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as for socialist you might want to read up on the difference between a social program and socialism..
Heres a story from a Republican who moved to Canada and her take on that Canadian healthcare after living in Canada for some time. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/permiss...alth-care.html
I'd say its the rare Canadian that moves to the USA for its healthcare system.
And how many move back immediately when they get shocked about what they see in Baltimore, St. Louis, Detroit, LA or New Orleans or when they receive their first medical bill? I know about quite of few Europeans who moved back to Europe after experiencing what the US is really about.
LA is a fantastic city. I wish I could move back.
Why would people move to Baltimore, St Louis, Detroit, or New Orleans, all the most dangerous cities among all options? Do people come to Canada and choose the most undesirable cities as their home?
NYC, Boston are wealthy, powerful and safe. San Francisco Bay area is highly attractive. Seattle offers high quality of life. San Diego has unbeatable weather and plenty of jobs. Houston is an energy power house.
Those Canadians who move south usually have a white collar jobs and an option to live in a city they like. Most stayed because apparently they enjoy life there.
As a Canadian citizen living and working in the US, I've met many Canadians working in the US over the years. I work in the financial field so almost all Canadians I've met moved to attend renowned schools or for more career opportunities. Many also moved more for the experience of living in "NYC" for a while. The US is a better place for someone who is educated and ambitious to make a mark in many fields so I think this is the big draw for a lot of young, hungry people. Some do move back home over time but many don't. Hard to say the %, especially over time but I'd say 2/3 end up staying for the long term based on people I've come across and 1/3 move back to be closer to family/friends. It's likely a similar story for people in fields of technology, biomedical, fashion/media, etc. I personally moved because an opportunity popped up that I couldn't refuse and it was a chance to experience a different culture and lifestyle - I did not want to live and die in the same city my whole life. I'm open to coming back home for family purposes, we'll see what happens next.
I've met a few Americans living in Canada but they mostly moved because their spouse was Canadian or they were doing a stint in the Canadian operations of a bigger company. Not sure how many move for a career opportunity but I'm sure it happens from time to time - the MLSE poached their ex-president from LA or something. Blackberry's CEO was recruited from the US too. I've also heard a lot of Americans moved to Alberta to work in the oil industry as well. It can go both ways but it's obvious that the US has more industry than Canada to pull talent into.
Acajack is right though, healthcare is irrelevant since most have private insurance through our employers with access to top tier medical care. HC is therefore really no different, probably even quicker and more efficient to be honest, but it is a non-factor in moving really unless you have some pre-existing disease but I don't think this is the average joe who moves. Nor do people move in the ghettos of the US. There are definitely more gangs and crimes here but I honestly just don't frequent such areas and it doesn't impact one's day-to-day life like the TV makes some believe. American society is very segregated by social class in this respect. Haves and have nots lead a very different life and don't intersect much. Although I have to say, I find my hometown in Toronto is becoming more noticeably segregated over time as well based on income/class.
Weather and lifestyle could be a driver for some, I know many people who specifically moved to California or Miami because they like the weather/lifestyle/attitude. My old dentist in Boston was Canadian and he moved to Austin because he preferred the lifestyle down there. He hated snow and big impersonal cities. He likes warmer, hippy-ish/relaxed, mid-sized cities where he could afford a mansion (not happening in Boston) and drive a convertible to the golf course for most the year. To each their own, it's a personal thing.
Last edited by johnathanc; 09-23-2014 at 11:24 AM..
Acajack is right though, healthcare is irrelevant since most have private insurance through our employers with access to top tier medical care. HC is therefore really no different, probably even quicker and more efficient to be honest, but it is a non-factor in moving really unless you have some pre-existing disease but I don't think this is the average joe who moves. Nor do people move in the ghettos of the US. There are definitely more gangs and crimes here but I honestly just don't frequent such areas and it doesn't impact one's day-to-day life like the TV makes some believe. American society is very segregated by social class in this respect. Haves and have nots lead a very different life and don't intersect much. Although I have to say, I find my hometown in Toronto is becoming more noticeably segregated over time as well based on income/class.
