Close Reading

I'm a Canadian from Toronto that's been living in Boston for the past 4 years. Love the city - probably the most underrated in North America. The people here are friendly (not polite, but friendly), and I've generally enjoyed living here. Having said all of that, I'm moving back to Canada in a week. There are some major benefits to living in Boston over Toronto - the pay is significantly higher for the same job, the city is beautiful, and the weather is much better. My wife has enjoyed her time here less, as there are some subtle cultural differences here with misogyny (men in professional settings always touching her inappropriately, she's been drugged at bars several times, and she is treated poorly by many men). Things that were unthinkable in Toronto. Add the slow deterioration of women's rights in this country, and the general situation with healthcare, and its become a rather unwelcoming place for someone used to Canadian culture.

I am Canadian. I truly feel culturally we are very similar and there are many great places to live in the States. However in the areas we do differ are the things that make me a proud Canadian. I wouldn't necessarily oppose to living there but that health care issue is the big NO for me. Not to mention the 100 year old President who can barely use full sentences is kinda scary.

I have been in the USA many times and been to mamny places. and it was ok, but I never wanted to move there, and I still don't. Gun violence is way out of control, womens rightsf are being devoured, book banning, bigotry, etc, etc .Nope. .. I AM CANADIAN .. ?

As an American I don’t think you hear all the incidents in your schools. A society that can disregard the attack on its children is a very sad place to be

Ha. I live very close to the SumasFlats guy with his religion comment. Abbotsford (the actual city there) is the most religious place in the Greater Vancouver area. We're generally pretty secular here but there are many people still believing in magic sky daddies.

To your point about choosing where exactly in the US you live - I grew up for 26 years near Toronto but have lived in the US for the last 20 (husband is American). We live in a bubble of like-minded and similar people, and there are very few places in the US we could tolerate. Also, DO NOT underestimate the effects of school shootings on families. I have kids and I'm a teacher. It's on my mind EVERY SINGLE DAY. I'm kind of hoping my kids decide to go to university in Canada. Finally, don't forget that for good health insurance, you are paying a premium just for the coverage, and then on top of that if anything happens you are paying hundreds/thousands of dollars for the services!

The big 3 reasons against have been very well articulated in the video. Social safety net is lacking, health care system is\nmentally stunted, Gun culture and Religiosity are far too entrenched in the American psyche. I would add overcrowding,\na more hyper rat race, and...it's too damn hot in many places. Positive reasons to consider the move are American dominance of pop culture, ask most of the best Canadian Actors...and if you are wealthy and want to remain in Canada, it must be nice to be a snow bird for 4 months each year. Truly wealthy people can find ways to avoid taxes in both countries. I will say that the U.S. does seem to have a far better choice of regional and international food culture, in spite of the corporate fast food dominance.

I don't know if you know this Tyler but America just hit its final hour, 250 years is the expiration date for empires and your United States just hit that mark. Plus have you seen the way Canadians have socialized systems that give us a high quality of life. Our current government is still capitalist but I currently can't be kicked out by federal mandate if I keep paying rent, the liberals have put this provision in place because the housing market is out of control. The liberals under Trudeau also helped the first nation's people more than ANY priminister to date and he dealt with the mass graves the best a light skinned priminister could. He's facing the same issues Biden is facing, the Koch brothers and Peter Thiel are pumping out propogada like transphobia, climate change, trickle down economics and poisoning the left by buying up publications with there infinite dark money.\n\n56 billion was spent last year on influence alone, That means 100,000 Americans saving ALL their money for 10 years would just match Koch influence powers they have in 1 year. \n\nYour housing market was destroyed by the Koch Brothers, they destroyed our water supplies up north fracking bitumen out of the land. \n\nThen when Koch wanted to leave the oil sands they made a propoganda piece pointing the blame at Trudeau.\n\nSo ya, no one wants to go to he country Koch brothers already control 100% were being fought over by Peter thiel who isn't any better.

I'm Canadian and no way in hell would I ever live in the US. Sure, there may be cool places and stuff, but 1. no way would I give up the healthcare. 2. I'm disabled and in a wheelchair so can't offer anything work-related which would mean no health insurance or $. It would be a very bad thing for me.

