Major Career Change

[ClinicalABA]

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I'm feeling a little hypocritical about this having just posted about the benefits of my current job over in another thread, but I am planning on leaving this job which I really enjoy. Despite the benefits, the job is a) in the US, and I increasingly feel like this country is moving in a dangerous direction; b) is in a primary medicaid funded practice and I worry that something is going to happen there; and c) is exclusively related to autism, which our current secretary of Health and Human Services thinks is caused by aliens or some other such nonsense.

I have applied for an been offered what seems to be an ideal position (work I like, opportunity for program development, much better salary, no insurance) that just so happens to be in the Greater Toronto Area. It's scary- but exciting- to think about picking up and moving to a whole new country at this point in my career and life (I'm mid fifties, and wife is early sixties). It just seems like an opportunity that meets my current and future needs. We'd also be moving from a relatively rural area to a major metropolis. That will take some adjusting, but we're both pretty psyched to live in an apartment in a high rise with amenities and other people to fix things.

It's a BIG process, with licensure, work permit, and residency issues, and there is some craziness. Most recent examples I've been working on is that in order to obtain a Canadian work permit as a psychologist, you have to show that you have are a registered psychologist in Canada, but to be get registered as a psychologist in Ontario you have have a work permit. Turns out that despite the language in the regulations, the Ontario College of Psychologists and Behavior Analysts (yep- it's all under the same board) will write you a letter stating that you would meet their standards if you applied, and this can be used to get a work permit. This brings up second craziness, in that when I was originally licensed in MA, the regulations required a post doc (which I have and which Ontario regs require). In 2012 the MA regs changed to no longer require a postdoc. Ontario college will compare licensure regs between state and province to determine equivalency, thus I'll need something from MA to what older regs were and that I met them. Ontario College has directly replied to me with three emails from a specific, identified individual that all addressed my individual questions. MA Board of Psychology has only replied with an automatic email that did not specifically address my questions. Urghh- nothing to do but keep trying.

Alternative is to get a Certificate of Professional Qualification. That requires attestation from pre- and postdoctoral programs. Predoc isn't an issue, as the training director is still there and the internship still exists. Postdoc position was not a formal APPIC one, and supervisor and all others I worked with are retired or no long there. Nothing insurmountable, but more work for me and a major PITA. Working with an immigration attorney on the details, and job is willing to wait 6 months plus for me (though I'd like to be there before end of the year).

 

[futureapppsy2]

I’m not sure if you’ve looked into this, but given your age, make sure that you and your wife wouldn’t be medically inadmissible to Canada. They made that more permissive a few years ago, but it’s still a hard no for a lot of meds/conditions. Good luck! 🙂 (as I sit here hoping my EU citizenship will be favorably adjudicated soon)

 

[ClinicalABA]

I’m not sure if you’ve looked into this, but given your age, make sure that you and your wife wouldn’t be medically inadmissible to Canada. They made that more permissive a few years ago, but it’s still a hard no for a lot of meds/conditions. Good luck! 🙂 (as I sit here hoping my EU citizenship will be favorably adjudicated soon)

Age disqualifies me from expedited entry for permanent residence (or at least gives me so few points that I'd be unlikely to be nominated under that program). It is not an issue for a work permit, particularly for work as a psychologist. Based on conversations with the immigration attorney, I could them pursue a provincial nomination, which would then give me enough points to eventually get permanent resident nomination through a skilled workforce channel. Psychology is a needed enough field where the new employer does not need to do a competitive workforce analysis and show that they did not have a qualified canadian applicant. We also have no disqualifying medical conditions. Regardless, because USA and Canada ar still (and hopefully will still be before I'm done) part of USMCA (formerly NAFTA), as a US citizen I'd be able to work and remain in Canada for several years with a work permit alone, without any permanent residency (though at this point that- and Canadian citizenship- are the eventual goals). Because my wife would not- at least initially- need to work, I would pursue the employer-specific work permit for myself first. Once obtained, my wife then becomes eligible for an open work permit without needing a job offer. As a US citizen, she can visit and stay in Canada for up to six months without a VISA, so that gives her more time too.

