Things you love/look forward to about America

[Dan and Ali 3]

So, this topic might already exist and if it does I apologise! Lately I'm feeling really nervous about moving (even though I won't be for several months) and I would love some positive reinforcement! So, please tell me what you LOVE about living in America, OR if you haven't moved yet, what you are looking forward to! Specifically, I'm looking for things that you love/look forward that either aren't available in Canada, are different in Canada or just blatant preferences in comparison to Canada. Note: I'm really not looking to bash on Canada, just looking for some positive reinforcement!

I'll start! Some things I am looking forward to:

- Better weather! I am greatly looking forward to longer, hotter summers, milder winters and earlier spring!

- More reasonable cost of living (I currently live in Alberta where a 2 bedroom apartment is ~$1000+, a 2 bedroom apartment in SLC, Utah is ~$600!)

- Waffle fries. I know they're terrible for me but I love them and I have never seen them in Canada.

- Being able to watch clips on www.hulu.com ... A silly thing to look forward to be something to look forward to nonetheless! I can't stand it when I get that "this is not available in your area" message and really look forward to being able to watch whatever I want whenever I want!

- Cheaper airfare to overseas destinations (compared to the cost from Edmonton, anyway ;P)

So, those are all the ones I can think of ... any and all contributions would be greatly appreciated!

- Ali

[M613 6]

- Access to a TONNE of awesome things the Canadian version of retail places don't sell... Pier 1 in Austin made me almost fall over.

- More of a variety of cars

- Lawyers... so many lawyers (haha)

- The varying accents

- The varying cultures---immigrants from all points of the earth are so much bolder and proud in the States. Love it.

[Sprailenes 47]

Wawa, wegmans, a thanksgiving in November, Kohls, DSW Shoes, Target, five guys, cheaper stuff, being close to a bunch of cool cities, the longer yellow traffic lights (hehe), oh and my husband.

There's more but I am under pressure here.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Cheap booze, REAL mexican food, cheap ice cream

[Sprailenes 47]

Ahh yes the amount of amazing micro breweries.

[trailmix 77]

Netflix.

[Spoom 8]

Netflix.

Gamefly! (And with my USB hard drive connected to my Wii with a bunch of black magic, they are far more useful to me. )

[Colleens 40]

The outlets to shop at for super cheap!! I buy a lot of under armor gear when I am in the US for usually 50% less than what I pay in Canada!!!

[Sparky&Me 0]

Lower cost of living (at least for us, northern AB vs. Charleston SC)

Perpetual summer (see where we were & where we are )

MUCH more affordable cell phone plans

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Super cheap delicious food.

There's so many good restaurants in my fiance's area. He lives in a Chinese neighbourhood, so they have so much good asian food and very close to the original recipes.

Cheap produce.

3lbs of Grapefruit for 1 dollar anyone?

Target.

Need I say more?

Cheap Haagen Dazs.

It's almost 7 bucks here and about 3 at my fiance's Target.

NO WINTER OR HUMIDITY, WOO!

I'm so sick of the snow and the humidity.

(Moving to Cali)

Cheaper books and video games.

I swear we pay way too much for them in Canada.

+ many more things, but I can't think of them right now

Edited October 6, 2009 by Rhiann

[Dan and Ali 3]

You guys are all awesome and I appreciate everyone's contributions. Keep them coming, please!

Note: I can't believe I forgot about how great the shopping is ... and Netflix, which is GLORIOUS!

[Holliday 4]

Great idea for a thread! I considered starting one like this before I moved because I was pretty nervous too.

The main things I was looking forward before I moved, and am currently enjoying (other than living with my husband, of course)...

- Cereal selection!

- Cheap wine!

- Getting a radar detector! I have always wanted one, but alas, they aren't legal in Ontario. My husband bought one for me for my birthday. Haha.

- Law & Order marathons on the USA network

- State Fairs! Well, mainly I look forward to seeing (but not eating) a variety of fried food on sticks. On Thursday we're going to the Tulsa State Fair to see Blue Oyster Cult. That should be interesting.

That's all I can think of so far. I haven't discovered anything new that I really like though. But then, I don't get out much.

[warlord 73]

This is an easy question.

Absolutely Everything!!!

[SapphireDreams 71]

Buying greeting cards at the cheaper price (and book and magazines too!)

The gum selection - it's pretty expansive here!

Real Mexican food - totally agree with Rob and Mel

Always having less change in my wallet - the 1$ bill is a beautiful thing!

Target!

Outlet Malls - although I'm not that close to one... but at least I don't have to cross the border anymore!

Carvel Ice cream

Shopping online and not having to worry about outrageous shipping & customs

The sheer variety of everything, everwhere I go...

The cost of living is much higher for me, but I'm happy to pay it to live in NYC.

[M613 6]

yes-the TV marathons!

My personal favourite being the Hallmark channel and/or the WE networks' Golden Girls marathons... It's officially my backup thing to watch should all else fail when I turn the tv on...