income between $0 and $16,700
15% on the income between $16,700 and $67,900; plus $1,670.00
25% on the income between $67,900 and $137,050; plus $9,350.00
28% on the income between $137,050 and $208,850; plus $26,637.50
33% on the income between $208,850 and $372,950; plus $46,741.50
35% on the income over $372,950; plus $100,894.50