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I think that if I do end up getting citizenship, I might be better off dumping US citizenship. I'm not sure. I know one thing though, I am gonna get a canadian passport and a frequent border-passer card (nexus lane, i think it's called) if i do become a citizen.

What was it that you liked more about Canada?

Personally, I like the weather, I like it COLD.

   

You should head to Winnipeg if you like it cold. We're pretty good at that.

   

...

   

What about those two nice weeks at the beginning of October? That was kind of summerish.

   

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Nah, it made 27 one day and was above twenty for several days in a row.

   

Oh man, that's a hard questions to answer because it's not one big thing but a bunch of little things. I guess if it was an all encompassing answer I would say it's the lifestyle and attitude differences. I find the consumerism of the US exhausting...the buy more, have more, be more attitude. It's hard not to get caught up in it because of the bombardment of the media and at the very least you have to try to "go with the flow" or get run over. Canada has a consumerism of its own but it's far less tangible...and easier to ignore.
I also like the healthcare system in Canada better. It's not perfect the way it is and will have to adapt to our aging population but as a whole I like the way it's set up better. I feel it's more compassionate to all people.
Other smaller things...it's cleaner, it's quieter, less crowded...less traffic. (Of course, I'm on Long Island and I'm aware that if I lived in Montana the less crowded thing wouldn't be a problem)
Hmmm...there are other things but I won't ramble on here much longer. But after my years here in the states the best analogy I can think of is that the USA is like a night at the dance club...noisy, rowdy, crowded...and a great party. Canada is like a zen garden...peaceful. A place I can exhale.
My point being that a party is great...I just happen to prefer the garden.

   

Good analogy chick,but Canadians can and do party.I think they just take all aspects in life a bit more in moderation.What frustrates me is that it is apparently much easier for a Canadian to move to the U.S. than it is for an American to move to Canada.

   

I was watching The Nature of Things at three this morning and there was an anthropologist trying to figure out why the murder rate was so high in the US and so low in Britain. It basically came down to a matter of culture. He demonstrated that by referring to Rambo...who wiped out a whole town because they shaved him with cold water, and James Bond...who very rarely kills and, when he does, is acting on behalf of the government.

Now the show dealt strictly with murder rates and Canada fell about halfway between Britain and the US. Is the big difference between Canada and the US the fact that we are still influenced by British culture and have been throughout our history?

   

Exactly. What are the big hit movies in the US (and also Canada, but lets stay in the US for example)...shoot 'em up films. Then you have organizations like the NRA telling everyone to carry a gun. Handguns, probably one of the most popular weapons in the states, were designed for the sole purpose of people killing. You can't use a handgun to hunt a deer. Come to think about it, do you use an Oozie (SP?) or an m16 for hunting? Nope.

   

well the government thinks an ak-47 is good for protecting your family, they allowed a ban on assault weapons to expire and didn't even try to renew it or make it permanent.

who needs an uzi to hunt a deer? other than stevie wonder?

   

I haven't found that to be true at all. I married an American which by all accounts should make my transistion to the states the easiest. (versus someone being sponsored for work purposes or using the lottery for example). For the record I am still dealing with the now Homeland Security Department for my green card (I have a green card but it's "probationary"--Like a learner's drivers license.)...and officially the process will be entering it's 7th year come January.
And since my husband and I will be moving back to Canada in a couple of years I will have to sponser him going back. From my research the process is relatively the same. The big difference is the time period...it should take him less than a couple of years to get permanent residency if our paperwork is complete. (and barring any unforseen events...of course, we are dealing with the government here...it's never a guarantee).

   

Sure chick,it's easier when a spouse is involved because you just sponser them.What if you're like me,though-single,with no family in Canada to sponser me? All I want to do is move to Alberta,go to the PITS school in Nisku,and then go work the oil sands.I'd like to attain citizenship and settle in Edmonton for the rest of my days.HRDC told me that Canada has plenty of qualified applicants to do just that basically-despite the fact that the Rig companies have a difficult time finding workers.
I have a very clean background,can obviously handle all aspects of the English language,and have an excellent work ethic.And as any of the veterans of this site can tell you,I'd much rather live in Canada than the U.S.....Perhaps even more so now.I could be wrong,but I think Canada would gain just as much in the transaction as I would from it.Any ideas chick? seems the only option is to apply for citizenship via the federal immigration office and hope the case officer has a heart.

   

Ok...here is my suggestion. I would try to get a visa allowing you to go to school and get your training in Alberta. While getting your training I would start my job search. If you can get a job (and through that, sponsorship ie. skilled worker class) you could then start the process for permanent residency.
Also, in addition I would also apply to immigrate to Canada through the lottery process. It's a long shot but I would try anyway.

I understand your frustration. Dealing with immigration from either side of the border is exhausting mentally. It's never easy, even for those who seem to have an easy in. You have to be more stubborn than the immigration department...sometimes I feel like it's a battle of wills. I wish you luck in achieving your goals.

   

Well, sorry for returning this old topic, hehe.

But I really have to reply, even if it will be emotional, biased and maybe
illogical...

1) The example with Rambo and James Bond is true in my opinion.
Even if there are the same movies in the cinemas, I guess it is what media
tells you because people are spending (in relation to movies) much more
time in front of the tv.
US media increase telling about murderers 6 times while crime rate is shrinking.
In my opinion media took control over most Americans, mayebe because
industry earns much money with people buyin gas masks...

2) I don't understand people telling this 16 years old American he maybe
should give up what he is thinking about.
Even if it would be more comfortable to stay in the US living a life like any
other does... in my opinion no one can pay so much money that its worth
can be higher than the worth of experiences.
I would prefer bein' an old bastard who can tell his grandchildren some
fascinating storys than bein one that has more money but a life like every
other guy.

I guess you understand the point.

Especially because of your (US or Ca.) dimensions it seems to be kinda usual that many people (at least according to Europe) stay in their country
their whole life.

All I can say is that this wouldn't be a life I'd wanna live.
Well this may be a question of your personal taste.

I'll spent at least some month in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland
and stuff*, even if some experiences will be bad... hey, at least I DID IT while others were hanging around watchin' tv...

*(even if I wanna life in Ca. some day)



my2cents hehe

I hope no one will be angry and no one will misunderstand my point.
I guess ya canadians are kinda "better travelleres" than americans... )

   

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