There are places in the States that I love to visit (although not right now, because I've never had a passport). I used to be in a drum corp, and we did a lot of parades and field shows down there in New York State and Pennsylvania, and had a great time. But I would never move there. I probably couldn't afford health care there anyway. My niece married a lovely guy from Maine, and he was planning on moving up here, but for unexpected family reasons, they ended up staying there. But he is increasingly worried about the political climate.

Healthcare in Canada is falling apart, our prime minister is trying to turn us into a dictatorship, cost of living has gone extreme especially buying a house.......Canada is not Canada at the moment, I would wait before moving here yet lol. I would not go to the states however I've considered other places.

Pre-911, I went to Maryland as a kid for the summer to stay with family, I thought the US was a magical, amazing place.\n\nNow I still think the U.S. is great, but Im a lot more grounded and realistic about it now.

News escalates stuff, if all you know of a place is from the media, it's going to screw your perspective: you've got to know the people, and have a sound background of the places first.\n\nI was once offered a cushy job, and what they called 4h coverage, but was too scared to make the move, even though it was just across the boarder in Syracuse.\n\nI think if it was a swell place, with lots of opportunity, and overflowing with cash, you'd be a fool not to.\n\nGreat people, great times, why not?\n\nDuo-citizenship, best of both worlds.

If I had to choose between dying in a fire and moving to the states as someone who actually almost has died in a fire I think I’ll stick with what I know how to do besides it’s not as bad as you think dying in a fire that is not the states that place is a hellacious nightmare

No way would I want to live down there. Dat place is crazy, dirty, and dangerous. Half the country hates everyone else, or so it seems. Given that your crazies have such easy access to guns, I think it is one of the last north western countries I would live in. \nAlso, the fact that the number one cause of personal bankruptcies in The US, is medical expenses. It is a country where a couple of stitches can cost you a thousand bucks and where insurance companies decide what treatments are available to you.\nI think it would be a terrible place to live, especially with a family.

BC would be the best place to live. Love it.

Props Tyler you took that well. I lived in the states for over 10 years. CT, MA, NY, IN. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Every place has faults if you look hard enough but you wont find more generous people than in America.\nCanada is my home and I love the culture and the people but I found Americans are just as nice and kind.\nIf you haven't lived there you can only judge by what you know. As for me I lived and traveled there since I was 20. In various States.\nIf you haven't been endeared to the Americans while living there you haven't been around the right people. If you are having a rough day there will always be friends who have your back.\nI'm moving back to the States next year after 10 years back in Canada.

My opinion is : a nice place to visit, but wouldn't wanna live there.......

Tyler, remember that the mass media plays a big role in this as anytime there is a school shooting in the US it gets reported in Canada. The news focuses on anomalies and these are still anomalies. I remember the first time I went to NYC in 1988 when it was still much more dangerous than it is today. When I got off the train I told my girlfriend not to take her camera out - but as soon as we rounded the corner from Grand Central it was wall to wall tourists and everyone had their camera out. I ended up having a great time and rode the subway all over the place, no problem whatsoever. I have travelled across the US several times and been to every single US state. There is huge variety and the US is my fav country in the WORLD for a road trip - so convenient, easy, interesting, beautiful and with friendly people everywhere. I have a message, having travelled to 105 countries on 6 continents and living 15 years of my life abroad in various countries - almost EVERYWHERE is safe in the world and full of mostly great people. TV isn't reality folks! If you are an idiot, you could get into trouble anywhere.

As a Canadian, I've always wanted to do an easy going road trip across America and visit both some hidden gems as well as some of the more famous tourist spots. No interest in Disney World or any super crowded places. That would be too much of a culture shock for this rural maritimer

Tyler, with complete respect you DON'T get why we generally have no interest in moving to the US. You constantly talk about 'you just have to find the right place to live'. True of anywhere, but here the choice would be about preferences and afordability, NOT to avoid gun violence or shunning because of political views.\nThere is no where in Canada I could move to where gun violence would be a big factor to consider (we have rough places, and gun violence, but STRICT gun laws). Let me give you some perspective. In 2019 the USA had 37,038 gun related deaths. (No other causes of death- JUST all gun death). In Canada, in 2019, our death by illegal means (which does include suicide, as it is illegal) was 5,874. (That is for ALL types of homicide, not just guns). And the government was shocked by the increase that year and tightened gun restrictions further.\nYou talk about having certain States more Red or Blue. We aren't bi- partisan, so our politics are a melting pot. You might have people you disagree with everywhere you go, but you will also always find an equal group who thinks similar (unless your an extremist). And even the people who think different will generally agree to dis- agree. There is next to nowhere in Canada where your political views would get you run out of town. \n\nYou are USED to thinking like an American. (Fair, your American; I think like a Canadian) Trust me, as a Canadian, there are aspects of the accepted American culture (your country's way of life) that is boarderline terrifying to people here.

