Living in the United States

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by New Era

If you're into materialism, America is da ####! If you're into anything else, the place quickly become unbearable. If I could find a good paying job north of the border I'd head back to Canada and never look back. As my brother likes to say, "there's only one thing wrong with America, and its Americans!" Yes, there are some really nice people down here, but you have to weed them out of the thousand ignorant rednecks who embrace their religion and gun culture as the center of their lives, and it just ain't worth it.

I've been here 15 years now. I don't really have the same experience at all. Most of the people I hang out are pretty much the same kind of people I would have hung out with in Calgary.

I did find a big difference living in an older part of town in a southern city than moving out to the burbs. The city was filled with people who had lived there 5 generations, had some old school beliefs, sent their kids to private school and church was a big part of their life. People were nice enough, but I wouldn't say I really fit in. I moved out to the suburbs though and it is completely different. Public schools are very good, people are diverse, I don't know more than a couple people who go to church regularly. The food, culture, and entertainment offerings are great around here.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

I know Americans take materialism to another level but is it really much different than the rest of the first world? Sydney is an incredibly materialistic city and although I can't speak on the present day so was Calgary during boom times.

Anyone in Calgary (arguably the most materialistic city in Canada) that criticizes Americans for materialism needs to give their head a shake.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I've been here 15 years now. I don't really have the same experience at all. Most of the people I hang out are pretty much the same kind of people I would have hung out with in Calgary.

I did find a big difference living in an older part of town in a southern city than moving out to the burbs. The city was filled with people who had lived there 5 generations, had some old school beliefs, sent their kids to private school and church was a big part of their life. People were nice enough, but I wouldn't say I really fit in. I moved out to the suburbs though and it is completely different. Public schools are very good, people are diverse, I don't know more than a couple people who go to church regularly. The food, culture, and entertainment offerings are great around here.

Canadians don't want to hear it but this country is ultra-bland.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

I know Americans take materialism to another level but is it really much different than the rest of the first world? Sydney is an incredibly materialistic city and although I can't speak on the present day so was Calgary during boom times.

I'm kinda curious about the materialistic comments as well. If anything I found Calgary to be off the charts in terms of materialism on my trips back during the boom times. It's not something I've ever noticed or concerned me one way or another living in the US.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Canadians don't want to hear it but this country is ultra-bland.

Calgary can be, but I wouldn't call Montreal, Toronto or even Vanouver bland.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I would move to the US in a heartbeat but it would have to be to a city that doesn't get snow and cold as I can stay here for that. I've never had a bad experience in my US travels and find people there in a lot of cases more polite and easier to deal with (especially professionally) than Canadians. Don't get me wrong I'm fully aware a country with a population over 300 million has a lot of nut jobs, not a fan of citizens toting guns, but I really dislike winter and am not an overly patriotic person so outside of maybe health care there's not a lot that I would miss from this country.

I find Americans to be highly unprofessional and difficult to deal with. This is a cultural thing though. Americans are bred to believe there is always a winner,and always a loser. They do not believe in the win-win, which the vast majority of actions believe in. Business is very cut throat and ugly at times. I miss. Sing able to sit across from someone and have a discussion that does not immediately become antagonistic and competitive. Again, it's cultural.

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I've been here 15 years now. I don't really have the same experience at all. Most of the people I hang out are pretty much the same kind of people I would have hung out with in Calgary.

I did find a big difference living in an older part of town in a southern city than moving out to the burbs. The city was filled with people who had lived there 5 generations, had some old school beliefs, sent their kids to private school and church was a big part of their life. People were nice enough, but I wouldn't say I really fit in. I moved out to the suburbs though and it is completely different. Public schools are very good, people are diverse, I don't know more than a couple people who go to church regularly. The food, culture, and entertainment offerings are great around here.

I liked DC. Just didn't like the politics of the city, nor the polarization of the region. The differences between urban and rural were a lot more dramatic than I expected. Beautiful country and an awesome place to visit.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Anyone in Calgary (arguably the most materialistic city in Canada) that criticizes Americans for materialism needs to give their head a shake.

Completely agree with that sentiment. That was one of the reasons I elected to leave Calgary. Ironically, I am probably in a more materialistic state now than I was when I lived up there, but I'm no where near the level of my neighbors. Still believe in having just what you need to survive comfortably, and Calgary's ideal was much too extreme for my liking. All about perceptions and expectations I guess.

[DuffMan]

I have friends that have lived in Phoenix now for about 15 years, and I would say they live in a constant state of cautious low level paranoia.
It's a different place, that's for sure.

I was down in Long Island a year or 2 ago, and took a cab from one place to another, and the cab driver who looked like a crack addict and lived in his car, was rambling on about jesus and crap. After awhile he looks at me and asks if I'm religious and I say No, then he asks if religion is very big in Canada and I say No. then he kind of shut up. just different.

Having said that, I know lots of Americans, that are cool and I'd love to live in NYC for awhile, San Diego, SF and maybe a few other spots in Cali.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Peanut

Ahhh, slavery. The good old days.

Make America White again...

[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).

[Lanny_McDonald]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

[nfotiu]

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).

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.

[jeffporfirio]

Having lived in Florida and Georgia, and then Central America, before coming to Canada; I would never move to the States, especially with young kids.
We have no idea how well we have it here, compared to other places in the world.

