Differences between canada and USA

I don't want to get into too much detail because I get really worked up and want to go back to Canada! I've been living in Pennsylvania for just over a year, and would go back if my fiance wasn't a US citizen (from Mexico.legally).

I agree with everyone comments. But just want to add that I hate US politics. There's an atmosphere of I'm right and you're wrong no matter what and I'm not going to cooperate with you at any cost. I'm not saying that Canadian politicians are perfect by any means. But at least there are more than 2 parties (and therefore opinions) helping everyone to be represented. Oh, and being a conservative in Canada is somewhere between what the US defines as conservative and liberal.

Health care is the other biggie. I mean, 8 weeks of maternity leave.seriously!

Overall, the ignorance, sense of entitlement, I'm right and you're wrong attitude are what I notice the most.

I've been here a month, I think people are nicer than the people in Toronto. But I work in an investment bank, people are fake / outgoing like that ,aka professional. But honestly I feel that Americans don't deserve the crappy stereotype that's been put on them.

Life out here is tough for me because I work / life outside NYC. I'm from Toronto, so moving to a small town and living on my own for the first time has made things difficult. I've been living in the US for a month.

I went back to Toronto for Labour Day, I was really homesick before. But when I got back, I felt like a vistor, it really didn't feel like home anymore.

America is the place to be for your career, money, but family is probably the only reason I would go back to Canada. We'll see what happens when my 1 year term is up.

How is "fake/outgoing" nicer?

I moved from Toronto to El Paso, Texas for an excellent job. My husband and I really love it here. People are incredibly friendly, helpful and genuine. The cost of living here is considerably less than in Toronto so we have a better lifestyle. There are definitely things that we've had to get used to, but overall we're happy. I can see us moving back to Canada eventually, but not for awhile.

Some have mentioned that even though the taxes in Canada are more, at the end of the day you end up paying similar expenses in US and Canada.

Can anyone ballpark what these costs are in the US:
health insurance (I heard it was $900/month in NJ)
car insurance?
property tax?
what taxes are taken from your paycheque?
any other expenses I've forgotten to mention?

When you arrived in the US, were you able to convert your Canadian driver's license?
Other than health care, would anyone argue that quality of life is better in the states? more jobs

Dear

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Dear

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Mark, the answers to all of your questions will depend on what state you're intending to move to. Some states have income tax, others do not. Some states charge property tax on vehicles as well as real property, others do not. Some states have mandated health insurance (Mass.) most do not, and its always very expensive. Quality of care and cost of care will also depend on where you intend to live.

Some states (not many any more) will do a direct transfer of a Canadian driver's license, but in most states you will have to at least take the 'written' test, if not the road test.

I would not argue that quality of life is better in the US than Canada, not in the least. Economists are saying to expect a recession (some areas, like where I live, could now be considered depressed already), basic human rights are vastly different than in Canada. Again, every area is different, even from one end of a state to the other. But no, I personally would not say its "better" here in the US. I wouldn't say Canada is necessarily "better either. Just IMO, its less worse. If you follow.

- culture
- friendliness of people
- society
- laws, aggressiveness
What are the pros/cons of living in the states

When moving to the states,
- what were the key things you needed to do as a newcomer to get settled? eg. car insurance, visa, etc.

Not a short answer sort of question. First of all you need to get in, and that is hard, unless you fall into the TN-1 category, so look that up. Even if you have close relatives who are US citizens it still takes awhile.

To get settled you need to all thing you would do if you were moving from one Province to another, essentially, with a few additions like getting a social security number in addition to all the immigration BS. Also expect your health care costs to go up, but taxes are usually lower so that compensates for it (to some extent).

In terms of culture, friendliness of people, society, etc. there is very little difference between Canada and the States that border it, the main differences come from the ethnic mix as there are more blacks and hispanics and less asians (including south asians such as Indians) per capita in the US.

The further south you go the more different it gets. Increasing numbers of hispanics and Spanish-speakers, increasing lack of knowledge of anything to do with Canada being two of the most noticeable. Larger areas of poverty particularly in the SE.

As far as the law goes, the US generally has less laws and less bureaucracy (unless you move to California) than Canada, however enforcement is a very different business. The penal system in the US is very stone age compared to Canada, longer sentences, little attempt at rehabilitation, prisons in the US are basically social garbage cans and the US has the highest prison population per capita in the world with the possible exception of China. The mental health care system is also a joke, which I'm certain is one of the reasons the US has such a high crime rate compared to Canada.

You will find in the largest cities that people are less friendly overall than they are in Canada, but that's true of all really urban places I have been around the world, with the possible exception of Japan.

The US is however a lot warmer, especially further south.

Salaries also tend to be higher on average at the national level, but if you compare say, Alberta to Alabama you're better off in Alberta.

Some have mentioned that even though the taxes in Canada are more, at the end of the day you end up paying similar expenses in US and Canada.

It really depends on where you're moving to, several US States have no income tax, e.g. Florida, Washington, Texas, Nevada, New Hampshire and I think South Dakota, but you still have to pay Federal tax. (New Hampshire also has no sales tax, the only State without either tax).

Plus Hawaii has a decent healthcare system, California has a decent school system but everywhere else I would say is either on par or worse than Canada in that regard. Healthcare costs really depend on the state of your health - if you're young and healthy it can work out better than some Canadian provinces, especially here in Alberta I would say where the healthcare system is currently a total shambles.

Property tax is the thing to watch out for, the States that have no income tax generally have powerful localities, e.g. Clark County, NV and Miami-Dade county, FL and they can have really high local taxes.

Personally I find wherever I move to (and I've lived outside the US and Canada) there's always some kind of "gotcha" that means you end up paying the same but I have to say Alberta is a really cheap place to live, although I think Florida was a bit cheaper, although my utility bills are lower in Alberta because I'm not paying so much for electricity (no AC).

The US tax system is not enforced very well so they tend to emphasise business taxes. Thus the US has high corporation taxes and lower personal taxes to encourage compliance. You have to be careful if you're starting a business there because corporate rates usually work out way higher in the US than in Canada, depending on what business your corporation does. Hence many people are self-employed or use "S" corporations, which are basically for self-employed people and are subject to personal income tax rates.

But talk to an accountant who specialises in cross-border issues before you go, especially if you are thinking of starting a business or you are in a high tax bracket.