Advantages and disadvantages of living in the USA?

[Saphira]

I'm sure I can think of a million more things (when you've been away for a while and come back, all of the food tastes like sugar, and American news programs are like news for 10 year olds) but HAVING SAID THAT...

I completely agree with your entire response erikab922. Very well thought out and written.

That part I've quoted from you made me laugh! All the food tastes like sugar.. you should see my husband when he tries Reeses or Funfetti cakes. He can't handle the sugar! It's honestly too much for him to take and I'm like please! Sweet food here, especially cereal, is so dull.. I remember when my sister came to visit she was so disappointed by the Fruit Loops and I don't blame her, they're nothing against US Fruit Loops! Gosh, I miss so much food in the US, don't even get me going!

We also make fun of US News.. we get CNN International and that's the better of it all but it's still pretty silly. 50% commercials, 25% chitchat and 25% news. Plus all the tickers and movement in the background.. I'm sure many Americans would fall asleep to the news here in Germany. Just think of stereotypical German and that's the news! But it's at least just that - the NEWS!

 

[Leids]

I've definitely never seen that mcdonald's ketchup. I don't like to blame food for obesity issues, however I do blame my parents for part of my weight problems. They were very keen on buying foods that were convenient, rarely ever did we have a home cooked meal. Even the home cooked meal came from a pre-mix box. My mom would literally get me breakfast from mcdonalds every day because it was 'easier than cooking'.

When I got older and moved out - I had no idea how to cook, I had no idea how to shop, and I already had weight problems. Good habits weren't instilled in me from an early age. My mother was (and still is) morbidly obese. I remember her stashing candy bars in the glove box of her car and offering me one before/after school. Luckily I never took to candy bars. When I was a baby I was fed apple juice all day long (not diluted, before bed, they never brushed my teeth) all of my baby teeth came in rotten and still to this day I have issues with my teeth.

I really wish fast food restaurants and things like that didn't exist. It is what it is though. I can drive down the street here and see 6 different fast food restaurants, in areas that aren't even busy. There's like 2-3 mcdonalds per small area here, it's absolutely ridiculous. It's why I'm so adamant about creating a healthy environment for LO though, he has home cooked meals, fruits, veggies, and I've made it a point to know where the local farmer's markets are. It's SO easy to fall into bad habits here because of how convenient it is.

 

[Samiam03]

Hey side question I was wondering, I have heard Canada's government is very socialist but don't really know for myself. In what ways is it/is it not? I assume there is emphasis on welfare and higher taxes?

We pay 24% income tax
https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/citoyen/impots/rens_comp/taux.aspx

^These taxes also pay for subsidized daycare. It's $7/day for ALL children, regardless if mom is high finance or SAHM.

So, it's a lot. But the rewards are there.

Gosh you guys are lucky!! I want to work or go back to school so bad but daycare is insane! For my two kids to go to a halfway decent daycare full time it costs 400 a week! That's more than my earning potential. We are putting my son in a part time preschool two days a week this year for 3 hours each day and that costs 100...cheapest deal we could find.

 

[Saphira]

Leids, I know what you mean. In my family it wasn't as extreme but both my mom and stepdad worked long hours and cooking from scratch never ever happened, but I don't blame them either. Everything we ate was pre-made ready to eat meals you throw in the microwave, canned food or fast food. I can't cook and don't enjoy trying to unfortunately.

Plus, you know, I think the problem with junk food in the US is the price. Way too inexpensive while fruits/veggies/dairy are practically a luxury on a daily basis because of how expensive they are in comparison. Here it's the opposite. Junk food is more expensive and fruits/veggies/dairy/breads are so cheap in comparison. The US doesn't even put worth in fresh bread come to think of it.. the only bread I remember is white bread that had a long shelf life.

Oh, and there are McDonalds, Burger Kings and KFCs here - all quite expensive. For that the quality of the food is better and the inside is much cleaner. Fast food is seen more so as a monthly treat here than a weekly quick + cheap meal.

 

[Samiam03]

Btw I'm so confused at all of you going on about how friendly people in the US are! Maybe I just live in a horrible area but I've met more rude people than nice in my life. But then again I had childhood alopecia and was severely bullied by kids AND adults for it.

 

[Irish Eyes]

I know most of you guys pay a lot for insurance but how much do you get taxed on your salary? People say that the UK has "free" healthcare but when I see the amount I get taxed every month, it definitely doesn't feel free. I know the tax covers a lot more than just healthcare but just wondering if the US get taxed as much?

 

[babybrums]

I know most of you guys pay a lot for insurance but how much do you get taxed on your salary? People say that the UK has "free" healthcare but when I see the amount I get taxed every month, it definitely doesn't feel free. I know the tax covers a lot more than just healthcare but just wondering if the US get taxed as much?

