Move to Canada

Over 10,000 U.S. citizens and residents pivot north every year to settle in Canada through Express Entry. In fact, the U.S. is the second most popular source country among Express Entry immigrants. With the uncertainty clouding over U.S. residents about their immigration status, it may have turned their attention to Canada.

Canada is renowned for being one of the most welcoming countries in the world. The country was built by immigrants and Canadians do not forget that. Canada may be an attractive option for many U.S. residents for a plethora of reasons, below are some of the reasons why you should move from the U.S. to Canada.

Why Move to Canada? Here are 10 Reasons

  1. Great Job Opportunities

Under the federal skilled worker’s program in Canada, there are currently 347 occupations that can qualify you for fast-track entry. They cover a huge variety of occupations including medical, engineering, management, construction, and more.

Canada’s economy is growing, and growth inspires more needs which opens up all sorts of opportunities for all kinds of professions. But not only are there great opportunities, Canada’s laid-back and relaxed style means that there is less stress you might have been used to in the U.S. New working parents in Canada get 50 paid weeks of parental leave, while in the U.S. working parents get 12 unpaid weeks.

  1. Free Healthcare

Similar to the UK’s NHS, the Canada Medicare system offers free basic health care to everyone, based on need rather than the ability to pay. It is paid for by Canadian citizens pitching in towards the system via taxes. This makes it accessible to all and that is a big weight off the minds of most ordinary working Canadians and good news for U.S. migrants used to the benefits of a Free State health service.

Canadian Government pays health insurance for its citizens, they have vested interest in keeping the Canadians healthy, that’s why unhealthy products such as (cigarette, liquor, gas, and fast food), are taxed more heavily while healthy things such as (sports, fresh food, etc.) are subsidized or have tax deductions.

Because of this, 24% of Canadians are obese while 36% of Americans are obese. The Canadians live an average of 3 years longer than the Americans.

  1. Crime Rate

Canadian crime rates are incredibly low compared to the U.S. The population of Canada is small and this should be taken into account but the fact remains that with a population of over 36 million people, in 2017 there were just 660 murders.

Compare that to the fact that over a 39 million people live in the U.S. and in 2017 they had a staggering 1,830 murders, and that is just one state alone in the U.S. Knowing that you live in a country where violence is not the norm adds peace of mind to your life.

  1. Education

Canada’s educational system is leaving rivals in the dust. According to surveys run by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canada was one of the few countries appearing in the top bracket for mathematics, science, and reading. Canada’s results place them streets ahead of the U.S. and U.K., and not only that, Canada scored high for achievements based on gender and immigration.

  1. The Economy in Canada is Thriving

The economy of Canada has always had a good standing, the World Population Reviews of 2021 Survey found Canada’s unemployment fall at 10.31% rate. What makes Canada’s economy thrive can be noted by the fact that Canada ranks number 9 in GDP rankings leaving behind bigger nations like Russia, Korea, Australia, Brazil and so many more.

  1. Clean Air

It is official that Canadians breathe some of the cleanest air on planet Earth. A report by the Fraser Institute recently ranked Canada 9th out of the 33 richest and cleanest countries on the planet. So if you are thinking of immigrating to Canada from the U.S., this has to be one of the tops draws for you.

  1. More Space

Canada is huge. Seriously huge. It is the second-largest country in the world next to Russia and there are only 36.71 million people living there. Compare that to the millions of people in just one state in the U.S. and you will have an idea of how much space you will enjoy living in Canada.

  1. Friendly People

Canada has a reputation for being one of the friendliest countries in the world. The HSBC Expert Explorer Survey ranked them number 1 for being the most welcoming to migrants. If you find yourself stuck in a snowdrift there will be people willing to help and if you are from the U.S. and used to say “Sorry” when someone steps on your foot, then you will fit right in.

  1. The Best of Modern Metropolitan Living

Cities in Canada are modern, smart, stylish, and clean- a big attraction for many migrants who, whilst they may enjoy the great outdoors, also like urban convenience. Canada’s cities are spacious, well designed, and easy to get around.

