How do you Americans like Canada? :P

[fandv]

My (Canadian) sister's (American) boyfriend is thinking of moving to Canada to be with her. But he's kind of unsure about Canada..... ;D

So it's obvious that there are many Americans in this forum who are already in Canada either as PRs or visitors. I'm just curious:

How do guys like Canada so far?

Do you guys find Canada to be "just the same" as the US?

For you guys, what are Canada's plus and minus sides compared to the US?

 

[rhcohen2014]

for me, i find people to be more pleasant. also, i like the fact that it's not as crowded. that's just me though, i hate crowds! while it seems to be the same on the ouside, there are definite differences you realize once you get there.

a) TAXES ON EVERYTHING... and 13% at that! Where i'm from, taxes are about 6%, so that's a big shock, and we aren't taxed on everything we buy.
b) free wifi is not a normal thing, at least in Ottawa. Again where i'm from, it's pretty much everywhere you go. In Canada, it's very limited.
c) the grocery stores will not have the same variety as in the states. I find it so funny it's impossible to find peanut butter/chocolate chip granola bars anywhere in ottawa. imean really... you canadians are certainly missing out. it's not a big deal, it's just interesting to notice how much food we Americans are used to seeing in the grocery store. also, it's interesting to see the different ingredients in foods made by the same company. for example, in canada, the wonder bread has about 5 ingredients, all i recognize. i was super surpised by this because in the states wonder bread is considered to be one of the worse foods ever. i looked at the label here in the states, and sure enough it has a list a mile long, full of chemicals.
d) KETCHUP FLAVORED chips are AMAZING!!!! can't get enough, and they don't sell them where i live.
e) in ottawa, most housing is either attached or have very little space between them. you can seriously lean out the window and shake hands with your neighbor. many properties have very little outdoor space. This is a big difference than New England.
f) a small fountain drink or coffee in the states = a large or xtra large in canada. a small in canada = kids size in the states
g) the canadian news is funny. in the states it's all about murder, crime and mayhem. in canada, they have stories about neighborhood puppies.

All in all, i like canada. While i'm not too familiar with the politics and the different parties, it seems that the government actually works FOR their citizens, not for their own personal gain. Plus, big business does not control life there. Oh, and you can't beat the lower crime rate, and the very strict gun control laws.

 

[fandv]

for me, i find people to be more pleasant. also, i like the fact that it's not as crowded. that's just me though, i hate crowds! while it seems to be the same on the ouside, there are definite differences you realize once you get there.

a) TAXES ON EVERYTHING... and 13% at that! Where i'm from, taxes are about 6%, so that's a big shock.
b) free wifi is not a normal thing, at least in Ottawa. Again where i'm from, it's pretty much everywhere you go. In Canada, it's very limited.
c) the grocery stores will not have the same variety as in the states. I find it so funny it's impossible to find peanut butter/chocolate chip granola bars anywhere in ottawa. imean really... you canadians are certainly missing out. it's not a big deal, it's just interesting to notice how much food we Americans are used to seeing in the grocery store.
d) KETCHUP FLAVORED chips are AMAZING!!!! can't get enough, and they don't sell them where i live.
e) in ottawa, most housing is either attached or have very little space between them. you can seriously lean out the window and shake hands with your neighbor. many properties have very little outdoor space. This is a big difference than New England.

All in all, i like canada. While i'm not too familiar with the politics and the different parties, it seems that the government actually works FOR their citizens, not for their own personal gain. Plus, big business does not control life there. Oh, and you can't beat the lower crime rate, and the very strict gun control laws.

Wow very interesting thoughts about Canada...! Cool!! As a proud Canadian, I've always been curious what people from other countries think of Canada

About grocery stores: probably that's because you're in Ottawa (which is somewhat a smaller city?!
In big cities like Toronto, the grocery stores and supermarkets are pretty complete, I'd say...

