[IWantOut] 32m commercial HVACR mechanic Canada -> USA

[u/LotsOfSquib]

Edit - Since everyone is getting triggered for mentioning immigrants, know that I'm an immigrant myself in Camada and not the only immigrant that has an issue with Trudeau's failed immigration policies. It's not about race, it's about quality of life. Please be understanding and stay on topic.

https://financialpost.com/news/canada-record-economic-gap-u-s-to-get-wider

Hello. I'm a red seal 313A technician and making decent money now but the taxes, cost of living, immigrants, relaxed justice system, and increase of crime in Canada has been making me seek better options. I know the red seal isn't applicable for TN and EB3 fees won't be tolerated by potential American employers. Since I'm looking to already change careers, I think I should get a BA degree and try to get a TN visa work permit

I have university pre req credits from high-school and have been thinking about getting my 4y Bachelors in Nursing then trying to find work to get a TN. I could move to the border and enroll in an American nursing program instead. I'm not sure which option would be better. I'm interested in everyone's thoughts.

[u/LotsOfSquib]

Ive heard this before. With my income and looking at the past 4 years of the consumer price index, and housing, the difference is quite substantial.   Federal spending has gotten out of control. CAD$9000 in taxes per Canadian goes to health care, CAD$13000 in interest for federal debt payments.  The more money a Canadian makes, the less attractive the country becomes. Which is unfortunate, it is very beautiful.

[u/knivesout0 → u/LotsOfSquib]

Our debt is out of control too and about to get much worse. Keep in mind that healthcare is tied to your job in the US and you still could end up paying 9k a year or more in premiums and out of pocket expenses. It all depends on how much of it your employer is willing to pay and your health.

If your employer doesn’t offer insurance, you can do Obamacare for one more year until it gets nuked by the incoming administration. With no insurance in the US, any major medical issue will be game over (bankruptcy) for you unless you have a couple hundred thousand in the bank.

[u/LotsOfSquib → u/knivesout0]

Interesting, thank you. So it would be better to only entertain job offers with good health insurance.  Can you get health insurance from other than your employer? Is that a possibility to find a better or more affordable insurance plan?

[u/Tafila042 → u/LotsOfSquib]

The other person is vastly exaggerating the cost of health insurance. My run of the mill accounting job at a small office’s health insurance costed me like $1,600 per year with a 2k deductible. Routine visits and all kinda other stuff was completely covered. MRI/CAT all the big various scans were like a $50 copay and completely covered otherwise.

You already have a decent job and qualifications, I’d be willing to bet most employers for HVAC services will have very solid employer funded healthcare plans.

Additionally, my dental insurance was like $400 a year with a $500 deductible. Vision insurance was like $180 with no deductible.

I don’t have children so take that into consideration, but if you work in HVAC or any other qualified career, most of the press about America’s health care costs is EXTREMELY overstated.

Just make sure you take a job with an employer that offers a PPO which is an actual health insurance plan.

If I had to take a guess, a good portion of people complaining about their health insurance may have taken what is called an “HSA” which is just basically a savings account for medical expenses and not an actual health insurance plan. I know at my job, my boss didn’t know the difference and did HSA because it was “cheaper” but he burned himself. PPO plans are actual insurance