Would you become a Canadian for $200k/yr. ?

[oly884]

Simple question, just a yes or no.

[bamachem]

no. hell, i hate living in E-Tenn - it's too far from the beach (i'm a parrothead :D ). no way i'd live in cannuck-land. socialism at it's finest as well...

[Lee]

you mean for a job in canada?

sure, why not? lots of exploring to do in the wilderness up there! but really it depends where.

[bamachem]

$200k in Canadian, I assume.

The canadian $ to US $ is about $0.60CA to $1.00US, IIRC.

that's down to $120k US already.

then you take out ~60% for taxes (but heh, you get *free* health care and no handguns ::) ).

that leaves you with ~$48k US equivalent after taxes. i take home a good bit more than that here in E-Tenn.

[oly884]

Cool, just thought I'd ask.

[TDiddy]

pending job offer?

[oly884]

pending job offer?


Pretty much.

Thing is, I've already got a nice job here in Bozeman in a company that's just getting started and has the possibility of getting huge. The pay is quite a bit less, just a bit over 1/5th of the other one. However, I've been working there for over a year now as an intern, got to know the owner and my coworker really well and the way I feel is money isn't every thing.

[bamachem]

money is NOT everything. a job isn't everything either.

trust me on that one. been there, done that, 'bout to make yet another change/move to a better, happier personal situation by sacrificing the *perfect* job with a good company.

[oly884]

money is NOT everything. a job isn't everything either.

trust me on that one. been there, done that, 'bout to make yet another change/move to a better, happier personal situation by sacrificing the *perfect* job with a good company.


Good to know I'm not the only one that feels that way. The novelty of the offer wore off after an hour and I started realizing that, even if I never do get close to that salary here, I'd still be happier.

[localmotion]

ahh dont move to Canada!!!! LOL

I agree, money isn't everything, and that is why I am going into LE.

I am not a stupid person by any means, just look at my avatar! LOL

After going through college, I have come to realize that I want to do something that will make me happy and something that I will really enjoy. I also what to "serve" my country the best I can. I got into VA TECH's ROTC program, but declined because I was a sissy.

When you have lots of money but are miserable, the money will not matter.

[MTL_4runner]

You guys crack me up.....Canada isn't communist for pete sakes. I used to say the same thing before I moved up here too and if someone offered me $200k per year, unless it was in Ft McMurray (which is in the middle of nowhere), then I'd go for it.

Another thing, the canadian dollar is now a heck of alot stronger now than it was (it never hit $0.60 on the USD but it got close when I came across in 2002). Now it's hovers around $0.85-0.90 per USD. Taxes are only 50% in the highest bracket of income (ie over $120k per year). So really you'd be looking at about a minimum of $170k USD before taxes. You combine that with a cost of living that is alot less than most places down in the states and you'd be living like a king up here on that amount of income per year.

So to make a long story short, I guess my answer would be yes.

[bamachem]

ahhh, i didn't realize it had rebounded so high. $.85/dollar isn't bad.

$170k - 50% = $85k after income taxes

what other taxes do you have? property taxes, etc?

[MTL_4runner]

You do have property tax if you own a house, but how much varies by municipality just like in the US. The sales tax is fairly opressive if you live anywhere except Alberta (Alberta is about as close as you can get to living in the US while in Canada as far as free trade, taxes, free capital, etc). One big nasty one is that you can't write off the interest on your mortgage, but on the plus side, any capital gains you make on the sale of a property are yours to keep tax free (this is primary residence only).

[MTL_4runner]

I should also add that the federal taxes in Canada and the US are almost the same and are actually a bit higher in the US at the very highest income levels (Canada the highest federal rate is 29% where in the US it's 35%, I'll bet that's a shocker!!!). The real difference is that the provincial taxes are much higher than what states charge. Where most states charge between 3-10% (the highest state being Cali at just over 9% at the upper income bracket, and yes, there are some with no income tax, but with those they get you with nasty property tax instead....there are no free lunches that's for sure), up here they range from about 6-24% (with the highest being Quebec). The best place for income tax if you're in the highest bracket is Alberta because they have a flat 10% income tax and the lowest sales tax in Canada (at 6% there vs most others at 15%). Don't expect cheap housing if you move there though because the real estate prices are still growing faster than the price of oil after a bad hurricane season.

There's a good table down at the bottom showing average tax rates (above were marginal rates):
http://www.taxtips.ca/tax_rates.htm

Here's a good calculator to give you an estimate:
http://www.walterharder.ca/MarginalTaxRateCalculator.html

[reggie 00]

unless it was in Ft McMurray (which is in the middle of nowhere),

Been there fuuunnnnn stuff.

