Question 2: Would you live in America if you had the choice?

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Tilley

I'm another living example of the debate about moving to the States.

Moved to Omaha from Southern Alberta in 2003 for school and now have a wife (she's from Omaha) and a baby. Despite the negative opinion of the midwest from one poster it is scary how similar Omaha is to Calgary. The only difference being the mountains are a little further away. The people and the city are similar to one another. During the '04 run it was funny to see all the Flames jerseys. There are a lot of business connections between the two cities.

The Mrs. and I have talked about moving back to Southern Alberta. There is a definite possibility that it might happen. Just not in the near future. I have to get more letters after my name first.

Housing and healthcare are the biggest differences. House prices in Omaha are about 1/3 to 1/2 of Calgary prices. I work at a University and my wife is a teacher and despite both of us having healthcare through work, after having a baby 4 months ago we are still paying bills. The problem is not just getting affordable healthcare, but insurance that is worth the money. There are estimates of 1/3 of Americans are under insured.

As for watching hockey, I watch more Flames games than my friends in Calgary (thanks to Center Ice).

Tilley do you work at Creighton?

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I've lived in the states for 10 years now, and let me tell you: stay in Canada.

I actually loved living in Iowa, and Boston is great too (Philly sucked, but that's another story).

But about 5 years ago my wife became seriously ill, and that really brought home for us a few things:
1. You don't want to be sick in the U.S. Even if, like us, you have good insurance.
2. You pay more here for worse care than you get in Canada.
3. Getting sick can make you go from a very comfortable lifestyle to just getting by.

Add to that the fact that I pay way more tax here than I would in Canada (don't let anyone tell you different--taxes here are BRUTAL, especially payroll taxes) and it's a home run. I also, now that I'm a parent, want to be closer to my family and my roots, and want my daughter to grow up as a Canadian.

It's not smug; Canada's far from perfect. But the U.S. has so many obstacles to a good quality of life that for anyone in the middle class, you're better off north of the border. The question should be this: should you take advantage of the chance to live in Canada rather than having to live in the states?

The answer is yes. And I'll be coming home next chance I get.

So very true.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

I'd move to Portland, but I couldn't handle not being able to pump my own gas, so I'll just stay here.

What?

Who told you you can't pump your own gas? Or am I missing something? I haven't seen a full service gas station in 20 years.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

So very true.

As you know, though--part of it is just wanting to go home!

[Kybosh]

I'm actually having a bit of a crisis regarding this exact issue. I am looking at postdoctoral opportunities in California (Berkeley, Stanford or Caltech) and find myself completely overwhelmed. All of my family, and most of my friends, are here in Canada but my particular field has way more jobs and opportunities in California. I am actually really nervous about the whole situation. I know that it will be a great move for my career but I'm not sure if that is what's most important to me.

I used to say that I would never hesitate to move and try something new but now that the opportunity is here I'm scared stiff. TOTF, I'm impressed that you're approaching such a big change with a relaxed nature.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I'm actually having a bit of a crisis regarding this exact issue. I am looking at postdoctoral opportunities in California (Berkeley, Stanford or Caltech) and find myself completely overwhelmed. All of my family, and most of my friends, are here in Canada but my particular field has way more jobs and opportunities in California. I am actually really nervous about the whole situation. I know that it will be a great move for my career but I'm not sure if that is what's most important to me.

I used to say that I would never hesitate to move and try something new but now that the opportunity is here I'm scared stiff. TOTF, I'm impressed that you're approaching such a big change with a relaxed nature.

My wife is in the same boat as you. But in the end, you have to follow the money--so it comes down to doing a calculation in which you compare the cost of living vs. takehome income. I will say that if you're on the NIH postdoc scale, that's barely a living wage for California. But a lot depends on whether your health care is paid for and what the housing situation looks like nowadays.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

What?

Who told you you can't pump your own gas? Or am I missing something? I haven't seen a full service gas station in 20 years.

From Wiki:

All stations in New Jersey and Oregon, however, offer only full service and mini service; attendants are required to pump gas because customers are barred by statutes in both states from pumping their own gas. New Jersey banned self-service gasoline in 1949 after lobbying by service station owners. Proponents of the ban cite safety and jobs as reasons to keep the ban.[1] Likewise, the Oregon statute banning self-service gasoline lists seventeen different justifications, including the inflammability of gas, the risk of crime from customers leaving their car, the toxic fumes emitted by gasoline, and the jobs created by requiring mini service.[2] In addition, the idiosyncratic ban on self-service gasoline is seen as part of Oregonian culture. One commentator noted, “The joke is when babies are born in Oregon, the doctor slaps their bottom, ‘No self-serve and no sales tax’ [. . .] It’s as much a cultural issue as an economic issue. It’s a way of life.”[3] In 1982, Oregon voters rejected a ballot measure sponsored by the service station owners, which would have legalized self-service gas.[4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filling_station

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

From Wiki:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filling_station

Didn't know that.

