Well, some people do get a decent job elsewhere and regardless of other issues will thrive there. But to go to the US cold? Without anything lined up? Not a good idea for quite some time, unfortunately. Unless you've got megatalent! 
The American dream?
I just had a discussion at work today with some co workers about Canadians moving to America.
It seems that back in the 80's, 90's and early 2000, every Canadian dreamed of getting a good education and moving down south to California, New York or Florida and make more money than they would in Canada.
With the current economic situation as it is today in North America, are any Canadians still interested in moving to the states to pursue their goals and make lots of money?
When I was a lot younger I always wanted to move down south to Florida and enjoy the all year round warm weather while making good money. Nowadays I seem content to stay in Canada and simply vacation down south.
It seems that back in the 80's, 90's and early 2000, every Canadian dreamed of getting a good education and moving down south to California, New York or Florida and make more money than they would in Canada.
With the current economic situation as it is today in North America, are any Canadians still interested in moving to the states to pursue their goals and make lots of money?
When I was a lot younger I always wanted to move down south to Florida and enjoy the all year round warm weather while making good money. Nowadays I seem content to stay in Canada and simply vacation down south.
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You are right, Diesel, and it is something I had not really thought about before. When I was young, there was quite a push for people to move to the US. They had a "lottery" of handing out greencards one year, and everyone seemed to be applying for the few that would be chosen. I can't really recall offhand the last time I heard of anyone who moved to the States, or was even thinking about it.
I have a job interview lined up at Bank of America in NYC... I'm not sure if I'm going to go for it, but it'd be nice to live in the Big Apple for a few years - it's my all time favourite city!
Oddly enough, my interviews are either for banks in the States, or government agencies in Ottawa... Toronto's banks don't seem to like me! The Department of National Defence has offered me a pretty cool job too.
Oddly enough, my interviews are either for banks in the States, or government agencies in Ottawa... Toronto's banks don't seem to like me! The Department of National Defence has offered me a pretty cool job too.
There's historically been a US pull rooted in perceived economic opportunity and fueled by myth. Canada offered those things, but the payoff was always limited by the small domestic market. It's no wonder that the lure of the US persisted as long as it did.
What's changed? US economic decline and Canadian economic ascension is the obvious reason, but there's more to it than that. Canada has only recently come into its own as a confident assertive nation. We're better recognizing our achievements as a nation, the benefits of citizenship, the beauty of the Charter, and our promising future.
Canadians don't look over their shoulder any more or see greener pastures elsewhere. The green pasture is here.
What's changed? US economic decline and Canadian economic ascension is the obvious reason, but there's more to it than that. Canada has only recently come into its own as a confident assertive nation. We're better recognizing our achievements as a nation, the benefits of citizenship, the beauty of the Charter, and our promising future.
Canadians don't look over their shoulder any more or see greener pastures elsewhere. The green pasture is here.
A girl I work with immigrated here from South America, and invariably American tourists will be perplexed and ask her: "Why would you move here instead of the US?" as if she had inexplicably chosen to move to a Third World Country when she could just as well have moved to Miami. It bugs her but she shrugs it off and handles it in a very gracious manner.
I'd go for it. Good luck! If anything, having the experience with an organization of that size in NYC will impress your future employers when you return to Canada. No more cold shoulders. BoA is looking for 1 million sq. ft. in Manhattan right now so it doesn't surprise me that they are seeking some good talent.I have a job interview lined up at Bank of America in NYC... I'm not sure if I'm going to go for it, but it'd be nice to live in the Big Apple for a few years - it's my all time favourite city!
Oddly enough, my interviews are either for banks in the States, or government agencies in Ottawa... Toronto's banks don't seem to like me! The Department of National Defence has offered me a pretty cool job too.
I was offered a Job at Sony Pictues just befor their market cashed. Glad it happened befor I moved down there.
In the 80's and 90's the dollar was worth 60 cents US and taxes in Canada were much higher backed up by cheaper housing and consumer goods. There was a REAL economic excuse for leaving for the states back then.
Now Canadians enjoy lower taxes, comparable house prices {except BC} and consumer product prices with a dollar at near par.
Also that was time before Bush and 9/11 which has completely polarized American politics and society. The US now has a true unemployment rate of 18%, falling real wages, rising poverty, and a dollar that has lost between 30% to 50% of it's value against most major currencies in the last decade.
The US gov't debt is already huge and is spiraling out of control already having hit 100% of GDP for combined fed/state/local debt.
All these reasons aside there is just a general malaise in the US. Americans are coming to the realization that their country is adrift and it's best days are behind her. An Iraq war that it didn't win, was a lie to begin with, and cost the US economy literally trillions and only resulted in dead American soldiers and Iraqi citizens. Now in another war, and most waiting for the near certain show down with Iran.
Americans, probably for the first time since the civil war, are looking scared for their future.
As Canadians use to view the US in the 80s and 90s as a Golden Eagle they now see it increasing as an albatross.
Now Canadians enjoy lower taxes, comparable house prices {except BC} and consumer product prices with a dollar at near par.
Also that was time before Bush and 9/11 which has completely polarized American politics and society. The US now has a true unemployment rate of 18%, falling real wages, rising poverty, and a dollar that has lost between 30% to 50% of it's value against most major currencies in the last decade.
The US gov't debt is already huge and is spiraling out of control already having hit 100% of GDP for combined fed/state/local debt.
