If I were to move... (or Canada for n00bs)

[Chip NoVaMac]

I live in Calgary, and I know for sure that someone can come here and work construction or service industry jobs, under the table, without any problems. Just drive/bus out to a new neighbourhood, and walk up to some crews and ask to start. Or, go to a family run restaurant. You won't make a lot of money, but you won't be treated like a slave or second class citizen either.

Thanks for the positive note. But there are those of us that are 2nd generation Americans of descendants that took the trouble and pains to enter the US legally so many years ago. That the thought of being in the "underground" economy is troublesome. Let alone sneaking across a border, or over staying a visa/passport.

Add to that there are a growing number like myself that are being turned off by what is happening here in the US in the politics that are going on. Again I hope that this is not pushing this thread to the PF here on MR. I post these comments not for debate, but to illustrate a POV of some seeking a better "dialog" as to our countries priorities.

Yet in this past few weeks we have had the Speaker of the House again speak of a bill's passage, only if "a majority of the majority" agrees - meaning that the bill would only pass if a majority of the Republicans (who are the majority) - even though in a House vote of all members the bill could pass.

We have a Congressman from New Orleans that was taped accepting $100KUS perhaps a bribe. A warrant search of his home found $90KUS in his freezer. Warrants were served to search his Congressional office, and both Republicans and Democrats here in the US are up in arms; demanding that the Department of Justice return the materials seized from his office. Yet twice they voted for the USPA. And they did not cry foul as loud as they are now over NSA wiretaps and collection of phone call records.

I could rant on with many more examples. But for some of us that try to read "international" news, there seems to be a better way in many other "western" nations. If you (and the mods) would allow for this community thread - I would be happy to share deeper on why I want my remaining years to be given to a country that might truly care about someone like myself that is over 45, but wanting to make the best contribution that I can in the years I have left on this earth.

Yeah the job market in Calgary is crazy good right now, however the flip side of that is housing is hard to come by and expen$ive

That is my concern. I don't want to be like the problem we have in many urban centers here in the US. Renting a portion of a bedroom. IIRC my apartment complex (by county law) allows for up to three unrelated adults to live in my one bedroom apartment.

According to my neighbors/friends in the TH community that I sold my TH a year ago, the day after settlement, there was dry wall being delivered to a 1400 sq ft TH (with walls were in perfect condition IMO). The trend in my old TH community was to subdivide the 12x20 master bedroom in to two separate rooms in the least.

Nothing is perfect in life. I know that. But as a Gay male, I want a place that I might have a chance to share my life fully with someone else - without some trying to cut short the Constitution, where we are all supposed to be treated equal.

I want a place that I might be able to get "affordable" medical treatment for what "old age" may bring me. Or perhaps a place that has a value for the experience that one can bring to the table. Perhaps a place that deficit spending is for the good of the citizens for the near term, than for things that many might never see.