ETA- Who you calling old?!?!

 

[R. Matey]

Interesting to read about. Good luck, @ClinicalABA!

 

[WisNeuro]

Age disqualifies me from expedited entry for permanent residence (or at least gives me so few points that I'd be unlikely to be nominated under that program). It is not an issue for a work permit, particularly for work as a psychologist. Based on conversations with the immigration attorney, I could them pursue a provincial nomination, which would then give me enough points to eventually get permanent resident nomination through a skilled workforce channel. Psychology is a needed enough field where the new employer does not need to do a competitive workforce analysis and show that they did not have a qualified canadian applicant. We also have no disqualifying medical conditions. Regardless, because USA and Canada ar still (and hopefully will still be before I'm done) part of USMCA (formerly NAFTA), as a US citizen I'd be able to work and remain in Canada for several years with a work permit alone, without any permanent residency (though at this point that- and Canadian citizenship- are the eventual goals). Because my wife would not- at least initially- need to work, I would pursue the employer-specific work permit for myself first. Once obtained, my wife then becomes eligible for an open work permit without needing a job offer. As a US citizen, she can visit and stay in Canada for up to six months without a VISA, so that gives her more time too.

ETA- Who you calling old?!?!

Somewhat familiar with the area you're thinking of moving too, have you looked at housing costs/CoL? It's a good deal more than expensive than comparable areas in the US. Additionally, aside from the anomalous last election in Ontario, they've seen a progressive rightward populist shift that is slightly behind the US. Are you sure you're not just buying yourself a little time, at great expense, for a pretty similar situation?

 

[ClinicalABA]

Somewhat familiar with the area you're thinking of moving too, have you looked at housing costs/CoL? It's a good deal more than expensive than comparable areas in the US. Additionally, aside from the anomalous last election in Ontario, they've seen a progressive rightward populist shift that is slightly behind the US. Are you sure you're not just buying yourself a little time, at great expense, for a pretty similar situation?

We'd be renting, and costs would be similar to somewhat less than our current mortgage (we're in a high COL area now). We'd keep our house in MA as an income property/just in case. We're also familiar with some of the Ontario/Canada politics. We live in a VERY liberal area, so locally, it might not be the same politically. However, we also live in a very white, college educated, mid-to-high SES area, so the trade-off would be more visible diversity. Specifically, we'd be looking to locate in Mississauga, which is a city of over 700K people that is >50 immigrant, so- again- more visible diversity locally. Also, AFAIK, Canada does not have any anti-science secretary of HHS, and they haven't started any illegal wars lately.

Given potential changes to medicaid, ASD research and treatment at the national level, and just the daily ridiculousness of what's going on, I'm not convinced in the stability or non-craziness of my work, and don't think it will get back to relative normalcy within the 10-15 years I have to keep doing this. There will- of course- be trade offs, and we're not naive enough to think that it will be some liberal wonderland where the streets are painted in rainbows (they are where I live now!) and there is no hate, conservatism, discrimination, etc.

We are in a position where we just don't need to be here and don't really want to be here. The job will baseline be a MAJOR increase in salary, with the potential to make a lot more if I'm willing to work more. Also all private pay (clients given can pursue government of private insurance reimbursement on their own). It offers a bit of adventure too- new location, new lifestyle (urban vs. rural), new area to explore, and new work challenges and business opportunities. It will actually be closer to my family (most on west coast) and to a major airport, and still only a 7 hour drive to where I am now an where our kids will continue to be. Might not work out, in which case I can move back and easily find a job to carry me through to retirement.

 

[ClinicalABA]

...have you looked at housing costs/CoL?..

