Question for those who have already settled....

[Adri]

For those who have already migrated and settled in Canada, is it really what you expected? Is it worth all the time and effort? I have heard of people who have returned to their country of origin because they did not fit in or was not what they were expecting,

opinions welcomed.....

 

[Leon]

It is what I expected but then again, I have always lived in relatively well off countries where poverty and/or crime are not big problems. When people ask me if Canada is better than W-Europe, I tell them no, it's not better, it's just different. Depending on what you do or what you want to do or how you want to live, Canada may or may not be better for you right now. Even if it is better for you right now, it might not always be better. You might move to Canada now and find that you can do everything you want and in 10 or 20 years, your situation may have changed and you may find that you want to go back or to a 3rd country.

I guess the short answer is that it depends on where you come from and your specific situation.

 

[Karlshammar]

I agree with Leon, except that when people ask me if Canada is better than Western Europe, my answer is a resounding YES!

 

[Leon]

I agree with Leon, except that when people ask me if Canada is better than Western Europe, my answer is a resounding YES!

Yes, like I said, it depends on your situation. You are probably very happy right now that you are not paying Swedish taxes but what the taxes are used for is the difference of what you get in Canada vs. Sweden.

Say you were so unlucky to end up out of work for a long time, either unemployed or with a long term illness, needing state benefits, maybe healthcare as well. In that case, Sweden would be better. Same if you end up in that situation and you have kids and your kids need an education, then Sweden would also be better.

But since you aren't in that kind of situation and don't need those things, you can be happy for right now that your taxes are lower and you have more money left over for lifestyle

 

[Adri]

Thank you both for your opinions

I have lived in the USA and Mexico

Comparing Canada to Mexico, I don't really think there is any doubt life is 1000 % better in Canada, but what about the USA? is it similar or better? I mean in regards to employment, lifestyle, etc. I read Canada was among the friendliest countries in the world so I guess that is one things the USA doesn't have, I am a friendly person and would definately prefer a friendly environment to live in.

 

[Leon]

I have lived in the US but it was years ago. I have relatives there.

Friendliness of people really depends on the area. You can't really say that people in Canada are friendlier than in the US, it also depends on where you are.

Generally there is a bit more of a social system in Canada as well as a healthcare system so even though you may find poor people in both countries, they might just be a bit worse off in the US. From what I've heard, if you are skilled, you can make more money in the US though but some of that money will be spent on things included in your taxes in Canada such as health insurance.

I have an idea that there is less crime in Canada than in the US but again, it will depend on the area.

 

[Adri]

I have lived in the US but it was years ago. I have relatives there.

Friendliness of people really depends on the area. You can't really say that people in Canada are friendlier than in the US, it also depends on where you are.

Generally there is a bit more of a social system in Canada as well as a healthcare system so even though you may find poor people in both countries, they might just be a bit worse off in the US. From what I've heard, if you are skilled, you can make more money in the US though but some of that money will be spent on things included in your taxes in Canada such as health insurance.

I have an idea that there is less crime in Canada than in the US but again, it will depend on the area.

I have family in the USA also, my brother and sister, and I have been there and I feel there is a bit of a hostile attitude towards newcomers sometimes, but like you said, it depends, I was in Quebec earlier this year and I noticed a more sense of respect and welcome towards cultural diversity, but I don't know if it is always the case.

 

[commonwealth]

US and Canada is in the top 10 counties in term of friendliness.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/30/worlds-friendliest-countries-lifestyle-travel-canada-bahrain-hsbc-chart.html

I find it strange to hear that you feel in US is generally hostile towards newcomers, US has one of most immigrant population and millions come each year... Individual experience can be different and it's not fair to generalize.

It all depends on your goals, many folks will find US better then Canada and other would prefer Canada over US or other places. It all goes back to you and what you want... Opportunities, taxes, social system, healthcare, weather and other areas most people consider for analysis.

 

[Adri]

US and Canada is in the top 10 counties in term of friendliness.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/30/worlds-friendliest-countries-lifestyle-travel-canada-bahrain-hsbc-chart.html

I find it strange to hear that you feel in US is generally hostile towards newcomers, US has one of most immigrant population and millions comes each year... Individual experience can be different and it's to generalize.

It all depends on your goals, many folks will find US better then Canada and other would prefer Canada over US or others. It all goes back to you and what you want... Opportunities, taxes, social system, healthcare, weather and other areas most people consider for analysis.

Thanks commonwealth for your opinion, I know we should not generalize, but in general terms I sort of got the impression that Canada (actually states)being proud of it's cultural diversity, where as the US, I still hear complaints of discrimination, I personally have not had such experience but it is not odd to listen to such cases, specially from people from third world countries. I personally like the USA, I went to school my entire childhood there, and my brother and sister are Americans, but I just got the feeling Canada is more welcoming

 

[commonwealth]

I respect your opinion, US is far from perfect and i can only speak for my personal experience. I am a naturalized US citizen, lived an American dream, currently hold Technical Management position with 6 direct and 4 in-direct reports with a major Energy company.... I am a person of color, so called minority in a senior position reflect a different landscape. One has to look at American history to have a decent grasp of race but I firmly believe America offer great opportunity but again, I have not lived in Canada so my opinion might be tilted but to see an African American president in White house gives a clear message but with significant gaps . My 2 cents.

