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Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle
I've considered moves to the US numerous times with my company. A lot of it has to do with the weather, but honestly i'm completely sick of socialism and a small vocal minority controlling the economic actions of this country. People can call me materialistic all they want, but i'm sick and tired of being taxed through the nose to pay for someone else's lack of ambition, and i'm tired of being part of a "union" of Provinces that is not capable of working together for the common good while gleefully accepting transfer payments from Provinces that have their act together. The increasing tax rates while taking every single tax credit available to me and my family is becoming less and less palatable to me.
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It's way worse down here dude, except that it's some rich ####### who already has his, and wants more, that is controlling the economy. You think Canadian politics between provinces is tough, wait until you try dealing with things in a federated system of 50 states. Everything you cry about is what has happened in the United States. Where the hell do you think the Conservatives got their ideas for all that stupid crap??? So come on down, and be prepared to get the slap in the face everyone gets when they realize things aren't any different, they're worse.
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The only reason i'm not already down there, is like many have mentioned in this thread, the work/life balance. I work with my US colleagues on a daily basis, and I would wager they work considerably more than I do. I often get emails from them at 9 and 10 pm in my Calgary time zone where the sender is in the Central and Eastern time zones, and it scares me away. I work long hours as well in Calgary, but it's for like a 4 month period. These guys seem to work those hours throughout the entire year. I'm so frustrated though, I honestly think i'm going to give a one or two year try the next time it comes up and give Dallas or Phoenix a whirl.
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The 50-60 hour a work week is the expectation down here. You will have to do that at one job, if you want to get ahead, or you'll do that at two jobs if you want to make enough scratch to survive. And get used to having only two weeks vacation each year. Americans live to work, not work to live.
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I keep hearing the health care system in this thread as being a reason not to go. I'm pretty ignorant on that subject, but many of my friends that moved down there never even mention it. It's my understanding that there employer helps with those much the same as they do here, and that the monthly cost may be a bit higher, but the increase in service is more than worth it. It would be interesting to get someone's take on that who has made the move. I know Canadians like to flaunt our health care system as a badge of honor, but I don't think as good as some of us would like to believe. My parents are retired and are a on a small pension. When my mom turned 70, both of them got booted off her work plan, and they now pay close to $700 dollars a month to both of healthcare plans which is a considerable drain on their funds and ability to enjoy life. My neighbours parents live outside of Houston and are in a similar boat and when I asked them what they are paying, it shocked me that it was less than what my parents are paying in Canada (not sure if that is true or not).
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The thing about healthcare is you never know what you have until you have to use it. In Canada, it's pretty easy. You have a problem you go to your doctor or hospital and you're done. Down here you have to know which doctors are in network, which hospitals are in network, and question everyone before you have services done. That includes going to the ER. You would not believe how much fun it is to have dual coverage, then find out that your ER visit was not covered because the doctor providing ER services was not in your network. Again, you don't appreciate the differences in the systems until you need it. I have a brother who survived cancer simply simply because he had access to the Canadian system. If he were in the States he would have died simply because he couldn't afford access. Again, come on down and experience it for yourself. It's a hoot!
Don't get me wrong. There are some yuuuuge advantages to living in the states, but there are just many living in Canada. Just remember one thing. The grass may be greener, but it also may be AstroTurf.