Moving to Canada -- How I'm Doing It

[RedSock]

My wife and I started talking about moving to Canada (Toronto) in July 2003. We started the lengthy process awhile ago and are still 6-10 months away from an interview.

It's a long process, and it costs a lot of money (about $2,500 for our two applications and more than $10K in funds in the bank when we move). There are other threads here about the applications and proof of funds.

My wife started a blog that she is going to use to keep people updated after we move. But she also talks a lot about how we did it. It could be useful to others here.

It didn't matter whether Kerry or * won. America has moved so far to the right in the last 20 years. It's simply not a place I want to live in anymore -- or contribute to with my taxes.

Check out the earliest entries (from this past July):

http://wemovetocanada.blogspot.com

***

why canada
http://wemovetocanada.blogspot.com/2004/07/why-canada.html

the rpocess
http://wemovetocanada.blogspot.com/2004/07/process.html

the application
http://wemovetocanada.blogspot.com/2004/07/application.html

the timeline
http://wemovetocanada.blogspot.com/2004/07/timeline.html

[JeebusB]

1. BAH! Just wait

till the draft starts and you can run up there for free.
;)

[TrustingDog]

22. rules have changed...

sorry that I do not have a link, but not too long ago there was an 'agreement' between the 2 countries, re: draft dodging. It won't be as easy as Nam.

We have ignorant fuckers up here too.

[SeattleDem]

2. the Why Unity post is amazing

thanks for sharing your link. That piece is so well-done.

good luck and we'll stay tuned....

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. You're right.

It's quite sad and beautiful at the same time. It says everything I feel.

Here are some good sites I use that I just sent a friend of mine:

Jobs:
http://www.careerowl.ca/Job%20Seekers/BrowseJobs.aspx?loclvl=1&occcat=2&
http://jobsearch.monster.ca/
http://www.allstarjobs.ca/jobs/jobseeker/search/job/result.php
http://www.calgaryjobs.net/employers.htm

Housing in Alberta/BC/Ontario
http://www.canadianresidentialrentals.com/calgary.html
http://www.homerent.ca/index.cfm
http://www.mls.ca/PropertySearch.aspx

Immigration:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.html

General Info:
http://www.discovercanada.com

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[fearnobush]

3. Just keep voting for us who choose to stay and fight.

[candy]

5. Rats deserting a sinking ship? n/t

[fudge stripe cookays]

7. This forum

in case you're choosing to ignore it, is help and support. People are sad and tired, and we don't need your judgements here.

Kindly F off and go back to the fighting page.
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[Kanary]

8. thank you for saying what needed to be said.

How people can be name-calling today is beyond me.

Thanks.......

Kanary

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RedSock]

27. uh no

i was leaving even if kerry was elected. he is part of the problem too. we talked about this 18 months ago.

and i will still have an american vote as i will still be a us citizen (well, for now anyway).

backbone? you have no fucking idea what i have done and what i will continue to do in m activiism. freeper? fuck you.


EDIT: it was a quirk of geography that i was born in the US. should i feel bad for "deserting" other countries where i also do not want to live? i don't think so. and neither do you.

the US is a country that is far away from what i believe in. i want to live somewhere where i feel welcome and at home. i think we all do. luckily, with some $ and no children, i can afford to do that. for now, that is canada. in several years, it may be somewhere else.

go (or stay) wherever makes you happy.

[fudge stripe cookays]

31. I am also a Dean supporter.

And I can vote just as well from up there as I can down here.

I'm getting really sick of the attitude around here. Why don't YOU shut up. The forum title at the top is "Help and Support." I don't think DU has a name-calling thread. But that seems to be your specialty.

It's none of your business what anyone else does and where they go, you sanctimonious ass.
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[RedSock]

32. questions for yankeefan

Do you live in the poorest part of the United States? No? Why not? Sounds like you are a rat who deserted a sinking ship for a more comfortable life in the middle class.

Did the Jews who left Germany in the 1930s desert a sinking ship?

Why is it when an immigrant leaves their country and moves to the US looking for a better life a grand and noble gesture? Is he deserting a sinking ship?

Today, my tax dollars killed an innocent Iraqi child.

That is going to fucking stop as soon as I can stop it.
.

[Dez]

9. I'm buying that Power Ball ticket

And pray that I win, so I can leave this damn country! I want to go to Vancouver, but am on disability now.. no money to leave *sigh*

[Beacho]

4. bookmarked your site

I'm working on my CCNA certification and will start applying for jobs overseas. I'll use your site for reference.

