Canadians moving to America

[life-journey 7]

With Trump as the newly elected president many americans are joking (some serious) of moving to Canada. Now I wonder if some Canadians that are in the process of migrating to america are now thinking of staying and petitioning their spouse instead? please share your thoughts.

[Eaglo 0]

I think everyone who said they're moving to Canada are kind of full of it. Any normal person who has a decent job, decent family/community ties--regular people would NEVER make a move to Canada like that. The people who might are just the super-wealthy... and even then, why would they move? They would pay higher taxes than staying in the United States.

It's all just talk, give it a week or two and it will all blow over.

[life-journey 7]

I think everyone who said they're moving to Canada are kind of full of it. Any normal person who has a decent job, decent family/community ties--regular people would NEVER make a move to Canada like that. The people who might are just the super-wealthy... and even then, why would they move? They would pay higher taxes than staying in the United States.

It's all just talk, give it a week or two and it will all blow over.

True. What concerns me is that my husband has a good and stable job in Canada, while I am a stay at home mom to our first child and now I'm withholding sending in the AOS packet and paying the AOS and IV fee to prolong the process while we figure out what is best for our family.

No family in Canada just husband, daughter and I, but a good paying stable job.

My family are all here in the states, but I am a stay at home mom, husband is main provider so we will be living off of our savings till he gets a job.

[Eaglo 0]

Packing everything up and moving is a massive decision for a person. When it comes to the government people tend to over-think things and fret a lot about things, but they forget the government is a slow moving beast. It's like trying to move a cruise ship. While it's unstoppable, it takes a LOT to get it moving. I wouldn't worry all too much about anything. Trump has to work hard to not look too crazy during the beginning of his term, otherwise he'll lose 100% of his support.

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*country-specific question moved from "CR-1 spouse visa process and procedures" to Canada sub-forum*~*~*

[NikLR 13,227]

I'll be honest, your husband works but yet you're asking him to move? I know having extended family around is important for some people but he will have to make more than his current job to afford everything for your own family if you're all in the usa. Have you really crunched the numbers to see if it wouldnt be better to move north?

[NikLR 13,227]

I moved south because my husband was making more than double I was. Now he makes more than triple! Financially,this is better even though it can be very difficult. When we retire we will reconsider out place of residence.

[life-journey 7]

I'll be honest, your husband works but yet you're asking him to move? I know having extended family around is important for some people but he will have to make more than his current job to afford everything for your own family if you're all in the usa. Have you really crunched the numbers to see if it wouldnt be better to move north?

I did not "ask" my husband to move, it was a decision that we both made. When we lived in Canada he got laid off and had a difficult time looking for a job, my parents offered to let us stay in their home (in the states) for free until we get back on our feet again so my husband and I made the decision to move to the states. Our daughter and I flew to the states first to start the petition for my husband but just a few weeks after that my husband was offered a job in victoria bc, which he accepted so we can save money while his petition is in process but now his position in that company is stable and I'm contemplating on going back to Canada instead but my husband insists that we continue the petition because he is positive that he will find a job and build his career here.

what do you mean by he will have to make more than his current job to afford everything for your own family if you're all in the usa?

[NikLR 13,227]

Thanks for explaining. There is always more to everyones story and I'm glad i know yours.

I say more because of health care. My husband pays $250 a month in healthcare costs for the two of us (it's a self + 1 plan). Its a high deductible plan that requires us to pay 3k before we are covered for anything but preventative care. So a simple hospital visit for maybe a broken arm can cost you 2k+! Now he works for the US federal government and gets a discount on his healthcare plans. This plan normally would cost twice as much I believe.

In Canada I never had to worry about paying for healthcare. Granted there can be some long waits. It can sometimes take a while to get into a specialist. But when I was a kid and my horse kicked me in the face, I was seen right away. Or when I fainted in the ER because of dehydration due to tonsillitis, my stay in the hospital for a week didnt cost a fortune.

However you have to take the cost of living into consideration as well. Its more to buy a house in most of Canada and i know food costs more in general (I havent found a gallon of milk for $1.99 since the 90s!) But I was just fine on $13/hr in Canada in a 2 bedroom apartment. I couldnt live on my own without a roommate down here for that. My EI cheques were only $100 less than my pay checks after taxes!

[NikLR 13,227]

My BIL cant leave the Navy. Theres no way he could afford to live with 3 kids, his wife who doesnt work, and my MIL (who's fully disabled due to severe RA) on a normal pay check.

I probably could make more money than I do but I restrict myself in work due to personal reasons. We could live off a single pay check but we wouldnt have savings. My husband went through his entire savings trying to get a job after leaving the military in 2011. Finally in Sept 2012 he started working again, but his money in the bank had dwindled to nothing and we were about to start the process for him to move to Canada.

[lkerky 25]

We have definitely considered it but I can apply for citizenship in June, so we will wait until after that process is complete. I also am interested to see if Trump actually does have the things he said he is going to.

[NikLR 13,227]

I'm curious more about people getting citizenship in the USA but then wanting to move back to Canada. Doesn't it bother you to be required to file tax returns in the USA if you never live here again? Or is the hope to move back eventually (or at least have the ability to) and that outweighs the cons?

[Ontarkie 14,229]

I'm curious more about people getting citizenship in the USA but then wanting to move back to Canada. Doesn't it bother you to be required to file tax returns in the USA if you never live here again? Or is the hope to move back eventually (or at least have the ability to) and that outweighs the cons?

They would have to file US taxes regardless unless she divorces the USC.

[NikLR 13,227]

They would have to file US taxes regardless unless she divorces the USC.

The usc could file MFS. To file jointly I agree with you though.

[zilchfox 296]

With Trump as the newly elected president many americans are joking (some serious) of moving to Canada. Now I wonder if some Canadians that are in the process of migrating to america are now thinking of staying and petitioning their spouse instead? please share your thoughts.

My fiance and I have been together for 6 years in an online relationship when we met on an art-gallery website. About 2 years ago we toyed with the idea of getting married and him moving up to Canada (We've been engaged since Jan 2014), however there were so many pitfalls with the situation, not just financial but I don't think he wants to move away from his family at all. On June 2015, same-sex marriage became legal in the US, that's when we decided it would be best for me to move down instead. I'm an explorer anyways and I don't mind living long-distant from my family on my side, and my employer stated that they would more than love to hire me back in Atlanta when I can legally work again (international very large global company). On top of that, my fiance wanted us to live together sooner than later, and the US had the K-1 option that made that possible (Canada doesn't seem to have an equivalent, only an equivalent to the CR1/IR1 visas here in the US). That sealed the deal and here I am, near Atlanta now. We're getting married next week and filing for AOS.

I'm not going back to Canada.

Edited November 10, 2016 by zilchfox