American wants to defect to Canada.

[TrueDave]

Remember, this is a vast country with lots of cultural differences, just like the US - so it's not like Canada is the same everywhere.

Most of Canada is not particularly "hippy", I'm guessing that culturally speaking you might like Vancouver. Where I live in Toronto is pretty hippyish, I guess, but I live in the downtown hub of the city and it sounds like you would enjoy something more rural - I guess?

In Toronto and surrounding area: I have friends that are in early child development and teaching fields, it's VERY competitive, but male teachers for younger grades are very sought after because there are less men applying for those jobs then women. I'm pretty sure you'd need a specific teaching degree or at least some kind of equivalent certification. You should probably contact the individual Province's ministries of education to get details before you do anything else. Googling (for example) Ontario Ministry of Education will give you contact info at least.

Good luck - and let us know what you find out!

Teaching Jobs are like that here, other than a coaches and adsministration I'm usually the only male staff at most Daycares, Schools and community centers I have worked at.

I'm not looking to be a lead teacher unless the education system is WAY different up there. Being an assistant is okay as well. And I do well with teh special ed kids I have half a special education masters degree and a BFA in art, Lots of experience teaching too, outside the US as well.

I got the Hippy statistic from a funny Wikipedia triva . %44 of the Canadian population has tried Wacky Tobacco and thats the largest percentage in the world! To be more specific I want to be around both Artsy types and outdorsy types.

I would like to live outside a city. Near a lake or river. Nice scenery , laid back folks thats what I'm looking for.

Getting Married learning to live together and my Artwork have me busy so I don't collect much anymore so thats not an issue. I'd trade my local Toys R Us for a nice Bike Trail !

. . . .Country living in a cozy place for two

THANK YOU SO MUCHfor giving me the info you have. Nothing beats knowing someone when you visit a place. Nothing beats talking to the folks firsthand. I've been looking into it and asking around but you guys are giving me more info!!!!!

So If I am to take a week or so off and visit for a nice spot what would you suggest?

[AAAAA]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HGPh...eature=related

[cjefferys]

I would like to live outside a city. Near a lake or river. Nice scenery , laid back folks thats what I'm looking for.

Getting Married learning to live together and my Artwork have me busy so I don't collect much anymore so thats not an issue. I'd trade my local Toys R Us for a nice Bike Trail !

. . . .Country living in a cozy place for two

THANK YOU SO MUCHfor giving me the info you have. Nothing beats knowing someone when you visit a place. Nothing beats talking to the folks firsthand. I've been looking into it and asking around but you guys are giving me more info!!!!!

So If I am to take a week or so off and visit for a nice spot what would you suggest?

The area where I live in Canada is really nice. Small town country living, outside of the city, great bike trail and right near the lake (Lake Erie). Yet, only 15 minutes away from Buffalo, NY if you miss "American civilization" (if you can call Buffalo that ). But I have to admit that I have no idea about local job opportunities for your line of work. Right in my town, probably not much, but there are larger cities that aren't too far of a drive away.

[jp1969]

Teaching Jobs are like that here, other than a coaches and adsministration I'm usually the only male staff at most Daycares, Schools and community centers I have worked at.

I'm not looking to be a lead teacher unless the education system is WAY different up there. Being an assistant is okay as well. And I do well with teh special ed kids I have half a special education masters degree and a BFA in art, Lots of experience teaching too, outside the US as well.

I got the Hippy statistic from a funny Wikipedia triva . %44 of the Canadian population has tried Wacky Tobacco and thats the largest percentage in the world! I've been looking into it and asking around but you guys are giving me more info!!!!!

So If I am to take a week or so off and visit for a nice spot what would you suggest?

Try the twilight zone in Quebec...............Sbeen alright for you so far eh?

[jimsmegos]

Teaching Jobs are like that here, other than a coaches and adsministration I'm usually the only male staff at most Daycares, Schools and community centers I have worked at.

I'm not looking to be a lead teacher unless the education system is WAY different up there. Being an assistant is okay as well. And I do well with teh special ed kids I have half a special education masters degree and a BFA in art, Lots of experience teaching too, outside the US as well.

I got the Hippy statistic from a funny Wikipedia triva . %44 of the Canadian population has tried Wacky Tobacco and thats the largest percentage in the world! To be more specific I want to be around both Artsy types and outdorsy types.

I would like to live outside a city. Near a lake or river. Nice scenery , laid back folks thats what I'm looking for.

Getting Married learning to live together and my Artwork have me busy so I don't collect much anymore so thats not an issue. I'd trade my local Toys R Us for a nice Bike Trail !

. . . .Country living in a cozy place for two

THANK YOU SO MUCHfor giving me the info you have. Nothing beats knowing someone when you visit a place. Nothing beats talking to the folks firsthand. I've been looking into it and asking around but you guys are giving me more info!!!!!

