Being an FG... in Canada!

[Uhhuh35]

I was expecting this kind of reply would come up eventually from you when I started this thread, but I'm sorry to report that every word out of my keyboard in this thread is the goddamn truth. Since about 2000 many secular, social-democratic governments in Western Europe have been replaced with the right-wing Christian variety, and with Sarkozy about to be elected in France things are about to take another turn for the worse. These people will fuck everything up far worse than these mooslems ever could, even if they tried. As far as I know you're in the US, so I don't think I need to explain what I'm talking about. I bet those muslim fundementalists will thank you for letting them believe the world revolves around them Thruth is however, that it does not. Perhaps for you it does, but not for me.

Yeah, you gotta' watch out for those Christian suicide bombers. And those Jews? If your not careful they'll chop your head off man! And the Pentacostals? Don't get me started.
Yeah things are getting scarry here in Pennsylvania. Why just the other day I bumped into this woman and you know what she said to me? "Oh I'm sorry", smiled and went on her way. Probably one of those "evil christians" trying to trick me with her "manners and civility".

France is electing a right winger just to handle the Mooslems. You'll see. This may be their last chance. Well, until we come bail their asses out for a third time in a hundred years that is. But the truth be told, and all the words from my keyboard are the truth mind you, Americans aren't really interested in helping France anymore.

But SooRoo, why don't you stay and make things better? Are you saying that your own country ain't worth the effort? That's quite a damning admission. What about all the other citizens that can't afford to move out like you can? What about them? You're just gonna' leave them behind and save your own selfish ass aren't you? If you're so fuckin' smart then get involved in politics and change things. But no you would never sacrifice yourself for your country would you? I wish you could see just how pathetic you look. No wonder the Mooslems say the West and Europe is soft.
You know Tsuru I can tell through your postings here that you're a fairly intelligent man. But you need to grow a backbone.

You know that old saying "When the going gets tough..."

[Uhhuh35]

But what the fuck am I doing trying to make a fair point and explain this shit to an idiot like you. I predict just one or two sentences of this, if any, will make it into your next thundering rapefest of a reply. So remind us how your application with the armed forces is coming along instead!

I was medically disqualified but I can get a waiver for certain jobs. PM me your e-mail and I'll send you a copy of the letter I received.

[Tsuru]

This is the deal: when we started the immigration process for my fiance the agency representing the government made it very clear that they would go to any length to protect the interests of the government, including imprisonment and expulsion. It is by no means certain that Ms. Tsuru and I are ever going to be able to have a life or a family together in The Netherlands, and all we are looking for is redundancy... a place equally or more attractive as Holland to raise a family when the Dutch government is determined to keep fucking with us. Canada is not the only option, Belgium or Germany are also on the list, as is staying and fighting to have a life together. But I don't see too many Dutch, Germans or Belgians on this board, do you?

I don't give a flying fuck about Muslims, so stop mentioning them every time you type a reply to one of my posts. The fact is you have no idea about life in Europe, so just accept that and we might be able to have a normal conversation for a change.

[Uhhuh35]

I don't give a flying fuck about Muslims, so stop mentioning them every time you type a reply to one of my posts. The fact is you have no idea about life in Europe, so just accept that and we might be able to have a normal conversation for a change.

You're an Aeronautical Engineer right? That's what I wanted to do out of HS but I went into the service instead.
Why isn't America on your list? As I stated, Boeing is doing business like gangbusters. And you just know AirBus will keep fucking up.
My wife and I own two houses, one here and one in California. If you look in the right places you can find real bargains. The housing bubble is bursting so prices are coming down.
The house I have now is on seven tenths of an acre and cost us just 155K. Taxes are cheap too.
Sounds like you have no idea about life in America either. Willing to accept that?

[Tsuru]

I never pretended I knew about life in North America anyway, that's why I opened this thread in the first place I'll have you know that the US of A is also on the list, but only if the political climate improves and those inflation problems get sorted out.
I am hoping you'll elect Giuliani in 2008, as he might help to push things in the right direction for you guys. Who knows?

