We want to leave the US and move to Canada but can we afford it.

[netwit]

Originally Posted by Wingfoot

Live where you want to live, the "what-Ifs" never end, life does.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

[minibrings]

Originally Posted by Wingfoot

Live where you want to live, the "what-Ifs" never end, life does.

If only this was true. There is this thing called immigration.
Nice quote though.

[kkgg7]

Originally Posted by Trisha Dewey

My husband and I are in our 30's with one child. We own a home in TX with a 30-yr loan. Our taxes are almost 3,000 a year.
Can we up and move? Not happy with the way things are going in the US and my husband is having a hard time finding work here in the states. I have found plenty of job offers in Canada hence why we are looking at our options.
Can we leave here and let our home go to foreclosure without it hurting us in Canada?
Could we find a home with 3 bedroom/3 bath in a nice area for 120,000 and qualify for a new loan?
I have read about the gas prices being drastically higher in Canada so I am not sure what to do. If anyone has any ideas for me, please let me know.
Thank you!!

Interestingly, The entire country of Canada has approximately the same GDP as Texas (both around $1.3 trillion). If you can't find a job in Texas, how can you find one in Canada's tiny job market? When you say plenty of job offers, do you mean he already found an employer who is willing to offer him a job?
Everything will be much more expensive in any Canadian city than in Texas. Gas is 25% higher and auto insurance is 100% higher. If you have trouble paying for a house there, coming to Canada expecting an easier life is simply unrealistic.
Plus, you will need to go through the lengthy immigration process and you may or may not qualify depending on your skills and other factors. Many Americans tend to think they can simply "move", but it is not true.

[Wingfoot]

Originally Posted by minibrings

If only this was true. There is this thing called immigration.
Nice quote though.

No doo-doo.
I did not want to insult any ones intelligence by stating the ultra-obivious.

Guess I should have, eh?

[minibrings]

Originally Posted by Wingfoot

No doo-doo.
I did not want to insult any ones intelligence by stating the ultra-obivious.

Guess I should have, eh?

I guess stating the obvious got poo poo going eh?

[skchi]

Originally Posted by Wingfoot

Live where you want to live, the "what-Ifs" never end, life does.

I like that. Whenever I have to make a big decision, I spend way too much time with the "what-ifs?" I'll try to remember Wingfoot's quote when I get stuck in that rut!

Anyway, moving from the US to Canada is a pretty big deal - it's not like moving to a different state. I think the OP should spend a little time looking at the Canadian immigration website to see what's necessary. There are a lot of things that you wouldn't even think of. For instance, there are some cars that are sold in the US that Canada won't allow or will require that you have modified. You definitely can't just "up and move."

I think Canada is a great country, and if there's a good job offer, you should definitely consider moving there. But, it's not a simple process.

[Trisha Dewey]

Thanks for all the responses!! There are definitely some things to research. We did the skilled worker test thing and we score enough. Also, looks like we have to get Canadian certification before getting a job.
I am off the research the housing over there. The gun laws, =(. and find out if they let GMC in to Canada.
Nice words to live by for the "what-Ifs" guy.

[jfuente123]

This is a very important decision but if that is what you want to do and you can pull it off financially then good luck!

As far as your home goes, I recommend you contact a local real estate agent/broker who knows how to do REO's and discuss your home plans with them. It may be that you can put your home for sale at as a REO, with the permission from the bank, and sell it for whatever the market is. This may help avoid damaging your credit and get you out of a home you do not want. You may also avoid having to pay the loss the banks takes on home, that is if there is a loss, depending on your financial situation. Again, most Real Estate Brokers/Agents can provide you with good information on this or at least direct you to the proper personnel. So, this is one way of getting out of your home without doing as much damage to your credit as would a foreclosure.

Good luck!

[BlueSmarite]

"Many Americans tend to think they can simply "move", but it is not true."

If you have a skill and experience that qualifies for a NAFTA visa, and have employment lined up, the process appears to be less of a P.I.T.A. It is still a process with much to consider in advance. The cultural differences alone when compared to the southern US could be a drastic change.

You are also considering a move from an region with an very low cost of living to a country with a significantly higher cost. If your financial situation is murky where you are now it's hard to imagine things being a lot easier. It's best to make such a large leap from firm footing.