Actually, the immigration process to enter Canada is daunting in itself -- it's definitely not all that much easier to get into Canada, which has somewhat stricter policies about employment and what kind of money you're bringing in than the US does. It takes longer to become a permanent resident (green card), and then naturalization in the US, but it still takes years to do the same in Canada. So, I don't think it's because it's so much easier to get into Canada; moving to a new continent is daunting any which way.
But there are several points in Canada's favor when it comes to people being told it's better there. You're right that one is culture shock -- Canada is rather broadly diverse, and from my friends there and some additional reading, Canadian culture is far more accepting to immigrants. The U.S. has fostered something of a rather ugly bias in more recent years towards immigration. That might change (I hope it does; we're still a diverse nation and I'd like us to always be so), but right now it's just easier on a person's heart to go somewhere they're less likely to have people whispering behind their backs about their legality, even when they're employed and contributing.
Taxes aren't much higher in Canada than the US, but the benefits you gain from them are pretty damn good. Nationalized healthcare has its problems, no doubt -- the length of time it takes to schedule an appointment with a specialist, for one -- but for someone who's healthy and fit, and who likely wouldn't need that kind of intensive care, Canada's system allows you to get care without paying an outrageous amount of money. For instance, it's thousands of dollars down here just to set a broken arm and cast it. Slip on some ice, and you're paying for it over a whole year or more if you don't have insurance.
Schooling in Canada is far more affordable -- education down here currently costs an arm and a leg. I'm hoping this changes too, under Obama's leadership, but right now you can get an absolutely stellar education in Canada that you just can't afford in the United States.
One thing against Canada is that the cost of owning property is higher, and sometimes significantly higher, than it is down here. But apartment housing is about the same, so far as I've been able to tell.
Really, the US is a great nation. But the last eight years have taken such a toll on our relations with other nations, and even our relations with each other inside this nation that I just don't wanna recommend someone entering my country until things improve. Especially a friend. And while passport laws and the Bush doctrine of closing this border makes visiting friends much harder, right now, it's just better that new people wanting a chance at acceptance and a real chance go to Canada.
Then again, with Obama's election, I can sincerely and deeply hope that changes. One: Our border becomes friendly again, and two: The U.S. becomes more immigrant friendly.
no subject
But there are several points in Canada's favor when it comes to people being told it's better there. You're right that one is culture shock -- Canada is rather broadly diverse, and from my friends there and some additional reading, Canadian culture is far more accepting to immigrants. The U.S. has fostered something of a rather ugly bias in more recent years towards immigration. That might change (I hope it does; we're still a diverse nation and I'd like us to always be so), but right now it's just easier on a person's heart to go somewhere they're less likely to have people whispering behind their backs about their legality, even when they're employed and contributing.
Taxes aren't much higher in Canada than the US, but the benefits you gain from them are pretty damn good. Nationalized healthcare has its problems, no doubt -- the length of time it takes to schedule an appointment with a specialist, for one -- but for someone who's healthy and fit, and who likely wouldn't need that kind of intensive care, Canada's system allows you to get care without paying an outrageous amount of money. For instance, it's thousands of dollars down here just to set a broken arm and cast it. Slip on some ice, and you're paying for it over a whole year or more if you don't have insurance.
Schooling in Canada is far more affordable -- education down here currently costs an arm and a leg. I'm hoping this changes too, under Obama's leadership, but right now you can get an absolutely stellar education in Canada that you just can't afford in the United States.
One thing against Canada is that the cost of owning property is higher, and sometimes significantly higher, than it is down here. But apartment housing is about the same, so far as I've been able to tell.
Really, the US is a great nation. But the last eight years have taken such a toll on our relations with other nations, and even our relations with each other inside this nation that I just don't wanna recommend someone entering my country until things improve. Especially a friend. And while passport laws and the Bush doctrine of closing this border makes visiting friends much harder, right now, it's just better that new people wanting a chance at acceptance and a real chance go to Canada.
Then again, with Obama's election, I can sincerely and deeply hope that changes. One: Our border becomes friendly again, and two: The U.S. becomes more immigrant friendly.