[wcr3d]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

Meh, depends on the individuals. A close friend of mine was in a long distance relationship for 8 years. As in an extremely long distance relationship; he was in Yorkshire (UK) and she was in TN. They got married 2 years ago and have been fighting the immigration/green card battle since. The amount of BS these two have gone through to be together astounds me. He is currently living here in the US, hopefully for their sanity, it's permanent.

It can be done, it just requires individuals of a certain caliber.

Totally agree, that is why I said rarely.
It is also great to know someone it has happened to.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Going off topic a little bit here, but how hard is it to get a green card? My wife and I were just talking about that the other day...moving permanently to the States is looking more and more appealing if Trudeau makes us into a socialist nation (which I honestly believe might be a dream of his). But we aren't sticking around if tax rates go to a point where we are giving up more than 50% of our earnings...there's no point in doing what we do at that rate, we'd find somewhere else to live.

I can't really speak from experience, but from what she has told me; it's a nightmare. They were married in the UK as she has dual citizenship. I'm guessing they thought if they were to present said credentials that it would make it easier to obtain citizenship for the groom. This is not how it happened. I know that he has been sent back to the UK for undetermined time frames no less than 3 times now. There are some hoops to jump through here, but I imagine they would be a little more accommodating in your case. They thought that their marriage was a sham in order for him to get US citizenship, thus the headache. for them.

[mc-m3]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Going off topic a little bit here, but how hard is it to get a green card? My wife and I were just talking about that the other day...moving permanently to the States is looking more and more appealing if Trudeau makes us into a socialist nation (which I honestly believe might be a dream of his). But we aren't sticking around if tax rates go to a point where we are giving up more than 50% of our earnings...there's no point in doing what we do at that rate, we'd find somewhere else to live.

Just remember that health insurance will run ~$1k each and if you ever see a doctor it will be more. Heaven help you if you have a major health issue, you could be liable for 10-20% of a huge bill. If you income is high enough, it will all work out.

It does make retirement seem difficult, our property taxes are ~$700/month, add in $2k/month for health ins., looking at $2700/month before doing anything else including eating. TBH, I think we will be ok as we were both tech workers and managed to save a fair amount.

good luck with whatever you choose. The other side of the fence always seems to be greener, but when you get there...

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by mc-m3

Just remember that health insurance will run ~$1k each and if you ever see a doctor it will be more. Heaven help you if you have a major health issue, you could be liable for 10-20% of a huge bill. If you income is high enough, it will all work out.

It does make retirement seem difficult, our property taxes are ~$700/month, add in $2k/month for health ins., looking at $2700/month before doing anything else including eating. TBH, I think we will be ok as we were both tech workers and managed to save a fair amount.

good luck with whatever you choose. The other side of the fence always seems to be greener, but when you get there...

$1K per month?? Holy crap. Well that sucks. Guess we'd have to weigh that in the overall consideration since we don't have any health insurance.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

$1K per month?? Holy crap. Well that sucks. Guess we'd have to weigh that in the overall consideration since we don't have any health insurance.

This is true, but don't you guys pay tons in taxes that covers health care? I would assume that it would come out in the wash.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

This is true, but don't you guys pay tons in taxes that covers health care? I would assume that it would come out in the wash.

Well, I can tell you that in 2018 I paid 19.2% effective tax rate after all my deductions, so effectively twenty cents on every dollar I made went to taxes, but I'm not sure that's really all that high compared to the states?

In 2019 I paid nothing in tax, but our salaries were also very small that we paid ourselves from our corporations so that we could therefore make bank on the Trillium and child tax benefits where my government will pay us a little over $17.5K in tax free money this year. I figure I might as well try to get as much as I can now, while I can, since I'll be paying it all back and then some as I get older.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Going off topic a little bit here, but how hard is it to get a green card? My wife and I were just talking about that the other day...moving permanently to the States is looking more and more appealing if Trudeau makes us into a socialist nation .

what makes you think we are going to take you?

[Alfisti]

20% you cheating bastard. Most mid income folk here pay closer to 35% .... we get absolutely HOSED. Australia has a similar health system to Canada and taxes are considerably lower.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

what makes you think we are going to take you?

Because you loooovvvveeee me. And my wife is like the female version of me - its honestly downright scary how alike we are.

