If you had a chance to move to Canada, would you go?

[Dappleganger]

The job situation is taking some twists and turns--one large company has a position involving a 2-3 year stint in Kingston, Ontario. At first I thought it was crazy, but the teens have now convinced me otherwise. We'd probably keep our house here in FL and just rent it out (to try to give the market time to regain a bit). We'd sell much of our stuff except for irreplaceable things (and it's amazing how little we have which isn't replaceable). The rest would be moved up to the Great White North.

What would you do? I was looking forward to buying another home, but being in the manufacturing field has become more and more like being in the military with the frequent layoffs.

[SoxFan]

1. Why?

We've already got crappy weather, you can get poutine at the local diners, and the Bruins are leaving the Habs, Leafs, and Senators in the dust.

[Iggo]

2. Canada. A whole country north of Minnesota.

Computer says, "Naaah".

[KamaAina]

85. Fail. Windsor, Ont. is directly *south* of Detroit.

both are well to the south of Minneapolis.

[FloridaJudy]

3. Depends on where

It's a huge country. Some places there are more livable than others. Vancouver or Toronto? In a heartbeat! Some tiny farming village north of Ontario? Let me think...do they have WiFi?

[Dappleganger]

27. Kingston, Ontario

The job is in Gananoque.

[susanna]

44. Kingston is quite lovely. MHO, of course. n/t

[PassingFair]

63. OMG, TAKE IT...Gateway to the Thousand Islands

One of the most beautiful places on EARTH.

[kaiden]

68. Kingston was founded in 1669! Totally cool. Totally liberal!

And just across the St. Lawrence from New York! Why, in the winter, you could walk there.

[Shell Beau]

4. Nothing wrong with Canada, but no.

I will stay here always.

[Wapsie B]

5. If it were somewhere like Calgary, yes I'd go.

It's a very nice place up there, and I'm sure Edmonton is as well. Look at it as an adventure.

[quakerboy]

39. the texas of the north

Really?

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

42. other than oil what makes it Texas north?

by American standards Alberta isn't conservative at all,

[susanna]

45. Self-delete. n/t

[DeepBlueC]

61. yes, it is

politically very conservative. It's just that you don't hear much about religion driving that conservatism.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

71. No it isn't

Actually you hear pleanty about religion from Canadian conservatives. There is no shortage of bible thumpers in Alberta - hell many of them are from Texas, Oklaholma and Colorado.

Take for instance the issue of healthcare, in Canada you have to hit the extreme fringes of the Conservative Party to find those against universal healthcare, meanwhile here in the US it is hard enough to get Democrats to support universal healthcare.

There are only a handful of elected conservatives in Canada who are to the right of "moderate democrats"

[Kat45]

69. Rodeo is big in Calgary. As is country music. And in the province, cattle.

The Calgary Stampede is an annual festival, a huge part of which is the rodeo. Here's a wiki article on the Stampede.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_Stampede

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

70. uhh... thanks, I live in Calgary.

[Kat45]

72. Well, you asked what makes it Texas north (besides oil).

I was just citing some of the commonalities between Texas and Calgary.

[quakerboy]

74. I call it that because

my wife, who unlike myself has lived there, calls it that. What little she says of it centers around terrible weather. And I understand that there are some cultural similarities.

Prior to her influence on me, I would have said that Quebec would be Canada's Texas if asked on a standardized test, because of the Bloc Q. But I have to go with the native info over my own knowledge of the Canadian experience.

[Wapsie B]

54. Other than the oil I don't know why they call it that.

Winters are not horrendous up there, at least not in Calgary. Being part of the vastness of it all yet being in or near a big city has its appeal. And it gets really tiresome listening conservative here in the U.S. drone on nonstop about how the Canadian healthcare system or anything remotely like it could never work here.

[Gormy Cuss]

6. In a heartbeat.

Canada's a great country. I have friends who moved there for work and stayed 20 years then moved back to the states to be close to aging parents.

[leftyclimber]

7. I lived in southern ON for seven years. Highly recommend the experience.

I'm hoping to go back to Canada after I finish grad school. But I kinda went native, so YMMV.

Winters are pretty frigid in Kingston. Buy really good coats and boots if you decide to go. ;)

Besides, 2-3 years from now you'll be 2-3 years older and the only difference would be that you hadn't taken the opportunity to live in another country. :shrug:

[Dappleganger]

28. Thanks for your perspective.

Especially about the boots--are Doc Martins ok? I have several pairs (use them for riding the MC).

