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Living in Canada - Any ideas?
Well, the weather here in Texas is just dreadful. We have all these fires, which isn't doing anything for the air quality. The heat is intolerable. And there's no water - we barely have enough to keep the power plants running.
Texas is a joke when it comes to health insurance - if you don't have a job with benefits, forget it. Disability and Medicaid/Medicare is the absolute worst in the country. So if I had to go on disability, I'd be really SOL. I'd rather not move to another country to get the care I need, and I don't want to move to another country just so I can go on disability! I'd rather move to another country and work for a living.
I've been thinking about Canada more and more. The weather is cold in the winter, but summertime is great, and with the climate change, it'll probably become more livable, not less.
My main concerns are a) I have a mortgage and b) I would have to look for a job in Canada, which requires all sorts of things, which I'm confused about. Work permit vs. just moving to Canada? Emigrating to Canada? I just don't know enough.
So here's a question for you Canadians, what do you know about the process? Is it difficult? Are there resources (aside from WorkinginCanada.org) that will help you headhunt for a job?
Texas is a joke when it comes to health insurance - if you don't have a job with benefits, forget it. Disability and Medicaid/Medicare is the absolute worst in the country. So if I had to go on disability, I'd be really SOL. I'd rather not move to another country to get the care I need, and I don't want to move to another country just so I can go on disability! I'd rather move to another country and work for a living.
I've been thinking about Canada more and more. The weather is cold in the winter, but summertime is great, and with the climate change, it'll probably become more livable, not less.
My main concerns are a) I have a mortgage and b) I would have to look for a job in Canada, which requires all sorts of things, which I'm confused about. Work permit vs. just moving to Canada? Emigrating to Canada? I just don't know enough.
So here's a question for you Canadians, what do you know about the process? Is it difficult? Are there resources (aside from WorkinginCanada.org) that will help you headhunt for a job?
Mary: I think Jen is attracted by the Canada Health Act as well as the colder weather.
Jen: Southern BC has great weather year round in terms of temps, if you don't mind rain. Both Vancouver and Victoria are fantastic places to live. I lived there for my teen years and loved it. Most years at Christmas we were snipping the last of the blooms off of our rose bushes. The tulips were popping up by March. I'll definitely be back there for my retirement years if not sooner.
Jen: Southern BC has great weather year round in terms of temps, if you don't mind rain. Both Vancouver and Victoria are fantastic places to live. I lived there for my teen years and loved it. Most years at Christmas we were snipping the last of the blooms off of our rose bushes. The tulips were popping up by March. I'll definitely be back there for my retirement years if not sooner.
I have to admit I gave in and skipped over many of the previous comments to save some time. Forgive me if some of this has been mentioned. Any reason you can't more north without crossing the border? I've loved Canada every time I visit there but if it's just less heat you're looking for Jen, almost every state north of mid-America is cooler than Texas and western ones probably have decent summer temps without too much humidity.
Then there's always Alaska!
Mary
Then there's always Alaska!
Mary
I think summrlvr is telling us we can't just slip across the border. LOL
Immigration most anywhere these days is a very complicated process. Legal entry into the US requires either luck in a lottery drawing or having to prove that you have a skill that the natives don't possess. Unless you are a seasonal worker, and then the employer can easily get you in with work as a pool worker, groundskeeper, food server or other minimum wage jobs. But that is just temporary entrance into the US.
Going someplace that doesn't have all the health care woes sounds tempting but there are definitely trade offs in taxes and for Canada, the weather. But still Jensequiter, I want you to stop and pick me up for the trip north if you pass through Ohio.
Immigration most anywhere these days is a very complicated process. Legal entry into the US requires either luck in a lottery drawing or having to prove that you have a skill that the natives don't possess. Unless you are a seasonal worker, and then the employer can easily get you in with work as a pool worker, groundskeeper, food server or other minimum wage jobs. But that is just temporary entrance into the US.
Going someplace that doesn't have all the health care woes sounds tempting but there are definitely trade offs in taxes and for Canada, the weather. But still Jensequiter, I want you to stop and pick me up for the trip north if you pass through Ohio.
Meh... could be worse! One-fifth of my income goes for health care alone. It doesn't mean my health care is covered - it just means I don't pay full price for services or prescription medicines. If I had to get my gall bladder out (checked that today) it would be $1,064. I have a very large deductible with this current health plan. Then there's all the other taxes - home and sales and so on - so I think really it adds up to the same in the long run.