There's a couple of different income based taxes we pay. Federal gov taxes (varies), state gov taxes (varies), Medicare taxes , Social Security taxes (6.2% and 1.45%, but I can't remember which is which). All said and done my OH takes home 67% of his pay. Then there's the rest. Property taxes. We pay $2968 on a $116k home but that varies by region (we're some of the highest in the country). And THEN there's state and local sales tax (varies). Ours is 5.5%. We pay it on most things but food. We also pay tax on gas (don't know how much). Oh and cigarettes are taxed at a astronomical rate in WI. It's about $7 for a pack of smokes here where elsewhere it's half if not less because of taxes. There's a million more. It seems like all we pay are taxes.

 

[Casey3]

I would say the food in the UK is definitely better, especially the meat and fresh produce. The meat here is far from organic (even the organic stuff!) it's full of hormones, steroids and water. Not nice at all! Dont get me started on the bread (why on earth is it sweet?!) and the chocolate bars taste disgusting too. how Hershey managed to create an empire is beyond me! however, american cakes snd desserts are so good, i have put on about 7lb since moving here. the bakeries are out of this world! The standard of restaurant food in the UK is also much higher, though you can't beat America for customer service and client care.

American chocolate is the worst, all sugar and crap and doesn't even taste like chocolate, def a waste of calories. That for me is enough not to move there

Definitely not the healthiest country in terms of food choices.. Portion sizes are rediculous. I'm sure its possible to eat healthy if you try hard but even things like coffee at Tim hortons are oversized (Canada just took on the American sizes this past year at Tims and its stupid, no one needs a 24oz coffee!)

 

[Saphira]

American chocolate is the worst, all sugar and crap and doesn't even taste like chocolate, def a waste of calories. That for me is enough not to move there

Definitely not the healthiest country in terms of food choices.. Portion sizes are rediculous. I'm sure its possible to eat healthy if you try hard but even things like coffee at Tim hortons are oversized (Canada just took on the American sizes this past year at Tims and its stupid, no one needs a 24oz coffee!)

Yeah, can't say American chocolate is better than Lindt, Milka and Kinder! Hershey's is is a must for smores though. Nothing else works! And Reeses, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.. it's not a good enough reason to move there, I know, but again mmmmm.

24oz coffees?!

 

[jd83]

American chocolate is the worst, all sugar and crap and doesn't even taste like chocolate, def a waste of calories. That for me is enough not to move there

Definitely not the healthiest country in terms of food choices.. Portion sizes are rediculous. I'm sure its possible to eat healthy if you try hard but even things like coffee at Tim hortons are oversized (Canada just took on the American sizes this past year at Tims and its stupid, no one needs a 24oz coffee!)

Yeah, can't say American chocolate is better than Lidt, Milka and Kinder! Hershey's is is a must for smores though. Nothing else works! And Reeses, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.. it's not a good enough reason to move there, I know, but again mmmmm.

24oz coffees?!

I use Reese cups on my smores. Mmmmm.. so good. And I drink a 20 oz latte every morning. Lol. I am soooo the epitome of American culture

 

[babybrums]

no one needs a 24oz coffee!

I do LOL! I go to Starbucks almost everyday and get a Venti Mocha Light Frappachino. In my defense, it is LIGHT, only 190 calories. Plus a tall (I think that's a small?) is $4. A venti is $5. You get twice the amount for a dollar more.

I agree - our portion sizes are too big. The bigger the better seems to be the motto here. I think a lot of people go for the bigger meal because it's a better bang for your buck. You can eat healthy though, it just takes a little more work.

 

[Casey3]

Yah but Hershys, nestle etc in Canada are SO much different in the states. Try an American kit Kat and a Canadian kit Kat... they're completely different! Canadian chocolate is closer to the British stuff (still not as good lol) can't even compare it to the American stuff.

And yep, 24oz was the xl in the states and Canada decided to copy them.. We dropped out small, and made the medium the small, large the medium etc and added the 24oz xl... WHY??

Edit: I agree, def more bang for you buck! My OH loves the states because you can get like 20 chicken mcnuggets for the same price as like 5 here (not that I let him, maybe 1x a year ) but that's not the point.. Yes its cheaper and I'm all for money saving but its costing your health.. Sometimes you just don't need to supersize your food lol

 

[greats]

Wow I can't believe how much some of you pay for healthcare!! I live in California and work for a small company that covers me, my husband and son 100%. I don't pay a cent except my copayment which I don't have to pay for any regular visits. So free healthcare IS possible is the US, you just have to get the right job I guess.

My pregnancy was covered 100%, didn't pay for a thing but I had to pay a $2000 deductible for the birth which was an emergency c section with a 5 day hospital stay, all meals provided for me and husband and EXCELLENT care!

So... where do you work & how can I get a job there?

 

[babybrums]

Wow I can't believe how much some of you pay for healthcare!! I live in California and work for a small company that covers me, my husband and son 100%. I don't pay a cent except my copayment which I don't have to pay for any regular visits. So free healthcare IS possible is the US, you just have to get the right job I guess.