[leftyclimber]

33. Warm snow boots with good treads. Preferably with Thinsulate or similar lining.

We're talking 0F (about -20C) with windchill below that at times. Only for a couple of months (and not consistently), but you need to have clothes that keep you good and warm when you're outdoors. Wool and/or wool-polypropylene blend socks are also good to have, especially if you and your family like to play outside.

SOP is to wear your warm boots until you get inside, then change into whatever shoes you plan to wear indoors when you get there.

Docs won't cut it for going walking in that kind of weather. I have three pairs and could never keep my feet warm enough wearing them in winter. The cold comes right through the soles and the leather won't keep out the chill if you're walking through snow (or if ambient temps are very low).

I'm from the Pacific Northwest originally and had never seen "real" winter before I lived in ON. When I moved to Toronto a coworker took me out winter stuff shopping before the cold weather set in. She helped me find a warm jacket, gloves, hat, socks, and boots. If you're planning to move in spring or summer, asking a neighbor or coworker to help you get hooked up with what's regionally appropriate for winter is a good way to go.

Summers are hot, humid, and buggy (mosquitoes and blackflies, especially as you head further north). Springs and falls are very pretty, especially the fall foliage. It's not always supercold and winter. It's just good to be prepared for it while it's there.

[susanna]

46. How few times I completely agree with someone on DU...

YOU WIN!

Excellent advice. :-)

[bigwillq]

8. No.

I like where I live.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. I've already checked out Winnipeg ........

It's supposed to be the coldest city in North America. I like cold and snow and dark.

I could very easily live in Quebec - in a heartbeat.

If McPOW had won this last election, I'd have been gone. Without question..............

[ogneopasno]

10. Yes -- especially if it's a sure, temporary thing. What a blast!

[Dappleganger]

29. It's definitely temporary.

Even the plant manager who was just hired from South Carolina assured dh it would be temporary (she's in the same situation).

[ogneopasno]

31. I'd do it, then. Why not?

[kentauros]

11. No

but if I got a job in New Zealand, I'd move there :D

[AlCzervik]

12. no but if California does fall into the ocean i would consider it. Banff would be nice.

[Jamastiene]

13. I probably would.

:beer:

[LostinVA]

14. I'd move to Victoria in a SECOND

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. Yes, but not in the prairie provinces

except possibly in Winnepeg.

Vancouver or Toronto? Just give me a month to pack.

[Critters2]

20. I think I'd like the prairie provinces. All that open space.

Yeah, I could do that.

[raccoon]

78. What is it about the prairie provinces you don't like? nt

[applegrove]

16. Make sure you live in the right neighbourhood in Kingston. Its main industry

is the prison industry so there are a whole bunch of ex cons living in certain areas and you want to avoid those. There are some lovely neighbourhoods. It is really a 5 type of person town 1. Military 2. University community 3. Prison community 4. Senior retired community. 5. Regular people. It still has a vibrant downtown core and lots of cute little pubs and restaurants near the waterfront.

I lived in what looked like a pretty safe neighbourhood but it turned out there was a crack house next door. Then a drug dealer moved in downstairs when an ex con murderer (who was a nice guy) moved out. Just as I was moving the drug dealer sliced up a woman's face right outside my apartment. I witnessed part of the altercation and had to testify in court.

Other than that I loved my time in Kingston.

[Dappleganger]

30. Where can I find out that kind of information?

We don't want to live where all the students are, on the east side if possible. I have absolutely no info about the schools except the names of the districts. Both of our teens are enrolled in AP courses so hopefully they'll have something similar.

[applegrove]

58. South of Princess Street is safe but that is where the students are. The students

are a pretty good group. I wouldn't mind living near them. I worked in the campus book store and I've never worked with a "general public" who were so polite and easygoing. Queens is one of the top 3 Universities in the country and very tough to get into. The bad area of town would be north of Princess street from the waterfront all the way to the Kingston Town Centre. You don't want to live there.. cause the neighbourhoods are touch and go (some neighbourhoods are mostly fine like mine (even though the two houses that were where I lived were bad), some streets are really filled with drug problems).

[enigmatic]

17. I did!

Zero regrets, and I've completely, utterly (and quite happily) gone native.

