Your Opinion about EMigration

OnWis97

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

unsung

I think a lot of Hollywood has done it, I mean they said they would, surely they followed up on it.  

I did hear a story about Puerto Rico where your taxes would drop to 4%, haven't verified.

My buddy moved overseas 20 years ago, still has to pay his taxes.

I have heard of a lot of people looking at Costa Rica.

jerparker20

unsung said:

I think a lot of Hollywood has done it, I mean they said they would, surely they followed up on it.  

I did hear a story about Puerto Rico where your taxes would drop to 4%, haven't verified.

My buddy moved overseas 20 years ago, still has to pay his taxes.

I have heard of a lot of people looking at Costa Rica.

Puerto Rico is part of the United States...

unsung

As a territory, not a State.

Meltdown99

http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/132524/your-opinion-about-immigration#latest

unsung

Different topic.

oftenreading

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Not speaking of moving from the US, but I did move from Canada to the UK for four years between 1989 - 1993. It was a great experience and I’m glad I did it, but settling long term in the UK did not appeal so I came home. 

Meltdown99

unsung said:

Different topic.

My bad ... so sorry ... emigration?  I will have to read up on that.

Meltdown99

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 

Meltdown99

To move to another I'd have to make sure the country had opportunities to continue to pursue my hobbies and interest ... for example, if you are an outdoorsmen (hunts and fish), you will definitely need to move to county that is welcoming of hunting and fishing plus has the opportunity to pursue.

tempo_n_groove

I lived in Barbados for a year.  I had a working visa though so I didn't have any problems.

I lived in Iraq for 3 months but I also had a working visa so no problems there, plus I made it home alive...

If you and your wife have something positive to give back to the country you might get let in.

If you have a job prospect lined up that will help too.

I do know that Australia has a tough stance on letting anyone over 30 in their country and issuing visas.  They don't want to have older people come in and take advantage of their systems.  My friend acquired a work visa for 6 months over there.

brianlux

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 

HughFreakingDillon

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

this is funny (in a not funny way). I posted on twitter an hour or so ago a post about how I see US emigration hitting an all time high in the next 2-5 years, and there will be nothing left but old white men to jerk each other off. 

unsung

brianlux said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 

So they have high standards on who they let in based on qualifications?

PJ_Soul

Meltdown99 said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 

If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.

dignin

My brother in-law is an American who has settled here in Canada a couple years ago. He's a prof and in his early 40's. Wasn't that difficult, but he married a Canadian.....so all you have to do is get a divorce and hook up with a Canadian girl. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

PJ_Soul

unsung said:

brianlux said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 

So they have high standards on who they let in based on qualifications?

I think I know what point you're trying to make. FYI, Canada welcomes tens of thousands of refugees who had nothing in the past couple of years too (yes they were screened for security purposes). Canada generally has an open heart when it comes to people who are suffering elsewhere. I know that's a foreign concept to you.

Brian, that isn't really true. I know plenty of people who immigrated to Canada who aren't anywhere near the top of their field. They simply made themselves useful as temporary residents or on a work visa, i.e. got a job and got their employer to vouch for them as a valued employee, and then they did what had to be done to become permanent residents. People who are at the top of their field are often fast-tracked through the process though. It's perfectly reasonable for Americans to attempt the process of immigration to Canada, assuming they can contribute to the work force and meet some other requirements (lots of hoops to jump through). OP, this info is all on the government of Canada website.

Meltdown99

PJ_Soul said:

Meltdown99 said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 

If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.

What if he wants to own property at some point?  But if I was rich I'd live in BC .... one beautiful province and great people.  Not that you have to be rich to live BC...it would help...lol

Meltdown99

If I was to migrate out of Canada it would be to a year round warm climate ....

PJ_Soul

Meltdown99 said:

PJ_Soul said:

Meltdown99 said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 

If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.

What if he wants to own property at some point?  But if I was rich I'd live in BC .... one beautiful province and great people.  Not that you have to be rich to live BC...it would help...lol

Well we don't know how much money he makes, maybe he can totally afford it. Besides, you can still buy a small condo or an old crappy house for less than a million dollars in metro Vancouver, outside of Vancouver proper, lol. And you can buy much cheaper property than that on the Sunshine Coast or on Vancouver Island. The southwest coast isn't ONLY Vancouver proper or metro Vancouver. But yeah, it's more expensive in all cases.... and for many it's worth it because of the weather and geography in general. Plus, the idea that property ownership is the end all and be all in life is pretty old fashioned at this point, isn't it? Well, it is in southwest BC anyway, lol. I guess that's because so many can't afford to own, and renting can actually be the wisest financial decision here. Even taking speculation into account, the renter can come out on top financially when all is said and done, just because of the huge expenses of maintenance and property taxes and shit for owners. It can be way wiser to just save what you might spend as a home owner. Put it into RRSPs and mutual funds or whatever instead of into a house you have to keep feeding money to indefinitely. Plus, if there is a market crash all the home owners are fucked (and the non-home owners will be pretty pleased).

