Is Canada for me? (real estate, how much, new home)

[Steve Bagu]

Hello Scotsglass: Greetings from a former canuck Hamilton Ont. born and raised there, moved to US/ Calif/ and now in Baja Mexico. You can see that I gradually moved closer to the warmer climates. As for Regina, my dad was born in Kipling (close by) and it is a desolate place. Hamilton is only 40 miles from Toronto and the weather is similiar.Four seasons/nice falls/COLD winters/nice spring/ warm humid summers with a lot of mosquitos . It is a factory town (somewhat) compared to Toronto. The nice part is that the area from Niagara Falls to Windsor is the GARDEN BELT of Canada. It has all the berries grown there along with Peachs/pears/cherries/and tobacco farms. As a teen, I worked one summer on a Tobacco farm harvesting leaves on to sticks to drying kilns. You will have cold weather anywhere you go in Canada. If you desire warmer weather then the US is the only way to go, Today 12/24 I was sitting in the sun getting a tan wearing shorts, which happens every year this time. Getting to reality, I have a feeling that your ideas may be at this time slight fantasy. Thinking about Canada or USA means that you have not applied for VISA/RESIDENCY for either country. It is not possible to apply for these two countries at the same time. I know, as I went thru the paper work to enter the US and all the requirements filled. As a former cousin, I wish you well. Steve

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

Didn't really fancy the Calgary or Vancouver area because i've heard Vancouver is really rainy and Calgary is always cold.

Have a merry xmas everyone

Actually, it's probably more accurate to say in Calgary, it is possible to experience ANY of the four-seasons,
IN ANY MONTH!

Back in the 1980's when they were hosting the Olympics they had to close the ski-jump because in February it hit 21 C. (70 F)
And one year in early August they had a nasty snowstorm that broke trees because they were still holding their green leaves.

[Midorigreen]

Scotsglass:

I can comment on both Regina,SK and San Antonio, TX. My hubby and I were born and raised in Regina, SK and just recently moved to San Antonio.

Regina is a nice little city - many say it's "up and coming" but I can't really say for sure. I've been living away from there for quite a few years.... The summers are beautiful but the winters are COLD. The one good thing about it is that the sun is almost always shining (this is important to me after living a year and a half in the Seattle, WA area!)

As far as San Antonio, TX goes....it's a nice, cheap place to live. The weather is very mild and seldom hits freezing. The people are friendly (large Mexican American population) and there is lots to do: SeaWorld, Six Flags, the Riverwalk etc. Even though it's a big city, it reminds me a lot of a smaller city -almost like being back home in Regina. People here are pretty laid-back and VERY welcoming to new transplants (perhaps due to the large amount of military families that are constantly moving here for temporary posts.)

I've also spent some time in Calgary, AB. My husband lived there for many years. I really like it but it's becoming very crowded and has really suffered from urban-sprawl over the years. I would still consider it a very nice place to locate to, given the chance, however.

Good luck in making your decision. Let me know if you need any more information than what I've already provided...

Happy New Year!

[ck9]

If you dont like calgary or vancouver you definately wont like the rest of canada. vancouver is just like seattle except the buildings and waterfront are way nicer. vancouver itself gets alot of rain but one side effect is that you could practically eat off the streets and any lake or ocean is suitable for swimming. the summer is pleasant not to hot ( its very rare to see a home with air conditioning). and the winter? its what you make of it really i suggest you learn to ski or snow board as there are three ski mountains within 25 min. of downtown. vancouver wouldnt be rated as the # 2 city in the world (second to bern switzerland)for quality of life for nothing . calgary is also a nice city but i havent spent alot of time there. but if you are the kind of person that doesnt like health care or many other basic liberties and if you like the idea of government that sends its young people to die enforcing the will of its corporations then no, canada probably isnt for you.

[MurphyPl1]

Originally Posted by estudiante

and last but not least, you probably experience better weather in the united states, but hey, why stay in the usa for the weather when you probably get shot and killed, and not even get to experience the weather.... canadians are less standofish and less violent. life is more valuable that "weather"

Oh, please. That is such a farce of a statement. The vast majority of US residents live long lives without fear of getting shot. Even those with great weather.

I think you've spent too much time listening to Michael Moore's propaganda. The US is filled with friendly, non-violent citizens. Even those who own guns as DH and I do. I live outside of Dallas and even with the higher crime rate in metropolitan areas, I never fear driving in Dallas in the deep dark night because of potential gang or gun violence. Even when I lived in Chicago and LA, fear of being shot was way low on my priority list.

[chatter crac]

Move to America and live the American dream.......

[MurphyPl1]

Originally Posted by Midorigreen

As far as San Antonio, TX goes....it's a nice, cheap place to live. The weather is very mild and seldom hits freezing. The people are friendly (large Mexican American population) and there is lots to do: SeaWorld, Six Flags, the Riverwalk etc. Even though it's a big city, it reminds me a lot of a smaller city -almost like being back home in Regina. People here are pretty laid-back and VERY welcoming to new transplants (perhaps due to the large amount of military families that are constantly moving here for temporary posts.)

