The Canadian government is on track to eliminate their budget deficit by 2015. They also did not have the *****ic banking laws their neighbours to the south had, and were not affected by the financial crisis fiasco.
Right. Have you seen the taxes their citizens pay? Federal and provincial taxes that are higher than the taxes we have. It's especially tougher on those who EARN more than those who EARN less. The COL is much more diverse in the USA... South vs. Midwest vs. NE vs. West Coast. It's relatively more uniform in Canada.
I'd like you to show how the standard of living is higher in the US than Canada. The physicians do get paid less, I will give you that much. However, the malpractice laws in this country are far more reasonable. So you won't be coughing up an arm and a leg in malpractice insurance.
Higher gas prices
Higher cost of living
Free healthcare.. great, how long BEFORE you can access that free healthcare (i.e. wait lines to see a specialist are incredibly long)
Higher taxes
Higher grocery costs
etc. etc.
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...lt.jsp?country1=Canada&country2=United+States
The quality of living is likely quite similar. I won't disagree with that, but be prepared for a higher cost of living and lower income (and lower buying power). That's why you have more physicians from Canada coming here and NOT vice-versa.
Canada has the social aspects over us, less pollution, cleaner, free healthcare etc. etc... but they also have less people.
Living in Canada likely isn't a bad thing... but, if you're wanting to escape the future of the USA, it just seems weird to me that one would want to go to Canada, where they HAVE what we are seemingly pursuing.
Honestly, I'm a warm-weather person, so that makes Canada an automatic turn-off for me... even if living in Canada was EVER better than living in the USA.
Also, for you guys who want to bail...(and I imagine this goes for ANY country, not just Canada)...
from the IRS website:
Question: I am a U.S. citizen. If I move to Canada to live and work there as a Canadian permanent resident, do I pay both U.S. and Canadian Taxes?
Answer: United States citizens living abroad:
Are required to file annual U.S. income tax returns.
Must report their worldwide income if they meet the minimum income filing requirements for their filing status and age.
Must contact the Canadian Government to determine whether you must file a Canadian tax return and pay Canadian taxes.
May be able to elect to exclude some or all of their foreign earned income, if certain requirements are met, or to claim a foreign tax credit if Canadian income taxes are paid.
http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq/0,,id=199665,00.html