To Brian

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)


 
       
Subject: To Brian
  Brian,

I understand the situation you´re in and decisions to be made. Was also a difficult one for us - comfortable lifestyle in U.S. or better social system in Canada. We still have a foot on each side and have not completely decided. In some ways, life in Canada is disappointing. Cost of living is the biggest minus. But as Sharon said elsewhere, money should not be the only reason to make such a move - and is not in our case. But then one has to weigh the material side, because this has to go well before you can enjoy and do anything else.

Housing is a dilemma in Canada. If you find housing that´s reasonably affordable, the area´s going to be fairly poor and depressed. If you find modern, livable housing in an good area with professional jobs, activities, and nice shopping, housing will be through the roof (so to speak).

Anyway, in your situation, can you keep both options going? Or must you decide now one way or the other?

[14-05-2007,16:56]
[**.47.173.168]
Richard
(in reply to: To Brian)

Richard,

I´ve following your posting since a long back and not surprized to hear your assessments about Canada.

Money is not everything; true, but still we all need to have a decent income for a decent life.

I have experiecne in both US/Canada, as a non-American born professional, if I see another professional moving to Canada from US I would be very surprized.

[14-05-2007,17:46]
[***.254.208.242]
Shah
(in reply to: To Brian)
Shah,
I agree not too many U.S. citizen professionals are moving to Canada independently (not job relocated). CIC immigration statistics supports this (about 5,000 per year and that includes reasons of family/marriage). So it seems hard for Americans to give up their standard of living. But in Canada I did meet an American gal who moved there purely for the social support systems (health and human services), and she was quite happy.

[14-05-2007,18:14]
[**.47.173.168]
Richard
(in reply to: To Brian)
Richard,

There are exceptions always; which shouldn´t be refered as example. Isn´t it?

I also know some Amereicans who moved into Canada after Vietnam war. There will always be such exceptional examples.

I personally feel that I lost some most valuable time from my life in Canada. Still I would say Canada is probably one of the best country to live in the world; but not for all. Specially not for the University educated professionals.

[14-05-2007,18:43]
[***.254.208.242]
Shah
(in reply to: To Brian)
´There are exceptions always; which shouldn?t be refered as example. Isn?t it?´

that statement slices both ways.

[14-05-2007,19:32]
[***.181.198.246]
sharon
(in reply to: To Brian)
Yes, slices both way:).

If everybody feels happy in anyway that´s the best thing!

[14-05-2007,22:45]
[**.152.238.123]
Shah
(in reply to: To Brian)
Hi Richard,

I visited Toronto recently and talked to my prospective employer. Here are my thoughts, Toronto is a very developed and clean city but I think it kind of lacks something, it seems like it is not a happy city, I don´t know how to describe, but people are living there just because they have to, and not because they want to. May be I am comparing it to the usa but I did not like it. I am with a consulting company in the usa, so have to depend on it for project and have to move around, so was considering moving to canada to get a permanancy in life, but it seems like I will still need to travel within Canada anyway.
The fact is that I don´t immediately have to move to Canada, I can still be outside of the country for 2.5 years, on the other side my us gc can take anywhere between 2.5 to 3.5 years.. imagine a situation where I get past three years, I will lose my canada gc , but still would have not gotten my us gc,and what if at that time I don´t get my us gc for some reason ? Also, if I decide to move to canada after two years from now, what if I don´t have a job at that time ? so it is this fear that wants me to take the job in canada, even though I don´t like it. Please advise and may be help be see the better side, who knows I am blinded right now.

To tell you the truth, if I had my us green card, I would have never considered moving to Canada, I have nothing against immigration,but Toronto seems to be infested with oriental immigrants, so much so that it looks like a chinese city, I am not favoring whites here, but where did they all go ? I wanted to move to Canada and not China ?

[15-05-2007,02:53]
[**.147.153.127]
Anonymous
(in reply to: To Brian)
interesting how immigrants are more racist than Canadians!

enjoy the US. it is too bad you clog up CIC with your back pocket immigration plans. what a waste.

[15-05-2007,04:06]
[***.121.220.199]
canada
(in reply to: To Brian)
Exceptions cannot be referred as examples.... I´ve been on this forum forever and this is the first time I came across a so-called "racist" immigrant. Dont say immigrants are more racist...say ´some´ immigrants are more racist if you wanna.
[15-05-2007,04:40]
[***.187.168.3]
Almost Perfect!!
(in reply to: To Brian)
i am agree with the views of diffrent people about canada here. recently i visited toront because i was thinking of moving to canada from UK but than i changed my mind after visiting canada. this city just miss somthing, for me this is not a happening city? i live in uk for 5 years. i am agree that it is a expensive country but we got a better life style in uk, as a employee you got more rights here in uk.
[15-05-2007,07:31]
[***.189.167.141]
bains
(in reply to: To Brian)
Interesting to find racism in immigrants themsleves, though not surprising. I never believe the allegation that Canadians are racist as most of the immigrants blame it as the reason of not finding appropriate jobs. The reason is not that, the reason is the traditional Canadian economy that is unable to produce enough professional level jobs.

To be honest, I faced more direct racism in Canada from other immigrant communities, not from born white Canadians (may be exceptional) That´s why I agree with Anonymous that Toronto is not the best choice as it sounds to be. You may find racism here, but it is the truth.

Canada is proud of multiculturism, very good to see that, at least in the book, but in reality to me that´s a failure. It is becoming Canada as an identity less nation. Multiculturism also exists in USA, but regardless of origin they all first identify themslves as Americans.


[15-05-2007,10:52]
[***.254.208.242]
Shah