I love Canada like a 13 crushing schoolboy, it's my home.

[rockymountaindem]

18. Sure. I went to school there for four years

If I had the chance to take a job there, I'd move there for awhile, but I wouldn't want to live there permanently. I'd miss the USA.

[jeff30997]

22. Hehehe...

We indoctrinated you to think that way!You are now hours!!1! Next stop:Washington!! :evilgrin:

[harmonicon]

19. probably

I'd move almost anywhere for a job in my field that I would like. However, I don't have a family, own a house, or have any real responsibility in that way. I moved to England a few years ago with a suitcase, a laptop, and a ukulele, and it's done me a-ok. That being said, now that I'm here, I'd rather not leave any time soon.

[jeff30997]

21. Er..well...

[NV Whino]

23. Fucking A

You betchur ass.

Yes.

[Pool Hall Ace]

24. Yes.

[no name no slogan]

25. It's the 51st freaking state. It's not like you'd miss anything living there

Except you'd have to say "eh?" all the time, and eat poutine, and wear a touque, and you'd have to learn how to use that gawd-awful metric system.

Plus you'd get socialized medicine-- so you could eat all the poutine you want and not have to worry about that hear attack, because they'd pick up the tab for the coronary bypass.

In the words of Michael Moore: "Canada-- it's just like America, but without the stupidity".

I say go for it.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

26. Probably not

I would however move to Ireland in a heartbeat.

[Dappleganger]

32. Dh said he'd like to move to Ireland...

to take back his job from the fockers who moved it there. x(

[elleng]

34. I'd be happy to move to Canada

if I had such a good 'excuse' as you have.

I like the Canadians I know, and would enjoy exploring the similarities and differences between us, and would LOVE to participate in their health care program.

Think about the contrast in weather; that might end up becoming a big issue.

Good luck!

[susanna]

47. Yes, the weather is quite different.

FL to Kingston, ON is quite the move, climatically speaking.

Just think it through and do what seems best for you and yours. :-)

[Dappleganger]

50. We've not always lived in FL...

and for the record, we all *hate* the heat down here.

We grew up in VA, the kids and myself. Dh was born in NYC, grew up there and then CT.
Early in our marriage (layoff #1) we had to live in Nashua, NH for about a year w/our first child. Not nearly as cold as the Great Lakes region but it had its moments. :)

[susanna]

52. If you've lived in NH, then you'll do just fine.

If I'm not mistaken, Kingston is near the Rideau Canal. That's a beautiful place to visit. Some of the old lockmasters' houses have been turned into museums IIRC. It is fun to watch the pleasure boats go through the locks, too.

Whatever you decide, enjoy it! :-)

[New Dawn]

35. Yes, provided that they remove Neocon Harper from power soon.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

36. I have been working in Canada for going on 3 years

If your looking for the Canada of our collective liberal fantasies - it has not existed for a very long time and you are sure to be disappointed.

I have mixed feeling about the place, my first stop was Ottawa and it is a shithole - I have spent most of my time in Calgary, which despite its reputation really isn't very conservative at all. I hate Toronto and Vancouver every bit as much as I hate New York and San Francisco. I really liked Halifax, Quebec City and I love Kelowna to the point I would seriously consider living there.

The bottom line is most of the time I could easily forget I am in another country. I have been offered a permanent job in Calgary and would seriously consider it were my life not so deeply anchored in California.

While most of Canada has not been too badly hurt by the economic downturn - in major urban areas you will find more or less the same problems found in our urban areas.

Everywhere I have been in Canada had a large American population - in Calgary a full 10% of the population is American. The Democrats Abroad chapter here is massive.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

37. Go for it.

Good Luck and Keep us posted :hug:

[MadLabrador]

38. BC is beautiful

anywhere West is great.

[gmoney]

40. Take me with you?

I think it would be a good change of scenery.

[underpants]

41. Hell, we are looking at Lynchburg as an alternative

Canada would be great

[dysfunctional press]

43. i'd only move to vancouver/victoria.

the rest is generally a nice place to visit...you know the rest.

[Heidi]

48. I've never met a Canadian I didn't like, but no.

Maybe it's just my perception and not at all reality-based, but Canada strikes me as too cold for my taste. :hi:

[Lethe]

49. i thought about it, but i was always scared of the cold weather

living in central-south texas all my life, i never have seen a really harsh winter.

it might be too much to take, on a repeated and prolonged basis.

