I would like some opinions from all you sensible people out there!
I am in a very, very fortunate position of having the choice of emigrating to Canada or the USA (yes, you heard right!!).
I have already had my medical examination as reqd by the Canadian High Commission here in the UK and have been told that once you have reached this stage, a positive answer is 99% certain. The other choice I have, is to emigrate to the US, on a business visa (E category).
Now basically what I am asking is this: which choice would you take if you were in my position?
I have researched this point quite thoroughly, with many visits to Canada and the USA in an attempt to sus out which would the better place,but I am still in a 50-50 position. A job in Canada would be no problem, as I have over 15 years experience in the technology arena, and if not, I would not mind doing other jobs in the meantime. In the USA, I would be running a fast food store.
The argument is that although Canada offers a better standard of living, it is a bit slow and laid back, whereas the US, with its so-called gung-ho attitude, is more conducive to business and therefore success ( and it is the economic engine of the world, at least at the moment).
So--your advice please! Any comments much appreciated!

The question could easily be...

Do you want the money, or not...

You'll never be rich in Canada, but you've a better chance of being happy....

You're call....

I have lived in the States and absolutely loved it. Was there for 3 years in Pennsylvania, but that was a very, very long time ago. I visit the States at least 4 - 6 times every year and I still love it, but wouldn't want to live there now. My priorities have changed as I've gotten older and I'm afraid that it is Canada for me.

I think Mike hit the nail on the head. Sounds like you have more chance of making a better financial future in the US, but quality of life?

I have a number of very close American friends, whom I've known for about 20 years, but generally Americans for REAL friendship?.... a rarity! I have some really cool friends in Canada, whom I only met a few months ago. Canadians seem far more on our wavelength in my opinion, they do humour and wit for goodness sake, you'd miss that in America.

Best of luck whatever decision you make, and hey if you decide to go to the States do you think you could give me your PR for Canada?

Tia

Goodness me, it's the fast paced, money obsessed, success at all cost, I'm alright Jack attitude in Britain that I'm looking forward to escaping! That's instantly made me feel better about Canada!

If I undersatnd you correctly, you would have permanent residency in Canada, but the non-immigrant E-2 Treaty Investor status in the US. This status may be renewed indefinitely in the US (as long as the qualifying business remain in operation), but you will not be free to take other kinds of work, and you will not be eligible for any state benefits. Also, it isn't at all easy to change status from an E visa to a green card. You need to consider that your status in the US would be rather more precarious than in Canada, and down the line as you think about retirement that would start to matter.

Well, we are either in Canada or moving here - so we are biased! But why don't you post this message on the USA forum too and get the other side of the coin.

Best of luck whichever choice you go with

Clare

Famous last words.

Not sure about this one. If you're poor you are possibly better off in Canada due to the welfare system. Otherwise I would think you would be better off materially in the US. Canadian salaries are significantly lower on average and taxes are higher, whilst prices are often comparable.

You seem to be confusing "standard of living" with "what can I afford to buy and do". Granted, being able to afford to do what you want is part of that, but standard of living takes in a whole spectrum of other quality of life factors that have nothing to do with money, the main one in my opinion is the relaxed, tollerent attitude of canadians and canadian society in general.

Iain

That is precisely what standard of living means. It is a specifically economic term. It is often confused with the more general term quality of life.

Do a google search for "standard of living definition"

I would agree that in terms of quality of life, Canada may well rank more highly than the US. If standard of living is the measure, Canadians are generally behind by about a third.

Good point. For instance because of the lower taxes in the US then you would have more disposable income but out of that you may have to pay for your own health insurance coverage if it's not covered by your employer (because any serious medical treatment could bankrupt you). This could be your second highest monthly cost after your accomodation cost

In high crime areas you make have additional security related costs.

Drug prices are regulated in Canada where it's a free for all in the US which really ticks off people with limited incomes.

So there are some costs which have to be covered privately which are covered in Canada as part of the social framework (Which really ticks the Americans off). So you're real net income becomes debatable which imacts the resulting standard of living.

So if you're sure that money is everything and that you're going to be successfull in getting it then America may be the place for you.

Yes, I was about to say t' same thing! We're on H1B visas and it's a pig of a job getting mortgages and stuff as you're constantly on a non immigrant status until you finally get a greencard. Also the crime rate and pollution rate is much worse and I say from personal experience that the schools here are awful (sorry if anyone in the U.S. had a good school!!). I would personally say to take the PR status in Canada but as someone else pointed out you may not make it rich - but there again - after being in the U.S. for over 3 years I can honestly say we didn't make it rich here either!

Canda, definitely.

Yes, I can relate - I first came to the US on a student visa, then was on an H1B for a few years before getting a green card, and finally taking out citizenship in 2000. I then sponsored my mum, and that went really quickly - she got her green card in a matter of three or four months. Now both of us have filed separate petitions for my brother, but that will take much longer. The earliest he can expect to get an immigrant visa will be five years from now. In the meantime, just before Christmas, he sold a decent little business he had in the UK and moved out to California on an E-2 visa to start up the same basic business (a small sound studio). Evidently, the environment out here is much more competitive and he wonders if he's going to make it. He said just the other night that he half-wishes he had stayed home, built up the business there more, waited for his immigrant visa to come up (even if it took years) and moved out then with probably more money and security.

Just a personal story...but not untypical!

Yes, I would go for Canada too.
The US has never really appealed to me to be quite honest. I dislike the sort of rampant capitalism that sees some people do very well and lets others rot on the streets.
I would prefer to forgoe high wages and luxuries to live in a kinder more egalitarian society.