lana1970

We are a family with 2 small kids and thinking of moving to Canada or USA. We have 2 job offers ( one in Seattle, Washington and the other one in Vancouver, BC). We heard that Seattle has some nice, family oriented communities. Vancouver is pretty expensive. Please help us decide!

penguinsix

They are both pretty expensive. Are you planning on moving here permanently with the kids growing up here or is this a temporary assignment for a few years? Are your kids in school now or are they going to be looking later, and what are their long term plans (i.e. reintegration into the British education system or staying out here in a different system).

You need to factor in all costs relative to what is or isn't expensive. For example how much are you going to pay for health care here in the USA vs. what it will cost in Canada. What level of federal, state and local taxes will you have here, etc.

We had a rather long thread about Seattle recently here:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=659914

christmasoompa

In your previous post, you say you are already living in Vancouver? So presumably you have experience of that city.

meauxna

Also says 'Would love to move to a city that is not waiting for a major earthquake' so that would strike Seattle. Most of the West Coast really.

nettlebed

Pwned!

lana1970

Thanks for the info...our kids are now in school and we are planning on moving permanently.

naomi

I live in Seattle and love it...I've also visited Vancouver and that's a great city too. There are lots of great/walkable neighborhoods here: Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, Greenlake. Schools are pretty good, although we're in the midst of huge budget cuts, and schools are pretty crowded. We've moved to a new system for schools too where you pretty much get assigned to the school in your area, so you don't really get a choice.
Naomi.