nooka

We've just moved up from NYC. I would be very wary of moving back to the States, even if the opportunity arose. The people we have met have (mostly) been lovely, and the same has been true here. I think that both countries are so huge that is doesn't make much sense to compare "Americans" and "Canadians". There is probably more in common between a Californian and a BCer (what's the collective term there I wonder?) than there is between a Texan and a New Yorker.

What would concern me is the very very difficult position temporary workers have in the US - when my husband lost his job we basically had to leave. The lack of any sort of protection for workers unless you are in a unionised environment (I know Canada is behind Europe on this one too). Most importantly the permanent worry about healthcare costs, when in between jobs, on losing a job, when your employer decides to downgrade your insurance deal (or get rid of it, should they choose), or even when you are ill or have an accident about whether you will actually be covered.

Alberta_Rose

No.

Almost Canadian

I would agree with what one of the other posters said about materialism etc.

If I had to live anywhere other than England or Canada, I would choose somewhere in Europe. Way more exposure to life beyond one's borders than you would ever find in America.

I just don't get the whole "America is great" thing - it's got some good things going for it, they are just totally outweighed by the bad things. Before DBD33 jumps down my throat, this is just my opinion, I'm sure other people think it is fantastic.

Rete

Yes, it does. He feels he is a citizen of the country. He has not given up his Canadian citizenship, pays taxes, contributed 36 years of his life to the military there and yet because he is living on the other side of the border he can longer enjoy the rights of citizenship? Since he still pays taxes in Canada, he is interested in the elections because they have a direct bearing on his taxes and pension and because his son, grandson and his sisters and their families still live there. He reads a Canadian newspaper online every morning. He is still Canadian although a Canuck with US Citizenship.

Yogi-Bear

Hi,

As people have metioned here already with regards to the medical situation the US, may I suggest you read this - it's the dream - to sadness!

But a very touching story all the same.

http://britishexpats.com/articles/us...merican-dream/

Yogi

ray1968

Read that - really sad that a the "number 1" country is so out of kilt with the rest of the modern world in healthcare. Saw a documentary where an unisured lady had breast cancer - she had to pay for all her treatment and could not afford some of the drugs that lessen the effects of the chemo. On top of that he bills piled up and she was constantly being harrassed by debt collectors. Eventually she and her husband sold everything to pay for her medications - yet she still died 2 years later. it seems almost 3rd world in so many way

G77

Wow - that's quite a story and an eye opener. I live only half an hour or so from where the story was written. Lets hope his return to the UK goes well...

iaink

All things being equal (ie money, job satisfaction etc) I would stay in Canada.

Education in the US sucks
Heathcare is a lottery
US politics is ...er, different

It really depends on money and location location location though, some parts of the US are very pleasant, others not so much, just like Canada in fact.

But its pointless discussion anyway as the immigration system is totally different. As the man said, "If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle". Or to put it another way, looking longingly at the US is pointless because most canadian immigrants don't have a snowballs chance of getting to live there anyway.

G77

Not for me though - I work for the Canadian arm of a US company, if I'd have said I wanted to go to the US instead of Canada, I'd probably be there right now.... Hence the question, if it's tabled someday, would I take it....? Right now, probably not, but we'll see what the next few years bring and how Canada restricts my career progression....

dbd33

How so?

iaink

Have you looked at any international comparisons lately?

http://putourkidsfirst.com/kidsfirst...ratings_US.asp

Public education in the US is laughably bad in many many places. Its only the lucky few that make it to University there (and pay handsomely for the privilege) that seem to get a decent education.

Literacy and Numeracy are mid table or worse, and don't get me started on knowledge of science, geography, creationism....

dbd33

And yet one thinks of Canada's brighest and best applying to US schools for the prestige and for the lower cost.

iaink

My original comment was regarding basic high school level. In terms of university education the US has some of the best schools in the world. But if you cant read too good or dont get basic maths, or dont know where France is, thats probably cold comfort to you.

dbd33

But if you were a white student attending high school in a reasonably affluent area you likely would have those skills. It may be that there's an underclass in the US which brings down the averages but that's not directly relevant if you have no chance of being part of that underclass. It's a similar argument to the one about gun crime, on average people in the US get shot often, but only certain groups of people in certain locations get shot so, if you don't move there, you can choose not to worry about it.

Excepting the issue of healthcare and, in some eras, conscription, I think the US is just too big for comparisons of the whole country to useful in shaping individual decisions.

iaink

Undoubtedly true, but I would rather live in more of a meritocracy where all people get a reasonable chance at health-care and education regardless of personal circumstances, rather than one where the inner cites are basically abandoned to fend for themselves. It may have no impact on me, depending on my personal circumstances, but its not a value system I subscribe too.

I know Canada is not perfect in that regard, but its certainly a lot better than the US, and international comparisons bare that out.