Wifi coverage in Canada should certainly be improved....true... . We're behind compared to, say, Singapore...
In Singapore, cellphones do work even in underground tunnels (subway)...in Canada, not yet...

Come on other Americans, post your thoughts pls.... . People from other countries are more than welcome to chime in too!

 

[screech339]

US: no family doctor referral required to see specialists and very little wait time for appointments. But you have to pay for medical insurance.

Canada: family doctor referrals required to see specialists and long wait time for appointments. But free medical care at least to those who don't pay income tax or unemployed.

 

[screech339]

Canada: car insurance and gas prices are high. You get beer at beer store and liquors at libo in ontario.

US: car insurance and gas prices are cheaper. You can buy alcohol at convenient stores.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Canada: car insurance and gas prices are high

US: car insurance and gas prices are cheaper.

yes! i forgot to mention the ridiculous price of gas! it's equivalent to over $5 a gallon!!!

also, Canada's money... the new bills are supposidly anti-bacterial. loonies and toonies, no dollar bills, and now no pennies. it's weird to be able to see through your money! learning how to pay for stuff can take a bit of practice, especially when you have to round up or down.

 

[rhcohen2014]

My (Canadian) sister's (American) boyfriend is thinking of moving to Canada to be with her. But he's kind of unsure about Canada..... ;D

i find it funny you use the term "American" to identify US citizens. Usually, Canadians love referencing "North America" as a way to identify Canada. Now, whenever I hear the term mentioned, i know they aren't talking about the US... they are most likely referencing Canada.

 

[Ponga]

I hate all of the polite drivers that are CONSTANTLY allowing me to merge onto the roadway. Oh...how I miss those *#@ drivers in Southern California. *tears*

Love-

The weather (in BC)

Hate-

The weather (in BC)

I should mention that I'm tough to please.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I hate all of the polite drivers that are CONSTANTLY allowing me to merge onto the roadway. Oh...how I miss those *# @ drivers in Southern California. *tears*

HA!!!!!

Yes, in canada is snows EVERY SINGLE DAY. Yet Canada is AMAZING at removing that snow. I love watching the big dump truck and snow blower caravans.

 

[screech339]

i find it funny you use the term "American" to identify US citizens. Usually, Canadians love referencing "North America" as a way to identify Canada. Now, whenever I hear the term mentioned, i know they aren't talking about the US... they are most likely referencing Canada.

Not sure where you get Canadian liking to refer to north America. We always say we are from Canada or Canadians. And yes we call all Us citizens "Americans". Isn't that better than being called a "Yanks". It can go both ways. Americans sometimes like to call Canadians "Canunks?"

 

[screech339]

Canada: Tim Horton's on every block

US: Starbucks on every block.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Not sure where you get Canadian liking to refer to north America. We always say we are from Canada or Canadians. And yes we call all Us citizens "Americans". Isn't that better than being called a "Yanks". It can go both ways. Americans sometimes like to call Canadians "Canunks?"

I defintely hear it a lot. Also, ever watch an episode of Shark Tank, where Robert H. boasts about having a best friend who owns "the biggest hardware store chain in North America?" It's very subtle, but he and Kevin reference it quite a bit. I don't think a lot of people watching that show know they are from canada. I didn't even know until i saw Dragon's Den.

 

[Ponga]

Not sure where you get Canadian liking to refer to north America. We always say we are from Canada or Canadians. And yes we call all Us citizens "Americans". Isn't that better than being called a "Yanks". It can go both ways. Americans sometimes like to call Canadians "Canunks?"

So, why do Canuck's end a sentence with `eh', while a yank (from New York) starts a sentence with `eh'?

"How's it going, eh"?
"Eh, how's it going"?

(stolen from a stand-up comic that I saw many years ago...from NY).

Weird!

 

[Ponga]

Canada: Tim Horton's on every block

US: Starbucks on every block.

US: Panhandler, sitting outside of Starbucks on every block.

 

[screech339]

Identical products:

US: cheaper to buy

Canada: expensive to buy