Newbies to the US from Canada: Anyone else having trouble adjusting?

[Loki_Go 126]

I miss Tim's like crazy. No matter where you were in Canada they were familiar and consistent and mmmmm. There's Tim's here in Ohio but the closest is almost 2 hours away and not exactly the same but if they ever open one up close to me I'll be there in a heartbeat.

I miss CBC and Hockey Night in Canada. The news here is fear mongering. I can't wait to go back for a visit, which if everything goes well should be at the end of March.

[NikLR 13,227]

So many of you still live pretty close to Canada. An 18 hour drive through Wyoming and Montana keeps me pretty much in Colorado. And the cost of my daughter's flights keep me grounded too.

Does everyone live near their in-laws too?

[oncefuturealien 45]

So many of you still live pretty close to Canada. An 18 hour drive through Wyoming and Montana keeps me pretty much in Colorado. And the cost of my daughter's flights keep me grounded too.

Does everyone live near their in-laws too?

Our house is about 3000 miles from my in-laws, and about 1500 miles from his in-laws.

I think that's just about right!

(His parents will likely move closer in the coming years though, as they have other relations they'd like to be close to who aren't too far away from us. My mum's medical condition precludes her moving to the US (she needs that Canadian health care as they can't afford her meds in the US) but if she passes my dad most likely will come to our neighbourhood I think. )

[NikLR 13,227]

Our house is about 3000 miles from my in-laws, and about 1500 miles from his in-laws.

I think that's just about right!

(His parents will likely move closer in the coming years though, as they have other relations they'd like to be close to who aren't too far away from us. My mum's medical condition precludes her moving to the US (she needs that Canadian health care as they can't afford her meds in the US) but if she passes my dad most likely will come to our neighbourhood I think. )

my situation is about the same but I know both sets of parents will stay where they are!

My MIL lives with BIL and his family in Virginia, my FIL lives in Alabama, and my Mom and step-dad live in BC.

[Jknee 3]

So many of you still live pretty close to Canada. An 18 hour drive through Wyoming and Montana keeps me pretty much in Colorado. And the cost of my daughter's flights keep me grounded too.

Does everyone live near their in-laws too?

I'm about 40 hours away from Alberta here in FL! Needless to say there will be no roadtrips back and forth! The only thing that has helped me at all through the transition and inability to work has been my new church community and my in-laws, I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't get along with them!

My biggest frustrations here are the lack of winter (I miss snow!) and the horrible grammar of southerners (double negatives and "y'all" drive me insane!).

Edited February 2, 2016 by Jknee

[mrslibbers 0]

Oh I'm definitely having troubles adjusting so far!

I've been here since August and our green card interview is next month so I feel like after that things will start to get better. When I first got down here it wasn't so bad as there was tons of wedding things to get done as our wedding was a month and a half from when I did my POE. Also there was just lots to do with setting up our home as well.

I have the most trouble with living alone most of the time as my husband works currently in North Dakota in the oil fields and we are unable to be together as much as we both would like. I struggle the most with this because it didn't affect me as much when I was still in Canada because I had my whole life there: my job, family and friends so being away from each other wasn't as hard. I think it's the idea in my head of how things were going to be that makes me the most upset. He was supposed to get a job in our hometown by now but because of immigration costs and the fact that I'm not able to work he continues to work over there right now! We are hoping and trying our hardest for him to get a job at home in the next couple months at the latest as we tired of the long distance relationship, now marriage.

My best friend from Canada has a boyfriend that lives in the same town as where I moved to in Idaho! Crazy story..but we both met our significant others at a music festival in Washington and they are good friends as well. So she's been down to visit quite a bit and we get to spend a lot of time together which takes my mind off the struggles of being away from my husband. That's been super nice!!

It's also been hard paying $300/month for health insurance To think I used to pay about $40 for my MSP (in BC) is crazy to think about now!

I also don't have any identification with my married last name. I had an Idaho ID card that expired 11 days after I received it (when my K1 visa was set to expire) and my bank card has our married name on it so I have to carry our marriage certificate with me wherever I go haha!

I miss my family and friends, working, Timmy's, Just Right cereal, RECYCLING , my favourite pasta salad mix and a bunch more stuff that I can't thing of right now.

Thankful for the whole VJ community throughout all this!!!

[bloopygirl 20]

Mrs Libbers - I'm sorry to hear your hubby works so far away and you're right, the health insurance costs are so insane... I found that carrying my bank statement is good for proof of name and address. Good luck on your interview!!

[Dualie 185]

I hear you about the health insurance costs, and don't even get me started on the cost of meds down here! I was paying $14 and $30 for what I am taking presently, which became $78 and $102. And it's not covered, and we are using the HSA for chiropractic. Thank goodness my doctor down here is weaning me off them as they are not necessary and I can manage without them, The things you don't think of...

[bloopygirl 20]

hey, random question, does anyone know if your car has to be physically at the land border to import it (if it is already in the US?) I would rather drive my husband's car next time we drive to canada because I hate my car lol

[NikLR 13,227]

hey, random question, does anyone know if your car has to be physically at the land border to import it (if it is already in the US?) I would rather drive my husband's car next time we drive to canada because I hate my car lol

Yes i think they need to inspect it. Edited February 4, 2016 by NLR

[beccajayne93 17]

hey, random question, does anyone know if your car has to be physically at the land border to import it (if it is already in the US?) I would rather drive my husband's car next time we drive to canada because I hate my car lol

Hey! Actually I believe you can file at the closest CBP port, and not at the Canada/US border. I think the closest would be Philly (definitely call first). Direct from their website it states "If you are not prepared, the officer may advise you to file the entry at a CBP port near your residence - however, in many cases the closest port could be 1-3 hours from your home, so it is in your best interest to be prepared to file the entry when you initially bring the vehicle into the U.S."

Here's the Philadelphia port info - call and ask them as it looks like they have a bunch of different service offices dotted around and I'm not sure which one you would go to.. http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/philadelphia

The ones in NJ seem to be further North like Morristown and Newark - but still beats driving back to the border.

[NikLR 13,227]

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

http://jalopnik.com/here-are-the-four-legal-ways-to-import-a-car-to-the-uni-1682067632

[NikLR 13,227]

http://usedcars.about.com/od/research/a/Importing-A-Used-Car-And-Used-Truck-From-Canada.htm

[bloopygirl 20]

Thanks!! Going to philly sounds more appealing lol it's an old 2005 minivan.. not fun to drive long distance

[Transborderwife 4,666]

It's roll up time I miss it!