Since I’m going to graduate soon I’ve been devoting a lot of time into job prospects. And, as with many jobs, its who you know. I happen to know several people who could very possibly secure me some very decent engineering jobs, however several of them are in the United States. I’d be very grateful to anyone who could give me some reasons on why I should or shouldn’t move to the U.S., particularly the Maryland/Virginia region?
I love the United States. I would never want to live anywhere else. Partially because this is my home, but mostly because I really do believe it is the best country in the world, especially for business. Engineering is a job we definitely need right now considering the economy. I can’t personally offer any reasons regarding why you shouldn’t move here considering I don’t know where you’re coming from or what things you like, but I can almost guarantee you will love it here.
Well, where do you live now? Compare and contrast is easiest way.
But we have walmart and amazon.com… donno if you have those where you’re from.
Québec
We have Wal-Mart and amazon.ca
hmm… your girls are probably hotter than our girls then. I think America is good if you are going to earn 60+usd/year. For poor people, its kind of the pits… you just live paycheck 2 paycheck and can’t really protect yourself. No job security. If you can become upper-middle class, its like you’re a different citizen. Nice stuff costs maybe 30% more than crap stuff costs, so just having a little more income can make your life so much better.
What kind of engineer btw? What companies?
“I love the United States. I would never want to live anywhere else. Partially because this is my home, but mostly because I really do believe it is the best country in the world, especially for business. Engineering is a job we definitely need right now considering the economy.”
Do we really have a nationalist libertarian?
Is a $40,000 to $50,000 a year job paycheck-to-paycheck in the U.S.?
What kind of engineer btw?
Controls
hmm… your girls are probably hotter than our girls then
Crap, I’m rethinking this already.
Depends on the city in which you will live.
Depends on the city in which you will live.
Okay,
Maryland: Baltimore, Annapolis,
Virginia: Hampton/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Richmond
Piece of advise, don’t move to Baltimore. Highest crime rates in the country, filthy city… Even though the aquarium is nice there… And I like the inner harbor cept the water is f***ing black…
Vladimir Rezun:–"Don’t fool yourself. Our girls are just as pretty. Don’t defect if this is your only reason.’
Its the same everywhere.
“[American] Football. Yay! Obama. Bidden. Yay! … Yay! Sniff, sniff. I’m so happy they won… Tear, Tear.” So tells me a very pretty woman going into the US army as officer.
“Right!” I say…
Edit: Virginia beach is a really nice place to be during the summer! Go there often.
The US is still probably one of the better countries to live in, I am fairly certain it would be preferable to Canada from an economic point of view. 40-50K a year is not living from paycheck to paycheck in any city, even NYC, in Virginia it should be more than enough; that is, if you are somewhat careful with your money and don’t have a large family to support.
Maryland and Virginia probably would be more temperate than Quebec as well. You could be on or near beaches, top notch golf courses, mountains, and beautiful country side if you are into that sort of thing.
Cost of Living:
Annapolis, Maryland-136
Richmond, Virginia-109
Virginia Beach, Virginia-107
Norfolk, Virginia-96
Baltimore, Maryland-93
Hampton, Virginia-89
Crime Rate (2008):
Baltimore, Maryland-724.9
Norfolk, Virginia-504.4
Annapolis, Maryland-474.2
Richmond, Virginia-452.7
Hampton, Virginia-273.6
Virginia Beach, Virginia-211.7
Cost of Living:
Annapolis, Maryland-136
…
Crime Rate (2008):
Baltimore, Maryland-724.9
Thanks for doing the research but what do these numbers mean?
That depends on whether you would use income tax loopholes or not. But, if you really want low taxes, there are far better places the U.S.
Very true. I’ve looked at it from a few angles, and at least with respect to taxes on income, I think people in Ontario are paying less than some of the states, and roughly the same, otherwise.
But the good thing is that everything you buy in the US these days has about a 20-30% smaller price tag. 
There are people who never submit income tax returns in both Canada and U.S. If you remember what Aaron Russo said, it is the essentially the same in Canada. Most people are too afraid, though.
The DC area, where I live, has probably the nation’s most stable employment. But housing costs are very high. And nearly every job is government, law, or lobbying related.
If there are equally well paying jobs in quebec I might just stay there. Canada has this reputation for being socialist but it is in many ways freer than the United States.
Though, the USA is basically where all the top engineering firms are located. If you want to get real experienced and have good recommendations, it might be a good first job to take, even if you move back to canada later.
Btw, Americans make fun of canadians. But it would be cool for you to come down here to show people not everyone’s happy with socialised medicine in Canada.
I’m also an engineer, and I had the same dilemma a few years ago. I worked in Canada for the first few years after graduating, but the salaries in USA were so much higher so I took a job over there. My situation is sort of unique…I still live in Canada - I just drive across the border every day to work. A great setup if you can make it work; lower US income tax rates, cheap American gas, “free” Canadian health care, the option to drive over to USA and pay for health care when necessary.
I say move to USA. Get some good experience under your belt, and pay off your student debt. If you don’t like it, you can always move back. Not much difference culturally between the two countries - certainly less than the regional differences within each country. Whenever you feel the urge to say “eh” just say “huh” instead, and you’ll blend right in.
Good luck.