Should be we Americans or Canadians?

I'm in love with a Canadian girl. We honestly have no idea which country we'd prefer to live in. There are going to be lots of checkmarks in both columns! Is there any website or book out there that's already done a lot of comparisons? And your opinion is valued to. Please chime in!

My boyfriend and I have been arguing about this for a few months now.

Before I continue: the information below is based on what I've discussed with my boyfriend, if any other Canadian living in the USA has other perspectives to help alleviate some of the anxieties about moving to the States, please chime in!

There's a few considerations, depending on how serious you are:

1. Health care. As Canadians, we have universal health care. And politics aside, pragmatically, it makes a difference on your budget. From what I understand of the American health care system, you're health care service is determined by the funding you get from your insurance company. e.g. Even if your insurance company subsidizes your visit to the doctor, you still have to pay a co-pay amount. Should you guys decide to have children, again it will be subsidized by your insurance company, but you'll still have $2000 - $3000 to pay out of your own pocket.

2. Maternity leave. Again, we have Employment Insurance where depending on how much time we worked prior to maternity leave, we get 55% of our income paid during the months we take on leave - usually 12 - 14 months. Depending on the company you work for, they have a dollar-for-dollar matching on what EI gives you. My understanding is that in the United States, you have 2 - 3 months paid leave, but you only have those 2 -3 months. Any extra time is unpaid.

3. If you came to Canada, you could come here as a permanent resident, thereby entitling you to our benefits (health care, EI, student loans, working here) without having to give up your American citizenship. If she moves down there, she can live with you for up to 6 months legally, but she can't work; or, you guys go through the fiancee visa route, where she can't work for about the first 3 months, then has to apply for adjustment of status, then eventually apply for citizenship. During that time, she has to keep re-applying for her work permit to be renewed.

Again I recommend viajourney.com, for moving to the USA on a relationship visa, or roadtocanada.com for moving to canada

You ask the Cdn that living in the USA, they desire to go back to Canada. If you ask the American that is living in Canada, they desire to go back to the USA.

I'm a Cdn that has lived in the USA for over 5 yrs, and I pretty much dislike it here. Of course I may hate it in any large city in Canada as well! Canada/USA may be neighbors but we are different.

Visa wise, I have heard its a bit easier/less frustrating going to Canada.

Going tothe USA-----k1 visa (fiance visa) is anywhere from 6-8 months, then have 90 days to get married and can't work until ugetwork authorization. CR-1 (if ur married) takes around a year.

Visajourney (VJ) has k1, cr-1 forums, and at the top are guides which lay it all out step bystep! Process is easy, its the wait that is a killer.

For me, something were to happen to my wife, I would be packed up and back to Canada in a hearts beat, but thats just me,lol

Just a comment on maternity leave in US. Mat leave would be a company policy (only a handful of states -- maybe 2 -- offer state mat leave).

Very few companies offer paid mat leave. What is usual is govt-mandated UNPAID leave for 12 weeks, during which you can't be fired. Anything else is strictly up to company -- and US firms are not known for thier generosity.

Thanks guys, I hope more forum peeps will post here on occasion.

Do not count on it, tis not a very busy site,lol

I am a Canadian in California. My father was brought here to do a specialized job in mining industry and our family received lifetime visas.

Over the decades I have been in the US, I have observed a few recessions. What is happening in the US, in my opinion, is not your average recession.

All that is keeping me from returning is the state of my finances. Canada is an expensive country to live in and my skills only provide me with so much income. But, I am working on it. Working on getting back up there. The sooner the better.

I am sensing civil unrest and an unstable government here, and I have been here 37 years.