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Any Canadian's considering moving to the USA? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/canada@lemmy.ca
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I'm kind of in a strange boat right now where I'm really comfortable in Canada yet I can't shake this feeling I need to get over to the US of A in order to take advantage of that strong USD. I, like many Canadians, work for an American firm and have a TN visa. Recently, my employer offered to sponsor me for a green card, if I ever choose to relocate to the USA. I can live pretty much anywhere I want as I'm a remote employee, but I do travel to the USA for client work.

It's a tough decision to make. While I consider it, I thought I'd ask the community. So, say you good lemmings?

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[–] 19 points 3 years ago (1 child)

So background - Civil engineer with ~5Years of experience. Now fully licensed in Ontario. Have a wife and expecting our first child this year.

My FIL is dual and has been harping on me to move there since I graduated. Pay is, on average, much higher. Current 85k CAD, likely 100-120k USD if I moved.

However as a P. eng I'd need to rewrite two massive technical exams before I'd be able to be licensed there, and not all states have reciprocal licenses, meaning if we moved in the states I may have to rewrite them again. Additionally, with a family, average insurance costs eat up all/most of the difference in salary - my FIL is C-suite executive and that's roughly what he paid for his insurance yearly between co-pays and premiums.

Then add on more tribalism, high prevalence of guns, and the generally huge wealthy disparity they get, and Ive decided it's not worth the move.

But weigh the factors for yourself. If you can, try to go work somewhere for a month or so to see how it feels

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  • [–] 12 points 3 years ago

    I wouldn't move unless I was paid at least double imo. The cost of living in the US is deceptive, particularly with kids.

    Education in the US is such a fucking stupid system and Canadian universities are exceptionally competitive (especially for research for e.g. grad school).

    Healthcare is even more stupid and even with pretty good insurance, the deductible+copay costs are crazy.

    Transportation is just strictly bad because of terrible urban planning in most cities.

    You end up working more hours, you will probably have to commute for longer, and the homeless problem is somehow worse (which I didn't think was possible).

    It's all solvable with enough money, but that isn't enough money to move.

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