Want to move to Canada...

[koivulchuk 1]

I want to move to Canada. Has anyone on here ever moved from the US to Canada? I've already check out the CIC web sites & I realize there is a whole process involved. But I just thought I'd ask if anyone on MSH has ever done this. If so, was it difficult?

Also, for anyone that has lived in both the US & Canada, how did they compare? Likes & dislikes of each?

How do jobs/economy in Canada compare to the US? I know this is a general question & may be sort of difficult to answer, but any help is appreciated.

I'd like to live in Nova Scotia if anyone is interested.

Thanks!

[hockeyherb 1]

I grew up in Canada and moved to the US when I was in my early 30's. Moving between the countries is easy. You just cross the border and find a place to live. It's not like there is anyone you have to clear it with.

The more difficult part is finding a job, which you should try to do before you move unless you have a lot of savings. Companies in each country can't just hire anyone from another country unless they have work visas. To get a work visa under the NAFTA agreement you have to have some special skill that is in short supply in the country you move to.

In my case it was easy to get a visa because I worked in the computer industry for which applicants are always in short supply. If you're trying to get a job as a waiter or something, forget it. You MIGHT find a place willing to hire you under the table but if you're caught your chances of staying or getting back in the country again are slim.

Another option is moving, finding a suitable partner and getting married asap. I would say that should be a last resort though (depending on what she looks like).

[M-Cohen 0]

If you want a HIGH paying job ($20 for mcdonalds! So, if you have any skills or want to work in oil you will make big bucks.) Move to Calgary... Only catch is, you better have a place to live lined up, cause there is NO housing left.

[A_Steeves12 0]

If you move to nova scotia Miike and I can show you all the rinks and shops in the Halifax area.

Nova Scotia is a great place to live but the weather can be unpredictible, but all in all its not that bad. we have super nice summers.

if you have any questions about NS feel free to ask.

[hockeyherb 1]

If you want a HIGH paying job ($20 for mcdonalds! So, if you have any skills or want to work in oil you will make big bucks.) Move to Calgary... Only catch is, you better have a place to live lined up, cause there is NO housing left.

Not much chance he'd get a work visa for a job at McDonald's though. I have heard the fast food places are having a hell of a time finding staff though.

I keep telling my parents to leave Calgary. I can't believe what their average home would sell for there! And I thought Southern Cal was pricey!

[hockey3 0]

If you want a HIGH paying job ($20 for mcdonalds! So, if you have any skills or want to work in oil you will make big bucks.) Move to Calgary... Only catch is, you better have a place to live lined up, cause there is NO housing left.

Where is there a Mcdonalds paying a starting wage of anywhere near $20 in Canada.

[Miike 1]

If you want a HIGH paying job ($20 for mcdonalds! So, if you have any skills or want to work in oil you will make big bucks.) Move to Calgary... Only catch is, you better have a place to live lined up, cause there is NO housing left.

Where is there a Mcdonalds paying a starting wage of anywhere near $20 in Canada.

Out west in Alberta. My friend's sister worked at a KFC out in Edmonton area and was making $18 /hour starting out.

[althoma1 575]

I haven't lived in the US, but I've visited there, am constantly exposed to the US media, and know people who have moved from Canada to the US. Here are some Pros and Cons of moving to Canada at a high level as I see them:

Pros:

-Hockey is the national sport and you'll find no shortage of coverage in the media and no shortage of places to play.

-Crime is generally lower in major Canadian cities than major US cities.

-The Country is bigger geographically than the US yet has less people in it than the state of NY which means there are more open spaces and the population is dense. Although the US certainly does have nice open spaces, natural parks ect. as well.

-The health care system is seemingly more affordable (you pay a lot of tax for the appearance of affordability) in Canada as you don't have to pay for most visits to doctors (although wait lists for special services are usually long)...since I'm reasonably young and generally healthy I don't really use it a lot, but still pay a lot of taxes so other people can benefit from it.

-The top Universities are much cheaper to attend here than in the US if you're a Canadian citizen.

- We've never elected George Bush ;).

Cons:

-In comparison to the US we're taxed to death here. More than 50% of our income goes to the government when you factor in property tax, income tax, sales tax, goods and services tax, luxury taxes ect.

-Most of the "major leagues" of various industries are based in the US. Sure, you can work for a big Advertising firm in Vancouver or Toronto, but NY is where most of the major Ad companies are based. Sure, you can act in Canada, and some movies are filmed in Canada, but the big budget movies are produced and funded by Hollywood based companies.

-White Collar and Technical/Computer jobs pay more in the US.

So if you move to Canada you'll enjoy all the hockey I'm sure (but you can still play and watch hockey in the US), the natural beauty of the country, be theoretically safer, and have access to more affordable healthcare and education after you become a citizen. However, all of this comes at a price. Namely, extremely high taxes and generally lower income for similar jobs.

[lee92 2]

i'm from nova scotia, and school in halifax, which is the best place to be, in canada, if you like going downtown. for work, go to alberta. i'm living with my aunt for the summer in red deer, and just about every job is easily $10+, and most will hire you on the spot because their desperate for workers. just about every store has a 'help wanted'or 'now hiring'sign out in front

[hockey3 0]

i'm from nova scotia, and school in halifax, which is the best place to be, in canada, if you like going downtown. for work, go to alberta. i'm living with my aunt for the summer in red deer, and just about every job is easily $10+, and most will hire you on the spot because their desperate for workers. just about every store has a 'help wanted'or 'now hiring'sign out in front

Theres also a huge difference in living costs/housing costs though in alberta as compared to many other provinces.