I think many people who have never lived in the US and base their opinion off a few visits as a tourist (and/or years of TV shows and crime stats) tend to greatly underestimate the bolded. Given an above-average income, quality of life in the US can be pretty amazing except in the few high-cost areas, and even then.
. Nor do people move in the ghettos of the US. There are definitely more gangs and crimes here but I honestly just don't frequent such areas and it doesn't impact one's day-to-day life like the TV makes some believe. American society is very segregated by social class in this respect. Haves and have nots lead a very different life and don't intersect much. Although I have to say, I find my hometown in Toronto is becoming more noticeably segregated over time as well based on income/class.
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The fact that everyone without exception doesn't get a piece of the "good life" pie in the U.S. seems to be a big factor for a lot of Canadians and a reason why they wouldn't want to live there. But even though I am more of a lefty collectivist, I have to admit that having a good life is a very personal thing.
Many people in Canada don't have a very good life either and this does not prevent me or millions of other Canadians from having a good one.
I don't see why the U.S. should be judged on these terms as a place to live *from an individual perspective* when Canada has not succeeded in providing an awesome life to anywhere close to 100% of its population either. (Even if the percentage of Canadians in dire personal straits is likely somewhat lower than in the U.S.)
^ most Canadians don't really have a good understanding of the US society and their impression is usually based on a few trips to some resorts/big cities as well as American TV shows. to them US is
1) warmer, cheaper
2) crime infested. Most people have guns
3) people go broke due to medical expenses.
80% of America's violent crimes are young blacks killing each other (according to Economist) and young black male is only 3% of the entire population to start with. The gun violence doesn't impact the majority of the population. To some extent, segregation works for some people. People in Gold Coast never have to go anywhere near South Chicago, and folks in Santa Monica or Bel Air hardly interact with those from Inglewood. You can say US is not as harmonious, but people usually only care about their own quality of life, not the entire 315M souls.
Regarding healthcare, I can only say without a decent job, you won't have a decent dignified life anywhere, let it be US or Canada. Most people don't go to the US for the socialised healthcare. They go there for work harder and make a better life.
^ most Canadians don't really have a good understanding of the US society and their impression is usually based on a few trips to some resorts/big cities as well as American TV shows. to them US is
1) warmer, cheaper
2) crime infested. Most people have guns
3) people go broke due to medical expenses.
80% of America's violent crimes are young blacks killing each other (according to Economist) and young black male is only 3% of the entire population to start with. The gun violence doesn't impact the majority of the population. To some extent, segregation works for some people. People in Gold Coast never have to go anywhere near South Chicago, and folks in Santa Monica or Bel Air hardly interact with those from Inglewood. You can say US is not as harmonious, but people usually only care about their own quality of life, not the entire 315M souls.
Regarding healthcare, I can only say without a decent job, you won't have a decent dignified life anywhere, let it be US or Canada. Most people don't go to the US for the socialised healthcare. They go there for work harder and make a better life.
While I agree that the US is more segregated than Canada when it comes to social class, social class segregation does exist in every country as well including Canada. Rich people like to live with other rich people in every society on earth. Upper middle class congregate with other upper middle class. Middle class with middle class. Poor are left with the poor. The difference in the US is that the rich/upper middle class possess much more wealth than the poor/lower middle class - the wealth distribution is more polarized than other developed nations so it appears more evident. Additionally, the US system rewards those who are well to do due to their inherent advantages and only those from lower middle classes who work hard to make their way out and/or possess above average talent. Personally, I think more needs to be done to correct the wealth distribution in a way that still promotes productivity - and I don't have the answer. I'm by no means a socialist (more a centrist/pragmatic) but I do believe there is a right balance and the US may be tipped a bit to far in one direction.
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