I like living stress free.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by New Era

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.



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.




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.

I have to say my experience is almost the complete opposite of yours in every way. I can't say that state v state politics is even something that has ever crossed my mind or affected me in any kind of way.

Maybe when I started 45-50 hour work weeks were the norm. Now that I am further into my career, I work a pretty flexible 45ish hour week, work from home full time, and have 29 days vacation.

I have Anthem BCBS through work, and in the 14 years I've had it, I've never run into a place that has not taken it. I've had great experiences the times I've needed it. ie getting back surgery, wrist surgery, and a couple other things. They never cost me more than maybe a couple hundred out of pocket in a year. I remember going to my urologist for kidney stones, and was pleasantly surprised they had a CT scan in their office, and took me 15 minutes to go downstairs and come back up and look at the results during my appointment.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I have to say my experience is almost the complete opposite of yours in every way. I can't say that state v state politics is even something that has ever crossed my mind or affected me in any kind of way.

Maybe when I started 45-50 hour work weeks were the norm. Now that I am further into my career, I work a pretty flexible 45ish hour week, work from home full time, and have 29 days vacation.

I have Anthem BCBS through work, and in the 14 years I've had it, I've never run into a place that has not taken it. I've had great experiences the times I've needed it. ie getting back surgery, wrist surgery, and a couple other things. They never cost me more than maybe a couple hundred out of pocket in a year. I remember going to my urologist for kidney stones, and was pleasantly surprised they had a CT scan in their office, and took me 15 minutes to go downstairs and come back up and look at the results during my appointment.

Your experience sounds a lot more similar to my American families experiences, than what New Era is saying.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

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.

It's not that I don't care about the less fortunate people (I think they should be taken care of), it's that I don't care about a bunch of lazy freeholders who have sat around on their ass doing nothing all their lives getting stuff for free while hardworking people pay for it their entire lives, only to be turned around and not granted those services when they retire/need them.

Prime example of that is my parents that I mentioned. Worked their entire life from the age of 14, and now have to pay $700 a month for healthcare off their puny little pension. Meanwhile, my uncle, who is perfectly capable of working but is a useless drunk that has been on and off welfare his entire life, doesn't have to pay a dime for healthcare as the government is picking up the tab because he has no job and no savings. The fact that we provide a net for people like while taking money from people who are on like a 25K year pension is what drives me nuts.

There are serious problems with the American system, but the one aspect that really appeals to me is that it appears to reward success where as our system seems to punish success. I've had enough of being punished because I had the audacity to get 8 years of post-secondary education, move 5000 KM away from my family and friends for opportunity, and work my ass off in my 20s while others were partying and ripping on bongs.

[DuffMan]

I think you'd fit in well there.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Your experience sounds a lot more similar to my American families experiences, than what New Era is saying.

Same as mine (personality not insurance discussion). In my adult life, I've found most Americans I deal with to be genuinely great people who are really no different than us. I have many American friends i've made through work and meeting up with people randomly on vacations say at the swim-up bar at an all inclusive resort.

I think it really does depend on your physical location though. Most of my current interactions are with Americans from West and South from the Great Lakes. Having grown up in the Maritimes though I was none to fond of people from the New England and New York Areas. Just came off as brash, abbrasive, and inconsiderate. I still get the feeling to this day when I deal with them professionally in those areas. The same can be said for Canada though. Try dealing with a corporate lawyer from downtown Toronto. You won't be as warm and fuzzy about the experience as you would say in dealing with one from here.

I'm seeing a lot of Lousiana, Alabama, Southern US dislike in this thread, which kind of perplexes me. Some of the nicest people I have met in my life are from the South. Just completely genuine people who will go out of your way to help you.

[socalwingfan]

I've lived here now for 16 years - all in SoCal. Again, my experience is very different from New Eras. When I first got here, I worked a lot of hours - probably not any different than joining a new company in Canada. I now work 40 - 45 hours a week on average.
As for medical - i get about $200 deducted every check for Medicare and my health coverage of myself and my wife. I get 4 weeks off a year and my sick days are independant of vacation, i have actually never heard of someone having to use vacation days for sick days.
Living in SoCal, I think I do not see the divisiveness that others experience, most of our friends are in the LGBT community and the majority our Latino. The vast majority of th people I interact with are very cool - there are ###### bags all over the world.
We don't have kids, so that is a huge factor, I don't think I would raise children here, just due to the outrageous eductation costs.
Have I heard more gunshots here than I would have in Calgary - sure - but I don't live in fear here

[northcrunk]

There are differences in people depending on where they live in the US since it is huge but I think the media really tries to push a narrative that is not at all what the reality is. Most Americans I have dealt with first hand are not too different from Canadians. I think a lot of this hysteria about Trump being president is overblown and he might end up doing an ok job. He might not be the best president in the history of the USA but I don't think he is going to be the worst or shut down democracy. People have too many guns in the USA to be taken down by a dictator. If they were somehow able to get the guns away from every citizen than they might be vulnerable. Even in Canada we have a #### load of guns.

[EldrickOnIce]

I expect health care, like almost anything else in America, is the among the very best in the world for the 'haves'. The 'have not's'? Not so much