It would be an experience. Been up there lots of times for work. Always had a good time. Nice people, Nice scenery.
I would like to retire in Alaska, but if i couldnt parts of BC or Alberta would be cool to live.

[slosurfer]

If the job was in Tofino, I would do it. I don't think my wife would go for it. She's from MN and hates the cold. :argue: :love:

[Paul H.]

What part of Canada? I would go especially if it is in the western third of the country.

[jrallan26]

Yes. Which part of Canada?

[oly884]

Yes. Which part of Canada?


It'd be the Calgary area.

[MTL_4runner]

It'd be the Calgary area.


I would have been shocked if it was anywhere BUT Alberta.

[arjan]

Cowtown is a bad place to be, nice view of the rockies, good connection through the airport.
Housing costs are up there though, but that the same over here on the westcoast.

[reggie 00]

Yes. Which part of Canada?


It'd be the Calgary area.


I been there a bunch of times. Nice place.
Don't really like the way they split up the city and named all the streets, just makes getting lost easier.

you will even get to roll on the ol Yellow Head freeway.

Ran the Yellow head from Calgary to Edmonton in about 1.5 hr. on the way back i almost did it in under an hour, pretty much 191kmh the whole way with a guy on a motorcycle drafting me.
Ah the fun times.

[ChickenLover]

Would you become a Canadian for $200k/yr. ?


:rofl:

[Texas Jim]

is this for real??? What would Jesus do? Could I buy the Popes old car? and how much Canadian tire money could I get? over twenty years. I love the fact that China would not attack up there except to have room for their pepole, but that would be a bitter climate for them to take, pulse we would hold the thigh ground!! we could kick the rears in no time and drive themback to the Mexican border, but what would we would do for cheep labor... Paying them in Canadian Dollar's. I guess if it seemed right.TJ

[MTL_4runner]

Paying them in Canadian Dollar's. I guess if it seemed right.


That could be more expensive than using USD if the price of gas keeps climbing as it has recently.

[oly884]

is this for real??? What would Jesus do? Could I buy the Popes old car? and how much Canadian tire money could I get? over twenty years. I love the fact that China would not attack up there except to have room for their pepole, but that would be a bitter climate for them to take, pulse we would hold the thigh ground!! we could kick the rears in no time and drive themback to the Mexican border, but what would we would do for cheep labor... Paying them in Canadian Dollar's. I guess if it seemed right.TJ


Thanks for the incredibly useful comment.

[Celica]

$200k in Canadian, I assume.

The canadian $ to US $ is about $0.60CA to $1.00US, IIRC.

that's down to $120k US already.

then you take out ~60% for taxes (but heh, you get *free* health care and no handguns ::) ).

that leaves you with ~$48k US equivalent after taxes. i take home a good bit more than that here in E-Tenn.


You have the math wrong

Dollar is at about .80 so you are at $160,000. Taxes are no where near 60% - more like 35-40% at that income level

So at 35% you are looking at 70K

so 200-70= 130 @ .8 = 100K US clear

[rubysRunner]

Do it...you won't regret it.

[EWAYota]

I lived a few hours south of Calgary in 1999 and 2000. For the money, I would do it. It is a job, so if things don't work out, you can always relocate back in the states, but if it's something you've always wondered about, now would be the time to do it. The area is beautiful, and there are plenty of places to go explore and photograph. Wonderful up there.

[oly884]

Do it...you won't regret it.


Here's the deal. I might.

Given my job right now, I'm a pretty integral part of it. If I leave, there'll be a big hole left in it (I'm not trying to boast, I hate that I have to put it that way, but that's the way it is)

I'm working here with good people, all of whom are my friends. So, if I leave, I'm leaving more than just a job. As of right now, I'm planning on staying here. We'll see if I get to head up there for a tour and a personal interview, if not, no big deal.

Also, I was wondering what is the deal with guns up there. What are the laws regarding guns up there?

[tacoclimber]

Although I look at the whole thing a bit different than most, I'll just say that if I felt God was leading my to Canada, I'd do it. Of course, I also ascribe to the belief that "Where God guides, He provides", so I wouldn't really be worried about the money.

On a side note, I just watched a climbing movie about Squamish and also watched some MTB clips of Whistler, so Canada's looking might fine to me right now... :hillbill:

[rubysRunner]

Do it...you won't regret it.


Here's the deal. I might.