It's about expectations and personal goals. Canada offers decent opportunities.

 

[HBeach78]

Each country has their pros and cons.... It all depends on your needs while you think about the future for yourself and your family.

I just landed in Canada from the USA 4 weeks ago. Both are very comparable to each other. Of course there are slight differences, but that is to be expected.

For me, considering, my lifestyle, budget, career, and family... Canada is the better choice for me.

Just as life in the USA can be better for others.

Was Canada as I expected? So far so good, granted I have not been living here that long. The process of getting up here was really the hardest part. I received my SIN cad with in 10 days of applying for it, my PR card came 23 days after I landed, I found a job within 2 weeks of looking (more job opportunities up here) that pays better than my last job... Now the cost of living is more expensive up here on the West Coast as opposed to the East Coast...

Take the time to research the area you will be settling in, or consider settling in and see what the economy is like, see how the cost of living is and if there are jobs available in your field.

What I did notice that may be a slight set back, is that Canada has a journeyman/apprentice license that is required for certain jobs, where such licenses are not required in the USA. Like for me, as a parts advisor... not needed in the USA but was asked for when I went for my first interview. Seems my 10+ years of automotive experience as a Parts advisor and graduating from a vocational high school from the automotive program didn't hold enough weight, as I didn't get a call back for that job. But that is ok, as I said I landed a much better paying job instead

I guess the better question to ask is, Why are you leaving your current country? And is moving to Canada going to solve the problem?
Not that you have to answer this, but it was meant for you to ask yourself.

Good Luck

 

[commonwealth]

As an IT professional US in the place to be!!!
May i ask, what prompted your move from US to Canada?

 

[nicholas30]

Adri, what do u mean by expectations (Big house, Managers post, Car,) as soon as u land.
Buddy u need to work your way up so dont expect tooooooo much. And people who have returned back to their country of origin have not tried as they only EXPECTED.

 

[Karlshammar]

Nobody who really wants a job will ever end up without a job for a long time unless they live in the wilderness. If you are willing to work (and by that I mean even in a job which may not be what you want), you can pretty much always find a job. Yes, even in recessions.

Health care is more expensive in Sweden than in Canada as you are expected to pay a certain amount yourself (though with a limit) whereas it is completely free here in Canada, and we pay less in taxes for it as well.

There's a myth that if you pay more taxes you get more quality from the gov't. In my rather vast experience in this area, this is not true at all. What you tend to end up with is more bureaucracy and a bigger payroll, which tends to lead to less and poorer services.

Canada also has more career opportunities as the gov't doesn't eat up as much money, so it's still around in the market for investment, growth, etc. which leads to more jobs and more opportunities for advancement.

Yes, like I said, it depends on your situation. You are probably very happy right now that you are not paying Swedish taxes but what the taxes are used for is the difference of what you get in Canada vs. Sweden.

Say you were so unlucky to end up out of work for a long time, either unemployed or with a long term illness, needing state benefits, maybe healthcare as well. In that case, Sweden would be better. Same if you end up in that situation and you have kids and your kids need an education, then Sweden would also be better.

But since you aren't in that kind of situation and don't need those things, you can be happy for right now that your taxes are lower and you have more money left over for lifestyle

 

[Leon]

Nobody who really wants a job will ever end up without a job for a long time unless they live in the wilderness. If you are willing to work (and by that I mean even in a job which may not be what you want), you can pretty much always find a job. Yes, even in recessions.

But not if you end up sick or disabled. You can say you have insurance for that but insurance companies in Canada actually have a pretty bad rep about not paying up.

Health care is more expensive in Sweden than in Canada as you are expected to pay a certain amount yourself (though with a limit) whereas it is completely free here in Canada, and we pay less in taxes for it as well.

That is only the part you see. What goes on behind the curtains is that because you don't pay co-pay, your doctor can very easily pass you on. It's very easy to hand you a free sample of advil and tell you to come back next week. You are not paying anything anyway so what can you say but the doctor makes his visits shorter but gets the same amount of money from the health care each time. I think it's about $70 that they charge the health care for each of your visits. I have even had a clinic refuse me a copy of a medical test from my file unless I first talked to the doctor. I was ready to pay them a couple of $ for the copy but instead, I had to wait 45 min. to see the doctor which took about 30 seconds or less to tell me and the office staff that it was ok for me to have this copy. The copy was free for me but cost health care $70 since it was billed as a visit.

I also don't know what kind of waiting lists you have in Sweden but in Alberta, they can be pretty long. You can easily have to wait several months to see a specialist, depending on what the problem is. Even when you are in pain and can't work. I had a coworker who had a fused shoulder and had been waiting 2 years to see a specialist about surgery. My boss also injured his knee and was passed between GP and specialists for 18 months without anybody doing anything. He is German and he said in Germany they would have taken care of it within 2 months but in Germany you also pay a high percentage of your wages for health insurance. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Not saying Canada is bad or anything, just that it depends on your situation. You may very easily find yourself in a situation in several years that will make you want to move back.