Meltdown99

PJ_Soul said:

Meltdown99 said:

PJ_Soul said:

Meltdown99 said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 

If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.

What if he wants to own property at some point?  But if I was rich I'd live in BC .... one beautiful province and great people.  Not that you have to be rich to live BC...it would help...lol

Well we don't know how much money he makes, maybe he can totally afford it. Besides, you can still buy a small condo or an old crappy house for less than a million dollars in metro Vancouver, outside of Vancouver proper, lol. And you can buy much cheaper property than that on the Sunshine Coast or on Vancouver Island. The southwest coast isn't ONLY Vancouver proper or metro Vancouver. But yeah, it's more expensive in all cases.... and for many it's worth it because of the weather and geography in general. Plus, the idea that property ownership is the end all and be all in life is pretty old fashioned at this point, isn't it? Well, it is in southwest BC anyway, lol. I guess that's because so many can't afford to own, and renting can actually be the wisest financial decision here. Even taking speculation into account, the renter can come out on top financially when all is said and done, just because of the huge expenses of maintenance and property taxes and shit for owners. It can be way wiser to just save what you might spend as a home owner. Put it into RRSPs and mutual funds or whatever instead of into a house you have to keep feeding money to indefinitely. Plus, if there is a market crash all the home owners are fucked (and the non-home owners will be pretty pleased).

I can not dispute anything you said.  There is more than one way to live ... people need to choose the best way they want to live their life.  As for me, I entered home ownership in my early 20's ... sold 3 homes and bought 4, used the equity that I built over the years to have a what would considered a mortgage payment well below market value for rent...I chose to live a low expense, no work lifestyle...my next expense gone will be my cell phone.  And I do not live in a dump, I have a very nice townhome in a town I very much like ... and according to our mayor we have no infrastructure deficit, low/manageable debt and solid reserves  so we are insulated from any major tax hike. 

I do believe if I was just starting out today that accomplishing the lifestyle I wanted to live post 50 would be very challenging today.  Our governments want the high cost of living/high taxes ... they want people working until 65 or beyond.

The freedom to live the lifestyle I want, with plenty free time ... I wouldn't trade that away ever.  But in order to live my lifestyle it requires being frugal (unless wealthy).

MayDay10

I looked into it.  It is very difficult, especially a family of 4.

HughFreakingDillon

PJ_Soul said:

Meltdown99 said:

PJ_Soul said:

Meltdown99 said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Move to Canada ... you are from Minnesota so the cold will make you feel like at home.  Of course, maybe you are tired of the cold??? 

If he is he could just move to the southwest coast. It's not particularly cold here in the winter.

What if he wants to own property at some point?  But if I was rich I'd live in BC .... one beautiful province and great people.  Not that you have to be rich to live BC...it would help...lol

Well we don't know how much money he makes, maybe he can totally afford it. Besides, you can still buy a small condo or an old crappy house for less than a million dollars in metro Vancouver, outside of Vancouver proper, lol. And you can buy much cheaper property than that on the Sunshine Coast or on Vancouver Island. The southwest coast isn't ONLY Vancouver proper or metro Vancouver. But yeah, it's more expensive in all cases.... and for many it's worth it because of the weather and geography in general. Plus, the idea that property ownership is the end all and be all in life is pretty old fashioned at this point, isn't it? Well, it is in southwest BC anyway, lol. I guess that's because so many can't afford to own, and renting can actually be the wisest financial decision here. Even taking speculation into account, the renter can come out on top financially when all is said and done, just because of the huge expenses of maintenance and property taxes and shit for owners. It can be way wiser to just save what you might spend as a home owner. Put it into RRSPs and mutual funds or whatever instead of into a house you have to keep feeding money to indefinitely. Plus, if there is a market crash all the home owners are fucked (and the non-home owners will be pretty pleased).

I was talking to a friend last night. He does speciality renos, and he makes triple out there than he does here, so he'd really like to move his family out there so he doesn't have to keep travelling. But, to get a mortgage, he was told he needs 40% down AND to make at least $250,000 annual family income. that's nuts. 

HughFreakingDillon

unsung said:

brianlux said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 

So they have high standards on who they let in based on qualifications?

yes, except for people fleeing war and poverty authoritarian regimes.  

that pesky survival issue. 

it's the exact same in the US. My wife's brother and his wife moved to the states years ago as she got a job there. He couldn't legally work for years, nor even get his green card, until he was able to prove he could contribute to the country in a positive way. He spent most of his time volunteering. They lost out on thousands of dollars because he refused to go the wrong route and work illegally. 

unsung

Yeah, too bad that standard is no longer in existance.  The good guy always loses.