My pregnancy was covered 100%, didn't pay for a thing but I had to pay a $2000 deductible for the birth which was an emergency c section with a 5 day hospital stay, all meals provided for me and husband and EXCELLENT care!

So... where do you work & how can I get a job there?

No kidding! OH has a great job and makes a decent wage but the health insurance benefits SUCK!

 

[Irish Eyes]

I know most of you guys pay a lot for insurance but how much do you get taxed on your salary? People say that the UK has "free" healthcare but when I see the amount I get taxed every month, it definitely doesn't feel free. I know the tax covers a lot more than just healthcare but just wondering if the US get taxed as much?

There's a couple of different income based taxes we pay. Federal gov taxes (varies), state gov taxes (varies), Medicare taxes , Social Security taxes (6.2% and 1.45%, but I can't remember which is which). All said and done my OH takes home 67% of his pay. Then there's the rest. Property taxes. We pay $2968 on a $116k home but that varies by region (we're some of the highest in the country). And THEN there's state and local sales tax (varies). Ours is 5.5%. We pay it on most things but food. We also pay tax on gas (don't know how much). Oh and cigarettes are taxed at a astronomical rate in WI. It's about $7 for a pack of smokes here where elsewhere it's half if not less because of taxes. There's a million more. It seems like all we pay are taxes.

Wow, 67% is a lot lower than I expected! Maybe your salaries are higher to cover it?! I was looking at some houses for sale in America and the amount of land you can get for a much lower price is amazing! We pay council tax which I guess is compared to your property tax and I pay £1200 a year for a house worth £110K

 

[babybrums]

He takes home 67% of his pay so he's taxed 33% - that seems like a lot to me!

Your council tax sounds similar to our property tax. Not everyone pays as much as us. My aunt has a house appraised at $400k (though they paid much less for it 10 years ago - yeah over-inflated property values!) and pay less than us in property taxes because they live in a different state.

 

[Saphira]

I remember being shocked by the drink sizes at McDonalds here compared to the US. A small is really a SMALL and a large is well.. maybe a small in the US?

Here a small is 0.25l (just over 8oz)
Medium is 0.4l (13.5oz)
Large is 0.5l (just under 17oz)

No supersize or XL sizes.

 

[Samiam03]

Definitely not the healthiest country in terms of food choices.. Portion sizes are rediculous. I'm sure its possible to eat healthy if you try hard but even things like coffee at Tim hortons are oversized (Canada just took on the American sizes this past year at Tims and its stupid, no one needs a 24oz coffee!)

sadly, if companies don't give huge portions people complain. Go to a buffet here in America and you will be amazed...people get 5 plates full of food!

 

[babybrums]

Definitely not the healthiest country in terms of food choices.. Portion sizes are rediculous. I'm sure its possible to eat healthy if you try hard but even things like coffee at Tim hortons are oversized (Canada just took on the American sizes this past year at Tims and its stupid, no one needs a 24oz coffee!)

sadly, if companies don't give huge portions people complain. Go to a buffet here in America and you will be amazed...people get 5 plates full of food!

Buffets are terrible! People are disgusting about it too. Like this guy having an all you can eat fish fry dinner at a restaurant - he sued a restaurant because they cut him off after 20 pieces. TWENTY! For goodness sake, who needs that much? Slob. He gives us a bad rap.

https://www.avclub.com/milwaukee/articles/wisconsin-man-takes-a-cue-from-the-simpsons-picket,74052/

 

[Shadowy Lady]

I'm Canadian but I've visited US many times (and seen a lot of states) for extended periods of time. Here's my take:

1- It really depends on the state/city. US is a big country with lotsa variety. I really liked Seattle. That's the only city in the US I would consider moving to.

2 - I like South of US for hospitality and food. Cost of living is pretty low compared to what we pay here. Americans in general are very friendly.

3 - Education system is not that great in the US. I have a few American friends who I went to university with and they all confirm this.

4 - You will probably work longer hours in US compared to anywhere in Europe. North America generally is pretty workaholic. There are also less holidays.

The healthcare system sucks in the states. And I can't imagine only having a few weeks of mat leave and their ketchup tastes like sugar... well that one isn't important lol but its true!

Move to Canada.. Its beautiful everywhere, we're friendly and we have a great healthcare system !

I know!! Move to Canada!! I've lived in 3 different countries and visited over 20 others and Canada will always have my heart. I would never consider moving. Multiculturalism is better implemented here than it is in the US and when the rest of the world runs out of water, we will still have plenty

Canadians are also as friendly (or more friendly) as the Americans and also so very polite. We have better education system, one year maternity leave and free health care

Yeah I wouldn't say our health care system sucks. It is more expensive but we get a lot more choices and control over our health care. We can for the most part choose whatever dr we like, we can ask for tests if we want them we have a lot more access to health care. That being said most of us pay out the ass for it.

Agreed! I don't think American healthcare system sucks. It's just expensive