Would you be my sponsor? Pretty please?

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Would you be my sponsor?

I'll let the proper authorities know all about you

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

20% you cheating bastard. Most mid income folk here pay closer to 35% .... we get absolutely HOSED. Australia has a similar health system to Canada and taxes are considerably lower.

Would it help if I told you I was a tax accountant and out of all the personal returns I prepare, I make sure I go over mine and my wife's the most? LOL.

Everything I know about, we get. Not to say I get them all, but all the ones I know about. I do a little sit down planning session with myself around the October time frame to go over various credits and what my income needs to be to get them, or alternatively, what income level kicks me out of them. And as long as we can survive on that income (or dip into our savings if the credits are really good), I make sure our corporations declare just that amount of income to us.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

I'll let the proper authorities know all about you

At least give me a sporting chance you little son of a...probably good mother

[Turkish Pickle]

Originally Posted by wcr3d

As you may know, long distance relationships rarely end well, but what the heart wants, the heart wants, and ... lower extremities.

I know first hand, so I'm personally still in shock why I'm doing the same thing a second time and expecting wildly different results. Never said I was a smart man though

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Going off topic a little bit here, but how hard is it to get a green card? My wife and I were just talking about that the other day...moving permanently to the States is looking more and more appealing if Trudeau makes us into a socialist nation (which I honestly believe might be a dream of his). But we aren't sticking around if tax rates go to a point where we are giving up more than 50% of our earnings...there's no point in doing what we do at that rate, we'd find somewhere else to live.

I believe it's really hard now but time will change that. A lot depends - could your work move you? I moved here as a special skills category visa, meaning that I had skills that they couldn't easily source in the US. Took a lot of paperwork, I had to have a job offer, they had to have tried to employ people to do my role and had to prove they couldn't (not always as hard as it sounds) and then petition for me to be allowed an H1-B, which allowed me to move here and work, and after staying a certain time I could apply for the green card.

[mc-m3]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

$1K per month?? Holy crap. Well that sucks. Guess we'd have to weigh that in the overall consideration since we don't have any health insurance.

Sorry, I should have noted that $1k each is if you are buying on the open market and not through an employer. Through an employer, more like 2-$500 for the both of you.

[wcr3d]

You must be a politician.

[mc-m3]

Originally Posted by wcr3d

You must be a politician.

Politicians never admit an error. Even one of omission.

[Turkish Pickle]

Rmtt how you been my man, been a while since I last saw you post!

[UncleWede]

Joekerr President gets lifetime medical, IIRC. . .

I'm writing in a vote in November, what's it worth to you???? Don't tell me about any bridges either, there's no rain in Cali, so I have no need to try and cross a river.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Joekerr President gets lifetime medical, IIRC. . .

I'm writing in a vote in November, what's it worth to you???? Don't tell me about any bridges either, there's no rain in Cali, so I have no need to try and cross a river.

How about the honorary title of "Supervisor of Chief of Stuff"? That way, when MKSixer gets out of line, you can correct him. On the downside, you would then also be responsible for him and his behaviour - do you think you could handle that?

Would that earn me your write in?

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

How about the honorary title of "Supervisor of Chief of Stuff"? That way, when MKSixer gets out of line, you can correct him. On the downside, you would then also be responsible for him and his behaviour - do you think you could handle that?

Would that earn me your write in?

You're going to GIVE me responsibility for MKSixer as a PUNISHMENT for writing you in??? The world really is downside-up.

But, at least I know WHEN you get sick, your lovely wife won't lose all her Stuff paying for the funeral. . .

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

You're going to GIVE me responsibility for MKSixer as a PUNISHMENT for writing you in??? The world really is downside-up.

But, at least I know WHEN you get sick, your lovely wife won't lose all her Stuff paying for the funeral. . .

Wh...wa..wait...how come if I get sick I'm automatically going to die? Are you implying something? Going to have to have the secret service watch me very carefully with you around.

With any responsibility there is the possibility of punishment OR/AND reward. Yes, having to supervise MKSixer would be a punishment, no way around that. BUT, on the bright side, you are his supervisor and you can REDISTRIBUTE stuff if you disagree with his proposed plans. Including to yourself. As a reward.