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1. Canadian salaries are a joke. Senior software engineers make 85k in Vancouver and housing is as expensive as SF. 2. Canadians think their health care system

1. Canadian salaries are a joke. Senior software engineers make 85k in Vancouver and housing is as expensive as SF. 2. Canadians think their health care system is pretty good because they haven't experienced a good private system. My wife is from Vancouver and thought that until she tried the American system (assuming you're insured). Her friends have long waits for OBs and almost no family doctor is taking new patients. Further, my uncle had a 6 month wait for chemo and had to go to Detroit to get it (about 15 years ago, don't know if it's better now).

edblarney 10y ago
I've lived in the US for a long time, as well as Canada, and Europe. Canadian system is 'pretty good' for 95% of needs, and it covers everyone. It's also less than 1/2 the cost of the US system. I understand that there are long waits for some things - and this is a drawback party of the system, but also just crappy service - and definitely not good. And yes - you don't get a doctor anymore. It's a problem - but you can go to any clinic (and you can chose, some are better than others) and get service on the spot. You just don't get to see the same person over and over. I agree this is not good. I don't like 'hard single payer' as we have here in Canada - but some of the advantages cannot be overlooked. The moment you don't have coverage, or the coverage won't cover you for some things ... then you understand. Most people in the US know of a serious 'health care horror story', whereas in Canada, it's not so bad. You have to wait longer. But for things that require immediate attention, you usually get it. Again - not saying it's better, just that there are some advantages.
edblarney 10y ago
"Canadian salaries are a joke" Yup. It's due to a lot of reasons, but that will change if the talent is there. It's particularly pernicious in Van where the cost of living is crazy, less so in Toronto. I live in Montreal - and my flat would be 6500/month in San Francisco. It's really nice. The culture is great. Cost of living is peanuts. There are smart people, and 10x more cute girls than SF. If you grew up in the cold and can hack that, then it's in many ways a great choice. Also if you have a hookup at a good company because they are rare here. Nobody can compete with SF for talent. Nobody - I would not imply that. But depending on what you are doing - TO, Van and Montreal can make good choices. Again - very situationally dependent.

edblarney 10y ago

I've lived in the US for a long time, as well as Canada, and Europe. Canadian system is 'pretty good' for 95% of needs, and it covers everyone. It's also less than 1/2 the cost of the US system. I understand that there are long waits for some things - and this is a drawback party of the system, but also just crappy service - and definitely not good. And yes - you don't get a doctor anymore. It's a problem - but you can go to any clinic (and you can chose, some are better than others) and get service on the spot. You just don't get to see the same person over and over. I agree this is not good. I don't like 'hard single payer' as we have here in Canada - but some of the advantages cannot be overlooked. The moment you don't have coverage, or the coverage won't cover you for some things ... then you understand. Most people in the US know of a serious 'health care horror story', whereas in Canada, it's not so bad. You have to wait longer. But for things that require immediate attention, you usually get it. Again - not saying it's better, just that there are some advantages.

edblarney 10y ago

"Canadian salaries are a joke" Yup. It's due to a lot of reasons, but that will change if the talent is there. It's particularly pernicious in Van where the cost of living is crazy, less so in Toronto. I live in Montreal - and my flat would be 6500/month in San Francisco. It's really nice. The culture is great. Cost of living is peanuts. There are smart people, and 10x more cute girls than SF. If you grew up in the cold and can hack that, then it's in many ways a great choice. Also if you have a hookup at a good company because they are rare here. Nobody can compete with SF for talent. Nobody - I would not imply that. But depending on what you are doing - TO, Van and Montreal can make good choices. Again - very situationally dependent.