[Uhhuh35]

I never pretended I knew about life in North America anyway, that's why I opened this thread in the first place ]I am hoping you'll elect Giuliani in 2008[/B], as he might help to push things in the right direction for you guys. Who knows?

Well that makes two of us Tsuru! Well, him or Fred Thompson. He hasn't announced yet but he polls high among conservatives.
Infation? 4.5 percent. Why is that a worry to you?
And what if Hitlery did win in 2008? America ain't so weak that we can't overcome a bitch like her. We survived her hubby didn't we?:D

[Tsuru]

Well that makes two of us Tsuru! Well, him or Fred Thompson. He hasn't announced yet but he polls high among conservatives.
Infation? 4.5 percent. Why is that a worry to you?
And what if Hitlery did win in 2008? America ain't so weak that we can't overcome a bitch like her. We survived her hubby didn't we?:D

I'd be very very surprised if Giuliani didn't win. While everyone is watching the big fight between Obama and Hilary, I think the Reps will knock everyone out cold when Rudi announces later this year.

Don't get me wrong, but Bill Clinton is a great man as far as I'm concerned. As a non-American I might see him in a different way than those more familiar with his domestic policies and the Lewinsky thing, but he certainly makes a better prez than GWB no matter how you look at it. Having said that, I would rather see Giuliani or even Obama in office than Hilary. I like my politicians with integrity and sound vision, thank you.

4.5% is still a lot not only compared to the old continent, but especially considering that the federal reserve is already stamping on the brakes as hard as they can, a huge trade deficit is looming and the housing bubble is about to burst. I think I'd rather sit that one out somewhere else and move in when the dust has settled

[Uhhuh35]

[quote="Tsuru"]I'd be very very surprised if Giuliani didn't win. While everyone is watching the big fight between Obama and Hilary, I think the Reps will knock everyone out cold when Rudi announces later this year.

Don't get me wrong, but Bill Clinton is a great man as far as I'm concerned. As a non-American I might see him in a different way than those more familiar with his domestic policies and the Lewinsky thing, but he certainly makes a better prez than GWB no matter how you look at it. Having said that, I would rather see Giuliani or even Obama in office than Hilary. I like my politicians with integrity and sound vision, thank you.

4.5% is still a lot not only compared to the old continent, but especially considering that the federal reserve is already stamping on the brakes as hard as they can, a huge trade deficit is looming and the housing bubble is about to burst. I think I'd rather sit that one out somewhere else and move in when the dust has settled ]

Yeah thats cool, I can see where your coming from.

[Tsuru]

Yeah thats cool, I can see where your coming from.

Well whatd'ya know

[Adhesive]

[quote="Tsuru"]I never pretended I knew about life in North America anyway, that's why I opened this thread in the first place ]

You know, the great thing about a federalist government is that you can have entire States within a conservative country that are more liberal than many "liberal" western European countries. I don't think you will have any problem with the political climate in a place like the San Francisco bay area, and I know they are hiring (my friend just took a job with Lockheed Martin, and many of their senior empoyees will be retiring soon).

The architecture will be a problem though (see my post in the thread about the first thing you notice when returning from Japan), but there are places in the city of SF that are fairly substantial (brick and mortar, etc.)...of course, it will eventually all come crashing down on you in the big one that's eventually due.

As far as inflation, I have noooo idea, but regardless, it is very expensive to live in this area, median house prices are around $700k in any place worth living.

And if Guiliani can manage to win the Republican primary he will be elected our next president, no doubt about it. Unfortunately, I doubt he'll win the primary the way registered Republicans tend to vote in those things.

I will say one last thing; I know MANY Europeans and Australians who have made their home in California, and not one of them has regreted it.

[Greji]

Well that makes two of us Tsuru! Well, him or Fred Thompson. He hasn't announced yet but he polls high among conservatives.
Infation? 4.5 percent. Why is that a worry to you?
And what if Hitlery did win in 2008? America ain't so weak that we can't overcome a bitch like her. We survived her hubby didn't we?:D

I just voted for Tsuru and Uhhuh35....!