All these reasons aside there is just a general malaise in the US. Americans are coming to the realization that their country is adrift and it's best days are behind her. An Iraq war that it didn't win, was a lie to begin with, and cost the US economy literally trillions and only resulted in dead American soldiers and Iraqi citizens. Now in another war, and most waiting for the near certain show down with Iran.
Americans, probably for the first time since the civil war, are looking scared for their future.
As Canadians use to view the US in the 80s and 90s as a Golden Eagle they now see it increasing as an albatross.
My problem in Toronto is I am getting outshone by Asian graduates who can crunch numbers 1000x more efficiently than me; however my talent goes beyond crunching numbers effectively, and into creativity and a strong sense of leadership - which is what American banks seem to be looking for.I'd go for it. Good luck! If anything, having the experience with an organization of that size in NYC will impress your future employers when you return to Canada. No more cold shoulders. BoA is looking for 1 million sq. ft. in Manhattan right now so it doesn't surprise me that they are seeking some good talent.
I do many things well, but I don't do anything excellent; I guess that's my weakness, I have no idea what I'm good at.. One thing I know I'm not good at is being a human computer crunching numbers all day with the personality of a teacup. Thankfully, the Americans notice this - Canadians, not so much. Interesting to note is as you go higher and higher in Canadian banks, the amount of these human computers diminishes exponentially. They never move up because they don't have the necessary qualities to be leaders. Good for my future I guess?
I'm guessing the competition in NYC is going to be pretty tough, too. If you get an "in" I think you would be wise to grab it.
Sounds like you could be valuable to many organizations. The competition in NY is intense but regardless of that, a positive attitude will always shine through. Always focus on what you can do for your new employer and never discuss any negative experiences you've had elsewhere.My problem in Toronto is I am getting outshone by Asian graduates who can crunch numbers 1000x more efficiently than me; however my talent goes beyond crunching numbers effectively, and into creativity and a strong sense of leadership - which is what American banks seem to be looking for.
I do many things well, but I don't do anything excellent; I guess that's my weakness, I have no idea what I'm good at.. One thing I know I'm not good at is being a human computer crunching numbers all day with the personality of a teacup. Thankfully, the Americans notice this - Canadians, not so much. Interesting to note is as you go higher and higher in Canadian banks, the amount of these human computers diminishes exponentially. They never move up because they don't have the necessary qualities to be leaders. Good for my future I guess?
A girl I work with immigrated here from South America, and invariably American tourists will be perplexed and ask her: "Why would you move here instead of the US?"
I think it's drilled into the head's of many Americans that their country is the promised land, and by extension, every other destination must be 'Option B'. The reality is that people choose to move here as did my family. Canada was never our 'Option B'.
Then there are people who view bigger as better, and ignore everything else. I suppose one day those people will look at China as the benchmark from which all others be judged? :weird:
I used to occasionally ask immigrants why they chose Canada out of curiosity. "Everyone is moving here", was the common response. What's important is that our self doubt is no longer there. Most Canadians these days know instinctually why the world's people are arriving on our doorstep. It's the idea of the 'Canadian Dream' that is being seeded and propagated.
As a US Citizen I will say that you are right on the mark with that comment. Granted most of the people who have that attitude probably never left the US to begin with so their entire world view is skewed.I think it's drilled into the head's of many Americans that their country is the promised land, and by extension, every other destination must be 'Option B'. The reality is that people choose to move here as did my family. Canada was never our 'Option B'.
Then there are people who view bigger as better, and ignore everything else. I suppose one day those people will look at China as the benchmark from which all others be judged? :weird:
Actually it's never crossed my mind. :cheers:
American arrogance bad.I think it's drilled into the head's of many Americans that their country is the promised land, and by extension, every other destination must be 'Option B'...
...What's important is that our self doubt is no longer there. Most Canadians these days know instinctually why the world's people are arriving on our doorstep. It's the idea of the 'Canadian Dream' that is being seeded and propagated.
Canadian arrogance good.
It's not so much the American dream we were after, lets face it most people in Canada live the same as they do in the US. I twas the American dollar we were after. Now we make more then them on average. The only American dream I have now is getting electronics and other items at the same prices.
^^Hard to emulate the US when you only have a 1/10 the population.
I wouldn't say we TRY to be like the US. But so much American media makes it's way north of the border that it's hard to avoid. I mean, the two countries have been bed-buddies for a hundred freakin' years. Obviously some aspects of our culture will become transfused.
But look at these idiots. I'm sure they hardly know their own country enough, let alone what Canada is like. I did LOL though. I actually checked the related finds, and there's a video of California on America. To be fair, they didn't know anything about their own country either haha.
I wouldn't say we TRY to be like the US. But so much American media makes it's way north of the border that it's hard to avoid. I mean, the two countries have been bed-buddies for a hundred freakin' years. Obviously some aspects of our culture will become transfused.
But look at these idiots. I'm sure they hardly know their own country enough, let alone what Canada is like. I did LOL though. I actually checked the related finds, and there's a video of California on America. To be fair, they didn't know anything about their own country either haha.
no offense (I know you all hate being compared to the U.S.), but I can't imagine the "American Dream" being anything different than ideal life in Canada. Practically the same lifestyle if you ask me, both with diverse populations. It's just that one has more people than the other.
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