Anyone from Canada? Thinking of emigrating there... (page 4)

Satanus

Who? Seriously, i never heard of em. I don't listen to or read media much. Just some nature programs on tv.

S

VampireDCLXV

Ahem... Canadians don't care about the so-called "sport" of WWE wrestilng even half as much as you folks to the south do. Sorry...

V665 V665

metatron

Nope, the taxes are just too high for a country that is that f**king cold.

And I hope you have a bachelor's degree at least, to get in. It may be required. Ask Canadians about the point system.

metatron

Nickolas

I've lived in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia and commuted to work in several other provinces and states south of the border.

There's winter and there's winter. Winters in the northern parts of the provinces are brutal unless you get into them. By that I mean downhill or cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, etc. Then you might even start to look forward to them. People in the most southern parts of BC and Ontario who complain about their winters are wooses. It lasts a few months, a lot of days are nevertheless beautiful and then the weather is the best in the world for three seasons. I've shivered in -30 degrees F in Prince George, Thunder Bay and Timmins and I've baked in 110 degrees F in Houston, Atlanta and Mobile. I'd rather shiver. Be aware of the phenomenon of microclimate. Weather can be more or less enjoyable in places that are only a half hour drive apart. I'm thinking particularly about the Okanagan and Niagara Peninsula.

Alcohol prices suck and sales are controlled by government who cream off lots of revenue. Governments also generate a lot of their revenues from casinos and lotteries. Taxes are higher than in the US but have come down considerably over the past 10-15 years. Fuel and food prices are a little higher than they are in the US but a lot less than in Europe. Housing is a mixed bag. Stratospheric pricing in Vancouver and Toronto but more reasonable and historically stable in the outlying areas. The medical system needs to address wait times but the quality of care is good. The general population is much less religiose than in the US and attitudes are much more liberal, albeit regionally. Quebec is laid back about sex and BC is laid back about cannabis, for examples. Violent crime is low, especially outside of the big cities.

Best thing about this country is its freedom. You are freer here than in any other place in the world.

tec

That was a great summary, Nick.

Mary's was good too, on page one. Made me laugh :)

Tammy

Lady Lee

Another Canadian checking in.

Bormn in Toronto Ontario and lived there for 16 years, Loved it because it was home.

Moved to Montreal and lived there for 31 years. MUST speak french and I don't so it was very hard and I finally left to move to . . .

Winnipeg - Stayed there for 5 years. So cold that the wind will suck the air out of your lungs so you can't breathe. Mosquitoes in the summer the size of bats. Not really but they do travel in swarms and attack anything that breathes. So I moved to . . .

Ottawa. Just voted the best place in Canada to live. Has a thriving tech community (one of the best in Ontario). Festivals year round. Warmer than Winnipeg (almost no mosquitoes) and about the same temp as Montreal but less snow even though we are further north (seems we are just on the northern edge of the US snow belt). It is clean, not a lot of crime and I love it. It is also the capital city of Canada so that goes a lot towards the greatness of the city.

teel

Thanks everyone, lots of good info in here. Many of you touched one of my biggest concern: the cold (ok, unemployment is the biggest, but that can be changed much more easily than the weather). I don't really have a problem with it, but my soon-to-be wife literally hates winter - yet Canada was her idea, I only agreed that apart of the winters I only know good things about Canada. We really have to think hard about this though. Will probably nag you more later as things develop

Nickolas

Moved to Montreal and lived there for 31 years. MUST speak french

Lived in Montreal for only 2 years. The West Island is mostly English speaking but all the action is downtown where you'll get by in English but really need French to get into the culture. Anywhere outside of Montreal you absolutely need French, especially Quebec City, which is still one of my favourite places in the province. Worst thing about Quebec is taxes. Very high, even by Canadian standards.

laverite

I love Canada! But I really want to live in QC !

twinkle toes

I too love the southern B.C. lifestyle and climate. But for jobs many have headed to Alberta.

In general Canada is fabulous. But an Alberta winter is hard to take, in my humble opinion and so I will stay right here in BBC

and save my pennies in my wooden loonie bank, like the true Canadian hozer I am.

tt

Anyone from Canada? Thinking of emigrating there...

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