[emperor]

I'd like to see a Mike Gravel (D) + Ron Paul (R) ticket.

Such a thing might actually equate to balance (non-partisan) & honesty (they are the most straight talking of their peers by far).

Although Mike Gravel might not have a shot now for being too honest - MSNBC has not invited him to their next televised debate because he's apparently too rude
the seemingly 'leftist' MSNBC is owned by GE - $100s of billions in defence contracts in recent years
god knows how much Foxs' Rupert Murdock is making off 'the war on terror'...

I did think I liked Obama & McCain not so long ago - but they seem like changed men now.

Giuliani's tainted.

[Samurai_Jerk]

One small, not slightly unimportant factor I thought of earlier today that would keep us (or at least me) from moving to the west coast of North America is the fact that hardly anything man-made there is over 100 years old.

Japan must have made you very uncomfortable then.

[Tsuru]

Japan must have made you very uncomfortable then.

Japan is Japan ]
Giuliani's tainted.[/QUOTE]Of course he's tainted, he's from Brooklyn. I'm sure you'll agree that having a New Yorker in office would do America good.

[momotobananaoishii]

No doubt about it. Vancouver. Why do you think intl business magazines have voted Vancouver one of the top cities in the WORLD to live in year after year?

I don't even consider Vancouver geographically part of the rest of North America because there is no comparison lol

Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, European and other parents all over the world send their kids to Vancouver to study. There's a reason why.

Funny enough the cost of living in Osaka is exactly what it is about in Vancouver for the most part. (minus the lower tax as a foreigner in Japan).

[Charles]

No doubt about it. Vancouver. Why do you think intl business magazines have voted Vancouver one of the top cities in the WORLD to live in year after year?

These are Canadian business magazines, right?

[Mike Oxlong]

Some Canuckistani biz mags:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4306936.stm
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/10/04/eui.survey/
http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html
http://www.mercerhr.co.jp/knowledgecenter/reportsummary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1262710;jsessionid=VMV0FGCVD33MOCTGOUGCIIQKMZ0QUJLW
http://www.workpermit.com/news/2006_02_01/canada/vancouver_best_city.htm

[jackedup]

These are Canadian business magazines, right?

i think it's the mercer report on livibility that places vancouver consistently in the top 3.
a few years ago, vancouver was number 1 for livibility but in the past few years vancouver has fallen to number 2 and 3. generally, vancouver isn't number 1 because of its place in the ring of fire

whichever institute that publishes this report is located elsewhere and ranks over 150 cities around the world.


i've lived in vancouver my entire life and i go to japan quite frequently. i can honestly say i think you would be very comfortable moving to vancouver. there is a sizeable japanese community and japanese canadians are a tight knit community. if you're planning on raising a family in vancouver, the west side is definitely safer and the education system is considerably better. there are certain parts of the east side of vancouver which are very safe and the culture on the east side is very interesting and eclectic but the education system is still better on the west side. the average home of a house in the east side is about 600 to 800k while the average price of a home on the west side is closer towards a million dollars. in terms of public education, each school has designated students determined by where they live but there is the option of "cross boundary" which would be going to schools in a different area.
the cost of living in vancouver is very high. public transportation is expensive and rapid transit is seriously lacking but being built as we speak. most people in vancouver drive cars or know how to, and gas is usually the most expensive in the country. however, if you don't plan to go out really late at night, the busses in vancouver are very sufficient.
also, food in vancouver can be more expensive because a lot of the food is imported into vancouver.
i am not exactly certain about the job market in vancouver (i'm still a student) but i think the aerospace industry is growing exponentially in vancouver. i can guarentee that a local college is building a campus right next to YVR dedicated to aerospace technology. jobs in vancouver are very easy to come by if you are willing to work for minimum wage ($8/hr).

