Question for the Canadian members

[MatchlessIndian]

Okay this is kind of a odd ball topic for a Mopar site but I thought that I might get a more salt of the earth unbiased answer if I posted it here rather than on a more relatable site.....

What area of Canada do you think would be the easiest to find work (as a transplant) and integrate a family with 3 children (14, 13, 10-- and my wife and I are 39 and 40)? I know that opinions vary and living in a place vs statistics provides a different view of an area which is exactly why I am asking.

Basically it all started when we went to visit some friends in the UP of Michigan a few years back and took a trip over the border--- from there we have just kept going back to the idea of moving up. Finally my wife and I have decided to take the plunge since we found out we qualify for express entry due to her career and all the other stuff-- our education level, savings, etcetera. Now we just need to figure out where would be easiest and best for our family. Any suggestions would seriously be appreciated. I would also be relocating my 71 R/T Challenger too! 😁👍

[Brads70]

LOL, I'm wanting to do the opposite as you! My wife has dual citizenship. 
Get ready for taxation like you can't even imagine . Income tax, property tax, sales tax HST/gst , fuel tax, tax on taxes etc... Expect well over half you income to be taken by the government in one form or another, license's and fee's for everything!
Depending on where you want to go expect housing to be double or tipple.
Health care is NOT free! ( common American myth) It's great unless you need to use it, expect long waits to get looked at either in Emergency rooms or a family doctor ( if you can find one!) I watched my elderly Neighbor's get evicted from there home as they used up all the equity  paying for health care.
Society is MUCH more socialist that what you would be used to. Governments froze peoples bank accounts a few moths ago that were protesting lockdowns and vaccine mandates  and donated to protesters  . You will not have anything like the American constitution to protect any perceived rights. Our equivalent " The charter of rights and freedoms" as recently been proven that a single square of toilet paper has more use than that document. 

The pro's are the natural beauty of endless lakes, forest, in my neck of the woods anyhow? I'm in Barrie Ontario about an hour from "cottage country"  but it's growing like crazy and big city problems have also moved up from Toronto. Gun shot victim one street over 2 nights ago, but that is not the historical norm here.
Big cities anywhere are NOT my cup of tea, crime is huge in bigger cities , same as USA though.
If your a sporting nut , it's not as big here as in America ( thinking college sports etc.. ) Hockey and baseball, basketball is in big cities.

School system IMO is a joke , seems like political indoctrination and woke mentality, nobody fails everyone gets a trophy  sort of a thing. Lots of people I know with kids are opting for homeschooling to get away from the garbage.
IMO you are much better off where your at....

Edit: I forgot to mention winter..... If you have been in Georgia all your life , you are in for a shock!
Heating, clothing, snow tires, count on your vehicles rusting away in 5-10 years , winter driving is not for rookies.  I've been in SC when it " snows" up here we would call that a heavy frost.

[anlauto]

I think Canada is a great place to live....I would likely head to the East Coast for something a little more affordable 

[Mopsquad]

Having lived in both countries, I can give you somewhat of an experienced opinion. 

Before we get into an expansive throw a-dart-at-a-board discussion, what are your prerequisites?  Ex.  Job locations\industry, is your family outdoor adventurous, weather tolerance, health status, etc..

Being a doctor, I can speak of both health care systems.  The level of care that you will get depends on where you live and how well serviced it is.  It can be like the above poster said OR it can be exceptional depending where you live.  Example, Toronto will be a challenge.  Ottawa is much better serviced just to name a few.

Health care is expensive.  Here in Socal I pay a lot for my insurance and a lot for co-pays and deductibles.  Along with higher taxes, I don't see much of a difference.

I'd like to write more but I've got to go back to patients. LOL.

[RUNCHARGER]

I would think twice about it as well, I would much prefer to live in the USA instead of Canada. Taxation is out of control and as Brad wrote is generally accepted as being 50-55% of gross income although I think that is stating it a bit light. They say we have free healthcare and that's the reason for the taxation but that is untrue. Now combine this low take-home pay with much higher costs on everything you buy. Food is more expensive, heating is roughly the same, power is roughly the same but building supplies, car parts, pretty much everything is higher due to transportation costs and the fact that people just accept the high prices because of where we live (don't take my word for it just google prices in Canada and convert them to USD).
The healthcare system is extremely inefficient and all my family and friends have had trouble accessing proper care in a timely fashion. A lot of the taxation money goes to providing free illicit drugs to non working leaches and the injustice system (we have repeat offenders with guilty charges in the dozens that ddon't serve time and constantly reoffend, Canada is a great place if you want to commit murder too, light sentences and no chance of capital punishment to boot). Our govt's are much more corrupt than Mexico's is and they are getting to the point where they don't even deny it or argue they are honest anymore.
Gasoline right now is at US$7.01 and going up. If you're a car guy the Federal and Provincial govts. are constantly attacking you and trying to take away your rights to owning an ICE powered car, especially an old one. If you're a gun owner, well don't even think about it, they're even attacking  farmers and ranchers. Recently in B.C. they just closed a huge area in the Northeast (an area larger than some states) to White hunters forever.
The UN has attacked Canada repeatedly lately and right now our Govt. is turning over all our Public land to small groups of indigenous people and that leaves no future for natural resource projects of any kind and at some point they will be taking away free title from anyone that has worked all their life to pay for the land their home or business is situated on.
There is some nice scenery here though, better to just visit though.

