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Canada still has some true wilderness. Not much of that left in the USA other than Alaska. Population is lower. If you are a fisherman, it's a dream world.
With all that being said, live in the USA where it is warmer, and visit Canada for the things mentioned above.
As a Michigander, I would be moving east to Ontario, with mostly the same weather. With more public transportation, I could live without a car. I've seen enough of Toronto to know I won't live there, but the rest of Ontario is fine. Maybe Quebec. As an immigrant seeking Canadian citizenship, I would be required to swear loyalty to the British queen. I avoid loyalty oaths, flag salutes, and any similar malarkey.
When I had the conversation with him, I felt rather embarrassed, since I had never thought about that. When he asked what we did in Canada, I felt for him. I simply said, " it's just there " meaning healthcare coverage. It's not part of the equation when deciding to retire.
Of course, most people in the US and I dare say in Canada too are not ready for retirement at 51. There are plenty of Americans in their early 60s though who are counting the days until they are fully Medicare-eligible.
Americans who retire at 51 are those that know they will never have to worry about paying for healthcare or anything else.
Location: San Ramon, Seattle, Anchorage, Reykjavik
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saibot
Americans who retire at 51 are those that know they will never have to worry about paying for healthcare or anything else.
Or they have saved for that future. If you can resist all the temptations and stupid ways to spend your money, retiring at 51 and expecting to live another 50 years is doable.
I'd guess that most Americans are too unfamiliar with Canada to really answer the question. I've personally never been there, and have little knowledge of it. It's just a big mystery land to our north.
Living within a few hours drive of the border and exposure to Canadian broadcast media probably gives me a better picture than many, but it needs to be remembered that this description probably applies to a much higher percentage of Canadians.
And a couple of Canadian friends of my own age have told me that during our formative years (I'm very much a baby-boomer) they embraced the Western pop culture of the times rather than their British heritage -- despite pressures from their elders not to do so.
But the real advantage I have here is that for the past thirty years I have been on close terms with a large Asian(Filipino)-Canadian family, and followed their efforts to better their lives. If there is one segment of human progress in which Canadians excel -- this is it.
Still, I voted for the USA in the poll -- in no small part because I believe that the rebellious, skeptical, authority-questioning nature central to the American character, combined with our diversity, is the driving force behind our nation's success story (and, FWIW, this is one point upon which my friends and I are not in full agreement).
Personally
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