Given my job right now, I'm a pretty integral part of it. If I leave, there'll be a big hole left in it (I'm not trying to boast, I hate that I have to put it that way, but that's the way it is)

I'm working here with good people, all of whom are my friends. So, if I leave, I'm leaving more than just a job. As of right now, I'm planning on staying here. We'll see if I get to head up there for a tour and a personal interview, if not, no big deal.

Also, I was wondering what is the deal with guns up there. What are the laws regarding guns up there?


I understand about having close relationships with your coworkers. If I didn't have so many good friends at work, I probably would have moved on by now. I do think that you're being presented with what could be an amazing opportunity though. I lived in Calgary briefly, it's a really nice city. It's not so far from Montana...and you'll be that much closer to BC :hillbill: Judging from your interests and hobbies (photography, camping, wheeling etc), I think you'd really like Canada. It sounds like you're well respected by your current employer, if you moved up here and totally hated it, would it be a stretch to think they may welcome you back? You're young, and it's the perfect time to seize opportunities like this IMO. Basically, if I were you Oly, I'd do it.

As far as gun laws go, I don't know specifically. I do know that we don't have the right to bare arms per se. As far as I understand as long as everything is registered properly it's OK for hunting etc. Definitely can't walk around packin heat though.

Here's some links that might help:
The Canadian Firearms Act (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/f-11.6/text.html)
Canada Firearms Centre (http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/default_e.asp)
Canada's Gun Laws for Americans (http://panda.com/canadaguns/)

and a little info on the city:
Cowtown Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary)

[MTL_4runner]

I'm not sure on Alberta gun laws specifically and while there's no amendment to bear arms as Ruby mentioned, plenty of people in Canada do own firearms. It will vary quite a bit from province to province as to what is acceptable and there is a national gun registry you need to follow, but that being said, Alberta is alot like Texas if you get my drift. If you're out in the bush by yourself nobody's gonna give you a hard time for bringing a gun with you for self defense. Don't expect to go waltzing into Costco with an NYPD style holstered pistol either.....they got rid of the beside the door gun check at Walmart so now you gotta leave them in the car while shopping. :spit:

[MTL_4runner]

Nice! The CDN is up to $0.88 on the USD today and headed to over $0.90 pretty soon I'll bet if gas prices or other commodities start really heating up again. I keep hearing reports of it coming to par but $0.10 is a long way to travel so I guess we'll have to just wait and see.

[Celica]

I live in Calgary so if you want to talk let me know. I have lived here all my life so I have an interesting point of view.

As far as gun laws there are some rules. I have all the needed licenses, etc. so give me a call.

PM me & I can give you my phone number if you want

[MTL_4runner]

Hey Celica, good to see you over here.

[military_stang]

I heard you can still get free land up in Canada... is this still true???

military_stang
:bangdesk:

[MTL_4runner]

I heard you can still get free land up in Canada... is this still true???

Sure, anyone can stake out a nice little piece up by the actic circle if you want.
Gettting running water and electricity to the property is all on you though. :laugh:

[military_stang]

lol, i see... i wanted to get some land up there cause it's absolutly beautiful, but i enjoy Washington State a lot more, hehe

military_stang
:bangdesk:

[Celica]

Hey Celica, good to see you over here.


Thanks, still getting used to the new forum layout.

[jrallan26]

David (Oly),

What about the hole? Who's going to manage it? I think for national security you must continue to live off the grid in Montana, and manage the Hole.

Think of your country....

[oly884]

Hahaha, good point!

I'm sticking around anyways. I've got a nice niche here that I'm comfortable in.

[xcmountain80]

$200k in Canadian, I assume.

The canadian $ to US $ is about $0.60CA to $1.00US, IIRC.

that's down to $120k US already.

then you take out ~60% for taxes (but heh, you get *free* health care and no handguns ::) ).

that leaves you with ~$48k US equivalent after taxes. i take home a good bit more than that here in E-Tenn.


Then Im out! I'll kick it hear where 21% tax and all the handguns you want.

Aaron

[YotaJunky]

Well, I can say that living in Vancouver, BC, isn't cheap by any means. Amenities include parks galore, excellent skiing, clean water (lots of rain), hiking, camping etc... I'm sure others from Canada will chime in. Our provincial tax is quite high compared to your average state tax. We pay 13% on top of most things in BC.

Troy

[YotaJunky]

Nice! The CDN is up to $0.88 on the USD today and headed to over $0.90 pretty soon I'll bet if gas prices or other commodities start really heating up again. I keep hearing reports of it coming to par but $0.10 is a long way to travel so I guess we'll have to just wait and see.


If it hits par, I'll be spending more money than I already do for truck parts that I buy from the US...