I'm in the not even considering the US for any visits ever again. I know quite a few Americans - love them to death but they are in the minority IMO. At lest in the places I had to travel to. Europe I do twice a year now - love it everywhere!

Most of those that commented we don't want in this country in the first place and my guess is that fellow Canadians wish they would leave their country.

I have two brothers living in the states. The one in Wisconsin is my big brother and he means the world to me. He does have his foibles about race and he tolerates me bringing him to task for some of the things he's said. He was brought up in Kentucky. He seems to be seeing the light now. I have spent time with him and my sister-in-law, and my nieces and nephews in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana. We are close now despite being brought up worlds apart. My next oldest brother lives in West Virginia. I haven't seen him on over 30 years. He had a habit of moving without telling the rest of the family. I didn't know he had divorced and remarried. I worked for the Canadian Military as well as some of the American contingent where I worked. I had to renew information for my Security Clearance just after 9/11. He refused to give me any info because Rush Limbaugh was telling Americans the terrorists came to the U.S. from Canada (they actually were taking flight training in Florida). I suppose I could easily take up American citizenship since our mother had dual citizenship but I think I'll decline. I'm too much of a Canuck to change now. I don't think I could get used to politicians winning an election and immediately starting a new campaign. The process seems exhausting to always be bombarded with things politic. Here our electioneering is held to 6-8 weeks before the election and strict limits are placed on funding and contributions. Besides, I live in a small city of 58-60 thousand (North Bay, Ontario). In the close to 70 years that I've lived here, I can recall only 3 murders, so you'll under if I find mass shootings shocking and abhorrent and truthfully scary. I'm a little long winded today....Sorry.

I've been to 15 countries and out of all the hotels and stuff I've stayed in I've left things laying around like some money, wedding ring and never had a problem even in very poor countries.\n\n Except in one country where I left my wedding ring laying on the nightstand by the bed like I always do all over the world, and guess which country I had my wedding ring stolen out of all of them? It was in Canada where a maid came in and stole my fucking wedding ring. So now I don't have my wedding ring that I' had for 10 years because I made the mistake of going to Canada to see the Niagara falls.\n\n This was not in a fleabag hotel either it was the Hilton which was a very nice but overpriced place with no parking. I have no desire to ever go back to Canada again. If you do go to Canada hide your jewelry because the maids there will steal your stuff. Seriously I've been in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica and they respected my property and didn't steal it. Canada they will steal your jewelry. \n\nThe only good thing about Canada is the weed stores. That's it I found nothing else, no other redeeming qualities of that godforsaken place. Edit, actually either of these girls would probably be worth going to Canada for...

never wanted to, and will not, I came to my happy place - Canada- almost 40 years ago. If I have to leave, it will be somewhere in Europe, but not the USA.

I would Never moove to USA. To many stupid magas, a corrupt supreme court, no decent affordable health care. To many guns on the street. I live in Québec, where scolar ship to high Lebel, is practically Fred. University, the only place you really pays something is still very affordable. Si tank you, but non thanks.

I would not be interested in moving to the US and would have to have pretty strong reasons that I needed to visit. Not a place I would consider as a holiday destination anymore.

