“This country has a lot of problems, but so does every country.”
We’re right here!!!).
They also loooove to joke about moving here whenever things go wrong.
But guess what?
Some people have actually moved here, and see the… differences… in being an American versus Canadian.
In what ways are you happier?".
Ex-Americans chimed in with their brutally honest thoughts:
1.
“I love the stability, free healthcare, and paid mat leave.
If we could fix the housing crisis, that would be great.”
u/Shortymac09
2. u/superfluouspop
3.My life in Canada is cushier than any of my friends or familys lives in America.
Cancer treatments are vastly different experiences across the border."
Meanwhile, my American friend has no retirement plan left after 10 years of medical treatments."
u/Electrical_Ad3540
4.
“My wife moved here a few years ago from Arizona.
There are pros and cons, but mostly pros.”
“She doesn’t fear for her child’s life dropping them off at school every day.
Decent public transit; very pedestrian-friendly (this depends on the city, of course).
No-car lifestyle (again, city-dependent).
Safety and less violence; people are less aggressive in general.
u/sexywheat
5.
“I have children with disabilities our healthcare and education system is far from perfect.
u/VIslG
6.
“For now, the biggest thing I’ve fallen in love with is all the public transportation.”
u/hepsy-b
7.I’m happier in basically every way I could imagine.
u/immigratingishard
8.
“Canada being unaffordable, housing in particular, is a recent problem that we must fix.
But the biggest thing in Canada for overall quality of life is education.
We have some of the best public school systems in the world.”
“Consistently lower crime rate and pleasant livable cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal are a bonus.
Will you make more money in the States?
Will that money go further?
But money isn’t everything.”
u/calimehtar
9.
“Lets say Chicago Transit 1 ride is $4.20 CAD, while the TTC is $3.25 CAD.
Coffee in the USA is $3.30 CAD, while Tim Hortons is $1.59 CAD.
Rent downtown are the same if not more expensive.”
u/rockyon
10.
“I see my family a lot more now.
I kept my American job so my income goes a lot further than in the states for everyday things.
There’s a lot more greenery.
Even in the city.
So the air feels a lot cleaner.”
u/JKYDLH
11.
“I’m American.
Canada is a nice place to live!
Im very happy to be here.
“Rather, Ill probably have to move home at some point (for a variety of reasons).
RadioDude1995
12.
“I’m an American that immigrated to Canada in 2018.
I became a Canadian citizen this year.
Canada is basically a sane version of the US.”
“Whenever I go back to visit Florida, I feel foreign there.
Im very glad to be a Canadian citizen.”
u/beefstewforyou
14.
“I love not being terrified to go to the doctor.”
“Now, with that said, Canada isnt a utopian paradise.
Were seeing MAGA folks growing in loudness and frequency.
Also, Ive found that racism is STILL an issue here.
Its just sneakier and quieter.
I like being here, but I know we can still be better.”
u/Mister_Sosotris
15.
“The lifestyle was more or less the same, except I paid more for everything.
Higher gas, food, travel, housing (emphasis on this one!
), clothes, all while earning less.”
u/Marrymechrispratt
16.
He was getting ready to start school and I didn’t want him to become a statistic.
I wanted something better for my son than to have to grow up around those people.”
“There are things I miss from home (e.g.
Target, tax-free clothes).
But I’m glad I got us out of that and wish we had done it sooner.
I’m not naive enough to believe Canada is perfect.
But it’s certainly safer and saner.
I wish more of my fellow Americans cared as much about our kids as they do guns.”
u/KR1735
17.
“Coming from Florida, Montreal’s urbanism and transit system is amazing.
I can live my life without really desiring a car.
Otherwise, I’ve become quite miserable here.