[grace0418]

51. Absolutely. I'd get every medical test and procedure I needed while I was there too.

Even without the socialized medicine, I think experiences like that are almost always worth it (especially if you can get your kids on board). I would personally prefer Vancouver (LOOOOOOVE Vancouver). And I loathe Chicago winters so I'm not sure how I'd do with Canadian winters. But I still think I'd do it.

[bif]

53. In a New York minute!

We live right across the river from Canada and used to go there all the time. I love Canada. I'd even become a Canadian citizen.

[kedrys]

55. I did - one year ago today

I'm Canadian, my spouse is American, and my family's in Montreal, so that's where we landed. I lived in the States for almost 29 years, and you can't pay me enough to go back. The s.o. has really warmed up to the place in the last few months, and only threatens to move back to the US when we fight ;).

[Forkboy]

56. I'd live in the middle of the Yukon like Grizzly Adams in a heartbeat.

No joke. I could walk away from it all and live like that very easily.

[LisaL]

57. Yes I would.

[old mark]

59. No. I can see it would attract a lot of people, but I don't think I'd be

any happier there than here.
The government is more intrusive, and it's just too far north for me.

mark

[femmocrat]

60. I would move there just for the health care.

It seems like a lovely place to live. I don't mind the cold, so yes, I would go.

[DarkTirade]

62. I ain't that far from where I am now.

Sure, why not. :shrug:

[davsand]

64. I think I'd do it for my kid's sake.

I think it would be an amazing gift to my 11 year old to be able to live for a time in a country other than the US. I can't imagine anything that would make for a better education about the US and our REAL role in world events.

I do think I'd be worried about finding a place where climate would not be a huge issue. I live in Illinois right now, and I am starting to freaking HATE our winters. Doesn't make sense to me to sign up for anything much worse than what I already have.

:shrug:


Laura

[Zavulon]

65. Not while my father is alive.

We left Canada because he couldn't get medical treatments he needed. He has to stay here, so the rest of the family is going to do so as well.

I'd rather live in Canada than here, I just can't - at least not now, and I hope that'll be the case for a few more decades. I'd rather have Dad around.

[WinkyDink]

66. I wouldn't mind living on either Nova Scotia or PEI.

And yes, I've been.

[madrchsod]

67. if i were younger i think i would...

maybe that frenchie country up there or ontario

[ThomCat]

73. In a heartbeat.

Kingston is a beautiful area. I've vacationed there. I'd love to move there.

[Dappleganger]

75. Another hurdle cleared today.

Next comes an offer contingent upon our going up there to check out the area and schools.
Are we crazy or what?

[MrScorpio]

76. I'd move to Toronto or Vancouver PDQ

Montreal's on the list too

[Kerrytravelers]

77. I couldn't pack fast enough.

I love travel, adventure and new places.

[Tikki]

79. Maybe a Summer home...in or around Osoyoos, B.C....

Who knows, something like that could turn into a full-time residence.





Tikki

[Vidar]

80. Hell yes !

[Tommy_Carcetti]

81. Only if I had no other choice. Way, way too cold, even along the border.

Don't get me wrong. Love the approach to health care, and love the general politeness of the people.

But it's so cold. Way too cold. Insanely cold.

Give me the Florida heat and humidity any day. I welcome that. There's no way I'm moving to any place where the temperature gets near or below freezing other than a few of nights in January or February.

[no name no slogan]

82. I checked the map, and Kingston is further south than Minneapolis

...and is in the same hardiness zone. Plus you're on Lake Ontario, so the temps are a bit more moderate.

Yes, the winters may be a bit harsh (compared to FL or VA or NC), but they're nothing compared to those in Winnipeg or probably even Omaha for that matter.

Kingston sounds like a great place. I don't know much about it, but what I've read and heard from people you could do a lot worse.

[LynneSin]

83. Well think of it this way - after we invade and conquer Canada you'll be American again

:woohoo:

[KamaAina]

84. "Surrender her pronto, or we'll level Toronto!"

[mentalsolstice]

86. Sure

We've been to Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta and BC (the Rockies part). I could easily settle in Nova Scotia or the Rockies (Banff). I haven't been to Vancouver/Victoria, so I can't speak to that part...although I have been to Seattle and loved it.