Post: #1

I've just about had it with this socialist shithole. I'm yearning to breathe free. Anyone move to the US? I'm thinking Texas due its conservative atmosphere and economic growth prospects.

I work in insurance and I'm not sure whether my skills would translate directly. Would like to hear about peoples' experiences, esp. re: finding work and housing.

Post: #2

It's pretty hard to move to the States from Canada, unless you have a specialized job, insurance wouldn't be one of them.

Basically unless you're from a shitty country, have enough money to start your own business or wife up some American chick you're fucked.

Post: #3

(01-02-2016 06:34 PM)Sidney Crosby Wrote:  It's pretty hard to move to the States from Canada, unless you have a specialized job, insurance wouldn't be one of them.

Basically unless you're from a shitty country, have enough money to start your own business or wife up some American chick you're fucked.

I think it's the same situation for Americans wanting to move to Canada. Ironic that its probably easier to move to Canada or the US from Cambodia than between to neighboring countries with good relations.

Post: #4

Well I think the TN visa is still available for many professions so you could look into that. It was created when NAFTA was signed. I grew up in Canada but have been in the US for 20 years. I married a US citizen but yeah it is pretty hard for a Canadian to just up and move to the US. Problem is, many northern US states are as bad as being in Canada with high taxation and regulations but you do have many more choices of places to live as opposed to Canada which in reality is a small country population wise ( consider that California alone has more people than Canada).

Post: #5

Yes from what Ive heard you have to have a specialized skill to work in Canada. The new goalie on my hockey team is from Toronto..young Asian guy.....somehow I don't see him sticking around this part of the u.s. (Bismarck ND) after his contract is fullfilled.

One could always try eharmony/match Canada (if they let you) and marry into Canada.

Post: #6

I know of 2 Canadians who made the move.

1. Got married to an american girl and paperwork took a bit more than 2 years to get him his papers so he can work and live.

2. Works for a big hotel chain and applied for a external transfer to a hotel actually in Texas. Took less than 2 months to get his work visa since our work did all the paper work for him.

Therefore my best guess would be to find a big employer who wont mind getting visas for you.

Post: #7

Foreign investment seems like the best option, barring the marriage for a green card or a work visa. I believe you have to tangibly create something like 15 jobs with the business however, and be operating boots-on-ground. This will take anywhere from $500k to 1m.

Post: #8

@R_Niko

I don't know where you're based or how many Canadian cities you've lived in but have you tried relocating to another city/province within the country?

I can sympathize with the way you feel and some days I'm in the same mood, but I've found over the long run that if you can find a city in Canada that meshes well with your vibe and lifestyle, it can still be a pretty good place to live.

You could also try the "snowbird" thing and divide your time between the two countries (easier said than done, heavily dependent on your source of income and budget). I recall reading the magic number for being 182 days per 365. If you spend less than that in the US you're don't have to worry about any immigration or tax headaches.

Post: #9

My Canadian brother in law works for a large multinational, so they send him to work anywhere in the world, and ends up spending most of his time in the US on a green card. Getting a job at a huge company that has footprints in the US may be the best way.

Post: #10

I know a guy who moved to NYC by transfering a bunch of credits from his bachelor of arts towards a associate's degree, he then got lucky and found a job.

Post: #11

The U.S. isn't a libertarian paradise, brother. I don't think Canada is any less socialist than the U.S.

Post: #12

I made the move, but it was through combination of school and finding work in the US. It is not easy. TN visa is an option, but this is a non-immigrant visa (i.e. you cannot apply for green card if you are on a TN visa). If you want to try this, one option is to do a 1 year Master's somewhere, then hope that you can find a job in that area. However, that is a $30-40K USD degree. What about moving to Calgary? It's more conservative I think.

I don't think I would move from Canada just because of its socialist/feminist tendencies. I think it's easier to stop reading/watching the news, and to be more choosy about who you spend time with (men and women).

Post: #13

Yes, I moved from Canada to the US. I did so via my employer (got a job out of university in the US). They handled the immigration for me but it was H1B->Greencard. If you have a qualifying occupation then your best bet is a TN visa. They're quite easy to get. Costs under $100 and you can do your own paperwork and get them at the border. TN is good for 3 years, and has indefinite renewals. I have several friends on them. Only problem is it's harder to apply for a greencard since you can't have "dual intent" (ie intent to immigrate permanently).

Post: #14

TN is your best bet. NAFTA may of scrubbed the Canadian economy clean but there are many benefits to exploit. The list of skilled occupations is the quickest way to gain entry as folks have noted.

Just make sure your employer has their shit together to handle your visa status and e-verify which can get chaotic if your employer is sloppy with things.

This is on my list of plans also. Canadians can learn a lot cutting their teeth in the USA. Down south folks know how to grind and hustle and the drive towards ideas and self bussiness is real. The advantage Canadians have is that we are much more skilled then Americans, we just lack the hustle, but we are much more sharp. If you can grind it out career advancement is easy to do.

I would like to know from when folks moved down there what the tax situation is like for both Revenue Canada and IRS?

Post: #15

For those considering the move don't forget health care coverage. For example in Ontario (OHIP) if you are out of the country so many days in a year they nullify your coverage. Once reinstated you have to wait 3 months to get coverage again. So if you make the move anywhere, make sure it's not temporary but a full time one where you don't lose the health care coverage if you are on the fence.