Have you had the chance to get out and explore the Hill Country yet? I'm up in Dallas but I LOVE the Hill Country. I swear there is nothing more beautiful than the winding, hilly roads lined with Bluebonnetsin spring.

I'd highly recommend a day trip to Gruene. (Pronounced green) Lots of cute little stores, a wine tasting shop, fabulous restaurant with outdoor dining (to see all those wildflowers) and the Gruene Hall - the oldest dance hall in Texas. The hill country has a lot of German and Czech heritage and you'll find it the music as well.

[mishigas73]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

Regina, SK Heard the summers there are long and dry, can be flat and have cold winters and alot of crime compared to Toronto.

Didn't really fancy the Calgary or Vancouver area because i've heard Vancouver is really rainy and Calgary is always cold.

Have a merry xmas everyone

Hey again.

Regina. Yeah, have also heard a lot about it. From the transplants that I've met in Vancouver.

The prairies are, well, the prairies. As far as having more crime than Toronto? I'd double-check your sources on that one.

There's a reason why there are many people around Canada FROM Saskatchewan and not living there. So many other areas in Canada have a lot more to offer. I honestly don't think it's a "crime" issue.

Yeah, Vancouver can be gray. But, I seriously think you'd be selling yourself short by just going by "what people say" about it.

The "rain issue" in Vancouver depends on where you are within the city and its suburbs. While North Van experiences about 120 inches of rain per year, the Richmond area experiences less than half that.

Like I've said before, take the time to see for yourself. It sounds, from what you've said, that you're making judgments from what you've heard. Go see it for yourself.

[mishigas73]

Originally Posted by ck9

but if you are the kind of person that doesnt like health care or many other basic liberties and if you like the idea of government that sends its young people to die enforcing the will of its corporations then no, canada probably isnt for you.

Again, scotslass, it's what you hear versus what you experience. And, it's up to you to make the choice for yourself.

[dubuqueaskme]

Healthcare in America is not that bad. Being an Iowan, of course, we have the best healthcare of any state in the country. Unless you are low-income or homeless, or in poverty, your healthcare is fine, not great, expensive, but fine. Sure, it could CERTAINLY use a lot of improvement. Also, yeah, there is a "gun culture," here, but that is mainly in the big cities and southern states. There was a post about a page back that I read that stated if you are going to America, you will get shot, and not even get to experience the good weather. It depends on where you go. I'll rank the areas of the country on their livabilty.

1. MIDWEST (best, friendly people, low home costs, nice little cities, and a few cosmopolitan big ones, very low crime, good healthcare, especially in the Upper Midwest (IA, WI, MN) The education cant be matched anywhere else in the country, especially in the U.M. Some cons of the MW include the weather in Spring, and Summer, often with SVR Tstms., and some factories and industries are moving out, some population loss in states like KS, NE, and the Dakotas.

2. WEST, excluding CA., (great weather, low costs, beautiful mountain scenery, EQ's and crime in Phoenix, LV and Earthquakes are a downfall.) If you dont like hot, stay out of the west. Even in states like MT, it can be really hot, nearly 100 in summer, and in Arizona, upper 120's are found in vast numbers in summer. They say it is a trade off, heat without humidity; but i don't believe it. It is a great place though.

3. NORTHEAST- The big cities have an unmatched nightlife and are a load of fun. NYC, Philly, Beantown, DC, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, etc., are great choices for those who are outgoing and love the party scene. Downfalls are crimes in the cities, weather at all times of the year isnt all the great, especially from OCT-APR where Nor'eastern lash out their fury on the east coast, either with rain, snow, or ice, in the cities, and always snow outside of the cities. There is a heatwave every summer in the NE, where temps can reach 100-105F in DC, PH & NYC. It can even get to 100 in Boston... Weather forecasters also say it has been WAY too long since the northeast has been hit with a major hurricane, and is definitely due.

4. SOUTH- I'd pick the south over Cali, Cali has gotten way out of hand, and has more people than the whole country of Canada. I almost think it would be fine as it's own country. The south is fine, cities like ATL, Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, Lexington,and some Floridian cities arent that bad. Florida has, like Ca, gone downhill. Florida just seems so appealing to so many people, for some reason., maybe it is the crazy people or maybe it is the humid weather all year, i dont know. TN and GA, IMO tie for the best state in the southeast. Oh, and I forgot TEXAS. Texas is not very bad. It is similar to CA, and FL, but not nearly as bad. Texas has its cities spread out, while CA and FL dont. Lots of severe weather in TX, though, whether it is flooding, hail, a snowstorm, a tornado, hurricane, whatever...

CA, FL, and the TX coast rank as the worst places IMO in the US.

Best state(S) in each region

Midwest- IA, MN, WI, IL
East- VT, NH, ME, VA, TN
West- MT, AZ, CO
South- GA, NC, SC

it is hard for me to determine the best state, but if i had to say, i would place either VT, NH, MN, WI, or IA first.