Help a Canadian out- couple questions (Phoenix, Tucson: rentals, employment, buyer)

[Vodkah]

I am a 27 yr old female living in Canada. Last year I was lucky enough to be able to travel down to Arizona. I absolutely loved it there. We drove from Tucson and stayed there for a couple days and then drove to Douglas and stayed there while going to Tombstone and Bisbee. My questions are: Does anyone know how long a Canadian can stay in the US for without requiring a Visa? I heard it was 6 months or something? How hard is it for a Canadian to get a work Visa to live in the US? or become a dual citizen? I don't know why but I really liked AZ a lot and would love to go stay for an extended time.

What is a nice, smaller town, within a reasonable driving distance to a larger city so one could find employment? Thanks so much!

[azdr0710]

you may have visited during a nice weather period, so you really loved it....the dry air and sunshine can feel great to somebody used to gray days and cold wind and rain....

if you want to be near a big city for employment opportunities, Phoenix and Tucson are your only real choices....both have suburbs and smaller towns within 30-40 miles of the city center...plenty of rentals available and it's a buyer's market if you're going to buy a place...Phoenix has more of a go-go-go attitude, more money swirling around, faster-paced, slightly newer feeling - than Tucson.....Tucson is about five-ten degrees cooler on average, more rain, greener, closer to big mountains, less flashy.....

as for the visa requirements, that would be something to go talk to the US State Dept or the local embassy about???....maybe google it????

[wit-nit]

This site should answer your questions: Canadians who require U.S. visas (http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/exceptions.asp - broken link)

[Vodkah]

Thanks for the replies. I went in April of 08. So yes, I probably went when the weather was not that hot. I found it to be very nice when I flew into Tucson and stayed there for a couple days. The as we went further south, it became hotter, but there was a constant breeze in Douglas, so it was very nice and tolerable. I would like to go back to that area if I am able to come back and stay longer, but I would like to stay in a little more of a populated area. Can anyone tell me how long from Douglas is Sierra Vista...

Thanks!

[wit-nit]

51.7 miles. Driving Directions from Douglas, AZ to Sierra Vista, AZ

[Jack Soaz]

April here in Southern Arizona can be very interesting.

Here in Rio Rico, just a hop over the mountains from Sierra Vista, we had the biggest snowfall ever in the nearly 12 years I've lived here.

4 inches! But by noon, it vanished.

But it did cause lotsa fender benders.

[kjbreau]

Easy to answer, as I am Canadian and have already done all the research.
1. Green card - Forget it, you'll never get one if you are a white english speaking person UNLESS, you can find an employer that cannot find anyone from the US that can fill the position. Now if you are in the medical field, you can probably get in provided you are an RN or higher in education, ie, Physcologist, Dr., etc. No, you cannot apply for the annual Visa lottery in the US if you are white english speaking. Now if you are coming from say, Iran or Iraq, no problem, you can apply, go figure!
2. As a Canadian, you can stay in the US or any other country for up to 180 days Maximum without losing your healthcare in Canada. That is 180 days total during any 360 day period, in other words, a maximum of 180 days period, a week here, a week there, or 180 consective days,doesn't matter. How does Canada know? Because the US customs office records the dates you enter and exit Canada and that information is available to Canada.
3. Dual citizenship - Marry a US citizen.
4. Nicce town near Tuscon - Green Valley or Benson or Sierra Vista. Green Valley is more expensive and the streets are clean enough to eat off, mostly retirement people and golf courses.