My honey is not a fan of cold weather. I'd have to do a lot of fast talking to get him to move to an area that gets that cold! I'm not a fan of weather this hot, either...
My honey is not a fan of cold weather. I'd have to do a lot of fast talking to get him to move to an area that gets that cold! I'm not a fan of weather this hot, either...
I am Canadian, I was born here, my mom came as a small child.
Canadian immigration is made of predominantly 3 groups, skilled worker (you need to have a trade or professional qualifications in one of about 30 'desirable' jobs), entrepreneur (start up own business and employ Canadians), or family class (ie. someone will sponsor you like a parent or spouse).
As a skilled worker you would need to meet a list of criteria and you get awarded different amount of points you need to get I think a score of 70 or so. (Don't quote me on that, it's been a few years since I did my university Canadian studies courses).
There or some other work visas and student visas and such but you would not be eligible for all the social programs.
As per global warming... hmm not sure, Global warming should more rightly be called global extreme weather shifts due to warming temps melting the ice and changing weather patters :P Summers here can be hot hot hot (i'm in Southern Ontario) and winters can be long and cold! best of both extremes lol. So we were joking today, us Canadian need two wardrobes.
Health coverage covers some things, but the drug coverage is not universally funded under health care. I learned this first hand with all the meds I've taken. If you are an inpatient drugs are covered, if you are given a prescription to take the drug at home, you are responsible for filling it and paying out of your own pocket, but luckily I have secondary health insurance from my work. And I was covered for my chemo (the drug is not funded by cancer Ontario because it is not on the list of funded drugs) by the drug company (40k a month it cost!)
But I do not see myself ever moving from Canada it is very beautiful here, and it’s good living here. High tax rate though! I pay about 40 percent of my income to taxes of some sort or another, and they approved a sneaky HST (Harmonized sales tax) recently which means everything you buy you pay 15% tax. OUch. (Even things like homes cars, groceries)
Canadian immigration is made of predominantly 3 groups, skilled worker (you need to have a trade or professional qualifications in one of about 30 'desirable' jobs), entrepreneur (start up own business and employ Canadians), or family class (ie. someone will sponsor you like a parent or spouse).
As a skilled worker you would need to meet a list of criteria and you get awarded different amount of points you need to get I think a score of 70 or so. (Don't quote me on that, it's been a few years since I did my university Canadian studies courses).
There or some other work visas and student visas and such but you would not be eligible for all the social programs.
As per global warming... hmm not sure, Global warming should more rightly be called global extreme weather shifts due to warming temps melting the ice and changing weather patters :P Summers here can be hot hot hot (i'm in Southern Ontario) and winters can be long and cold! best of both extremes lol. So we were joking today, us Canadian need two wardrobes.
Health coverage covers some things, but the drug coverage is not universally funded under health care. I learned this first hand with all the meds I've taken. If you are an inpatient drugs are covered, if you are given a prescription to take the drug at home, you are responsible for filling it and paying out of your own pocket, but luckily I have secondary health insurance from my work. And I was covered for my chemo (the drug is not funded by cancer Ontario because it is not on the list of funded drugs) by the drug company (40k a month it cost!)
But I do not see myself ever moving from Canada it is very beautiful here, and it’s good living here. High tax rate though! I pay about 40 percent of my income to taxes of some sort or another, and they approved a sneaky HST (Harmonized sales tax) recently which means everything you buy you pay 15% tax. OUch. (Even things like homes cars, groceries)
If you want to move to Canada because it is a great place that is good. If you want to move there for the health care Canada as well as all countries with socialized medicine make it hard for people with chronic illnesses to get work visas.
I would move for better health care in a heart beat, that is what Canada is afraid of. Even if I had to pay for it it would be cheaper than what I have to pay now.
I would move for better health care in a heart beat, that is what Canada is afraid of. Even if I had to pay for it it would be cheaper than what I have to pay now.
As my status said, this morning the windshield was frosty, and it was minus 2 degrees celsius, which I think is about 26 degrees F?
Yes with the exception of a few very hot weeks in the summer, it ranges from pleasantly cool to unfathomably, bitterly cold (minus 40 celsius or so). Being so far north we tend to get extreme temps on both ends of the scale. We do get snow, though not a lot. Mostly in winter it is bittely cold but the sky is blue and cloudless and the sun is shining, though the days are really short in winter, and can get depressing. We make up for it in summer when it stays light all night. Land of the midnight sun.