America is a beautiful country to look at, and I'm sure there are lots of beautiful people, but the arrogance of some of them is mind blowing. I recently watched the news footage of 911, I cried all the way through that, first out of compassion and next out of frustration. When people were jumping out of those towers, George Dubya was making a statement that terrorism would not stand in America. What did he think was standing in his face. The terrorists won that day. Then when they got Bin Laden He stands up and says we got him . Big deal you got one person , when there are dozens to take his place. No mention of other countries that helped them. , they have taken full credit for every war that ever happened. They wonder why the rest of the world hates that country. The sad thing is that 911 didn't teach them a thing. They brag about how they lost 3000 people and other countries only lost a few to terrorism. How sad that they think that way. You had a great president in Obama, but you have that 2 term rule and have been going downhill ever since. And our Canada's Prime minister is certainly nothing to be proud of. Politically he's no threat to anybody, but his own country. Mostly he is an immoral threat to his own country. But that's another vent for another day. I still pray every day for the world and that includes America, but I can't imagine what it will take to break them of that arrogance.

Generally the northern and western states I might consider moving to but certainly not the southern and eastern states. The closer you get to Florida, the bat shit crazier it gets. However health care makes it a non starter. Too bad because there are some beautiful places in the US.

Went to university is the midwest and DC and have traveled in every state so I know a lot about the US. Now I fear for my nephews in an Atlanta school. Gun violence is out of control. No one goes broke from hospital bills in Canada. Nice to visit (most places anyway) but no thanks to living in the US. Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines all look good for retirement.

Would not ever move there. Don’t even know when I would visit there again. Maybe I’d like to go (very many great places & things to do, lots of interesting history) but I don’t really want to take a chance with all the problems there. Probably won’t be going. Not to mention the insanity that has taken hold with so many ppl- crazy crazy times - I don’t even want to say I’m Canadian down there anymore because we get such ridiculous comments. I’ve even had people turn away if they find out I’m Canadian. Yes of course it depends on where you go blah blah blah but it’s exhausting & risky so really not worth it right now. As usual Tyler you’re really starting to understand! Just the idea that people always say “this never happens somewhere like here“ & then it does. Just the thought of “I never thought it would happen at our school“ and then it happens. No thanks

i’m canadian and i would never move to the states, my dad often says he won’t even visit again. the school shooting concern? maybe it’s just our news media but that’s literally the only time we hear of elementary schools at all in the states, and it often happens in places we’ve never heard of before, aka small town usa, so: it can literally happen anywhere in the states to me. for more gun violence here’s a story, i recently had a coworker go down the west coast usa with their family and almost immediately walk into a mall shooting, it really happens so much down there that it didn’t even make the news up here. i work in a mall and i’m never afraid for my life. i’m not being naive, we have guns here, and i work next to a passport photo counter and i see how many people in my town apply for PAL (possession and acquisition license) and it’s more than i would think and still i feel safe

Hello Tyler. Thanks for your videos. Sadly, although I'm sure there are a lot of wonderful people and places in the US, I wouldn't want to live there. Keep up the good and funny work❤

Good question! We owned a place in Florida for three years. Sold it before Covid hit. I don’t miss it. Thanks for asking.

Maybe Canadians are more concerned about gun violence than Tyler feels they need to be, BUT HERE IS WHY! \n\nAccording to USA today and Forbes magazine there have been more than 300 mass shootings so far this year and 200 people were shot on the 4th of July alone. These articles are dated July, 2023. A mass shooting was defined as 4 or more people killed or injured. There is a bbc article from May 2023 that states 48,830 people died of gun violence in 2021 in the US; that’s the population of a small city in Canada. Half those deaths were suicides, which occur because the guns are available. All of these articles mention the shear number of guns in the US, more guns than people, 120 guns per 100 people. So yes, I think Tyler is exhibiting his American bias and has become desensitized. His statements that it’s only in some places and to choose carefully where you live because violence isn’t every where are not borne out by the stats. These shootings happen in all corners of the country and every time they do people are shocked that it could happen in their safe little town. Think back to Columbine, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Uvalde these were not violent communities yet their schools were targeted. \n\nThe gun culture is high on the list of reasons I wouldn’t move to the US but do is politics, women’s rights, anti 2SLGBTQ legislation, health care, environmental protection laws ( or lack there of), lack of social programs, etc. Canada certainly isn’t perfect but I’ll take it warts and all over a US option. Don’t get me wrong I love to visit the US but living there is a whole different ball of wax. Thanks but no.

