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I am a US citizen, currently work and live North of Dallas, Texas. I have been offered a 3 year contract assignment for a company located in Surrey, BC, Canada. I am not sure that should I move my family (wife and two young kids) to Surrey or to some US city like Blaine or Bellingham and commute daily. One advantage of living in the US is that I don't have to worry about Canadian car insurance, Canadian car registration, Canadian driving license, Canadian cell phone contracts, Canadian Social Security card, Canadian Banking systems and Canadian health insurance system, etc. Before anyone suggests, I already checked and we won't be able to get on Canadian / BC government health insurance as it is only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, not for people on TN visa or visitors. Obviously disadvantage is that I would have to commute for about 45 mins one way (with Nexus card) and missout on good metropolitan life of Surrey / Vancouver BC. What do you guys suggest about living in the US or Canada and what US city? Also how is the elementary school system?
45 minutes on a good day, it can be an exhausting commute, sitting for hours in that lineup.
Blaine is a quiet tiny town and fine for younger children, although Bellingham is a bit larger and nicer, but would add considerable time to your commute which could be difficult enough.
45 minutes on a good day, it can be an exhausting commute, sitting for hours in that lineup.
Blaine is a quiet tiny town and fine for younger children, although Bellingham is a bit larger and nicer, but would add considerable time to your commute which could be difficult enough.
I am hoping Nexus card will help some in that commute, if I can get it.
Do you REALLY want to put yourself at the mercy of powertripping Cdn and U.S border guards, twice a day, five days a week, 48 weeks a year, for three years? I mean, really???
Do you REALLY want to put yourself at the mercy of powertripping Cdn and U.S border guards, twice a day, five days a week, 48 weeks a year, for three years? I mean, really???
Agreed! However Nexus card may help that situation.
So If I decide to live in Surrey, what parts of town should I stay away from?
Whalley and IMO North Surrey. I have lived in Surrey although I was single at the time. My kids are the same age as yours now and if I moved back, I'd stick with the south surrey/panorama ridge area - maybe Guildford on a tight budget. Langley is also an excellent option for families, as well as Aldergrove or even Abbotsford (the borders are less busy too). If you worked in Surrey, Langley would be a great option IMO even better (wee bit more affordable but still very family friendly) with no real "bad areas".
Do you REALLY want to put yourself at the mercy of powertripping Cdn and U.S border guards, twice a day, five days a week, 48 weeks a year, for three years? I mean, really???
One bad border guard and you could be denied entry into Canada.
while this incident in the link is a Canadian going into the USA border guards have a tendency to exhibit similar attitudes no matter which way you are going.
As an example;; Couple Arrested At U.S. Border For Asking Questions - YouTube
I'd stick with the south surrey/panorama ridge area - maybe Guildford on a tight budget. Langley is also an excellent option for families, as well as Aldergrove or even Abbotsford (the borders are less busy too)..
What are some good websites to look for BC rental houses. I see too many houses have rooms for rent. We would want a standalone house, if possible or may be a town house. Any websites for elementary school ratings? Also are the public elementary schools completely free like in the US?
Depending on the age of your children you might want to look into the possibility of renting a home in Point Roberts, Wa. which is a delightful, very pretty little community on the southern tip of the Tsawwassen Peninsula, and is about as close to Surrey as Blaine is. That way, although you would still have to cross the border you would be avoiding any long wait times. If your kids are primary school age they can go to school in Pt. Roberts but if they are beyond the Grade 3 level - that is to say, from 4th grade on, American children must take a 40-minute bus ride through British Columbia, crossing back into the United States to attend school in Blaine.
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