[blown motor]

Wow, that's a big question. My fiancée lives in NY state and I send several months a year there. We compare notes often.
As for health care, I went through radiation treatment for prostate cancer last year and the treatments, biopsy, blood tests, doctor visits, etc., all in, cost me $0.00. As the others said, do a though check on the availability of health care services in your target area before committing.
Yes our gun laws are stricter but compared to what's happening in the US I'm good with that, and I'm a hunter. No citizen needs to own assault style or automatic weapons, period.
Housing in southern Ontario is extremely expensive. As said, the east is likely cheaper and life out there carries on at an easier pace. Southern Ontario is hectic.
Find a city under 50,000 in population and you will find less crime, easy commutes and a more community feel.
Just few thoughts for what it's worth. Good luck.

[Cudajason]

as others have said, its a broad question.

what type of work do you and your wife do?  That may impact your decision as well, as some industries are more prevalent in certain provinces. 

[YYZ]

More '71 R/Ts are always welcome!

As with the other responses, it will really depend on what sort of community you would like to live in, lifestyle factors, and certainly what you do for employment/income.

In general, Canada does a poor job of recognizing and financially rewarding high achievement.

With few exceptions, most folks are better off seeking a government or quasi-public sector job (Crown corporations or professions such as health care which are funded by the government).  The exceptions would be in industries supporting compliance with regulations (accounting, engineering, legal etc) or entrepreneurship.

Depending on what it is that you and your wife do, if you're not in one of the larger cities, often referred to as CFL cities because they have football teams, if you have a senior or specialized position then you might be doing it at the only place the job is available.

Taxes are high and trending upward.  Top marginal rate in Ontario is 53.5% and it kicks in well below $200K USD of taxable income.  Then 13% combined federal/provincial sales tax on pretty much everything else.  Mortgage interest is not tax deductible.

Health care is a double-edged sword.  One can get some excellent care here without going bankrupt, however, capacity and wait times are another issue entirely.

There are certainly some wonderful places to live, and that don't have the crazy house pricing of Toronto and Vancouver.   Maritimes and the BC interior have milder weather than other parts.

In southern Ontario we run the full range of weather from Hotlanta style sticky and humid down to 0F, sometimes within a day or two!  But if you're near one of the Great Lakes, the temperatures are moderated a bit. 

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions/details.

[dodj]

Avg Income tax rate in USA is 24%, Canada is 34%. The difference is your free health care. Something to factor into your decision. All the other fee type 'taxes' are all over the place depending on where you live..just like the USA. So could be better, could be worse depending on where you decide to settle down.
Seeing as you crossed from the UP, you were in northern/north western Ontario. Which is where I live - Thunder Bay. Cities are small, nature is big. If that's your thing, there is no better place. But...smaller cities limit job opportunities....another thing to consider.
Coming from the American south, take a good look at Canadian winter climate. Make sure it's something you can live with.
I'm biased...of course....but there is no better country than Canada. 

[MatchlessIndian]

Guys, thank you so much for the honest replies and sorry it took me so long to get back-- I had a work related meeting away from home.

Job wise my wife is a veterinarian and currently I work in marketing but my education is in the field of Psychology. Before briefly visiting Canada my wife and I had planned to move to upper peninsula Michigan because both of us love the area. Most of my life has been in coastal Georgia and Florida, while my wife was born in upper New York,  and lived in Ohio and Omaha Nebraska the majority of hers. I have done a few winters in Michigan while in college though, so I have a couple of at least some what cold winters under my belt. To be honest I can suffer through the cold because I hate hot weather with a passion. Summers here are in the upper 90s -- many times like 99-- almost all of the summer, with no seasonal change to look forward to until winter comes back around.... and then there is that heavy humidity right there on top of the heat.

I really can't speak on crime in Canada compared to the United States because it normally has a big connection to do with how impoverished an area is.....which many places unfortunately seem to becoming more and more. With hyper inflation looming and the increase in meth and fentanyl use I'm honestly expecting it here in the states to grow exponentially... even in rural communities.

The gun control thing will definitely be different since I grew up in a really anti-gun law state, I have a concealed carry license, and have a decent size collection of stuff that will need to be sold before moving but truth be told though I've never been opposed to applying common sense gun laws. Especially with mass shootings on the rise. To me doing nothing, or using the slippery slope argument, within a country that does not prioritize mental health and that is saturated with media outlets which glorify violence it is just going to bring perpetual problems. Now I do get that the real point to the 2nd amendment was less about protection from your fellow citizen and more as a safe guard against the tyranny of an encroaching government but.....