Tyler's right about small-town America. I was driving my family to an international soccer tournament when the van broke down. A kind American stopped, found a tow rope in his truck, and towed us to the nearest town --- Drayton, North Dakota. \n\nThe town was so stereotypical, it was almost comical. It's definitely a different culture. There was the guy dressed head-to-toe in camouflage, with a bright orange hunter's vest. There was a carload of kids driving a hot rod up and down the main street, back and forth, back and forth, with no particular place to go.\n\nBut then there were two very kind gentlemen who came up to us, concerned about our wellbeing and where my family would sleep that night, because the motel was filling-up fast with competitors for the Drayton Catfish Capital Challenge Catfish Tournament (it's a real thing, look it up). Nobody prompted them. They had no ulterior motive. They were just genuinely concerned for us.\n\nMy lasting impression of the townspeople I'd met in Drayton that day was how nice they all were. They were kind and friendly and genuinely caring toward others, going out of their way to help us any way they could.

No I don't think so no guns laws canada safe place to live

Travelled there so many times but I compare it to Paris : Heaven and Hell in the same place... Tried living there but was so happy to get back to Québec. The culture is not at all the same... But it is the most beautiful country to visit. Same with France but on a much smaller scale.

I had considered it once, about 25 years ago. I had friends to move to and everything, but my mother's cancer came back and I decided not to. I think it would have been fine in the past but given the circumstances that have evolved over the last 10 years - no, not to live. There are tons of beautiful and interesting places to visit in the US and I love visiting my friends. There are also tons of nice people in the US, but no, I would never move there.

Tyler? I suggest google’n “ school shootings, small town America”…. article after article, when you do, says why most mass school shootings tend to happen in small towns….where nobody expects that they would have happened & how all the residents in those towns are always surprised that they happened in their town. \nI say this as somebody who once loved the idea of moving to the USA. \nMy mom was a single parent and as a result I spent a ton of time as a very young kid in the late 80s throughout the mid 90s in a small town in Oregon on my aunt and uncles dairy farm with my cousins and I absolutely loved it. Truthfully, I still love small-town America and I love the vast majority of the people I have met from small-town America. There is the friendliness and community that I find very similar to prairie farming towns in Canada. \n And as a kid, I loved the focus on high school sports in the small USA town I spent time in and how it brought the community together. It was very exciting to go to my cousins football games—stuff like that was super fun as a kid.\nAs an adult, with 2 young kids of my own now? \nYes, I would be terrified to send my children to any school in the United States, especially knowing that the vast majority of my school shootings do happen in small towns, which is a type of place in the states I would personally like to go to, if I did move. \n\nAdditionally, I will be completely bankrupt at this point given my own health issues as well as my two kids health issues and I’m just in my late 30s. \nAnd I’m not talking to super crazy health issues, but health issues nonetheless. I have asthma that has gone through patches where I’ve had to be hospitalized & I was diagnosed with stage 3 malignant melanoma when I was in my late 20s and pregnant with my 2nd. My first child was born with a congenital heart disorder that was missed through the pregnancy and until she was two, and that involved many many trips to the hospital & various specialists until they figured out what was going on (one of the symptoms was her randomly stopping breathing and going blue, which was terrifying, and could’ve been for many different reasons & it took many specialists & many hospital visits to figure it all out)\nMy son was born with a multiple protein intolerance and later received an autism diagnosis. There a decent number of hospital visits and specialists for his first couple of years of life too. \n\n I have no idea if I was in the United States how I would’ve paid for any of our health issues (let alone all three of ours) for that 5 or 6 year period where we all needed various types of regular-ish medical care. \n(because we got good medical care, thankfully, none of us have really had to see doctors any more than the average person in the last few years?)\n\nMy kids are now in elementary school, and, as a Canadian, the issue of school shootings happening anywhere….., including in small towns that seem perfectly safe……as well as the cost of healthcare for stuff that is covered by our taxes here in Canada….. are the two biggest reasons that I will think fondly of my time in small-town America, but would never consider moving there