As an aside, my wife is a real estate agent, so I've been bombarded with information about housing costs! It's what she does. We actually couldn't afford to buy the house we currently live in!

 

[PsyDr]

1) Congratulations!
2) IME, if you want to maintain your viewpoints on Canada, don't mention First Nation people, Canadians are very liberal...until you mention natives. And then the floodgates open up. It's like Europeans and gypsies/Romani.
3) IIRC, CPQ will accept your license, and maybe a letter from a colleague, as verification of your post doc. I had to write something to CPQ for a colleague, stating that she was definitely a post doc at the program adjacent to mine during the time she said she was. It worked out for her.
4) Is this your way of revealing you're Jordan Peterson?

 

[ClinicalABA]

1) Congratulations!
2) IME, if you want to maintain your viewpoints on Canada, don't mention First Nation people, Canadians are very liberal...until you mention natives. And then the floodgates open up. It's like Europeans and gypsies/Romani.
3) IIRC, CPQ will accept your license, and maybe a letter from a colleague, as verification of your post doc. I had to write something to CPQ for a colleague, stating that she was definitely a post doc at the program adjacent to mine during the time she said she was. It worked out for her.
4) Is this your way of revealing you're Jordan Peterson?

1) Thanks!
2) Point taken. I will consult primary sources (Letterkenney and Shoresy) regarding interactions with First Nations peoples
3) Yeah- it's going to take some work hunting people down, but It'll get done
4) I will never reveal my secrets!

It's going to be interesting from a business standpoint. For this position I will set myself up as a cooperation and pay myself from cooperation profits. This gives a more favorable tax rate. That's all the next process to tackle.

Also: Nunc video PysDr se Catonem Seniorem esse credere

 

[cara susanna]

How far would you be from your families? That would be my main reason for hesitating to move to another country. But I also know that Ontario isn't that far from parts of the US.

 

[R. Matey]

Also: Nunc video PysDr se Catonem Seniorem esse credere

I thought @PsyDr was from Boston this entire time. I think it was the folksy bluntness of their posts and the psychoanalysis.

 

[ClinicalABA]

How far would you be from your families? That would be my main reason for hesitating to move to another country. But I also know that Ontario isn't that far from parts of the US.

My adult children would likely stay in our current home, which would be a 7.5 hour drive. They're great, but wife and i definitely ready to not livecwith them anymore. Most of my family is in Oregon, so we'd technically be closer (and closer to a major airport than we are now). Wife's family in DC area (but we rarely go to them) and Northern NH, so adds a bit of travel time. We'd be sure to have an extra bedroom for visitors!

 

[ClinicalABA]

I thought @PsyDr was from Boston this entire time. I think it was the folksy bluntness of their posts and the psychoanalysis.

He or she stinks of New York to me!

 

[Sanman]

He or she stinks of New York to me!

To know the true origins of @PsyDr , you must answer this riddle:

I am everyone, yet no-one, I can be anywhere or nowhere, when the lights go out I disappear and when I face myself we multiply. What am I?

 

[ClinicalABA]

To know the true origins of @PsyDr , you must answer this riddle:

I am everyone, yet no-one, I can be anywhere or nowhere, when the lights go out I disappear and when I face myself we multiply. What am I?

Mirror?

 

[LM02]

On the topic of the change in MA licensure requirements, previously requiring the postdoc - could you use the Wayback Machine and find old MA licensing board website materials that indicate the need for postdoctoral hours? I'm becoming more and more of a luddite by the day, in my own old age, but it crossed my mind that there has to be somewhere on the internet to back up the prior requirements? Another thought is whether you have the paperwork that you submitted for licensure, when you first applied, documenting completion of your postdoc hours?

 

[Sanman]

Mirror?

Close but no cigar. Perhaps you need to reflect on the question a bit longer. @PsyDr will remain a mystery wrapped in an enigma.