Post: #16

Disregard what I wrote about 182 days being the magic number. It's more complicated than that, apperently. I just came across this story today:

Quote:She said a common misconception is that Canadians regularly travelling to the U.S. for long stays can spend up to 182 days, or six months, in the U.S without being considered a resident for tax purposes.

Hunnisett said that for people travelling to the U.S. for long stays year after year, it's actually 120 days, or four months, averaged using a special formula over a period of three years.

"The total number of days spent in the current travel year is added to 1/3 the total number of days spent in the previous year, and 1/6 the number of days spent in the year prior to that," according to Atamanenko's website.

The total number of days includes all trips to the U.S. in a single year, said Hunnisett.

Hunnisett said Canadians spending more than 120 days in the U.S for three years or more in a row can extend their stay limit to 182 days and avoid being considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes by filling out a Closer Connection Exception Statement form detailing their close ties to Canada annually.

Canadians who overstay their welcome in the U.S. are at risk of:

-Being considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes and having to pay taxes on worldwide income.
-Losing their Canadian residency for tax purposes and their health care.
-Being deemed illegally resident in the U.S. and being banned from the country for three to 10 years.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...-1.2912096

Post: #17

I don't understand why anyone would move from Canada to the US. You have healthcare to worry about in the US whereas in Canada it's not a concern. The cost of university tuition is extremely low in Canada. Your cities are safe and clean, with much less violent crime. My understanding is you get treated better at work too i.e. you cannot get fired for no reason and you actually get paid vacation and sick leave.

The grass is always greener but unless you are in the top 1% in America life is a lot harder than living in Canada.

Post: #18

(01-05-2016 06:45 PM)nomadicdude Wrote:  I don't understand why anyone would move from Canada to the US. You have healthcare to worry about in the US whereas in Canada it's not a concern. The cost of university tuition is extremely low in Canada. Your cities are safe and clean, with much less violent crime. My understanding is you get treated better at work too i.e. you cannot get fired for no reason and you actually get paid vacation and sick leave.

The grass is always greener but unless you are in the top 1% in America life is a lot harder than living in Canada.

Describe the hard life living in America.

Post: #19

(01-03-2016 01:35 AM)Montana Wrote:  Yes from what Ive heard you have to have a specialized skill to work in Canada. The new goalie on my hockey team is from Toronto..young Asian guy.....somehow I don't see him sticking around this part of the u.s. (Bismarck ND) after his contract is fullfilled.

One could always try eharmony/match Canada (if they let you) and marry into Canada.

Exactly....except completely opposite

Post: #20

Its one of the easiest moves you can make. I did it, so many Canadians do it all the time and vice versa.

Tn1 is about the easiest status you can get. In order to qualify you need a degree from a Canadian university. Here are the steps:

1. If you know some one already in the city you want to move it its even easier but not necessary. Travel to a bunch of cities and pick one that fits your lifestyle as well as has job prospects related to your current career or future one. Make sure you travel to airnb apartments or other long term stay hotels. It cannot be a regular hotel, it has to be something you can deliver mail to.

2. Get a pay as you go plan and a number with a local area code at the new location. don't use google numbers, hr screens those.

3. Mass apply to positions with your temp address and local number. when you go back home and receive calls for interviews, tell them you don't need a sponsorship, simply a job description in a form of a letter by the hr department and you will do a TN1. A lot of times they don't know what this is, just explain it. Many of those jobs are outdated and new titles don't exist but as long as the description fits it, its ok. Try to schedule interviews so you have a bunch in a one week as to not waste money traveling. Easier if you are staying with friends/family.

4. Edit the description for you tn1 application to match one of the jobs that qualify for TN1. You can do this yourself but if you don't want to just call a laywer, many immigration attorneys in big American cities used to be Canadian. After a job offer is received, go to the closest border, it doesn't even have to be the Canadian border, it can also be the mexico border. With your tn1 application you will get a stamp on passport and an attachment(tn1) and are good to work with that current employer.

5. With the passport and tn1 get your ssn, drivers license and open up a bank account.

6. Make buddies with your employer so he/she applies for a change of status for you.(sponsorship Greencard)


Note: on interviews, the best thing to say is to you are moving with your girlfriend

also another note: Canadians that move out here are among the most ambitious and hard working while Americans that move up north are usually the biggest losers. Not really a fair trade lol. All the hot chix from Toronto/Vancouver go to Model in La/Ny, while canadian towns get americans tired of "capitalism" or couldn't wait for the supreme court to act on gay marriage.

Post: #21

(01-05-2016 10:14 PM)8ball Wrote:  also another note: Canadians that move out here are among the most ambitious and hard working while Americans that move up north are usually the biggest losers. Not really a fair trade lol. All the hot chix from Toronto/Vancouver go to Model in La/Ny, while canadian towns get americans tired of "capitalism" or couldn't wait for the supreme court to act on gay marriage.

Post: #22

I spent one day in Mandan for an interview and that was more than enough time to make me realize I never want to go back to ND ever again LOL

Post: #23

What about marrying an American? I'm getting that desperate.

Post: #24

(02-14-2016 11:58 PM)R_Niko Wrote:  What about marrying an American? I'm getting that desperate.

Go for it, bro.

Post: #25

Part of my end game is buying some acreage in Texas somewhere and getting back to my ranching roots. I know its not an old mans game, but some days its that tempting.

I can sell my place in Vancouver and get 100 acres of good farmland in Texas.