Perhaps its really time for a HUGE change

Ive been reading in a few threads about the min wage, and in another thread about someone living on welfare better than they did working full time. Ive seen a few people post about other countries and how much they make, insurance, time off, etc. And it got me thinking, first, I was really not in agreement with raising the min wage, however, after seeing a post about Canada and the average yearly salary up there, and seeing that the full time workers up there make over $17 an hour at a min, it got me thinking that maybe it can and should be higher. But I also got to thinking about relocating. Am I nuts?

Im a single full time dad, and with no credit cards or car payments I scrape by. Literally, I maybe have an extra 30-40 each month if Im lucky( Ive been thrilled with the gas prices dropping). I have no heath care (cant afford it and dont qualify for any subsidies), I have 3 sick day a year and 5 days of vacation.

Canada? Its crossing my mind, better pay, and health insurance. Somewhere else? Im really starting to think that the good ole' USA is not a place I will be able to ever retire.

I know I will get the "work two jobs" posters here replying, but as a single parent thats next to impossible. I cant work nights, who will watch my son? Weekends? I would like to see him sometimes, and again, who will watch him? How much will it cost?

Anyone else thinking of relocating?

a reply to: coop039

If you cringe everytime you have to pay the taxman, you may not like it up here.

That and -35 celsius temps for 5-7 months out of the year tend to scare people away.

And FYI: the cheapest places to live in Canada are the places that see -35 celsius temps for 7 months out of the year... for that very reason.

Have you taken into account taxes and the cost of living in Canada? If it is high then that wage they are making would not make a big difference. Maybe you should get training for a job that pays more than what you are making now?

Sal
a reply to: coop039

I would gladly pay higher taxes to have insurance and some sort of benefits. Insurance here for my son and I is over 500 a month, and thats for a low end plan with high deductible.
What is the tax rate up there?

originally posted by: SallieSunshine
Have you taken into account taxes and the cost of living in Canada? If it is high then that wage they are making would not make a big difference. Maybe you should get training for a job that pays more than what you are making now?

Sal
a reply to: coop039

Cost of living is a valid point.
As far as training, I could go to night school, dont know how I would pay for it. And again, I would need to pay someone to watch my son.

a reply to: coop039

Taxes range anywhere from 20-60% depending on your income level.

ie: At $17/hour, you're looking at a 30% tax bracket (off of your paycheque).

There is also a harmonized tax rate (PST/GST) of 15% at the cash register whenever you buy something.



Cost of living depends on where you live.

In a city like Toronto, you're looking at paying $1200/month rent for a basic tiny bachelor apartment.... Meanwhile in no-man's land Saskatchewan, you can buy a house for under $50,000 in the rural areas (which results in a monthly mortgage payment of about $300/month based on current interest rates).

Fulltime daycare will run you about $800/month... unless you fall under a certain income level, then the government steps in and subsidizes your daycare costs reducing your payment to anywhere from $200-500/month - again depending on income level.

Post-secondary schooling up here is about 1/3 of what it costs in the US, so working fulltime and paying your way through night school (without having to borrow monies) is a viable option.


You'd have to do your homework with regards to cheapest places to live, job opportunities, schooling options, etc.


But believe it or not, the hardest aspect is trying to become a Canadian citizen. The process can take anywhere from 5-20 years unless you have someone in-country to sponsor you. It's much easier to immigrate into the US than it is here.

I know of one married couple (her Mexican, him Canadian) who have no choice but to live in the US for the past 5 years because she still can't get into Canada even though she's married to one.

a reply to: coop039

The fact is, most of the western world has a far higher standard of living than america.

Once it all became about greed the american dream went with it.

Now people are unashamed and openly proud of paying their workers too little to live on, so they can have a 3rd home and a second yacht.

Just wait you will learn likely see them here sooner or later.

They refuse to address the facts.

My grandfather had a 6th grade education, yet helped build apollo astronauts equipment.

These days no matter how smart you are in any field, you cant get a job without taking on crushing debt for unneeded education.

There a very few jobs that would actually require years of education.

Try getting one without it though.

It is all a scam, all upper echelons of society perpetrate on the masses in this country, in order to keep the masses poor.

I don't want minimum wage increased to $15 an hour because as a college-educated professional I don't want to be making the same as a punk flipping burgers (I work in IT and yes I make that much). An across the board increase of $10 an hour for all jobs in the U.S. would be very welcome however. But I don't think they would be able to do that. And before someone chimes in and says that if they raise minimum wage then better jobs will get a pay raise too - no they won't. I make peanuts an hour right now because the base salary of my position hasn't increased in decades. Back in the 80's it was a great job and paid a lot, but inflation and constant minimum wage increases has pushed it to the point where I'm barely better off than working at McDonald's.

a reply to: peskyhumans

If you're college educated and only making $15/hour working in IT, then the problem isn't the raising of minimum wage... the problem is you're being way underpaid for your profession.