 

[PsyDr]

I appreciate the interest, but this thread is about celebrating @ClinicalABA 's accomplishments.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Close but no cigar. Perhaps you need to reflect on the question a bit longer. @PsyDr will remain a mystery wrapped in an enigma.

….wrapped in a vest.

 

[Sanman]

….wrapped in a vest.

 

[smalltownpsych]

Wait, that’s not fair, we get Jordan Peterson and they get you. Seriously though, congratulations on the new opportunity and can’t wait to hear about this next phase of your career. I have appreciated your perspectives and insights especially regarding the expertise you clearly have in your area of assessment and interventions of autism. One important question, are you still going to get to play with toys or is it going to be all boring old work?

 

[ClinicalABA]

Wait, that’s not fair, we get Jordan Peterson and they get you. Seriously though, congratulations on the new opportunity and can’t wait to hear about this next phase of your career. I have appreciated your perspectives and insights especially regarding the expertise you clearly have in your area of assessment and interventions of autism. One important question, are you still going to get to play with toys or is it going to be all boring old work?

Thanks! I'm guessing the internet and this forum still work in Canada, so you won't be rid of me!

I would not do a job where I don't get to blow bubbles, juggle, and play with toy trucks! I did boing, PITA admin stuff for the first 10-15 years of my career, so I have earned and will not give up the privilege of- largely- playing for a living! The new gig will likely involve a wider age range, and I'll have an opportunity to do non-ASD assessments, but the primary focus will still be younger children with ASD. I may actually get to spend more time playing and less time writing, which is cool.

 

[The Cinnabon]

I’m not sure if you’ve looked into this, but given your age, make sure that you and your wife wouldn’t be medically inadmissible to Canada. They made that more permissive a few years ago, but it’s still a hard no for a lot of meds/conditions. Good luck! 🙂 (as I sit here hoping my EU citizenship will be favorably adjudicated soon)

I need to quickly hijack this thread to complain about German citizenship by decent. The gist of it is that as long as you can prove your German ancestry is traceable and all direct lines occurred during wedlock, than it's fairly straightforward. The caveat that gets a lot of people is that from the 10 year rule, which stated that once every 10 years you'd need to reinstate your loyalty at a consulate keep your citizenship, which lasted from the 1870s until 1914. 1904 is the pivotal year as if your direct ancestor migrated in 1905 they would be completely unaffected by the 10 year rule and it becomes fairly straight forward. My family is of Prussian (polish) ancestry and family and my dad and I got excited as we knew they emigrated around the early 1900s so it was worth a shot to see if we could get the coveted German and, by extension, EU citizenship. Poles from Prussia were grandfathered into citizenship by descent, which is a historical fyi.

These motherf*****s left in November of 1903 which, obviously, means we are completely ineligible. I'm still not over this absolute buzzkill of a discovery.

 

[MAClinician]

@ClinicalABA I sent you a PM with a possible contact for the Board of Psychology in MA. No guarantee but hope you get what you need and good luck!

 

[ClinicalABA]

I need to quickly hijack this thread to complain about German citizenship by decent. The gist of it is that as long as you can prove your German ancestry is traceable and all direct lines occurred during wedlock, than it's fairly straightforward. The caveat that gets a lot of people is that from the 10 year rule, which stated that once every 10 years you'd need to reinstate your loyalty at a consulate keep your citizenship, which lasted from the 1870s until 1914. 1904 is the pivotal year as if your direct ancestor migrated in 1905 they would be completely unaffected by the 10 year rule and it becomes fairly straight forward. My family is of Prussian (polish) ancestry and family and my dad and I got excited as we knew they emigrated around the early 1900s so it was worth a shot to see if we could get the coveted German and, by extension, EU citizenship. Poles from Prussia were grandfathered into citizenship by descent, which is a historical fyi.

These motherf*****s left in November of 1903 which, obviously, means we are completely ineligible. I'm still not over this absolute buzzkill of a discovery.