You can easily live in a large suburban house and commute to work. Whilst it is true that the biggest cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, may be crowded and expensive, you don’t have to go far outside the city center to find a comfortable and affordable lifestyle. 

  1. Canada is Among The Top 10 Safest Countries in The World

Canada is among the top 10 safest countries in the world holding the sixth position while the U.S. is not among the top 10. Canada has been maintaining its position since 2019. Canada received particularly good scores for internal conflicts, levels of crime, and political stability.

In addition to good job opportunities, great access to healthcare, and effective government, Canada has some of the friendliest people in the world. Canada has a crime rate that is about one-third that of its neighbor, the United States (1.6 incidents per 100,000 vs 4.5 per 100,000 respectively). In a 2018 Gallup survey, 84% of Canadians surveyed said that they felt safe in their country.

Is Canada Better Than USA?

This question is part of an age-long debate between the two largest nations of North America. While Canada and the United State of America hold the view that their country is a better place to live in, generally, neither country knows all the facts about what the other country has to offer. So which is better: Canada or the United States?

Key Notes:

  • The U.S. and Canada are two countries in North America with many similarities and quite a few important differences.
  • While the United States is much larger than its northern neighbor in terms of GDP, the average income per capita is similar in both places.
  • While people generally pay more in taxes in the United States, Canada offers superior social benefits
  • The cost of attending a university and expenses for healthcare are typically less in Canada.

Comparison:

Economics

Canada’s 2019 gross domestic product (GDP) was $1.73 trillion, while the United States reported a GDP of $21.4 trillion.

  • While the U.S. Census Bureau reports the median income for U.S. Families at $68,703
  • In Canada, the median income for 2019 was $62,900.
  • Taxes can also be a key differentiator for the two countries. While U.S. federal income tax brackets span from 10% to 37% for individuals, in Canada tax rates are between 15% and 33%. However, in the U.S. singles making over $40,526 annually pay 22% in taxes, whereas Canadian singles making less than $49,020 only have to pay 15% in taxes
  • According to the website numbeo.com, the cost of living index estimates that consumer prices in Toronto are about 24.05% lower than in New York City, and Toronto’s rent price is approximately half the price of renting an apartment in New York.

Family Benefits

Spending time with children represents enormous financial needs for parents. How does such a country support new mothers and fathers?

  • Canada mandates leave and benefits. The government supports this through provincial employment insurance. The program includes both mothers and fathers. Benefits paid could be up to $595 per week.
  • The United States is less progressive in this area. The U.S. offers some support under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA can allow for 12 weeks of unpaid leave, individual states also have their own laws.

Healthcare

  • The United States has the highest healthcare costs in the world. Per capita, individuals can expect to pay approximately $11,172 annually
  • This compares to an annual average of $7,064 for Canadians

Education

University can be another large expanse in a person’s life and put many students deep in debt. The United States tops the list of countries with the most expensive university costs, with Canada coming next.

  • The average annual tuition at a ranked, in-state public college in the U.S. is estimated at $9,687, while the average tuition at private college was $35,087
  • According to the National Center for Education Statistics, undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board were estimated to be $17,797 at public institutions, $46,014 at private non-profit institutions, and $26,261 at private for-profit institutions.
  • In Canada, the average annual tuition at a public college in 2020-2021 was $6,580 Canadian dollars.

Climate and Culture

Both the United States and Canada are large countries spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean coasts, meaning their climate and culture vary greatly by state or province. As a whole, the United States is more densely populated and warmer than Canada, being nearer to the equator.

The Bottom Line

The United States is a larger global superpower and as such, Americans can expect to pay more in nearly every aspect of living. People in the U.S. and Canada generally have similar annual incomes. However, taxes are reportedly lower in the U.S. which can offer Americans a slight take-home pay advantage.

In the area of social benefits, Canadians have a somewhat stronger government-mandated family program with greater government funding for maternity leave through employment insurance programs. Canadians can also expect to pay less for healthcare costs.

Furthermore, educational university costs are also lower (on average) in Canada, which could be a final factor that tempts many citizens across the border when considering long-term family planning.