[Charles]

jobs in vancouver are very easy to come by if you are willing to work for minimum wage ($8/hr).

Shit jobs for no pay are always easy to come by.

[Greji]

Shit jobs for no pay are always easy to come by.

Ahh, that wouldn't be the voice of experience speaking there, would it?

[Tsuru]

if you are willing to work for minimum wage ($8/hr).

You're joking right?

[Greji]

You're joking right?

Gotta go with Tsuru. I don't even drink anything that cheap!

[Boris]

No doubt about it. Vancouver. Why do you think intl business magazines have voted Vancouver one of the top cities in the WORLD to live in year after year?

I don't even consider Vancouver geographically part of the rest of North America because there is no comparison lol

Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, European and other parents all over the world send their kids to Vancouver to study. There's a reason why.

Funny enough the cost of living in Osaka is exactly what it is about in Vancouver for the most part. (minus the lower tax as a foreigner in Japan).

Norway, Sweden and Finland are often voted as some of the best countries to live in. That still doesn't make them an especially attractive destination

Hi everyone btw, first post here even though I've been lurking since I was a trainee in Yokohama two years ago.

To add my little piece of advice: if you want to go to Belgium, it is pretty easy for an EU resident. But expect to get pretty pissed off by the administration. I'm French, work for an american company in the Netherlands (hurray for Zeeland) and live in Belgium. It took me one hour to get the dutch sofi-nummer in Goes and I'm waiting since 6 months to get the belgian one in Gent (and eventually the 5-year resident card since I have a permanent work contract). Belgian colleagues told me that's it's not uncommon to face those kind of problems (a guy from the immigration office even told me that I could consider myself lucky since at other periods of the year some people can add two more months to get the appointment to sign the two forms needed).

Taxes are also pretty f*cking high compared to NL so if you go for Belgium negotiate your salary keeping the tax problem in mind. If you're Dutch, no problem for you in Vlaanderen/Antwerpen compared to the poor French guys learning Dutch . Unemployment seems pretty low as much as I can read but for the aerospace industry, no idea. For the "raising a family" part, I have no clue since I'm too young and single to seriously think about it.

For the US (I wanted to work there before I found my job), it's quite hard to find a job (at least for a beginner and even with a backing in the company you want to work for). Companies want applications if you have a visa and to have the visa, you need a company sponsoring you, vicious circle.
Friends that found US-based jobs either had studied in the US, found a small company looking for a specific profile or are sent on a short/medium term contract by EU companies. However as I am a fresh graduate, I don't know if that does apply to experienced guys.

[james]

You're joking right?

sounds good to me! you could just work three of those jobs and you'd be all set.

[jackedup]

You're joking right?

well minimum wage might be pushing it but definitely those "easy to find jobs" do not pay well or near enough to afford living in vancouver but hey, if you have the qualifications, you'll get a good job

[Mike Oxlong]

So, when's the move, eh?

[Tsuru]

I might start working for a Canadian company in The Netherlands pretty soon.

[emperor]

So, when's the move, eh?

any flip-sides to living in Canada aside from the cold?
income tax? sales tax/VAT?
high rate of male-on-male rape (generally perpetrated by Mounties & Mountain folk I'm guessing)?

[FG Lurker]

any flip-sides to living in Canada aside from the cold?
income tax? sales tax/VAT?

There is a 6% federal sales tax in Canada. Provincial sales tax ranges between 0% and 8% depending on the province. So sales tax is between 6% and 14%.

Generally speaking income tax is higher in Canada than in the US, but lower than most European countries.

high rate of male-on-male rape?

I thought that was an Irish thing?

[dimwit]

[Quote=emperor]
high rate of male-on-male rape?

I thought that was an Irish thing?[/QUOTE]

I thought it was more of a US prison thing. If however he had said lesbian writers, I would be inclined to agree.

As for the cold thing, I will gladly take the 27 degrees it was in Toronto when I left on the 14th for the 40ish it was when I arrived in Narita on the 15th.