Hi Tyler, I enjoy your videos, your my favorite American lol\nWhile I was watching your video I was keeping an open mind on reasons why I would or would not move to US. I am Canadian, I was born here in the 60's, I've travelled around the world, including the US but have always lived and worked in Canada. I love my country. saying that now....\nThe last 10 years for Canada has been the worst ever in history, our government has destroyed the foundation of what it means to be Canadian and has made this country look very bad on the world stage.\nEventually that will change. This currently gives reasons why a Canadian wants to move from Canada.\nYou are right about the US, there are places you can move to that offer quiet, country, safe living but like Canada, those places usually trade the good life for lack of opportunity.. the difference is most of Canada gives you the good life and opportunity in the same place. A good example, Billings Montana or Red Deer Alberta... if you compare the 2, they are close, but overall life in Red Deer would be better.\nCulture has changed thoughts too, I could never get used to seeing anyone other that law enforcement carrying a gun.. I realize Americans have the right to carry guns.... but why? are you being invaded?\nI will pick up a gun if i need too in order to protect my country, but I don't need to prove it by displaying it in public. Given that alone, The american people have gluttoned themselves on firearms to the point of not just beating each other up in disagreements, but shooting each other... road rages in Canada dont usually end up death by shooting, people and kids don't usually walk into malls and schools and start shooting.\nYou cannot get guns that easy in Canada.

I have spina bifida and I’ve had 20+ surgeries. I’m not leaving a country that kept me out of bankruptcy and death and kept me from getting shot. I’m white, but I’m not playing Russian Roulette with my life. I just in the last few years discovered cannabis as relief for my chronic pain. I know there are some places where it’s legal, but it isn’t worth the risk for me. I remember visiting LA when I was 12 and hearing about how cool and hip Beverly Hills was. When I got there, it looked worse than the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, which is one of the poorest, most crime filled places in Canada. It was scary. That’s not the kind of “freedom” I’m looking for. You can’t exercise any freedom when you’re 6 feet under.

Sorry Tyler, you walked right into that hornet’s nest... no clear-minded Canadian would ever willingly move to the USA unless it was for money or, as you said in the first 20seconds, ‘stuff’. When people talk about the USA, they talk about ‘stuff’ and ‘things’ , usually easily replaceable ‘stuff’ and ‘things’.... when people talk about Canada, they talk about ‘people’ and ‘places’. It’s not the stuff and things that make a country great, it’s the people and places... there’s a reason why not one Canadian has ever felt the need to make, sell, or wear a cap that declares ‘Make Canada Great Again’, because Canada has never stopped being great, and that’s because of its people and places.\nSorry again, bud! ??????

Not a criticism, just an observation. Canadians mention school shootings a lot and you kind of blow it off. That to me is really sad because it has become so common place in America that most Americans don't even find it shocking anymore. Not saying that you are fine with it but rather, you become desensitized.

As a Canadian, I would consider moving to the US if I was already independently wealthy. The US is hands down the best place in the world to be rich. Canada is not perfect, but it's better for regular people.

It's weird, I've never even thought of it before...hhmmm. I don't think I could afford to move there either. To visit, yeah, there are a lot of places down south I'd like to see. I'm kinda worried about the heat in some States though. lol

I am so thankful I was born in Canada. My daughter has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and all her treatments are free, some of the meds are free and others are signifantly reduced in price. I think America will get universal medical coverage at some point but those gun laws are nuts!!! Just two of the major reasons why I, along with most Canadians, really are anxious about visiting, nevermind moving, to the US. Sorry, don't mean to disparage your country but Canada is a better place to live on the whole.

hell no i woud not move to the US and Canada is not smaller .. we have a lot less population but w/ the way the planet warm up ... we should be it a good place soon \nbtw I live in norten quebec so dammm those pass fire ... GL BC

I'm afraid that with the gun craze down there, I would not consider it. Then, there is the lousy healthcare... And just when I think you guys aren't that bad off, I watch an episode of John Oliver's This Week Tonight, and a plethora of new reasons spring up. \n\nRight now in Canada, there is a Conservative Party that is starting to adopt the MAGA philosophy of consorting with white supremacism, fascism, misogyny and racist, and I cannot imagine moving to a place where this stuff is running rife. \n\nTyler, you are a lovely example of a decent American, and in truth, when visiting the States (which I haven't done for years), I met more people like you than like MAGA. However, my tolerance for stupid, hateful people is far lower since Trump was elected, and I swore I would not visit the US again until the WH, Congress and the Senate clean house of the Republican scourge. \n\nBut moving to the US would never be an option for me. I love Canada. I live in one of the most beautiful parts of Canada - Vancouver Island. I was born here and have visited many places in the world, but this is, and will forever be, home!