Quote:
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 as well.
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 it a one or two year try the next time it comes up and give Dallas or Phoenix a whirl.
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 have moved down there never even really mentioned it. It's my understanding that their employer helps with those premiums 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 actually made the move. I know Canadians like to flaunt our health care system as a badge of honor, but I don't think it is 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 for 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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My experience is limited to the area I live in, but a professional working for a medium or large corporation will likely have better coverage and better experience with health care than they would in Canada, and out of pocket expenses are not really significant. If you care about whether less fortunate people have decent health care (which, it doesn't sound like you do :-) ), then yes Canada's system overall is probably a better system.