Vancouver, BC. ER option as US Citizen?

[Brat]

Getting back to the OP's thought about CN health care. Reading between the lines it appears that the CN system does not try to be all things to all people. They have created a base of services in their public health care program and do not prohibit those who wish a higher level of service the opportunity to purchase insurance at market prices. Works for me.

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brat I had a former colleague who retired to Sequim with his wife. After a couple years she got bored and wanted to move. She told him if they didn't she would leave. They divorced, I understand he still lives in Sequim.

His wife decamped with the money so he couldn't afford a bus ticket out of town?

I know quite a few affluent middle-aged Seattleites who retire onto the peninsula, but 90% of them go to Port Townsend. There is a livlier social/cultural scene there, and many more people from Seattle. The woman I bought my apartment from moved there.

Quite a number of them do come back though, especially if they are or while there should become single.

Ha

[Brat]

She decamped with a chunk of his pension, that I know. Her husband was the typical know-it-all manager, I don't think he expected that she would call his bluff. The both of them have moved on.

I really like the vibe of Port Townsend. For those who don't know there is a ferry that runs from Port Townsend to Whidby Island. Nearby Port Ludlow is very popular with the yachting set (sheltered moorage) and those who don't mind a golf course for mountain goats.

[itsmyparty]

Interesting discussion. I moved to US 30+ yrs ago and relatives on my side all in Canada. We visit usually annually and will be spending Xmas in Victoria with some this year. At some point, I know a discussion will turn to how little the US and its citizens think about and know about Canada and agree with another writer that there is an underlying current of hostility which I think is based on inferiority ... why I don't know. But in Canada all their popular tv shows are either US or knock-offs (some of it legislated I think because they have to have so much Canadian content on TV) and they have black-outs of some US programs. In my family we even get blamed for the high cost of their bananas!! Over the years I've tried thinking about analagies(?) that might explain things...like US is the older teen brother whose life is so complicated and busy that he doesn't notice much about his little brother ... not that he doesn't like him or care but so much going on its hard to even keep up with himself. But now I just bite my tongue till the conversation turns to other things. Its interesting...the two countries are same in many ways, but very, very different too. With regard to health care...I'm for the idea that everyone should have access to basic+. From family experience..care is very mixed and that's why there are private clinics in many places now because waits are long and Canada is now starting to experience the pressure of their citizens' longevity and immigrant infux. My cousin who is in her 70's always likes to tell me that her medical care is 'free' ... which most Canadians also believe....but I remind her no...someone is paying for it...it just isn't you - as she stopped working in her 40's. All in all though, I'd still like to give living on Vancouver Island a try sometime...I have duel citizenship...so its definitely a possibility for us.

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsmyparty ...I have duel citizenship...

A sublime Freudian slip.

[Nemo2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo A sublime Freudian slip.

Always en garde?........("For thee....O Canada?)

[Gotadimple]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brat The US town of Blaine is actually on a peninsula where access by land is via BC.

I think you mean Point Roberts. Blaine is the border crossing.

[Brat]

Yes, Point Roberts. I stand corrected.

With regard to Vancouver Island there are several communities on the east side of the island that are suitable (the west side is the windward side). We were on an elder-hostel trip several years ago and observed that Comax is a popular community for retirees. As a teen (I am 70 now) I loved it when we tied up at Salt Spring Island, one of the lakes was a favorite swimming spot.

[itsmyparty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo A sublime Freudian slip.

Good catch....I agree!!!

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Quote:

Pssssst.... Over here. Want a low cost place to live?..... Arkansas.... Don't say I told you.

True, but not my beignet. Been dere. I prefer the godless anarchy of Louisiana. Food's better, too.

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Quote:

Yes, Point Roberts. I stand corrected.

I wasn't going to say.

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Quote:

I had a former colleague who retired to Sequim with his wife. After a couple years she got bored and wanted to move. She told him if they didn't she would leave. They divorced, I understand he still lives in Sequim.

A personal aside here: I cannot imagine not accommodating DW in such matters. Where we go, WE will go. Where she goes, I will go.

[Brat]

It took me by surprise too, they have at least two grown children. Usually couples have come to an understanding by the time the kids are grown. OTOH it may be that his retirement caused territorial conflict and he had become accustomed to being the boss.

In a town like Sequim there aren't many activities for an older woman outside the home and as a relative newcomer she probably didn't have a network of lady friends. She subsequently married an acquaintance of mine so I get periodic updates on her life. Her former husband, on the other hand, has dropped out of the gossip circle.

[Nuiloa]

I can tell you everything you need to know about Vancouver and the immigration process.

I have lived in Vancouver for over 30 years and I work in a research lab,
which involves hiring people from all over the world - some of whom decide to stay on in Canada.

First and foremost: Vancouver is a gorgeous city, the climate is much like Seattle's (mild winters, warm summers - rarely any weather extremes).

