Moving from Canada to the US

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TylerL

TylerL

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Feb 27, 2007
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I'm looking into moving to the states in the near future. Trying to get somewhere warm that's closer to things I'm interested in. The more I try to research what it takes to make the move, the more I find useless information about people wanted to move in with their boyfriend and needing a fiance visa.

Anyone have a good idea of what's involved in moving from Canada to the states?

Also anyone living in SanFran area (or any other south-ish western coastline area), what's living there like? Prices around here are kind of shitty because of a way over-inflated housing market and way too many people renting apartments (decent 1 bedroom = ~$1000-1200, groceries for one person could be up to $100 a week).

thanks
 


Cost of living is dirt cheap in the midwest. I share a 1,200 square foot duplex apartment with one roommate, and I can pay my rent, bills, gym membership, feed myself, and gas up my car for around $500-$600/month.

The downside of that is there is nothing to do in the midwest.
 
TylerL said:
I'm looking into moving to the states in the near future. Trying to get somewhere warm that's closer to things I'm interested in. The more I try to research what it takes to make the move, the more I find useless information about people wanted to move in with their boyfriend and needing a fiance visa.

Anyone have a good idea of what's involved in moving from Canada to the states?

Also anyone living in SanFran area (or any other south-ish western coastline area), what's living there like? Prices around here are kind of shitty because of a way over-inflated housing market and way too many people renting apartments (decent 1 bedroom = ~$1000-1200, groceries for one person could be up to $100 a week).

thanks
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I used to live in Canada (45 minutes east of Vancouver, BC) and moved to LA area about 5 years ago. Groceries are similar in price, rent is probably going to be more than $1,000 to $1,200 depending where you want to live (if coast-line). Cell phones are a lot cheaper. Taxes are less.
 
If you want to do it legally either a) get hired by a company to work there or b) start a company in Canada and then set up a satellite office in the US. You could then get a visa to oversee the operation.

if you don't plan to work for anyone, I believe you can go for 6 months and then come back but i heard they are stopping that or making it more difficult. Just don't bring all your shit with you when crossing the border. If they think you're going there to live, they'll send you right back.

if you plan on going back and forth, do it right.
 
SanFran is a great city but it's one of the most expensive cities on the west coast to live in. The average 1-bed in the city averages close to $2,000/month.

You mentioned moving somewhere warm, well you might want to head to southern Cal then... San Diego is really nice year round.
 
alexb said:
The downside of that is there is nothing to do in the midwest.
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Ah! but is it really a downside? I live in a small country town aswell, absolutely fuck all to do here.

Nothing to spend my money on = big bank account.
 
Come to Ohio , particularly Columbus area (Where I live)

For about $1,500 a month , I can get you into a 4000+ square foot home :)

Never the less , do some research on the city you move to , there are lots of things to do in the midwest , you just have to know where they are. It's not like a large city on the east/west coast where you can walk anywhere at night and find a party - you have to plan a little.

I know in my area ,we have a pretty awesome arena district, billions have been put into it for stadiums , bars , ect.
 
InternetAuthor said:
Try Austin down here in Texas - much less expensive than anything on the West coast, and is a huge tech center and known for having plenty to do.

As far as the specifics about moving, I'd imagine the government has some information on visas and such. Try: USCIS Home Page
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I second this suggestion. I'm strongly considering moving down for the summer (bad time, I know) after my trip to SXSW.

Thankfully, Austin is nothing like the rest of Texas. Very liberal, music, sun, and sexy southern girls. The best part is that apartments are cheap as fuck.
 
TylerL said:
I'm looking into moving to the states in the near future. Trying to get somewhere warm that's closer to things I'm interested in. The more I try to research what it takes to make the move, the more I find useless information about people wanted to move in with their boyfriend and needing a fiance visa.

Anyone have a good idea of what's involved in moving from Canada to the states?

Also anyone living in SanFran area (or any other south-ish western coastline area), what's living there like? Prices around here are kind of shitty because of a way over-inflated housing market and way too many people renting apartments (decent 1 bedroom = ~$1000-1200, groceries for one person could be up to $100 a week).

thanks
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I live near San Fran (30 minutes).

It's nice but prices are pretty darn expensive for real estate and the like... specially the closer to San Fran You get (with the exception of Oakland but... ...).

The east bay is nice because the temperature is a bit warmer (San Fran get's a little colder) and if you go about an hour away from San Fran the prices of houses are really affordable - 200-350k for a new home.

Right now, a fixer uper costs about $450-500k around 30 mins in the east bay and $500-650+ for a fixer uper around 15-20 minutes away from San Fran.

I have found a brand new home I'm trying to get that's 30-35 mins away and is like 550k.

Rent in the same locations are anywhere from 1500-2500 / month.

Lastly, if you're more of a "I want to be on the beach all the time" type person, the better solution for you is Southern California such as San Diego.
 
pfgannon said:
I second this suggestion. I'm strongly considering moving down for the summer (bad time, I know) after my trip to SXSW.

Thankfully, Austin is nothing like the rest of Texas. Very liberal, music, sun, and sexy southern girls. The best part is that apartments are cheap as fuck.
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I've been thinking about Texas lately too. I'm in Atlanta right now and its okay but...meh.

I have to stay in the South. I travel to the North a bit but always miss the South. Northerners eat shit for food, I swear.

At any rate, I've heard great things about Austin as well. If you do happen to move there, give me a report.
 
Housing prices have dropped like a brick in certain Southern California areas, such as Riverside and San Bernardino counties, as well as the Antelope Valley area of northern Los Angeles county. Check out Lancaster and Palmdale for inexpensive desert rentals. The further you get toward the western beaches of Malibu and Santa Monica the more expensive it gets.

As for Texas and desert living, how much heat can you take? Comfort is an aspect of your standard of living, and should be considered.
 
As for Texas and desert living, how much heat can you take? Comfort is an aspect of your standard of living, and should be considered.
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Where I live right now, temperatures get up to 20-25 celsius on average in the hottest days of summer, and can get down to -35 or -40 celsius (for those who don't know, -35 celsius is -31 Fahrenheit and +25 celsius is 77 celsius). I'm not sure I want to move too far down the coast or I might die or something, but I also hate winters here, they just aren't for me.

As for housing, I'll be looking more at condos/decent sized apartments rather than houses, I'm 19 with no plans for children for 10 years, no reason for a house right now. Not too huge on beaches, but I love the ocean and I love to see it.
 
TylerL said:
Where I live right now, temperatures get up to 20-25 celsius on average in the hottest days of summer, and can get down to -35 or -40 celsius (for those who don't know, -35 celsius is -31 Fahrenheit and +25 celsius is 77 celsius). I'm not sure I want to move too far down the coast or I might die or something, but I also hate winters here, they just aren't for me.

As for housing, I'll be looking more at condos/decent sized apartments rather than houses, I'm 19 with no plans for children for 10 years, no reason for a house right now. Not too huge on beaches, but I love the ocean and I love to see it.
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I'd rather have it hot than bone chilling cold. There's not a whole lot better in life than lying about all day sucking back beers saying "fuuuuuck, it's soooo hot"... then going out at night for food/dancing/sex.

Seriously.

Then again the ski scene is pretty mackin' too. To each their own I guess.

Never the less I prefer heat over cold.
 
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