Hi,

I am a permanent residence of Canada and I have been working in US in H1B for 5 years. My employer has filed green card in EB3 but I must move to Canada soon with my family to keep our residency as it is expiring in 3 months. Its being very hard to take the decision as we have lived in US for so long (almost 12 years, did undergraduate and master’s here) but if we don’t go, we will lose our Canadian PR and not sure  if we will ever get US green card or not!!!

I was wondering if there are people in sajha community who have moved to Toronto from US and  are currently living there, who can share their overall opinion about moving there ( Job prosperity, quality of life, raising children, cost of living, health care etc.).

 I would really appreciate any suggestions which will help us to make the decision.

Thanks a lot.

Thank you so much  Indra Ji  for the suggestions, I really appreciate it. We are more in to life, so definitely we will give more consideration to moving there. However, when you are in US for so long, it's very tough to decide on leaving this place and moving to somewhere

I am not American but I got pissed when i read this.

"I moved to Toronto from Nepal (not USA). You may not expect a job here at least one year until you do not have someone to refer/network you. Life seems pretty simple/cool here, people are more social here than the skeptic & gun-cultured Americans. Schools are free for kids with a vast learning resources. Medication is just No.1, you must know. Cost of living may be upto 25% higher than in USA. If you choose money, choose USA. But if you choose life, go for Canada. GOOD LUCK!"

(1) I moved to Toronto from Nepal (not USA).
Dude, after reading this, I assume that you have never stepped foot in the US. So why the generalizations.

(2) You may not expect a job here at least one year until you do not have someone to refer/network you.
Hey, who knows, luck can be on your side and you can get that job you want in a heartbeat. In life, you always need some luck.

(3) Life seems pretty simple/cool here, people are more social here than the skeptic & gun-cultured Americans.
Gun-cultured Americans? Really. This is like saying all Canadians live in igloos, speak french and play hockey. Oh lets not forget, ride on polar bears.

(4) Schools are free for kids with a vast learning resources.
Schools in US are also free up until high school.

(5) Medication is just No.1, you must know.
Healthcare in US is also pretty good. Lots of generic medications available.

(6) Cost of living may be upto 25% higher than in USA.
25% higher than which part of US. You know that US is huge, right?

(7) If you choose money, choose USA. But if you choose life, go for Canada.
I think in order for you to say this, you have to have lived in both countries. If not, you are being biased.

P.S. Sorry OP, I dont have any advice for you as I have never lived in Toronto.

 Canada is just another American state anyway.....

haha exactly some pple  like @indra chapagain compairing US with canada does not make sense , sounds he tried to get into US first ,then he couldn't sneak here and he somehow made to Canada and he has that burst of hate for US  i guess, anyway he sounds ignorant than an advisor.

 hello all I am also moving  to canada from USA. I have lived in US for almost 9 years.finished my studies and worked but dont have a green card. i do have a Canada PR.  I am planning to move toronto area at the end of next month (April). Is anyone looking for a roommate? please let me know. 

I am just sharing my experience at NO cost, why should I be biased?

@violet7:  (1): It looks like you are not sure I was in USA. I was there for 2 years did my master's applied from buffalo but returned to Nepal and got my PR in Nepal. ( 2):   If you have a single example a new immigrant who got a professional job in Toronto within one year, you may let me know.There is a 70,000 skilled immigrants flow to Toronto each year (there may be rare cases) ( 3):   It's not bad some Canadians speak French in Manitoba, like most Amerians in Florida and Texas speak Spanish. When there was no snow in last Chrismas most north Americans were frustrated, why you hate igloo & bears?    (4): One of my friend in Houston, TX pays $3000 a year to the community for his daughters who go to school (may not apply for all schools)    (5): If you are infected by a simple flu & go to hospital there, it is almost sure that you are ruined with your financial balance. You are just fortunate enough if you don't have to go to hospital in USA.
(6): I didn't mention Canada is 25% expensive, I mentioned upto 25%    (7): I already mentioned it, I studied in Miami, FL.

(@violet7 I respect your perception about USA, but too much analysis is paralysis)

Good Luck Everyone !!

Indra must be smoking pot. Life is more expensive over there?? Who told ya that.. it's same in general or may be even cheaper and more affordable than in US.

In a simple word, Canada is good. You find cost of living cheaper if you compare with NY and CA but those who are moving from midwest will definitely complain thoughout their stay in Canada and eventually they will either go back to US or Nepal with tons of frustration.

Three things keep in mind, why did you move to Canada? What is your aspiration in life? and How do you survive in Canada to achieve that aspiration?

Unlike USA, you will face difficulties in a few things e.g. online shopping, vehicle insurance etc.

Toronto is like New York. Nepalese are living both lives good and miserable. Stay away from Nepalese, just stay away you will find most of them no different than Jackson Heights Nepalese who keep telling you frustrating stories day and night (moreover 24 x 7) 

 

Answers to your questions

Job prospect:

It depends on your profession. If you are in IT, Toronoto would be a better choice. If you are in other field, it does not matter. As a US graduate, I can confidently say, you can find a better job.

Quality of life:

Do not know about others but I am enjoying. 8 - 4.30 at work, paid vacation, paid stat holidays and vacation pays what else you need.

Raising childern

I am unmarried.

Cost of living

Already addressed in my previous post. Compare with NY and CA, it is cheaper. Never compare with rest of the states in US.

Health care

Free but sucks big time sometimes. You got to wait a long even in emergency at least 3 hours. Health care wise better go to Singapore or Bangkok if you are suffering from any serious disease. However general check up wise, it is similar to US.

I agree with Mula Bahadur,
also,
I've seen ppl moving to Canada to get quick citizenship instead of waiting whole 5 years here in states.

@Indra chapagain i do agree   Health care system is better in any othe place than US i guess , i have lived in europe and i know health care is affordable for all citizens (government provides it ) ,lifestyles are simple  and yes NO gun culture in europe ,also here in US you must have vehicle in almost all places expect few ,coz no public transportation or very limited , I used to hoop on train ,trams and go and watch soccer there ,here forget public transportation they play different sorts of sports. Well there are some positives aspects here in US which another place may not have ,but you are right in these facts.

 hello friends I am looking for a roommate in toronto area. I am moving there at the end of next month. I would be completely new there pls let me know if u know someone. if possible i prefer to move with  fellow nepalese

Wisdom dude, I hope you know what analysis and paralysis mean.

"(1): It looks like you are not sure I was in USA. I was there for 2 years did my master's applied from buffalo but returned to Nepal and got my PR in Nepal. "
Great, you were in the US. So if you were here before, what's up with all the generalizations. You saying all this stuff about US is like saying all Nepalis have climbed Mount Everest when if fact the majority of Nepalis have never even seen it.

"( 2): If you have a single example a new immigrant who got a professional job in Toronto within one year, you may let me know.There is a 70,000 skilled immigrants flow to Toronto each year (there may be rare cases) "
Now you know why I mentioned luck. But I do know two people who had jobs lined up for them before they went over to Canada.

"(3): It's not bad some Canadians speak French in Manitoba, like most Amerians in Florida and Texas speak Spanish. When there was no snow in last Chrismas most north Americans were frustrated, why you hate igloo & bears? "
I am not hating on anything.These are the stereotypes that Americans have of Canadians. But I think you are hating on Americans.

"(4): One of my friend in Houston, TX pays $3000 a year to the community for his daughters who go to school (may not apply for all schools) "
I said school is free up until high school(public school). I did not say that college is free.

"(5): If you are infected by a simple flu & go to hospital there, it is almost sure that you are ruined with your financial balance. You are just fortunate enough if you don't have to go to hospital in USA."
This is just stupid. You can go see a doctor for $20-$50. There are even free clinics available. If a flu ruins your financial balance, what you gonna do if you break your arm and need surgery? Jump down a building.

"(6): I didn't mention Canada is 25% expensive, I mentioned upto 25%."
US is huge. Which part are you talking about?

"(7): I already mentioned it, I studied in Miami, FL."
Was this where you encountered gun-cultured Americans?

Thanks all- For the comments, discussions and advices. @dipulata, I wouldn't be helpful as I will be moving with my family. I am getting the feeling  that moving to toronto would  be better decision.

 For those who need information about health care system in Canada please see below link

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/canadian-healthcare-system-at-a-glance-t37039.0.html

Canada in short:

Pro's:
1. no. 1 living standard in the world
2. best/better health care system
3. best/better schooling
4. best air with full oxygen content
5. better social life
6. best/better public transportation 
7. best/better child & social benefit
8. the beauty of being in Canada, your way to USA is legally open after 3 years. RIP IT!

Con's:
1. cold zone
2. less job opportunities (esp. in Toronto)
3. more tax

Note: based on my perception/experience.

Why the hell you are not applying for EB2 -since you have over 5 yrs of experience and also masters degree. you will get your GC within a year.

Sorry to barge in but if its oxygen and social life then I bet villages of nepal are purer then canada. Best healthcare is a lie, it is best only for minor and preventable diseases, if its major surgery or transplant then you will have to wait forever.

 Few Questions regarding moving to Toronto. 

1. How much is the Auto Insurance. I am paying $224/month in NYC (Full Cov). 
2. Which part (district) of Toronto is good for living (for accomodation, commuting, accessbility , schooling, safety, and less expensive )
3. How eaiser is to find jobs (Fast food, Pizza delivery, store cashier)
4. My friend suggested that I should join college, What are the benefits besides education factor. 
5. Approx cost of living for family of 3. (Rent utilities, auto insurance, food, transportaion)

Thanks