For people moving to Canada - even temporarily - there is a 3-month waiting period for health care. However, once you have it, it's full-service. The CareCard (in BC) covers medical visits, hospital stays, visits to specialists and things like that. You can also buy into extended health and dental care plans which pay for prescription drugs, routine dental care, physiotherapy, eyeglasses, etc.

Many employers (especially the hospital systems) pay for these benefits.

Once you have been here for awhile (I believe it's a year) you can apply for Canadian citizenship. With your skills, you can also apply for citizenship through the Provincial Nominee Program, which fast-tracks citizenship applications.

Your current disability should not affect your application for a CareCard.

Once you become a Canadian citizen, you will also be eligible for the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security. These, unfortunately, are tied to the number of years worked so you would get a minimum pension.

The trick would be to be hired by an employer who offers a pension plan. Again, the hospital systems are great for that. For instance, after 10 years, you would get roughly 20% of the average of your highest salary over a 5-year term.

Of course, the easiest way to get in is to be a criminal or a terrorist and claim refugee status. They'll even hold your bomb for you while you reload your assault weapons.

If that doesn't appeal to you, be a stripper. They can go back and forth across the border without any problems - and I hear the money is really good.

Nui

[Nuiloa]

Cost of living in Vancouver: bring lots of money

Buying a home in Vancouver is expensive. My nephew just bought a tiny starter home for $499,000.

Condos start at about $200K

Rents are $900 and up

The price of gas is a killer: it was $1.30/litre this morning - about $4.50/gallon.

The cost of food is about the same as in the US - although you have more variety

Because of the mild winters, you don't need much in the way of winter clothes.

Cars are more expensive than in the US but they last longer - we don't get rust on our cars. Mine is 11 years old and still looks like it came from the showroom (except for the side panel when I took out a post...sigh!)

[Brat]

Sounds like Seattle to me and not a heck of a lot higher than Portland (excepting the price of starter homes).

AL it is not.

[nun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsmyparty My cousin who is in her 70's always likes to tell me that her medical care is 'free' ... which most Canadians also believe....but I remind her no...someone is paying for it...it just isn't you - as she stopped working in her 40's. All in all though, I'd still like to give living on Vancouver Island a try sometime...I have duel citizenship...so its definitely a possibility for us.

Healthcare always has to be paid for, Canada just does it in a very different way from the US so that Canadians aren't aware of paying for treatment when they need it.

The UK system is paid for by general taxation and is "free at the point of service" so patients never see a bill......this is a big plus in my book. I had an outpatient surgery in the US a few years ago and the level of care was good and it cost me $250 in total for various tests and deductibles. However, the volume of paperwork that I received afterwards was ridiculous.....no wonder the US system costs so much more than other 1st world systems

[Koolau]

Nothing against Canada. I love visiting. Loved Vancouver. I could live there except for the MONTHS of cloudy weather. BUT, if your total cost of living INCLUDING health care is the real issue (i.e., not a specific kind of weather or just that you love Canada, etc.) I suggest you start by finding out what your insurance costs in the US would actually be. Don't start with the assumption that you can't afford insurance. Who knows, difficult as it is, you could probably still find an employer who would offer retiree coverage to you. My old Megacorp STILL offers retiree subsidized health insurance. It IS out there.

Also, thinking in terms of cost of living, there are lots of places in the US which are much, MUCH more affordable than Vancouver. That would leave lots of room in the budget for relatively high health insurance costs. I'm not trying to talk you out of moving to Vancouver (or anyplace else) if that is your dream. I'm just suggesting that health insurance costs, even high health insurance costs, do not preclude you from finding an affordable (and livable) place in the US without the issues of emigration to Canada. YMMV

[Koogie]

As a Canadian, I won't get started on the ignorance of Americans to our system or how things vary from one province to another. BECAUSE I've met just as many Canadians who are so retardedly lefty that they blame America for everything from the price of gasoline to why diet pop tastes funny.
Did I have a point... wait... wait....
Ahh, yes... the Health system. I have a business colleague in the US who was almost bankrupted by a complicated pregnancy and his daughters ensuing health problems. On the other hand, my wife has a degenerative disease and CDN (not CN.. that's a railroad duh) doctors could care less because it is rare and therefore they are not compensated for looking into/taking care of it.
What do I tell offshore relatives/visitors ?? The Canadian health system is PERFECT for treating a broken leg (speaking from experience) but shiite for anything more serious (google OHIP cancer screening delays)
We have a saying here. (since it is a socialist healthcare system). SOCIALISM works until you run out of the other guys money.

[Nuiloa]

I've been saying for years that Canada is a socialist, not a democratic, country.

When over 50% of our taxes go to supporting the "free" benefits we get (not to mention people who get everything for free because they don't WANT to work), that is socialism. They just allow us to vote every two weeks because the paper industry needs support.