Wanting to semi retire to the USA?

I have to say I would be fascinated to know how you get on with this plan, given your age. There is no legal reason why you can't enter for up to six months as a visitor and all you need really is proof of non-immigrant intent, e.g. proof of funds and ties to Canada.

But I'd be interested to know what the guy says when you say you're staying for six months and you're clearly still of working age.

You might want to try asking for an I-94 if you're staying that long, it can come in handy with various bureaucratic things as various bureaucrats at the State and local level like to see it.

Steve,
I recently lost my husband, he died instantly while camping with his friends we were smart enough to have life ins so that is how I am able to do this under the age of 55. Here in Canada lots of folks do retire at 55 just so you know so 49 is not that young to be thinking ahead. I have done some research on the economy in the US and that is why I have decided to now buy in Nevada as the realestate market is at an all time low. So I hope it works for me. I am not sure what an I-94 is could you enlighten me? Thank you - J

I-94 is a entry/departure record. Canadians mostly dont' get them at the border unless you're entering the US with some sort of visa (TN, K3, L1B etc). You can request one though when you get to the POE, and sometimes they'll give you one, with a specific required exit date, if they suspect you of attempting to stay beyond your allowed visit.

This is an I-94: http://www.uscis.gov/propub/DocView/afmid/dat/I_94.PDF

Canadian citizens visiting the US are not required to fill them in, however it can be to your advantage to have one because it gives you an alien registration number. Various bureaucrats as well as people at banks etc. may ask to see your I-94 and it can help to have one if you intend on staying in the US six months every year.

Like Reba said, sometimes they impose them on you if they think you're going to work illegally, so if you actually ask for one it cuts the conversation short, just make sure the CBP guy actually stamps a six-month expiry date on it.

Costs $6.

On the subject of moving to Nevada, there is a big long thread on here somewhere about buying real estate in the US. You have to be careful because of the taxes.

How it works is that States with no State income tax have high property taxes (like Nevada and Florida) and States with high income taxes usually have low property taxes (like some jurisdictions in California).

Depending on what your income is going to be it can be to your advantage to live in one place or another. Obviously if you have a high income Nevada makes sense, but if you have a low income California would make more sense, at least from a tax standpoint.

I'm hoping to verify a detail. I understand that we are permitted a max stay of 6 months less a day. If we stay in the USA from Oct to Apr, but return to Canda for 10 days at Christmas, can we subtract those 10 days in calculating our total? Have not been able to find a comprehensive site.

You can stay in US 6 months EACH visit. Once you leave at Xmas, your next entry can be for the full six months.

What you want to watch however is losing your Medicare for being outside Canada too long, not how long you are in US.