Yeah- I looked into Polish citizenship. Typically not a problem if you have a grandparent from there. Problem is Poland wasn't an independent country (at least this version) until after WWI. Though Polish ethnically, linguistically, and culturally, they were born in and left Krakow before 1920, were never Polish citizens as they were from the country of Austria-Hungary.

 

[ClinicalABA]

I have left multiple messages today, via both phone and email, looking to get information about documentation from pre- and postdoc internship, as well as initial licensure application materials. For reference, did predoc in 1999-2000, postdoc 2000-2002, and initial licensure application in 2006. I contacted the following:
-ASPPB- to check on different options for submitting proof of pre- and postdoc for CPQ application
-MA Board of Psychologists (to see how to get original application materials sent to ASPPB
-Pre-doctoral internship director (who, fortunately for me, has returned to the agency where i did predoc after many years somewhere else)
-Current director where I did postdoc. Original supervisor retired and I can't find her, so looking to see who there currently could attest to my postdoc supervision from a quarter century ago!

I'm taking bets on who gets back to me first, if at all! Sidenote- the Ontario College of Psychology has replied quickly (usually the same day) to all emails

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I have left multiple messages today, via both phone and email, looking to get information about documentation from pre- and postdoc internship, as well as initial licensure application materials. For reference, did predoc in 1999-2000, postdoc 2000-2002, and initial licensure application in 2006. I contacted the following:
-ASPPB- to check on different options for submitting proof of pre- and postdoc for CPQ application
-MA Board of Psychologists (to see how to get original application materials sent to ASPPB
-Pre-doctoral internship director (who, fortunately for me, has returned to the agency where i did predoc after many years somewhere else)
-Current director where I did postdoc. Original supervisor retired and I can't find her, so looking to see who there currently could attest to my postdoc supervision from a quarter century ago!

I'm taking bets on who gets back to me first, if at all! Sidenote- the Ontario College of Psychology has replied quickly (usually the same day) to all emails

Here's my guess: 1) internship director, 2) postdoc directly, 3) ASPPB
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 4) MA Board of Psychologists, sometime before the turn of the next century

 

[ClinicalABA]

Here's my guess: 1) internship director, 2) postdoc directly, 3) ASPPB
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 4) MA Board of Psychologists, sometime before the turn of the next century

Results so far-
1. Internship director
Drum roll............
2. MA Board of Psychologists!

Fortunately, I returned to company where I did predoctoral internship after a year away and accrued sufficient supervised postdoc hours there, so his letter should be sufficient for my current needs as he can attest to both pre- and postdoc supervised experience. He also agreed to he.pmwith the additional requirement that a currently licensed psychologist attest that I have worked in a professional capacity as a psychologist for at least 5 years. I got lucky that he recently returned to the agency and remembers me (I did buy him a drink at a conference last year, though no quid pro quo anticipated or expected! Always be networking...).

My advice to all is to pursue some credentials banking (such as the CPQ) as soon as you're finished with everything, It's a risk to wait to track down supervisors. They leave the agency, programs close, and internships may function outside of standard operations or HR policies and procedures. Double the case for informal postdocs (like mine). Also, regulations change. MA regs required postdoc when I was licensed, but don't anymore. Boards from other states/provinces can't be expected to do research previous regulations when doing license criteria comparisons.

More advice- do a damn postdoc! Even if not a requirement where you're getting licensed, it's still a requirement in enough places that not doing so will limit the "portability" of your career. It can be an informal postdoc, done in the context of a real job. Just request/negotiate an hour a week meeting with a licensed psychologist for two years, and document the process.

I never anticipated making a big move (and from others' reactions, i was last person theyd expect to make such a cha ge). Hell, I still live in the same town where i did during undergrad and graduate school, 40 miles from where I grew up. I'm not a risk taker and have always prioritized stability. Now I find myself- for various personal and professional reasons- leaving the state and country! There's still a lot to take care of, but it would've sucked to have to tell my wife that this was the possible because of short cuts I took early in my career.