We are still not sure what part would be best to relocate to. Of course the great lakes area we really love but from the things I've seen on YouTube we could probably do Alberta or the East Coast area like Halifax. Basically we just want to be somewhere that we can feel safe, be surrounded by beautiful scenery, find jobs, and have a positive influence on our kids. Also it will be nice to be somewhere I can actually watch Hockey again-- it basically the only sport I'm into. Hahaha.  We are problem looking to move somewhere relatively small-ish (anywhere from 50,000-300,000). Any  on cities to look into? I really do appreciate you guys giving your input!!!

[Chryco Psycho]

The best advice I can give is run far & fast .
Alberta used to be the best run province by far with the lowest taxation & least socialist policies  but they fixed that . Jobs used to be plentiful & well paid but now there is high unemployment & therefore crime , Farmers have set up possies to combat constant theft as the cops do nothing . Cost of living is extreme , forget health care , no family doctors available & you will wait more at least 12 hrs in emergency , my Mom waited 48 hrs over 3 days before she was seen in emergency & was on an 11 month wait for a MRI , I waited 11 months to see a knee specialist who offered NO help & often more  than a year to see any specialist typical  .
If you feel the goverment can spend your $$ better than you can you will love it ...  Taxation is relentless  Your purchasing power is terrible , not much is made in Canada & anything imported costs more than double what it will in the US with shipping & taxes added , for example my friend needed a radiator cost was $280 US , shipping to the border was $50 importing it would have cost another $600 so he drove into the US to pick it up as it saved more $ to drive 7 Hrs to get it  .
Upside the beauty is unmatched , but the cold is relentless I was working outside in -78 F or -58 C , summer is often on a wed so most people miss it because they are working , Typically you get 5 decent days of summer / year !
The grass is Always greener on the other side of the fence Right ?
I left 11 Years ago , I know what & why I left & I will never return , now I live in Panama which is more first world than Canada is , yes it is hot & humid but it is cooler than Georgia summers ! I meet at least 10 new people weekly moving here typically mostly from the Canada & South Africa first then the US !

[anlauto]

The current unemployment rate in Alberta is 5.3%,  where I believe Georgia is closer to 10% ?  9.7% according to the ol' interweb

Georgia population 10.8 million, 618 murders in 2020
Alberta population 4.4 million, 129 murders in 2020

Roughly double the murder rate in Georgia 

[blown motor]

Lots of different opinions. I certainly didn't wait 11 months for an MRI. We've already had more than 5 days of summer and it's only mid June.
Check and make sure that you wife's veterinary licence will be recognized in Canada without having to take a test.

[YYZ]

With your wife being a vet, that opens up lots of options, especially if she works with big animals/livestock (major shortages)

It also lets her operate as a business which lets you structure your affairs in a more tax efficient fashion.  There are many locum positions available so you could potentially try out different areas and see what suits your family the best.

Marketing, you might have the option of working remotely from the US, otherwise more senior positions will be nearer to the major centres.  On the other hand, if you get into clinical psychology/counselling, then it's almost a license to print money.

Within Ontario, the approach might be to look at smaller towns/cities within an hour of major centres.  In SW Ontario Sarnia is nice (right across the river from Port Huron, MI) and an hour to London or Detroit.  Strathroy is about halfway between Port Huron and London. 

The Hamilton and Niagara areas are still a better value than Toronto and the immediate suburbs.  St Catharine's, Niagara on the Lake, Beamsville, Carlisle, Brantford, Dundas etc. 

Going north of Toronto has become more expensive, however, there is a lot to like around the Barrie and Orillia areas.  Many folks move up to Collingwood as it's a beautiful area with 4-seasons recreation.

Continuing east of Toronto, many of the smaller communities near Lake Ontario offer a great lifestyle and more reasonable cost of living.

What I will say for southern Ontario is that for someone with US ties, it's easier to get to and from the US than from other parts.  Major airports, and a reasonable drive to the border. I'm in the west end of Toronto and it's a touch over an hour to NY State and another 20 minutes to Buffalo airport.

Weather runs the gamut.  The climate is certainly drier in the BC interior, Alberta and Saskatchewan. But since you're used to some humidity, Ontario won't be that different.

We've had a cool and rainy spring so far, normally we should be in the 80s and fairly sunny.  July can get brutal with temps in the high 90s and high humidity. It starts to settle down in August, and the fall months are quite lovely.

Again, happy to chat offline if you have specific questions

[cuda hunter]

Now I do get that the real point to the 2nd amendment was less about protection from your fellow citizen and more as a safe guard against the tyranny of an encroaching government but.....

Sounds like Canada is the place for yal.