[hockeyherb 1]

Pros:

-The health care system is supposedly better in Canada..although since I'm reasonably young and generally healthy I don't really use it a lot, but still pay a lot of taxes so other people can benefit from it.

I don't know that I'd agree with this one depending on what you mean 'better'. Yes it's universal coverage which is good for people who are maybe self employed or work for small companies that don't offer health care. But the quality of care in the US is much better. They have way more resources in the US than in Canada. (for example try to get an MRI in Canada - wait 6 months. In the US...'you want Thursday or Friday?')

[RadioGaGa 162]

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/rankings/b...tolive/list.jsp

This may help (if you are still choosing a location).

[tyler9 0]

If your looking to make money northern Alberta is the place for you. If your skilled in a trade or looking to get into one places like Ft. Mccmurray have abundant amounts of work. I have friends in there early to late 20's welding and surveying making 6 figure salaries.

[althoma1 575]

hockeyherb Posted Today, 11:10 PM

QUOTE(althoma1 @ May 15 2007, 09:49 PM)

Pros:

-The health care system is supposedly better in Canada..although since I'm reasonably young and generally healthy I don't really use it a lot, but still pay a lot of taxes so other people can benefit from it.

I don't know that I'd agree with this one depending on what you mean 'better'. Yes it's universal coverage which is good for people who are maybe self employed or work for small companies that don't offer health care. But the quality of care in the US is much better. They have way more resources in the US than in Canada. (for example try to get an MRI in Canada - wait 6 months. In the US...'you want Thursday or Friday?')

Yes, I should have said "more accessable" or more affordable if you have to use it often and don't have other coverage through work. Personally since I hardly use the health care system I'd rather go with a pay-per-use type system rather than having to pay as much tax as I currently do. The fact that you don't have to wait nearly as long for services in the US if you pay for it would certainly be another pro for living there if you have health care coverage and can afford to pay for it.

[Chadd 916]

I know a guy who was looking to move to Canada to live with his girlfriend/wife. He went through months of paperwork until at some point they essentially told him no. She ended up moving home for a while, got new paperwork and now they live here.

[Jason Harris 31]

When we visited Vancouver, I told my wife I was willing to go dual citizen, but she wouldn't consider it.

I've visited Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver, and they are all beautiful cities. Their people seem to be nicer/friendlier also. But it's tough to find a fast food restaurant on every corner. How are you supposed to get into training shape if you can't find a fast food restaurant easiiy???

Bear in mind, though, if you do go ahead and make the move, the odds are there will be things you like about where you've moved and things you don't -- and vice versa. The point being no place is perfect and sometimes the disappointment with the negative aspects is greater than it should be, since the excitement with moving is so high.

[Juice_Slowjamz 0]

When we visited Vancouver, I told my wife I was willing to go dual citizen, but she wouldn't consider it.

I've visited Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver, and they are all beautiful cities. Their people seem to be nicer/friendlier also. But it's tough to find a fast food restaurant on every corner. How are you supposed to get into training shape if you can't find a fast food restaurant easiiy???

Bear in mind, though, if you do go ahead and make the move, the odds are there will be things you like about where you've moved and things you don't -- and vice versa. The point being no place is perfect and sometimes the disappointment with the negative aspects is greater than it should be, since the excitement with moving is so high.

Pros- The food is better.

Cons- Liquor laws, emissions laws, Canadian TV, Canadian cell phone providers.

[koivulchuk 1]

I'm thinking about taking it in baby steps. Maybe moving to Maine first...then try for Nova Scotia sometime later. I definitely want to live on a Nova Scotia coast sometime though.

[Fredrik 0]

To get a work visa you have to have some special skill that is in short supply in the country you move to.

Hockeyplayer? ;)

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...

[hockeyherb 1]

To get a work visa you have to have some special skill that is in short supply in the country you move to.

Hockeyplayer? ;)

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...

Would have been more funny if you said it before Canada won the worlds! But I guess until we take back the Olympic gold you have some leeway. :D

[RadioGaGa 162]

To get a work visa you have to have some special skill that is in short supply in the country you move to.

Hockeyplayer? ;)

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...

Would have been more funny if you said it before Canada won the worlds! But I guess until we take back the Olympic gold you have some leeway. :D

You're American...he's a Swede...who is the "we" you refer to?

[hockeyherb 1]

To get a work visa you have to have some special skill that is in short supply in the country you move to.

Hockeyplayer? ;)

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...

Would have been more funny if you said it before Canada won the worlds! But I guess until we take back the Olympic gold you have some leeway. :D

You're American...he's a Swede...who is the "we" you refer to?

I am Canadian. I just live in the US. So when it's convenient, I cheer for Canada, and when convenient for the US since my wife and kids are Yanks.

[D3nZ 0]

BTW It's snowing today in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, if you want that kind of weather, it's your place to be!

[koivulchuk 1]

BTW It's snowing today in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, if you want that kind of weather, it's your place to be!

Damn...it was near 90 degrees here the past few days. Today was really nice...high of about 70...but it just gets too hot here for me. I hate weather over 75 or so...just too warm.

[koivulchuk 1]

Anyone on MSH live in Maine?