Are there ANY drawbacks to living in Canada? A few questions... [View All]

[fujiyama]

I'm relatively young and I will be graduating from college soon. I don't like the way the country is going and I have no confidence the situation will change or get better any time soon. While I know nothing for certain, how is life in Canada?

So how is Canada overall compared to the US? Despite the fact that I live in a state bordering them, and the fact that I have visted the country several times, I know little about it.

Except for the following:

It's tolerant and quite diverse. As a racial minority I wouldn't be worried mucha about racism in Canada. Granted I visited Toronto, but I loved the diversity. I have lived in the US my entire life and my parents emigrated here. I have had a comfortable life and haven't faced racism and discrimination in that I know of. Of course with hysteria over terror and with the PATRIOT Act, I think it will change.

It's relatively friendly.

They love Hockey and have many Tim Hortons.

Several provinces have legalized pot and gay marriage. Neither have a direct impact on me (though if I choose to I could smoke without fear).

They have single payer universal health care. I know it's not quite perfect and some procedures have waiting lists. Although I know everyone has some healthcare. I would always know, even if I lost my job, that I would still be covered. How is the health care overall in Canada?

Which cities are best in terms of technology and engineering? I will be completing a degree in engineering. I suppose it's relatively marketable, but are there any cities in particular that are strong in these areas?

How is the pay scale? I heard that it's less, but is that true? I know taxes are higher. I could live with that knowing that they are being spent properly.

How is the cost of living? I heard that Toronto is expensive and I would expect the same of Vancouver. How do housing costs compare with that of the US?

If I ever decided to move back, would I lose a lot on savings because of the exchange rate?

Thanks to anyone that has any experiences about living there, especially American ex pats.