 

[MAClinician]

Glad the MA BOP returned your call/email…were they helpful at least? Lol

 

[ClinicalABA]

Glad the MA BOP returned your call/email…were they helpful at least? Lol

Sort of- told me that I have to do a public records request to get my initial licensure application materials sent to me. Things is, I didmsuchna request a month ago and haven't heard anything, despite the legal requirement to respond in 10 business days. Also, I asked about how to get the records sent directly to ASPPB directly. Fortunately I have other options for this step.

 

[quickpsych]

Other night was talking to my partner about possibly reconsidering moving to Toronto, Canada as well so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Wishing you good luck in your process and your move, sounds like a lot but also sounds exciting.

 

[ClinicalABA]

Other night was talking to my partner about possibly reconsidering moving to Toronto, Canada as well so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Wishing you good luck in your process and your move, sounds like a lot but also sounds exciting.

If you haven't gotten the CPQ yet, do it now. It'll make the licensure process much easier/faster.

 

[quickpsych]

If you haven't gotten the CPQ yet, do it now. It'll make the licensure process much easier/faster.

Thank you for the heads up, had never heard of this but now see where I'm licensed participates in it as well so great info!

EDIT: Unfortunately I see that you need at least 5 years post licensure experience to get the CPQ, but at least now I know and can use the credentialing bank feature for ease of documentation.

 

[ClinicalABA]

Some Updates- I have heard back from everyone except one of my post-doc settings. That was a voicemail with the current director, so I'll probably try with HR. My supervisor from early 2000's has since retired, and I can't find contact information for her. ASPPB (for the CPQ application) will accept verification from person currently responsible at program, and if that isn't possible they will review my initial licensure application materials. I was able to get those materials through a public records request. ASPPB will only accept them directly from state, so I may have to template out an email request for them to submit to the state.

In the meantime, I have both spoken with and received several email responses from the Ontario Board of Psychologists and Behavior Analysts. My application to them is complete (they don't require the CPQ, but I'm going to goa ahead and get it anyways, just in case I need credential banking for portability in the future). They are just waiting for licensure and good standing verification from MA and CT (where I am also licensed). Interestingly, MA only sends this via email and charges 15 bucks. CT only does this via snail mail, but it's free. Once received, they can verify my credentials and provide me a document to use to obtain my work permit. At that point the Ontario College will hopefully grant me certification for Independent Autonomous Practice, which will allow me to work while I complete the steps for full independent licensure (e.g., jurisprudence exam and- I think- an oral exam?). I made need to also take an English proficiency examination. I did the Ontario Jurisprudence practice questions, and got them all correct. Turns out stealing from or hooking up with your clients is also frowned upon in Ontario!

Costs so far-
CPQ application- $200 USD
Ontario Interim Certification Application Fee- $100 CDN
Official Transcripts from University sent to ASPPB and Ontario College- $7.00 USD for both

Driving up to Toronto/Mississauga next week with my wife to see practice in person and meet some of the pediatricians, as well as scope out potential apartment building. Looking to try a high rise in city center Mississauga for the first year. That'll be something very new for us, as we've always been country folk. I took my online Canadian Beer League hockey placement exam last week (scored a 51, meaning I have played organized hockey before and can transition smoothly from skating forward to skating backwards, but can't really crossover on both sides going backwards).

 

[PsyDr]

1) You should look into getting a US based PO Box, with a physical address, such as those found at UPS stores. That could be used to get things shipped to the US, in the event that something is cheaper.
2) It might be worthwhile to get an AMEX platinum card, which will cover the expense of getting a NEXUS pass and your Global Entry pass.
3) You might also consider getting a Costco membership in the USA, for some minor exchange related savings.

