Your Opinion about EMigration

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". 

brianlux

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.

PJ_Soul said:

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.

Cool!  Now just make me younger again, LOL!

HughFreakingDillon said:

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

I would need a box at least this big: