Diet America Has Its Perks
Many Americans are making the move up north to join their friendly neighbors. Even though they're often the butt of the joke in American comedies, Canucks know that deep down, many Americans long for a life like their hockey-playing buddies. From federal laws to lifestyle changes, we broke down reasons why people are tempted to hop across the border.
1. Politics
We’re not just talking about Trump–– Political parties are strongly divided in the USA and some people are sick of the extremely polarized views. Political debates and campaigns dominate the culture whereas, in Canada, politics are much quieter in comparison.
2. Immigration
The immigration policies in Canada are far more flexible than in the States, especially for Americans. It’s not perfect but you might have a quicker and easier process securing a job.
3. Legalizations
Certain legalities could influence someone’s decision. Canada’s nationwide legalization of marijuana might intrigue a few people. The legal age for alcohol consumption is 19 or 18 if you’re in Quebec, so that might appeal to those under 21. Leisure aside, other laws that differ from the States could greatly impact an individual and motivate them to move up north.
4. Gun Violence
The Canadians have a lot of hunting guns but there’s significantly less gun crime than the USA. Citizens who don’t agree with the American gun laws might find it intriguing to live where guns are not a common household object.
5. Healthcare
The publicly funded healthcare system in Canada is more widely accessible and affordable than in the USA. The country’s universal healthcare could be more feasible for someone with consistent health issues. Although some medications and procedures are not free, at least patients aren’t sent home with hefty hospital bills.
6. Cultural Diversity
Canada is a melting pot of diverse cultures. People from all over the world have migrated to the northern land, creating a nationwide community of mixed heritage. From Chinatown to Little Italy, every city has its cultural neighborhoods that growing families have been calling home for years.
Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash
7. Education Opportunities
It still isn’t cheap but in comparison to American universities, Canadian tuition is a bargain. The country is proud of its education system which includes a wide variety of programs at high-quality teaching standards. Post-secondary education compares to the USA without the price tag and extreme hierarchy.
8. Lifestyle
The hustle and bustle still stands true for major cities like Toronto, but overall the lifestyle in Canada is more laid-back and less competitive. The work-life balance is actually balanced in comparison to the American’s live-to-work culture.
9. Environment
In many ways, the States is a progressive country and in many ways, it’s not. When it comes to the environment many Americans are trying to combat the climate crisis but on the contrary, too many businesses ignore it. It’s surprising how single-use plastic is still commonly used in restaurants and stores across the country.
10. Nature
There’s so much wilderness to explore in The Great White North. With much of the land inhabited by forests and lakes, Canada is a dream for nature enthusiasts. Canadians love an outdoor lifestyle and take pride in their national parks like many Americans do.
11. Cultural Similarity
As a nation heavily influenced by the country down south, Canada has a lot of similarities. As an American, there won’t be a lot of culture shock to deal with so the transition won’t be so bad. Many buildings and neighborhoods are similar and they share many of the same stores and food chains.
12. Proximity
Most of the civilization hugs the American border. It’s not a far trip to travel back to the States if you miss your family or need to get your burger fix from Jack in the Box. There are many airports and modes of transportation to hop over the border whenever you please.
13. Tolerance
It’s a diverse country known for its tolerance and acceptance. Of course we can’t say this is true for everyone, but many citizens are open-minded and adapt to change when it’s needed. Canada is a nation of mixed heritage which reflects their acceptance of various cultural traditions and values.
14. Safety
There is less violence up north. It’s a fact that the crime rate is much lower in Canada than in the USA. This is due to several factors including weapon laws, lower population, and strong security. There are still places to avoid but rest assured, you can easily settle somewhere safe in Canada.
15. Maternity Leave
Maternity and paternity leave is respected more in Canada. New mothers are now granted at least fifteen weeks of paid maternity leave. In the United States, mothers are given twelve unpaid weeks so they often return to work sooner.
Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash
16. Population
If you’re more of a dog person or you need a quieter environment, it’s easy to find a location in Canada with fewer people. Due to its great land mass and small population, you’re less likely to rub elbows with neighbors if you’re not in a major city. If you want to escape crowds, move to the laid-back east coast.
17. Tax Benefits
Canadians get more bang for their buck. Taxes are generally higher in Canada than the USA but that reflects some great perks. Free healthcare, great public services, and cheaper education to list a few. Employers grant additional benefits to their employees that significantly cut costs. Services like eye care, dental work, and mental health are often partially paid for or free.
The New York Public Library on Unsplash
18. Paid Holidays
Studies show that the average American worker takes eleven days of paid vacation per year. There are no federal laws in place that force companies to grant any time off so they don’t have to. By law, paid vacation days in Canada start at a minimum of two weeks. Earned vacation days build as the employee’s time with the company grows.
19. Friendly People
Hey Buddy, if you want to surround yourself with friendly people the stereotype is true. You’ll find that overall, Canadians are more polite and friendly than many other countries’ citizens. You can tell by how they line up at a bus stop or hold the door for you.
20. Less Debt
More debt, more problems–– The national debt of Canada is much lower than America’s debt. The worry of a recession or financial crisis gives many Americans a headache which motivates some folks to border hop.