Thank you

[Iceburg]

10. Loved the website, your stories, "book reports", and the pics of

the fur children. You won't regret moving to Canada ... you will be amongst friends in all their diversity ... something we still cherish.

Yer fur kids appear very bright and curious ...but can they play the piano???.




Good luck to you
Canadian Iceburg

[RedSock]

11. rats?

no -- this ship is sunk. i'd rather swim to the surface than drown.

tired of banging my head against the wall. reagan, bush, clinton, bush, and everything slips further and further and further away from democracy. while we still have the veneer of democracy that most people still believe exists. i don't want to be a part of it anymore.

i'm 41 (wife's 43) and we've been activists for a long time. she did a ton of work for kerry (though we are dean people) and she is crushed.

thanks. i'll pass on your nice comments.

[Wols]

13. Don't sweat the negative comments man

and I appreciate the help you've offered.

[expatriate]

12. Have you looked into the tax ramifications?

Moving out of the US does not automatically mean you don't have to pay income tax. America is the only nation that bases taxation on citizenship, not on residence. Expatriates are still legally required to file income tax forms and pay taxes.

Even if you renounce American citizenship, the IRS can still have a hold on you for ten years.

I support you decision - just don't want to see you running into troubles down the road.

[RedSock]

14. not sure

i'll check it out.

[Wols]

15. Are there any difficulties in bringing your pets into Canada?

[Iceburg]

17. "Can I Bring Fluffy across the border?" ....

http://gocanada.about.com/od/destinations/l/aaborderpets.htm

[fudge stripe cookays]

20. I've checked, Wols,

as we have two.

As long as they are up to date on shots and healthy, they'll be fine.

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[leftchick]

16. Great Blog! Thank you so much for sharing....

I will have my husband read it as well. I desperately want to move to Canada after this. I have been warning him for 4 years now if this should happen we need to leave. I can't live in a country run by fundies. The founding fathers are rolling in their graves!

Can you tell me about animals and how difficult it is to bring them along? I need to get busy with my plans. I am sure your site will help convince hubby that it is best for us and our two young boys to go.

[fudge stripe cookays]

21. Here you go, lc.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/

I've checked into importing our animals, and as long as they are up to date on shots and healthy, all is fine.

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[leftchick]

25. whew! I am so relieved about that....

my boys would kill me if we left their puppy behind. I would also miss my kitty babies terribly!

[Brundle_Fly]

18. REDSOCK

we welcome you here in canada.
soon we will have you all :)

[petrock2004]

35. ha you missed one

could you please include cleveland in your new america? hehehe thank you... :hi:

[kerrywins]

19. I want in Canda!!! But its too hard to get into!!!

Its like the utopia that I can never be a part of....I wanna live there soo bad!!!

[Iceburg]

23. Don't let the diffculty of Candian spelling get you down

with a little work you too can spell freedom ... CANADA ...eh?
JK ...just kiddin'. Everyone is welcome, but please check your religion at the door (the border).

[RedSock]

28. tim horton's

and maple syrup!

i am ready.

and no religion to worry about!

[fudge stripe cookays]

29. Don't get too happy, RedSock.

They do have their nutjobs too, but not in as overwhelming numbers as we do.

The first pro-life billboard I've ever seen was in southern Alberta.

It ain't perfect, but I'll still take it over the nightmare it's become down here!
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[RedSock]

33. nowhere is perfect

but those nuts don't have a strangehold on the govt insisting that everyone life and believe like them.

[Bluebear]

24. They don't want us

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1310586&mesg_id=1310586&page=

[Frederic Bastiat]

30. Redsock, I went through the process in 2002

Now living in Montreal, good luck and hope everything works out for you! Just wanted you to know that there are many out there like us.

[Stuckinthebush]

34. If Canada thinks about it, they can come out on top with this

Canada is a great country, but has serious needs for certain professions (health care, for instance). They could start a marketing campaign aimed at disgruntled American progressives who have the skills they need.

They can help move them up to Canada, help them establish residency and, if interested, can help people become citizens. For certain needed professionals, they could offer incentives. They could give huge incentives for people to move to places like the Yukon territory.

This would amount to an increase in needed professionals and an increase in the tax base.

There would be a serious brain and skilled worker drain from the states, and it would be noticed.

Canada, are you interested?

[dennis4868]

36. if you are single try this

http://www.marryanamerican.ca/pledge/