Moving home (insurance, movers, mortgage) - City-Data Forum

canadianjoe · 02-17-2009, 07:19 PM

Hi all. Newbie here but been reading for a little while now.

I have been living in the US for about 10 years now. My wife and kids were all born here. I was born and raised in Edmonton, AB.

My wife has a health condition that has now hit the point where trying to manage it is going to cost us so much that I am afraid that we will lose everything. We have already spent the savings accont and now are slowly drowning in debt.

I have already started looking at the costs for the same treatments in Alberta and it is much more manageable and my personal opinion is the health care is much better in quality anyway.

So my wife and I are looking at putting our house on the market to try to sell and move to Edmonton. Not sure it will sell or not. I still have a couple of bills that I will pay off before we leave but will have the mortgage to deal with.

What are my options? If I walk away from the house will that haunt me in Canada? Any suggestions? I am scared that if I stay my wife's treatment will put us in a position that we will lose everything and not be able to offer our kids the opportunities they deserve. I am also scared that if we go, we will start with nothing and be stuck.

My gut says go and start over. Lots of folks have started over.

Any pointers? Words of wisdom? I always wanted to go back but figured it would be after the kids were done school. They are still pretty young so I think they will be OK with it.

We have a place to stay while we get work (yes, I know she needs a VISA, calling the Embassy Monday). I figure that in 6 to 9 months, with work, we will be able to buy a home.

Looking for suggestions, comments, ideas, etc. Let me hear what you have to say.

Thanks very much.
canadianjoe

Cornerguy1 · 02-17-2009, 11:34 PM

Puling up stakes and leaving an evironment both you and your family have known for years is huge step and not one to be rushed into.

You don't mention what field of work you're in, but even the burgeoning economy of Alberta is feeling the effect of the global economic slow down. Seriously evaluate your employment options in Alberta before abandoning your current position.

Normally, US credit issues do not follow one to Canada.

I believe you'll need to sponsor your wife for Permanent Resident's status. It is possible to obtain a work permit after the PR application has been submitted, but before it has been fully approved. See Welcome Page | Page d'accueil for this information and any other citizenship issues.

You'll certainly receive opinions stating that the medical care available to you in Alberta will be inferior to that available in the US, but that's a decision you'll need to reach on your own.

canadianjoe · 02-18-2009, 06:18 AM

we are aware of how big of a step and how stressful/difficult it will be. I am currently in IT. I do have experience in other fields as well and I have a strong support network in Edmonton so I am not to worried about finding work there. In addition, my company is making cuts now. My hope is to ride this out until we are ready to go on our own terms. I will be calling the Canadian Embassy on Monday to obtain more information on the PRS for my wife. My goal is to not leave the mortgage unpaid but that might not be possible. Anything else I need to know or remember?

NYSinger · 02-18-2009, 10:16 AM

Your wife will need to pass a medical exam. Is her condition life-threatening? Also, she won't be able to get the universal coverage until she receives PR status: before, she will have to take a private insurance.

You can sponsor her from Canada: this will take some time and she will be unable to leave Canada until she gets residency. You can also start sponsoring her now from the US: she will then be able to have her medical card not long after she enters Canada(each province has its rules: sometimes it's immediately after validating the visa at the border, sometimes it takes 3 months).

I'm SO sorry this is happening to you. This is something I hate about living here in the US (grew up in Canada). Best of luck to you.

thesmith7 · 02-20-2009, 02:06 PM

I moved back to Calgary 3 years ago after living in the US for 15 years with my US born wife and kids. Apply for PR in the US, it is quicker that way. When you come back your wife will get a temporary visitor visa which is good for 6 months if i remember correct. This is renewable and we had to renew my wifes 3 times before she was granted PR status. Easy to renew though fill out paperwork and it is pretty much automatic. As soon as your wife has the temporary visitor visa she is eligible for alberta health care. You just have to provide a copy of the visitor visa to the alberta health people. The only problem you may have is with the medical requirement not sure on what is grounds to not let her come. Check on that and as long as it is permissible it is easy to do, just be patient as you are dealing with the govt. any questions let me know. happy to help.

Also in regard to the credit issue there is no record of US credit in Canada. They have no way to check.

mikeyyc · 02-20-2009, 02:56 PM

In regards to the credit, you will either have to start from scratch, or take your US files. I would wager that if you're applying for a mortgage, they will pull your US credit file as a matter of course.

thesmith7 · 02-20-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyyc

In regards to the credit, you will either have to start from scratch, or take your US files. I would wager that if you're applying for a mortgage, they will pull your US credit file as a matter of course.

When I came back they asked me to provide it, which I did. They had no way of getting it. Luckily I had a canadian credit card from way back. I thought I had canceled it, otherwise yes you will have to start from scratch.

canadianjoe · 02-20-2009, 05:05 PM

I have excellent credit in cananda.. .so starting from scratch will be good. my house goes up on the market in 2 weeks and I don't think we are going to canada for about 14 to 18 months. maybe it will sell.

Excellent info on the wife pc/visa, thanks.

anything else I need to know.
what about the move with a uhaul truck?

thesmith7 · 02-23-2009, 09:30 AM

anything else I need to know.
what about the move with a uhaul truck?[/quote]

We had professional movers as work moved us.
Check the Canada Border service website. They have all the info there and forms you'll need. Does not look to difficult.

canadianjoe · 02-23-2009, 09:33 AM

I got started today. Meeting with the Realtor this week. Kids are getting there passports pics this week. Will take them into the passport office next week. I will be sending off for my new passport next week as well. Just got my paper work to get started with today.

I will be taking a Uhaul I think.