HughFreakingDillon

since when? can I just apply for a job in the US and get it and become a citizen in a few months?

brianlux

PJ_Soul said:

unsung said:

brianlux said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 

So they have high standards on who they let in based on qualifications?

I think I know what point you're trying to make. FYI, Canada welcomes tens of thousands of refugees who had nothing in the past couple of years too (yes they were screened for security purposes). Canada generally has an open heart when it comes to people who are suffering elsewhere. I know that's a foreign concept to you.

Brian, that isn't really true. I know plenty of people who immigrated to Canada who aren't anywhere near the top of their field. They simply made themselves useful as temporary residents or on a work visa, i.e. got a job and got their employer to vouch for them as a valued employee, and then they did what had to be done to become permanent residents. People who are at the top of their field are often fast-tracked through the process though. It's perfectly reasonable for Americans to attempt the process of immigration to Canada, assuming they can contribute to the work force and meet some other requirements (lots of hoops to jump through). OP, this info is all on the government of Canada website.

Ah, I didn't know it could work that way.   Oh how I wish I were young enough to be able to work full-time and take that route.  I seriously doubt Canada has enough interest in an older, semi-retired part-time bookseller like C and myself.

Meltdown99

brianlux said:

PJ_Soul said:

unsung said:

brianlux said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 

So they have high standards on who they let in based on qualifications?

I think I know what point you're trying to make. FYI, Canada welcomes tens of thousands of refugees who had nothing in the past couple of years too (yes they were screened for security purposes). Canada generally has an open heart when it comes to people who are suffering elsewhere. I know that's a foreign concept to you.

Brian, that isn't really true. I know plenty of people who immigrated to Canada who aren't anywhere near the top of their field. They simply made themselves useful as temporary residents or on a work visa, i.e. got a job and got their employer to vouch for them as a valued employee, and then they did what had to be done to become permanent residents. People who are at the top of their field are often fast-tracked through the process though. It's perfectly reasonable for Americans to attempt the process of immigration to Canada, assuming they can contribute to the work force and meet some other requirements (lots of hoops to jump through). OP, this info is all on the government of Canada website.

Ah, I didn't know it could work that way.   Oh how I wish I were young enough to be able to work full-time and take that route.  I seriously doubt Canada has enough interest in an older, semi-retired part-time bookseller like C and myself.

Why not.  We read books. You are more than welcome here.

PJ_Soul

Meltdown99 said:

brianlux said:

PJ_Soul said:

unsung said:

brianlux said:

OnWis97 said:

I've been considering living in a different country for, I don't know, 17 months.  Something happened today that sort of re-ignited that thought.  Is this still the country I grew up in?  Maybe.  But not for long.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has actually moved out of the US.  Canada and other predominantly-English-speaking countries appeal.  I'm 44.  My wife is 43. Those are probably bad signs.  We both have masters degrees.  No kids.  

Canada might be a stretch.  You pretty much need to be at the top of your field- have something they want.  My brother in law was a PhD tree geneticist who gave lecture and did world-wide research.   He thought about moving to Canada but wasn't sure is qualifications would fly there.  Tough move. 

So they have high standards on who they let in based on qualifications?

I think I know what point you're trying to make. FYI, Canada welcomes tens of thousands of refugees who had nothing in the past couple of years too (yes they were screened for security purposes). Canada generally has an open heart when it comes to people who are suffering elsewhere. I know that's a foreign concept to you.

Brian, that isn't really true. I know plenty of people who immigrated to Canada who aren't anywhere near the top of their field. They simply made themselves useful as temporary residents or on a work visa, i.e. got a job and got their employer to vouch for them as a valued employee, and then they did what had to be done to become permanent residents. People who are at the top of their field are often fast-tracked through the process though. It's perfectly reasonable for Americans to attempt the process of immigration to Canada, assuming they can contribute to the work force and meet some other requirements (lots of hoops to jump through). OP, this info is all on the government of Canada website.

Ah, I didn't know it could work that way.   Oh how I wish I were young enough to be able to work full-time and take that route.  I seriously doubt Canada has enough interest in an older, semi-retired part-time bookseller like C and myself.

Why not.  We read books. You are more than welcome here.

Oh yeah, that reminds me, entrepreneurs are actually somewhat favoured in a lot of cases in this process Brian, though of course they delve into the actual business plan and everything.

HughFreakingDillon

yeah, a cardboard box full of books on the side of the road isn't necessarly considered a "business". 

PJ_Soul

HughFreakingDillon said:

yeah, a cardboard box full of books on the side of the road isn't necessarly considered a "business".