Moving to Canada

Considering moving from the USA to Canada? You're not alone, the number of American citizens immigrating to Canada has been on the rise in recent years. Known for its breath-taking natural beauty, diverse culture, and warm people, it has become an obvious choice for many Americans when considering where to move, outside of the US.

Cost of Living

Cost of living is one of the biggest factors to consider when comparing places to live. The average cost of living is generally higher in the United States compared to Canada. Comparable Canadian cities in terms of size and population tend to be significantly cheaper to live in than their American counterparts. While it can vary greatly depending on the type of area you live in, the cost of living is 13% lower in Canada than in the United States. On a worldwide scale, the United States is ranked as the 6th most expensive country in the world compared to Canada in 14th place. Overall, Canada is more affordable than the US, but the US has a higher median income.

Housing Costs

Housing costs are one of the primary things to consider when looking at cost of living. This again depends on where you live and which type of area, but on average, rent is 29.6% higher in the US compared to Canada. Rent in a major Canadian city is likely to be much cheaper than in comparable cities in the US. Now, if you are looking at the housing market, on average, a home in Canada is 40% more expensive than in the US. This has a lot to do with the market in Canada because rent in Canada is much cheaper than that in the US. The building regulations in Canada are far stricter than in most places in the United States. More burdensome regulations mean fewer homes get built per year. Regulation can also slow down the building process and lead to higher costs during construction. All those things add up to higher prices overall.

Transportation

Transportation is another major factor to consider regarding the cost of living, and in general, public transportation is more affordable and easier to access in Canada compared to the US. In January 2022 an average of just 1% of Americans used public transportation compared to 2% of Canadians in the same month. Generally, public transportation is a relatively uncommon method of commuting in the US which contributes to transportation costs. The bus is the most common form of urban transportation in Canada. Some cities have other modes of public transit. In most cases, you can easily transfer from one mode of transportation to another. Toronto has a light-rail service. Toronto and Montreal both have good subway systems as well as passenger trains, considered the best in the country. If you are looking to travel to Vancouver, they also have a train system, called the Skytrain. Overall, transportation within Canada is relatively simple and easy to navigate, even without a vehicle.

Healthcare

Healthcare is another essential factor to consider when deciding why to move to Canada from the USA. Both countries are ranked relatively high in international surveys of healthcare quality according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Both countries are relatively wealthy compared to much of the world, with long life expectancy. But Canadian life expectancy is slightly higher. In Canada, the health care system is funded by income, sales and corporate taxes that, combined, are much lower than what Americans pay in premiums.

Canada has a universal health care system funded through taxes. This means that any Canadian citizen or permanent resident can apply for public health insurance. Each province and territory has a different health plan that covers different services and products.

Due to Canada's universal health care, overall healthcare is considerably cheaper than in the US. Though it's difficult to make a direct comparison as Canadian healthcare is covered by taxes, the average American spends $12,500 (CAD $16,311) a year on healthcare.

Education Opportunities

Canada is the most educated country in the world! With about 56% of the population having attended some form of post-secondary studies, it's no surprise they are a leader in education. With a wide variety of programs and a high quality of teaching, both countries have a lot to offer in terms of education. However, when it comes to cost, a Canadian education will cost you significantly less than an American one. The cost of higher education is approximately $33,215 in the US compared to $23,300 in Canada. This means that on average, education costs roughly one-third less in Canada than in the US. One in five students in the US have student loans after graduation and can owe tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. Lower education costs give more students access to educational opportunities that may not have been possible otherwise.

Safety

Canada typically ranks higher for quality of life and safety than the USA. U.S. News's 2021 Best Countries Report gave Canada a score of 96.7 out of 100 for safety; on the same scale, the United States scored just 10.8. When comparing homicide rates per 100,000 people, the USA is about 400% higher than Canada. Canada's safety provides peace of mind to prospective newcomers that's not necessarily offered in the USA.

Culture & Natural Beauty

Both countries have similar appeal and enticing attractions to offer. When it comes to culture and natural beauty, Canada has something for everyone! Canada has the largest total land area dedicated to national parks. While the US boasts 62 national parks at 210,000 km2, Canada has 47 national parks at 377,000 km2. If you are a nature lover, then you can't miss the 22,000+ hiking trails across Canada.

Similar to the US, each area of Canada has its own unique culture and appeal. One province of note is Quebec with a unique francophone history and culture. Home to Canada's second-largest city, Montreal is a popular tourist destination for Canadians and Americans alike. Quebec is also a popular destination to learn French. As of 2021, there are over 6.5 million French speakers living in Quebec and that number is growing. It's no wonder why many are making the move to Canada from the USA!

Canada - one of the top immigrated countries in the world

With so much to offer it's no surprise that Canada is one of the top countries in the world when it comes to immigration. With immigration in high demand, Canada has created several pathways to give opportunities to individuals of various backgrounds and profiles. Over the next three years, Canada plans to admit over 1.3 million newcomers.

How you can immigrate to Canada, how to protect yourself from fraud and what to expect after you arrive in Canada?

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