Why did you choose the US?

[Misty1979 0]

Same kinda...Victoria--->Newport, NC. I honestly feel like I was made for the weather down south though. I hate being cold, and even though the weather is pretty mild here in Victoria, I'm freezing cold even in the warmest temperatures lol.

Call me crazy, but I can't wait to live permanently is the hot humid weather. Beats shovelling snow, anyways

[girl 37 7]

Beats shovelling snow, anyways

How many years ago was that?

[MissStacey 1]

My family is crazy and getting far away seems like great idea to me

[Misty1979 0]

Beats shovelling snow, anyways

How many years ago was that?

Lol um...1996... but still I had my fill of it then. Not sure if you had any of it in Vancouver, but since Victoria isn't exactly prepared for snow, and a big blizzard had hit, the town basically shut down. The stores ran clean out of milk and bread (not fun for my sister who just had a baby.) I don't think we even knew any neighbours that owned a shovel lol. Sometimes I wonder how us lower Mainlanders and Islanders can call ourselves Canadian

[Galateia 1]

Personally, I'm terrified to move down to the US. My happiness at FINALLY being reunited with my fiance is offset by my dread of moving there.

If anyone else really struggled with the prospect of moving to the US, I would love to talk about it and hear people's stories and how they came to terms with it. I seem to go through waves of acceptance and anticipation and then lie-awake-at-night dread. Is this normal?

[Cassie 8]

Personally, I'm terrified to move down to the US. My happiness at FINALLY being reunited with my fiance is offset by my dread of moving there.

If anyone else really struggled with the prospect of moving to the US, I would love to talk about it and hear people's stories and how they came to terms with it. I seem to go through waves of acceptance and anticipation and then lie-awake-at-night dread. Is this normal?

You are not alone! It took me a long time to get settled in here -- I NEVER thought I would move to the US -- too many bad experiences in my line of work with the "ugly American" tourist, methinks. I didn't have too much problem before I moved here, it was afterwards -- you know, the "what the **** have I done here?" kind of thinking. Now that I have been here for almost 2 1/2 years, I'm doing much better, thanks to the love and support of my hubby, who lets me rant when I need to and appreciates what I gave up to come here. It helps to go back home periodically and to keep in touch with everyone as much as possible. Oh, and ignore the news, it'll just drive you crazy. Once you reconcile yourself to the differences, you'll be ok.

[~Nini~ 2]

My family is crazy and getting far away seems like great idea to me

Same here.

Also, Galateia, you're not alone. I'm incredibly freaked out about moving to the States. We can share worries together! *hug*

[vanee 13]

Personally, I'm terrified to move down to the US. My happiness at FINALLY being reunited with my fiance is offset by my dread of moving there.

If anyone else really struggled with the prospect of moving to the US, I would love to talk about it and hear people's stories and how they came to terms with it. I seem to go through waves of acceptance and anticipation and then lie-awake-at-night dread. Is this normal?

Can you tell us what makes you dread moving to the US?

I've spent over 4 months there in the past year, so I've gotten used to it. It helps that I've found a health food store and a bakery that I like and that I've started getting to know a few people there. It'll feel like home for you once you get settled in. Not home like Canada, but a new home. And Canada will always still be here.

[Galateia 1]

Also, Galateia, you're not alone. I'm incredibly freaked out about moving to the States. We can share worries together! *hug*

Oh good! If you want to PM me, we can bewail our woes and fears in mutual eek-iness! Eeek-hood? Eeekification? Eeekosity?

Vanee, it's partly because of where I'm going; I'm going to be in an ultra-conservative part of TX, and that's the last sort of place I'd like to be in. Alas, if only he'd gotten an offer in somewhere like San Francisco! There are so many interesting places in the US, but I'm not going to any of them.

[ladykelia 0]

For us it was just a matter of choosing one country over the other. We were both up until very recently students going to the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. There are a variety of reasons why we are chosing to move to Minnesota rather than stay up here:

1) Almost everything is cheaper in the US than it is here (in Saskatchewan anyway)-- books, food, clothes gas. Almost everything except real estate and rent. Now that the exchange rate is #######, everything just seems so much more expensive up here.

2) this might be a naive myth-- but I think there are more employment and educational oppurtunities in the States. More people, more cities, more urbanization. Though I realize said oppurtunies maybe be just as or more competitive.

