For the most part I think there's an automated politeness that kicks in for most Canadians that may take some getting used to. What I mean is two Canadians bump into each other and both will automatically say sorry. There's weird little things like that that will take some getting used to. Oh .. and the metric system. There's still people who talk in imperial but you better figure out what a liter is and that 100 km is not the same as 100 miles an hour. *L*.. that could get expensive. 32 degrees is hot and -10 is not that cold. *L* On a related note I heard today on the radio that Canada is being promoted to Americans to move to because we have more jobs up here. Not sure where but that's what they're saying *L*
Spoken like a true Canadian! Or Minnesotan or upstate New Yorker! Anybody else got some interesting contrasts between the US and Canada? (Thanks 4bp- those were great!)
Learn to say, "Eh?"...., "It sure is cold, eh?".... Consider your preferred lifestyle before choosing where to live. If you love theater, major league sports, diversity of cuisine you are better with Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. But they are also the most expensive places to live. Alberta summers are dry and in the mid 20's while Ontario and Quebec are hot and humid. Vancouver B.C. has the most moderate climate in the winter but it rains for days and days at a time. The eastern provinces are very affordable and friendly but struggle economically. Research!!! Purchasing a home is a different process. In Canada, there is usually a real estate agent representing the seller and another representing the buyer. They fill out the necessary paperwork and act as price negotiators. Lawyers are used to complete the transaction and file the deeds with the land office. Expect less food on your plate in restaurants. There are two types of Canadians, those that embrace winter and take up winter sports like, hockey, curling, skiing, skating, snowmobiling etc. and those that hibernate waiting for warmer weather. You'll enjoy life more being part of the former. Plan to buy winter tires for your vehicle unless you live in the Vancouver area or Vancouver Island. The only people who own guns are a hunters, collectors and gang members.
Rather have the cold: I lived in Seattle and that's a miserable climate Never owned a gun of any kind in my life When I left Texas every fifth car had a gun under the front seat: now the laws have been changed and ordinary people can get a permit to carry a gun on their person Not only do Americans feel threatened by other countries they feel threatened by each other- if this is any indication!
Right..... Canadian still say, "You're welcome" and not "Uh-huh"... And even in the old measurement system an American gallon is 4/5ths of an Imperial gallon measured in Canada. Learn the national anthem, but sing it under your breath at sporting events, etc.. Glance from side to side to see if anyone else is singing or thinks you are weird for singing yourself. Painting your face red and white and chanting "Ca-na-da" to the rhythm of "U-S-A"... will earn you puzzled looks and space. The exeption would be during particularly strong national pride moment like the recent Olympics. We call "Canadian bacon" "back bacon". The CRTC (Canadian Radio and Television Commission) will annoy you. It does most of us. It regulates what TV channels you are allowed to receive on cable or satellite depending on where in the country you live. You aren't able to access programing on U.S. network websites because of them. It is illegal to subscribe to a U.S. provider. There are only two sanctioned providers in Canada, Bell Expressvu and Star Choice. Cell phone usage costs a lot more. Almost everyone outside of Ontario hates Toronto (Because they feels the large population there largely determines National political policy).
Relocating V, if you are considering relocating to Canada it would be a really good idea to chat with Canadian's who have traveled throughout the country extensively. You can provide your impressions of Canada, what appeals to you, your interests and things you wouldn't like and that Canadian can suggest areas of the country you might consider. I'd be happy to do that if you like. I have never met an American living in Canada who regrets having moved here. Though, I think a dissatisfaction of things at home played a big part in their relocating here, in most cases. Yes, we pay more taxes. But we still generally live a comfortable and affluent life. We have less national debt per capita than American's, though our debt, like all industrialized nations is ridiculous. Canadian's are very proud of our diverse geographical variations. Mountains, prairies, lakes and forests, tundra, fisheries, cities and wilderness. But in truth, America has all of that and more. You aren't going to find a Florida gulf coast or an Arizona desert up here. We love our health care though many are concerned about waiting times for specialists, these days. It's "triage" basically. If your condition is serious or life threatening, there is no wait time. Our national news organizations don't dwell on terror and crime. Our political system is very different. I'm sure you know that already. It has lots of areas that could be improved but in general, we are as free as American's. You'll know a national election result the same day....before you go to bed.
I think Brewster's considerations are great. You really do need to make sure you consider where you want to settle.
Your responses suggest people proud of their country and confident in what it has to offer: I contrast that with my response a few weeks ago when someone told me they were thinking about going to the US to live and I immediately started questioning them about what provision for health care did they have in mind! Having a national system removes that as a serious matter for concern but it is the number one issue facing those who would choose to live in the US and many have never experienced life without a national health service- even those from underdeveloped countries! Brewster your offer of information is very generous and frankly it seems you've already started! Before we get too far down this road I should pay a longer visit to Canada and have a look round myself For a long time my wife and I have admired Canada as an English speaking country with a society that appeared to be more in tune with our natural inclinations and preferences but we may both be too old to be admissible there as immigrants in any case (we're both over 45: I'm well over 45!)
As a Canadian who has lived in Mexico for the past 20 years and this being my first post on the site, I have found this thread to be most interesting! Thank you!
I have been a way for over a week and haven't kept up on this topic. But along the lines of living in Canada, I spent the week with my family in Prince Edward Island (PEI). It was a great vacation, we were in the western most part of the island, "West Cape", but travelled into Charlottetown and one day we went into Nova Scotia and went to "Stellarton" where we dispersed my father's ashes who passed away this past January, this was a request of his before he died. The intent of this post though, is that the East Coast of Canada is beautiful (at least in the summer) and the people are extremely laid back. We flew from Toronto to Moncton New Brunswick. At the Airport in New Brunswick, even the security guards were friendly, kibbitzing with people, this week they are holding the World Junior IAAF Championships in Moncton, they had an army of volunteers and appeared extremely accomodating to all of the athletes. In Charlottetown they were hosting the Regis and Kelli show, we didn't attend but were there the same day. I didn't realize it but the province of PEI actually paid over a million dollars for R & K to arrive for the purposes of promoting tourism, so looking up some of their shows will give you a perspective of the island. The sand really is red, the lobsters were excellent, we ate Mussels on the Wharf in Charlottetwon with a pitcher of beer, and then bought some ourselves and steamed them up, but everybody was extremely friendly. Back to work today in Burlington Ontario, what a change in the pace of life. Just a few thoughts to add to the thread.
