Is Canada a good country to retire to? We will both have defined benefit pensions...

[JanMichael]

...and of course Social Security plus a couple of properties. So not really low income retirees but also not freaky rich either.

When I say "retire to" I mean permanently. We do not have kids or other anchors to force us to stay.

If you know, would you recommend the areas around Vancouver or Toronto? How long to either be a part of or buy into the health system? Is the health system ok? Is banking easy? Are there easy ways to identify the more Lefty areas?

Being around 60 and 56 when we do this we can still work. How hard is it to get permission to work? Do businesses, universities, public schools, local governments hire Americans very often or is it rare? My organization has had several non-Americans (legal to work maybe dual citizens?) as staff over the years. We have no qualms about hiring anyone qualified regardless of passport color and that's in NC.

Is there anything that you would like to add?

I would also add that Ireland and Scotland are also on our radar. If anyone would like to talk about those place please do.

Thanks!

[drray23]

1. I dont think its that easy to get permanent residency to retire there

They favor people with specific skillsets. Also, if you are older, forget it, its even harder. There is no such thing as a visa for retirees, you have to qualify either via family sponsorship or via your skillset (i.e employable in a sector Canada needs).



For those planning to stay in Canada for more than 183 days each year or who are not eligible for a family super visa, it may be possible to apply for permanent residency. As a permanent resident of Canada, you’ll have access to government-based programs such as health care. Permanent residency can also lead to Canadian citizenship.

If you want to become a permanent resident, “The older one is, the harder it gets,” says John Richardson, a Toronto-based lawyer who assists U.S. citizens in Canada. Canada does not have a retirement visa per se. Paths to permanent residency include an immigration process called “Express Entry” set up for those who have certain skills or want to operate businesses in Canada. Some Canadian provinces have immigration options that are based on graduation from Canadian universities or open to people in specific professions. If you’re planning to have a second career in retirement and are looking at working for several years, these might be viable immigration options. It is likely that these would require planning prior to retirement in the United States.

See more in this article for example.

[JanMichael]

3. Thanks. Job wise we (well she can) can meet the express entry for professions.

That lack of retiree visa thing is concerning.

[MLAA]

2. Just a few things I've picked up from Canadian friends

The great news is no one goes bankrupt from medical bills. The downside is non-emergency ‘elective’ surgery or specialist appointments can often take a very, very long time especially now with covid. So things like joint replacements etc can sometimes take over a year to schedule. I would think the best of both worlds would be dual citizenship and depending on buy in cost for national healthcare…to keep both Medicare + supplement in US and Canadian healthcare.

I’ve been to Vancouver a couple of times and love it. Some friends live in Abbotsford about 45 mins to 60 mins from Vancouver. Prior to covid they would frequently drive across US border for some shopping/errands.

One work visit to Dublin and found it to be lovely with all locals I met very nice. One work visit to Glasgow in the middle of winter so no real impression.

Best of luck

[JanMichael]

4. Thank you!

Abbotsford looks nice.

[fierywoman]

8. (Please note how Abbotsford was flooded last month -- and -- could it happen again?)

[VarryOn]

5. I can only advise on Toronto vs Vancouver...

Canada is my region at work, and I go there often (or I did pre-covid).

No doubt about it, I'd go to Vancouver. It's a beautiful city and more distinct than Toronto. While I like Toronto, it has the feel of a typical large American city, but especially reminds me of Chicago. Vancouver is more Seattle-like.

I'd recommend Calgary. That's where I'd go if I were to move there. If you like Denver, you'll like Calgary. A drawback is, though, like the US, they have flyover politics. So, may not beliberal enough

Good luck! I love Canada.

[LisaM]

6. I think it depends on where you live now.

I don't think I'd recommend Vancouver. It's expensive and not really near anywhere else. I live in Seattle now, and it's becoming unbearable, all the stores are closing, it costs a fortune, and there is not much to do here unless you are a tech person. Toronto is closer to a lot of things, as are places like Stratford.

[brush]

7. Is Vancouver also warmer? I've been to Seattle and loved...

it's west coast/SF-type feel and Vancouver is not far away. Warmer weather would be a plus for me.

[VarryOn]

9. Vancouver would definitely be warmer than Toronto...

Vancouver has basically Seattle weather.

[Bev54]

12. Calgary is not a place for retirement, really, I live there

I would recommend BC, Vancouver is very expensive but a lot of people like Vancouver Island (I was born and raised there) and it is beautiful but have the ferries that are a pain in the ass. My niece lives in Abbotsford and yes they had the floods on the lower farmland but the main city is up higher. My recommendation would be in the Okanagan Valley, It is beautiful, has lots to do, you can still afford to buy a house, though hot in the summer and often there are fires in surrounding areas. Lovely lakes all over the Okanagan.

[Bobstandard]

10. Yes but

Note that you will not qualify for free Canadian healthcare. Should you need treatment you’ll pay retail, which is much cheaper than in US, but still. Medicare doesn’t work up there either, so living near US healthcare may be important. Vancouver certainly qualifies.

Vancouver is a great city but wildly expensive. More expensive than San Francisco, which is saying a lot

The Okanagan valley, not that far from Vancouver, has the best climate in Canada. It’s called the Napa Valley of Canada for all the vineyards and wineries. The only problem is that every Canadian dreams of retiring there so it’s every bit as expensive as Napa.

[abqtommy]

11. I have ancestors who came from Canada to the U.S. I also have family living in

Canada right now. Canada has many social and political problems that are similar to
the U.S. No country is without problems.

Canada and Ireland are on the approved list for U.S. ex-pats to receive their Social
Security payments for as long as they are residents there. Scotland is not approved.

https://www.ssa.gov/international/countrylist1.htm

I recommend that you read the online news of Canada, The Republic Of Ireland and
Scotland to get a feel for these countries.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada

https://www.irishnews.com/news/republicofirelandnews/

https://www.scotsman.com/news

The CBC website will inform you about Vancouver in British Columbia and Toronto
in Ontario. I've been in both provinces and that would be a personal decision for you.

I admit to looking at relocating to Canada or Costa Rica. I finally gave up on that and
decided to help make the U.S. as good as it can be. Good luck!

[Bev54]

13. Sorry not sure what you are speaking of, Canada having social and political problems

similar to the US??? No we certainly do not. We are not perfect, but we are stable.

[abqtommy]

15. Both Canada and the U.S. have a history of and current problems dealing with their

Indigenous and Black citizens. I'm sorry that you're sorry but that's the truth.

[Bev54]

16. That is true, but we are dealing with ours and it is one thing that is similar but

our system and social programs are completely different from the US.

[mitch96]

14. I was thinking of Panama in Central America... US protected area, uses the US dollar

Three hour flight from the capitol to Miami if you need anything from the states..Real estate is relatively inexpensive compared to the states. Easy to get retirement visa. YMMV
https://internationalliving.com/countries/panama/live/
m

[CentralMass]

17. I had to travel to the Quebec area of Canada for business about 10 or 15 years back.

It was a French speaking area. I found the people to be warm and friendly. The people we were working with were really great. In our discussions with them we found that taxes were high, hoouse were expensive and small but the people seems to enjoy their quality if life. Under different circumstances it is a place I would probably enjoy living in.

[VarryOn]

18. I used to do the Canadian payroll for my American company...

Canada taxes the hell out of its people....but yes, they get a little bit more in benefits.