3) *Good* Mexican food-- well... its true. Can't speak for the rest of Canada but Regina has no actual full-menued mexican resteraunts, and I didn't have much luck finding anything good in Saskatoon or Edmonton either.

4) My parents have been very financially and emotionally (in the sense that my mom has done tons of research on the immigration process and such) supportive about our relationship, and will continue to support us until we can stand on our own feet. That's not to say that his family hasn't been amazing as well, I would just feel more comfortable living next to my support base, while my fiance seems indifferent.

All that being said, I am really going to miss Canada a lot. It's nice to feel more-or-less safe taking a walk around the park or walking to my car at night. And it's nice to only have to drive 10 minutes to get out of the city and see beautiful plain lands and valleys. The people here are friendly, and Regina has sort of that small town feel but with all the city conveniences. So.. yeah.. I love Canada, but the US won out-- for now!

[MissStacey 1]

I worry about going through some home sickness and having to adjust again when I get there.

I worry the most about one of the family dogs. She was my 18th B-day present, but this has always been her home. She will be 15 soon and I worry so much about if this is the last time I will see her. Even typing this brings tears to my eyes.

[misa 2]

Now that the exchange rate is #######, everything just seems so much more expensive up here.

HA! I'm thinking the exchange rate is freaking AWESOME right now... if you're Canadian.

My money was saved in Canadian currency so I've been transferring to U.S. currency now that the Canadian dollar is doing well.

I worry about going through some home sickness and having to adjust again when I get there.

I worry the most about one of the family dogs. She was my 18th B-day present, but this has always been her home. She will be 15 soon and I worry so much about if this is the last time I will see her. Even typing this brings tears to my eyes.

Aw Stacey...

Now that you have a K3, it's multiple entry even while you're adjusting status so you can travel back if you need to!

[Krikit 1,163]

My family is crazy and getting far away seems like great idea to me

WRT the original question..... Our deciding factor was based on the viability of transferring our chosen professions cross-border and all that that entails, and my husband's career (the USC) won out. My husband loves Canada and would like to retire there, and I have my EU passport with free movement privileges, so our journey hasn't ended yet.

Galateia, your dread of moving is quite normal. I went through the same thing. Every so often I still get a touch of homesickness. But it passes, so not to worry. There is definitely a transitional phase when you first arrive. But I love my husband, my new home, and my new country, so it makes things easier. It also makes things easier having family and friends visit and being able to go home once in a while. Once you have your AP in hand you'll feel more at ease.

As to the weather..... yeesh. Yes, Ontario gets terrible humidity. And I've noticed a difference in the heat and humidity in other parts of the States as opposed to the heat and humidity here in FL. For some reason the heat seems more oppressive elsewhere. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that there are two large bodies of water on either side of this State. Or maybe it's all in my head. In any case, I have always been very sensitive to the cold so I just love it here. It can be hot as heck outside and I'll be standing in the shade shivering in my sweater. My friends and family think I'm weird that I generate my own AC.

Good luck on the weather transition for the BC'ers in the group! I just love BC!

[MissStacey 1]

Now that the exchange rate is #######, everything just seems so much more expensive up here.

HA! I'm thinking the exchange rate is freaking AWESOME right now... if you're Canadian.

My money was saved in Canadian currency so I've been transferring to U.S. currency now that the Canadian dollar is doing well.

I worry about going through some home sickness and having to adjust again when I get there.

I worry the most about one of the family dogs. She was my 18th B-day present, but this has always been her home. She will be 15 soon and I worry so much about if this is the last time I will see her. Even typing this brings tears to my eyes.

Aw Stacey...

Now that you have a K3, it's multiple entry even while you're adjusting status so you can travel back if you need to!

I doubt Mel will let me leave the Country for a very long time

I am exchanging whatever money I have in my bank to American today!! I wanted to do it monday but the bank didn't have much american money on hand. The rate is awesome!!

Edited June 6, 2007 by Stacey33

[misa 2]

I doubt Mel will let me leave the Country for a very long time

I am exchanging whatever money I have in my bank to American today!! I wanted to do it monday but the bank didn't have much american money on hand. The rate is awesome!!

So true... he's not letting you out of his sight!

And yes, the rate is soooo awesome. For us Canadians that is.