Troy

[arjan]

The cad dollar cleared the .92 US mark this weekend!!! The Euro isn't changing that much. It basically means the US dollar is heading downhill.

Pretty soon you guys will have a US Peso ;)

[MTL_4runner]

Pretty soon you guys will have a US Peso ;)


:rofl:

Look for a CDN to be par with the USD in the coming 18 months or so.

[YotaJunky]

Pretty soon you guys will have a US Peso ;)


:rofl:

Look for a CDN to be par with the USD in the coming 18 months or so.


Time to stock up on some seafaom...

[arjan]

That OME setup starts looking more attractive by the day also.

[fustercluck]

David, the places I've visited in Canada are nearly paradisaical. Vancouver Island is so beautiful, I almost didn't make my return trip to the US. At that time in my life, I had nothing mooring me to my previous obligations and I seriously considered a complete metamorphosis from US citizen to Canadian permanently.

Upon further consideration, I could see that the details would curdle the possibility. In reflection, I couldn't stomach the idea of exiting the protections the US constitution provided. Having lived extensively in a foreign country before, I experienced the absence of the vesicle of freedoms the constitution affords us. It was not until I was denuded of them and exposed to mild tyranny that I understood what I had left.

As has been stated, Canada is no communist nation, but it has it's own understanding of freedom which is incongruent with mine. From what I can interpret, the perspective is granting the freedom a man needs while our constitution recognizes freedom inherent to humanity and preexistent to govt. and limits govt entities from trespassing those liberties; though extra constitutional activities are common now, there is the legal mechanism to push those transgressions back without appealing to the beneficence of a monstrous bureaucracy.

I chose to forge my way here. No offense intended to our northerly brethren. They live in the most beautiful parts of the globe and are likely better off than I.

[arjan]

In some ways the US isn't so free anymore. I am involved with the installation of 2 biomass boiler in the greenhouse industry in Washington.
The electrician who wired our control panels to the boiler told me that he has property close to the border.
One day he got home, and border control came to him. They asked him in quite an unfriendly way what he was doing so close to the border.
He replied he is on his own property and that he lives there. He then said they had no business bothering him on his property and that they where out of line.
Border patrol told him that they have the right to go where ever they want, and he better deal with that.
He wasn't at all happy where the US is going at the moment. I guess this is all far less noticeable when you don't live near borders.

It's quite sad that countries which fight the same wars, largely have the same beliefs and values, have to throw up such barricades between them.
I think Europe is moving forward by removing borders, we are moving backwards unfortunately.
I hardly visit my family which only lives 20 mins from here, just because I dread dealing with US customs to cross the border. I've talked to quite a few people who used to play golf, ski mount baker etc. on a regular basis, but haven't been in years now.

[fustercluck]

I fail to see why removing borders between countries with dissimilar cultures and politics, is forward moving.

[arjan]

I really don't think we have dissimilar cultures, people in both countries have the freedom of religion, to go where they want to, language and goals in life.
There are some differences, but the majority of people could happily live on the opposite side of the border without making major lifestyle changes in day to day life.
Start looking for differences and you'll find them, but I personally don't feel they are a major problem for open borders.

[91_4x4runner]

I'm by no means racist, but I'd be moving if they completely opened the border down here in TX. The amount of drugs and illegal immigrants coming through here is ridiculous. That said, I think that the US-Canadian border being open is no problem.

There is a big difference between open borders in North America and Europe (speaking primarily about the US-Mexico border, because it affects me more)...

[arjan]

Europe is dealing with problems after opening borders between countries with very different standards of living. Of course within the EU people can live and work where ever they want, which makes the problem worse.
I agree that the US-Mexico border is a totally different situation then the US Canadian border. Mexicans would start their own closed community within the US, Canadians primarily go across for visiting and travel.

[fustercluck]

Europe is dealing with problems after opening borders between countries with very different standards of living. Of course within the EU people can live and work where ever they want, which makes the problem worse.
I agree that the US-Mexico border is a totally different situation then the US Canadian border. Mexicans would start their own closed community within the US, Canadians primarily go across for visiting and travel.


This is why I selected the qualifier 'dissimilar' when I described cultural differences realtive to the general statement that we are moving backwards as compared to Europe and it's open borders.


My position is that open borders are fine when cultures are within a certain cultural similarity, but when one culrutre is decades behind the other or politically divergent, the social friction created as the worlds collide is not what I'd call advancement. One culture will eclipse the other through force or usurpation eventually. In this case, I think diversity is best.

So I repeat, I am unconvinced that unconditional open borders is advancement as stated earlier.