https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:46:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753845 Fri, 30 Jun 2017 09:04:33 +0000 looch 2753845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BelugaBean: You can also look up expat forums and see what is already out there in terms of questions from people that have considered this kind of move.</p> <p>I found it really helpful and it linked me into some groups. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753843 Fri, 30 Jun 2017 09:03:21 +0000 BelugaBean 2753843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! Definitely a bunch of things to consider! It's just something he was considering along with a few other places. I'm a planner so I like to be super informed and have everything I need to weigh the pros and cons of even considering these things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753705 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 21:18:25 +0000 lamariniere 2753705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another thing to add (and I have no experience with Canada), you may want to check on your own eligibility to work in Canada if you desire to. In my experience, expat spouses are not always allowed to work, or they may be restricted in what types of contracts they can hold. Again, no idea how it works in Canada, but it's something to consider if you may be limited to a one income household. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753655 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 19:57:17 +0000 Anagram 2753655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BelugaBean: oh would your husband be paid in USD or CAD? If he's working with the same company and paid in USD that would work in your favor. </p> <p>Otherwise, if his plant is in one of those places and he's willing to drive up to 45 min, you could live further out in a cheaper place where you get more for your money.</p> <p>I like change, so I would probably try it. You can take your car from the US but you have to get it registered and all that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753601 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:36:18 +0000 erinbaderin 2753601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Whitby, which is east (about 15 minutes east of Pickering). It's a perfectly fine suburban area, getting nicer as more independent stores and restaurants open up (but it's still mostly big box supercentres). He definitely wouldn't be looking at a 45-60 minute commute unless you want to actually live in Toronto (and even then you'd be going against the traffic). If you're thinking about living in Toronto you're going to likely be looking at an apartment or condo, because houses are outrageously expensive (I'm not sure about renting but the average house price in Toronto is about $1 million). Toronto to Pickering is about a 30 minute drive assuming no traffic - your husband would be commuting against traffic so it wouldn't be as bad but the 401 (our major highway and the one he'd be probably driving on) is the busiest highway in the world - we apparently have worse traffic than LA. I'm Canadian and my kids are little so I can't help with school or health care but if you have other questions I'm happy to help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753597 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:33:47 +0000 Banana330 2753597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BelugaBean: I'll echo everything they said, plus the CAD is crap compared to the US right now so you'd have to factor in taxes in Canada and US (you'd have to file both) and a crappy exchange rate. Rent is pricy and Toronto is similar in pricing to major US cities. You'd also have to figure out a car/insurance (maybe 2 depending on where you live). I feel like a move like this would be worth it if work was paying for everything (move, accommodation, visas, car etc) or if it was for longer than a year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753594 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:30:12 +0000 sunny 2753594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also to add to @Truth Bombs, consider the (likely) higher taxes and exchange rate, particularly if this is a temporary move. You'll also miss paying into SS (not sure if your contributions to the Canadian equivalent will count later on??) and impact to putting retirement funds away (401k, IRAs, etc). </p> <p>You won't have to "pay double taxes" but you'll need to file taxes in both the US and Canada. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753568 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:59:48 +0000 Truth Bombs 2753568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're doing this for money (you said it would be a much higher paying job) I would really crunch the numbers. I think there's a good chance that the increased cost of living in Toronto vs. Carolina would eat up a large majority of the increased pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753567 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:57:47 +0000 BelugaBean 2753567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel I should mention we'd definitely want to rent but his pay would increase by a good amount plus he'd get per diem. We'd weigh all of that into our decision as well to make sure we weren't sacrificing quality of life for all of us. We're in an area with pretty good schools and resources currently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753566 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:55:35 +0000 BelugaBean 2753566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: Thanks for the information! He knows people who had worked up there and contractors in his field with his experience can usually get jobs pretty easily, we've just been happy with where we are now. He's looking at this just temporarily to earn more and experience a different area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753565 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:52:52 +0000 BelugaBean 2753565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: He works for nuclear plants and so he'd be at one of the two either in Pickering or Darlington. I don't think if this did happen that he would mind a bit of a commute for a nice area. (45 minutes, maybe an hour depending) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753564 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:43:25 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2753564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I made the move seven years ago.<br /> The work visa process is more complicated now than when I landed. If your husband is in an in demand field it's easier. You'll get healthcare after a three month waiting period on a work permit.</p> <p>School is a bit different. Your oldest will enter in Senior kindergarten. School starts the year they turn four.</p> <p>There are a lot of great neighbourhoods. Real estate is expensive and the vacancy rate is minuscule. Is a huge city so commute times can be painful. I'd figure out where your husband will be working before narrowing down a neighbourhood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753563 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:40:35 +0000 Anagram 2753563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BelugaBean: where east of Toronto? My in laws live in Markham, Scarborough, and North York and all the good school districts there are pretty pricey but Carolina standards. But if you were moving further east, quite a bit out of the city, prices get more reasonable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-from-us-to-canada#post-2753529 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 15:13:43 +0000 BelugaBean 2753529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't posted in forever but I just wanted some advice. We've been throwing around the idea of my husband taking a much higher paying job for 1-2 years elsewhere. One of the main places he's been looking is right outside of Toronto.</p> <p>To give a bit of background, we have an almost 5 year old and a 1.5 year old and currently live in the Carolinas. The older one would be going to kindergarten in the fall.</p> <p>I'm sure we could figure out the visa process and all of that but I was hoping to hear some experiences. Also, what are the good family friendly neighborhoods around Toronto to look for rental homes? He would probably work east of Toronto.</p> <p>Anything else important? We lived in Minnesota for a year so we've had the climate shock before. Does school work pretty much the same way? How does healthcare work if you aren't a permanent resident and just there on visa? </p>