Jen, I don't blame you for being interested in moving here, it is a wonderful, diverse, beautiful country. Though I am puzzled when I hear people say they are 'proud' of being Canadian (or American or whatever for that matter). The country in which we're born is an accident of birth, not an achievement. I don't say I'm proud to be Canadian, but I do say I feel extremely lucky to be Canadian. :)
Yes with the exception of a few very hot weeks in the summer, it ranges from pleasantly cool to unfathomably, bitterly cold (minus 40 celsius or so). Being so far north we tend to get extreme temps on both ends of the scale. We do get snow, though not a lot. Mostly in winter it is bittely cold but the sky is blue and cloudless and the sun is shining, though the days are really short in winter, and can get depressing. We make up for it in summer when it stays light all night. Land of the midnight sun.
Jen, I don't blame you for being interested in moving here, it is a wonderful, diverse, beautiful country. Though I am puzzled when I hear people say they are 'proud' of being Canadian (or American or whatever for that matter). The country in which we're born is an accident of birth, not an achievement. I don't say I'm proud to be Canadian, but I do say I feel extremely lucky to be Canadian. :)
Wow, DV you sure did out do yourself with the resources and ideas. Maybe I'll join jensequitur in the move north. Not sure what unique skill I might have.
J - it would be great to get you out of TX.. Good luck with figuring this out.
J - it would be great to get you out of TX.. Good luck with figuring this out.
An expat site with links to resources on Amazon. com about relocating to Canada:
http://www.liveabroad.com/articles/canada.html
http://www.liveabroad.com/articles/canada.html
Jen, there is a "Come to Canada" online quiz on the website of Canadian Citizenship and Immigration (fed govt dept). Answer the quesions and you will get a response of whether you are eligible to apply to immigrate under a federal program. Certain criteria must be met which includes meeting certain work experience requirements, being a professional or skilled tradesperson or possibly an entrepreneur, having a certain amount of net worth.
Some who are ineligible to apply under federal programs may be eligible under provincial programs and the above website provides links to those sites, however much of the same criteria applies.
Generally unless you have professional or certified skilled trade credentials in occupational fields in which there are labour shortages, and and employer has already offered you a job after being unable to fill it with a Canadian worker, or are granted refugee status, or marry a Canadian citizen, it is very difficult to emigrate or even to obtain a work visa.
There is excellent support for MS patients in all provinces and territories via drug programs for the DMDs, plus the guaranteed medical care that all Canadians enjoy. However you need permanent residence status to be eligible for a provicinial health card. In some cases those with a work visa may also be eligible.
In addition to the CIC, you could try googling forums for US expats living and working in Canada; someone who has been through the process might be able to offer you some useful advice.
Some who are ineligible to apply under federal programs may be eligible under provincial programs and the above website provides links to those sites, however much of the same criteria applies.
Generally unless you have professional or certified skilled trade credentials in occupational fields in which there are labour shortages, and and employer has already offered you a job after being unable to fill it with a Canadian worker, or are granted refugee status, or marry a Canadian citizen, it is very difficult to emigrate or even to obtain a work visa.
There is excellent support for MS patients in all provinces and territories via drug programs for the DMDs, plus the guaranteed medical care that all Canadians enjoy. However you need permanent residence status to be eligible for a provicinial health card. In some cases those with a work visa may also be eligible.
In addition to the CIC, you could try googling forums for US expats living and working in Canada; someone who has been through the process might be able to offer you some useful advice.
Thanks, cutie! I don't necessarily want to leave the US, but I'm not sure I have a choice!
Hey there:
I have lived in three provinces (two in Atlantic Canada and one in the Prairies). I know that Manitoba has great MS support (one of the highest places for MS per cap) but high provincial tax. As for jobs, I know that jobbank.gc.ca; workopolis.ca; and monster.ca post jobs across the country. If you are looking to move out east, the most popular site for professional jobs is careerbeacon.com.
Unfortunately, I can’t say anything about immigration but hope the rest helps.
I have lived in three provinces (two in Atlantic Canada and one in the Prairies). I know that Manitoba has great MS support (one of the highest places for MS per cap) but high provincial tax. As for jobs, I know that jobbank.gc.ca; workopolis.ca; and monster.ca post jobs across the country. If you are looking to move out east, the most popular site for professional jobs is careerbeacon.com.
Unfortunately, I can’t say anything about immigration but hope the rest helps.
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