 

[ClinicalABA]

1) You should look into getting a US based PO Box, with a physical address, such as those found at UPS stores. That could be used to get things shipped to the US, in the event that something is cheaper.
2) It might be worthwhile to get an AMEX platinum card, which will cover the expense of getting a NEXUS pass and your Global Entry pass.
3) You might also consider getting a Costco membership in the USA, for some minor exchange related savings.

Thanks. We are keeping house in US for now, so that takes care of #1. Already have a US Costco Membership, so that's #3. Probably makes a lot of sense to get the Nexus/Global Entry pass.

 

[ClinicalABA]

Update: Spent last 5 days up in Canada. Met with practice owner in person, toured some of the clinics, etc. All that checks out. Wife and I viewed several potential apartments. There is SOOOO much new development in the area we want to live (City Center Mississauga), that finding a place will not be a problem. I am a little bit phobic of heights, so it will take some getting used to hanging out on the balcony of a 52nd floor apartment, but the views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline will quickly make up for that.

Next steps:
-Final negotiations and signing of the contract. Nothing major there. Want to add negotiate some language about future development of any ABA treatment programs, with a different reimbursement model than the psych assessment stuff.
-Waiting to hear from the Ontario College of Psychologists about credentials verification (damn Connecticut still snail mails stuff, so that's the last remaining hurdle as far a completing the application). Pretty sure I will be all set there, but I will continue to pursue the CPQ just in case.
-Submitting application for registration as a behavior analyst in Ontario. It's the same college (i.e. board) of registration as psychology, and they only allow one open application at a time. Interestingly, the Ontario law about ABA registration does not limit practice of ABA, but rather what you can call yourself (e.g., I couldn't refer to myself as a BCBA unless registered, but could still do and charge for ABA)
-Work with the immigration attorney regarding the work permit. Probably could be done without using an attorney, but I got to much other stuff to worry about.
-Speak with an accountant up there about incorporating my own business. Being paid directly to my own business and keeping the money in the business (including business related purchases and expenses), and then paying myself a salary as need from the business account offers some very nice tax incentives. Like the difference between 35% and 11% on some "earnings".
-Compile a list of testing needs, including test kits, office furniture and decorations, etc. It's 4 different offices, so I'm going to figure out tests that need multiple copies (I don't want to lug around a full ADOS kit) vs. just one copy to begin with (All the Bayley-4 stuff fits in one suitcase, so that can just stay in the car
-Figure out health care for myself and wife. It's very different up there, to say the least. Literally a walk in clinic on every corner in the city. Lots of just paying for stuff as you need it. You have a simple simple infection or sore throat? Pay $40 to walk in clinic (similar to my copay, which I pay $1000/month for the privilege of getting to pay), and get an eval and a script.
-Figure out what to do about things like my house here in the US, vehicles, etc.
-Develop a transition plan for financially weaning my adult children

 

[ClinicalABA]

FYI- there have definitely been effects of tariffs, most noticeable during this trip in access to american alcohol. Every bar was either out of Bourbon or down to their last bottle and not planning on ordering more.

Canadians also not traveling to US for vacation like they used to. My prospective employer travelled to US last October and wait at customs in Toronto to exit was 45 minutes. He traveled last week, and there was no wait at all, with no other Canadians traveling at that time. I used to be able to get a direct Air Canada flight from Hartford to Toronto, but now routes to smaller airports are cancelled, and I'd have to fly direct from Boston (2 hour drive for me) or from Hartford connecting through Dulles or Atlanta. It basically took the same or less time to drive (7 hours) than to fly.

I was on annual camping trip to Maine in June. The campground is usually 30-50% Quebecois, with another 10-20% Ontario and Maritimes. In two weeks I was there, saw only one or two cars from Quebec in the campground, and none from other provinces. In talking to Canadians last week, general consensus was all the tariff stuff and talk of "51st state" is childish/stupid, and they would not be spending their money in the states. Elections and political stunts have consequences, intended or not.