In Canada, the average IT specialist makes anywhere from $40-60,000 a year.

$15 per hour is what a cashier at Safeway makes.

Apparently teachers down there also only make roughly $25 - 35,000 per year ?! That's fricken pathetic.

This might explain why there are so many Americans living in sub-par conditions... you guys aren't making the proper wages according to your professions and academic achievements.

a reply to: coop039

As a single male in America there is no reason for you to not move. Cost of living is so much cheaper...even in some english speaking countries like Belize.

Its not even that...America is the next great nation to fall in my opinion...this doesn't mean everyone dies or anything it just means its gonna collapse economically and really have a rough patch. This is just my opinion. When Cuba loses electricity for a few days no one cares...its just another month in Cuba...when the usa loses electricity for a few days...people kill each other over resources. The bigger they are the harder they fall.

If you have money saved or a home...id sell it and move somewhere where the cost of living is dirt cheap and you can find some work...if you are business savfy you are golden...if you have a trade skill that is very unique you are golden in some places. Anything with computers and computer programming or enginering you are absolutely golden in lesser developed countries. And if all else fails you can teach english for 20 hours a week and live off your savings from all the crap you just sold and left behind.

If you downsize your life just a little and look around your jaw will drop at how low prices are. In fact I bet within 10 minutes you can find a hotel in Thailand on the beach for 5 dollars a night w/o hot water. That would be 150 dollars a month for room and electricty and a cleaning service and you live on a freaking beach lol. The food there is cheap as heck too...cheaper to eat out then cook at times.

a reply to: coop039

You won't escape.

a reply to: coop039

Have You thought about moving south? I was retired in 2004 in Ca. and knowing that I didn't want to continue working I moved to Flori-Duh, where the dollar gets stretched out..

www.avantecenters.com They have jobs open in Fl. N.C. and Va. If You get down to Fl. I'll make You a deal on My country club house

Do research, deep research, and then go for it. Where ever. You are looking at penalties for not being insured, and they will come out of your taxes, when you file. This year will not be to bad, but next year will hurt. You have some time. Be sure you look into immigration where ever looks good to you, as Cranial said. Look into social problems too. Several places that might have been ideal a few years ago, now have problems do to immigrants pushing for rights etc,like in Denmark.

a reply to: JimNasium

Florida is nice. The heat cooks your brain but in a good way. No one down here moves real quick and they call me damned Yankee because I stayed. I joke with the natives but they are good people. They dish out as much as they get. There's cesspools in every state. I'm glad here in Dunnellon, it's laid back and in the middle of nowhere. There are springs close that are great.

a reply to: coop039

I think you'd be shocked at the gas and food and rental/mortgage costs. Anyone?

a reply to: mysterioustranger

Depends on what you will settle for. If you want the best of everything, you are going to pay top dollar. Live within your means. I bought 2 and half acres and improved it myself. It was half the price. It also gets me outside doing building.

a reply to: LOSTinAMERICA

Certainly...but could you do that again in Canada? Do you know what just gas costs? I think with the different wage and the increased prices...it would be mush the same as just staying here.

Ask some of our Canadian friends here to clarify..or not..if I am correct about prices and cost of living. Even with a higher wage....

a reply to: mysterioustranger

We have higher prices for some things and lower prices for others.

For example:

- You can go to school here, get a 4 year university education and not owe your first born in student loans.

- After you get that education, you have a good chance of actually landing a job in your field, with a fair starting salary based on your academic credentials.

- You can have a heart attack in Canada and not have to sell your first born to pay the medical bill... because there isn't one.

- You can buy a house for $50,000 in a small town/rural area or you can buy a house for $550,000 in a big metro city, the choice is yours.

- The "ghetto" areas in Canadian cities are what would be considered a "middle class" area in the USA.

- You will have to pay an arm and a leg for a tank of gas ($4 a gallon), but the universal health care will provide you with new limbs, free of charge.

a reply to: LOSTinAMERICA


I go bass fishing up in Dunnellon, up and down the Withlacoochee River and the Rainbow River, the Rainbow is still clear enough to see the bottom. It is better in the Summer when the rest of the waters are 90º the Rainbow will be 74º.. The Withlacoochee gets twisty up by Rousseau but always a fun ride..

It's nice to see the Blue Gator full every time I'm up by there, there is supposed to be a good BBQ joint across the street from the fish mart, I've never been..

I'm in 34450

a reply to: coop039

I'm retired and thinking of leaving. But I want to go where it is warm. A latin American country is the ticket for me. I need a place where my money will go further so I don't have to scrape every penny or peso. any suggestions people? I'm still open for them.