Lived in Jersey for a bit, but I was a little kid.

Was in Oregon in 1995 and don't recall getting full service. Strange.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Didn't know that.

Lived in Jersey for a bit, but I was a little kid.

Was in Oregon in 1995 and don't recall getting full service. Strange.

My wife and I were in Grant's Pass, OR, and I made it around to the gas pump before the attendant did, and starting pumping the gas, the first thing the attendant did was walk around and check the license plate on my car, then told me the law (nicely). Apparently, gas stations can get fined for letting someone pump their own gas.

The thing is, it wasn't the first time I filled in fuel in Oregon that trip, I did in Portland too, but the attendant was out right away, so I just assumed it was full service, and didn't give it a second thought.

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I'm actually having a bit of a crisis regarding this exact issue. I am looking at postdoctoral opportunities in California (Berkeley, Stanford or Caltech) and find myself completely overwhelmed. All of my family, and most of my friends, are here in Canada but my particular field has way more jobs and opportunities in California. I am actually really nervous about the whole situation. I know that it will be a great move for my career but I'm not sure if that is what's most important to me.

I used to say that I would never hesitate to move and try something new but now that the opportunity is here I'm scared stiff. TOTF, I'm impressed that you're approaching such a big change with a relaxed nature.

I live in California and it's not as bad as people say....you do need some more money than in other states, but as long as you dont need a lot of money, and your health care is covered through work or school (yes you can get student medical care).....you'll be fine. I came as a student and here I am 8 years later and I am not poor. The jobs here are worth it and you will make a lot more and have more opportunities for growth. Yes housing sucks but its not much cheaper in Calgary I tell ya!

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

I live in California and it's not as bad as people say....you do need some more money than in other states, but as long as you dont need a lot of money, and your health care is covered through work or school (yes you can get student medical care).....you'll be fine. I came as a student and here I am 8 years later and I am not poor. The jobs here are worth it and you will make a lot more and have more opportunities for growth. Yes housing sucks but its not much cheaper in Calgary I tell ya!

Way too many people for my taste. Spent 2 years in the LA area in the early '90's. Didn't take long to decide it wasn't for me. Had fun while I was there though. Certainly glad I am not raising my family there.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

My wife is in the same boat as you. But in the end, you have to follow the money--so it comes down to doing a calculation in which you compare the cost of living vs. takehome income. I will say that if you're on the NIH postdoc scale, that's barely a living wage for California. But a lot depends on whether your health care is paid for and what the housing situation looks like nowadays.

Yep, that's basically it. I'm going for the Canadian equivalent of NIH. I'm not doing the postdoc for money though (it's basically slave labour, but don't get me started). I'm doing it so that I surround myself with the best in my field. I honestly don't know what my housing situation will be there. I own my own house here in Calgary so that should help but maybe not enough?

[Tilley]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Tilley do you work at Creighton?

Yup. It's a great school and the people are great. Omaha isn't as bad as some people make it out to be.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Tilley

Yup. It's a great school and the people are great. Omaha isn't as bad as some people make it out to be.

Do you partake of the awesomeness that is Valley basketball? Great little conference we have.

[Eddie Bronze]

I wouldn't even consider moving down there.

[Flames in 07]

yea I'd go, Boston, Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights, Chicago, Phoenix, SF, Portland OR, Austin, San Antionio, Denver, San Diego or Seattle would work for me.

Better weather, better health care, better tax structure and better sports would make me move quite easily.

[MoneyGuy]

I probably could live in the States. My wife was born there and I could afford to move there. I'd probably have to retire though because in my business it's hard to move my business down there. I could do this but I like Canada, so no I wouldn't go. It's safer up here. The weather sucks, but we don't have hurricanes.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

I'm a free agent. If an opportunity was there I'd evaluate the same way I would a move within Canada.

[Drunk Skunk]

No love for the Quad City area? Denied

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Drunk Skunk

No love for the Quad City area? Denied

Weeeelll...... it's no Iowa City, that's for sure.