So If I am to take a week or so off and visit for a nice spot what would you suggest?

Well if you decide to stay in the states.... judgeing by your criteria check this out in my neck of the woods. I think it could really fit the bill for ya...

http://www.eurekasprings.com/

[samurainoir]

I got the Hippy statistic from a funny Wikipedia triva . %44 of the Canadian population has tried Wacky Tobacco and thats the largest percentage in the world! To be more specific I want to be around both Artsy types and outdorsy types.

I would like to live outside a city. Near a lake or river. Nice scenery , laid back folks thats what I'm looking for.

So If I am to take a week or so off and visit for a nice spot what would you suggest?

You are definitely describing the Left Coast. Once you sample BC, you won't want to go back whence you came.

[Brazoo]

Yeah - artsy and laid back living sounds like British Columbia will be right up your alley. For scenery nothing beats mountains on the coast, and it's very very artsy.

[Brazoo]

[fallensaviour]

You don't want to be anywhere near Van try someplace else like the okanogan/penticton/kelowna/kamloops 0or better yet radium hot springs/invermere bc area.
That is real country.

[Joe90]

You don't want to be anywhere near Van try someplace else like the okanogan/penticton/kelowna/kamloops 0or better yet radium hot springs/invermere bc area.
That is real country.

You could live in Oroville, Washington and have the best of both Countries...

[TrueDave]

Thanks guys! Keep them coming! I will share this info with my Fiance when she gets home tonight! :-) !!!

[tmlfanphil]

If you watched the Olympics this past winter Tom Brokaw explained Canada to Americans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV_041oYDjg

[saildog]

Well if you decide to stay in the states.... judgeing by your criteria check this out in my neck of the woods. I think it could really fit the bill for ya...

http://www.eurekasprings.com/

No doubt!!

I've spent a lot of time in your neck of the woods on the Buffalo and at Bull Shoals. Beautiful country and nice folks, as well.

[TrueDave]

I'm looking at the requirements to get in.

Three years to get a citzenship for starters.

When I lived in Taiwan I went as a visitor, got a job and the boss signed on my Green Card.

I've done a lot of childcare. That seems to be something might be needed.

About the west, I watched a few Stargate behind the scenes and saw it seemed to be raining all the time.

The You Tube link below said almost all Canadians live within 100 miles of the border because of the cold. Reminds me of the Australia.

I'm bringing my own but do you guys have enough women up there?

I'm half serious: Can an American claim refugee status? Can i say I don't like my goverment?

How are you folks doing on employment? Health care? Disability? unemployment? Do you have to have car insurance? Again I watched the Mike Moore movies. I REALLY LOVED the Bowling for Columbine part where Moore visits Canada .

[Brazoo]

About the west, I watched a few Stargate behind the scenes and saw it seemed to be raining all the time.

Yeah - the west coast sees a lot of rain same way Seattle Washington does. I believe it's due to the mountains. They also see very little snow and have a more even temperature year-round - so there is a bit of a pay-off.

The You Tube link below said almost all Canadians live within 100 miles of the border because of the cold. Reminds me of the Australia.

It gets colder as you move North, obviously - but most of Canada's trade is with the US, so I'd argue that that's a much bigger factor. For example, Toronto is north of Buffalo NY, but both cities generally share the same climate. Canada's two biggest cities - Toronto and Montreal - were built around the shipping industry. They were built on major bodies of water that are shared with the US. It's just like the biggest US cities, if you think about it. Trade brings jobs, brings people...

I'm bringing my own but do you guys have enough women up there?

No. It's like the movie "Deliverance" here.

I'm half serious: Can an American claim refugee status? Can i say I don't like my goverment?

I sure as hell hope not. You do know what refugee status is for, right?

Maybe I should just avoid talking too much about this one.

How are you folks doing on employment? Health care? Disability? unemployment? Do you have to have car insurance? Again I watched the Mike Moore movies. I REALLY LOVED the Bowling for Columbine part where Moore visits Canada .

Employment - Over the world financial crisis Canada lost less jobs and was less effected economically than any other major country. Our banking and credit regulation laws theoretically protected us from the housing and credit crisis the US experienced.

None of this stopped me (and 200 fellow employees) of getting let go at the beginning of the crisis. I currently earn about half of what I did three years ago.

Heath Care - I liked "Bowling for Columbine" too, but it's more of an essay - it's not 100% journalistic reporting. Health care in Canada is not FREE - Our taxes cover doctor exams and hospital stays.

Car Insurance - It's illegal to drive in Canada without car insurance. There are differences in the policies and how liable works in Canada.

Just to sum up, there are certain socialized services that Canadians enjoy - just like there are socialized services in the US. Politically we're not that different. I'm getting the idea that you think there is a radical difference on a social-economic level and there really isn't - we're a democratic free-market based economy, just like the US.