I moved here to California almost 5 years ago. I was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and used to be married to a soldier, so I was used to moving. Although I miss my family and Tim Hortons I must say that the hospital here has treated me well.

After being here only 5 years I am now a nurse manager. I left Canada because full time jobs were hard to come by and I was a single mom of three. My middle daughter will be returning to Canada she says next year but my son says this is home. I do miss Canada but this has been a chance for a better life. I have the CBC webpage as my home page and watch the news all the time.

Maria B., visalia CA, Nova Scotia
April 26, 2006
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Moved with my husband to the Pacific Northwest from Montreal, Quebec, in mid winter 1992 with a 3 1/2 year old and a 4 month old... miss Canada A LOT but am fortunate that we have a big ex-pat community in a very small town. People here are from all over the US and the world and are so nice and friendly. Many businesses are owned by Canadians in our town. We celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving AND Canada Day. Miss the CBC like crazy, Smarties, Mars bars... Mackintosh's toffee and decent bagels - but love the Pacific Northwest and the people here are awesome. The recreation possiblities are endless and the climate perfect.

My kids are proud Canadians and we visit family as much as possible. They may become dual citizens but plan to study at Canadian Universities.

We don't miss Montreal winters and Whislter BC is close by, but DO miss the multicultural atmosphere of Canada and the way Canadians are encouraged to be proud of their heritage: like being Polish, Vietnamese or Haitian - but also Canadian. Might retire in US, Canada AND Mexico...

Heidi R., Hood River OR, Quebec
April 24, 2006
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After spending over 10 years working in Detroit, MI and living in Windsor, ON, my husband grew bored of the automotive industry. A fateful anniversary trip to Vegas got us started on a dream and two years later here we are!

My husband is an automation engineer, and I am now a SAHM, and we have now been here for almost 2 years. We love living in beautiful Las Vegas, and were not surprised to find such a pretty city beyond the Strip.

Luckily, our 5 year was born in Detroit (no available Doc in Windsor at the time) so he's a dualie. We, however, have been waiting for our Green Cards for a LONG time. We started the process we before 911, but the immigration lawyer informs us they haven't moved in a long time, so we are really hoping that comes along soon.

We love and miss our friends and family in Canada, but have always had strong ties to the US through my husband's work and dear friends we made in that border town. I'm a patriotic sap when it comes to the USA, nothing can make me well up faster than the American Anthem, or watching the Bellagio Fountains dance to "God Bless America". We hope over time to change some of the bad thoughts and stereotypes that some Americans have about Canadians, and sadly, vice versa!

We would love to hear from any Canadians in our area, go ahead and email us.

Tina M., Las Vegas NV, Ontario
April 21, 2006
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My husband and I grew up in Belleville, Ontario and moved to Texas in 1993. I am a dental hygienist and my husband is a Flight nurse for a Childrens Hospital. We moved here like many other nurses, to find work back in the early ninties. Missing home, we decided to move back in 1999. However, with the uncertainty of the job market, we were forced to look south once again for a brighter future.

We moved to New Hampshire and loved the beauty of the environment and people were very similar to Canadians, but hated all the many feet of snow we had to shovel! Decided to come back to Texas where you can live cheap and jobs are plenty. However, we will probably be moving north again (northeast US) in the future. Now that we have 2 children (dual citizens) we want them to really know their grandparents and cousins and know the life we grew up in.

We miss family, Tim Hortons, Swiss Chalet, hockey, big trees, water and crisp clean air. Texas and the US in general have provided us with many opportunities that we are greatful for, however, we will always be Canadians in our hearts and wish that we could have everything we have here, up there!

Laurie H., McKinney TX
April 17, 2006
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My name is Nicole and I live in Stockton, California. I moved to the United States in 1993 to marry my husband Tom. I have lived in California for 13 years; I enjoy the wonderful weather and abundant business opportunities.

All of my immediate family lives in Canada, I travel back home usually once a year. I recently enjoyed a visit with my family in March and a weekend in Banff skiing beautiful Lake Louise.

Canada will always be my home, I miss the friendly Canadian people, and the everyday courtesies Canadian people always demonstrate (stopping for pedestrians or letting you in a busy traffic lane.)

I am a real estate broker and I own my own corporation. I specialize in residential luxury real estate sales throughout Northern California.

Please email me if you are looking for free advice regarding an upcoming move to the United States or back to Canada. I have wonderful real estate connections and I would love to help a fellow Canadian!

Nicole T., Stockton CA, Alberta
April 17, 2006
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I lived in tiny little PEI for my whole life so coming to California was a BIG change! I met my (American) husband at a conference in Salt Lake City and after a couple of years of going from snow to sun, we married in 2004 and set up here in Santa Clara. Have to say its been wonderful - my daughter (and two cats) ajusted equally well! I don't miss the snow but I REALLY miss the lobster season and all of the little community fairs. I would love to hear from other Canadians who live in the area - we do a mean Canada Day BBQ!

Marilee I., Santa Clara CA, Prince Edward Island
April 17, 2006
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I have just celebrated my 21st year in Massachusetts! I am originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario and was living in Toronto at the time, where I met my husband in 1985. Had the Sky Dome been built at that time, I never would have met him or be in MA today. He is a sports writer and was covering the Red Sox/Blue Jays game and the game was rained out. My lucky day! We have three grown boys, all very good hockey players (of course the Canuk influence)and I work for American Airlines. I have lived here almost as long as I have lived in Canada and I do call it home, but home is where your heart is and mine will always be in Canada. Working for the airlines, I am lucky to return home many times a year and take full advantage of that.

Lori S., Peabody MA
April 17, 2006
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Living in US all my adult life. Lived majority in California (Fresno, San Jose, L.A.) Live in Las Vegas now. Was in Montreal in 1997. Just reapplied for my passport. Getting ready to go to Trinidad to see family members, and am very excited. All Canadians including of Caribbean decent can come to my home in Las Vegas.

D D., las vegas NV, Quebec
April 17, 2006
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I moved to south Florida in 1973 from Montreal with my highschool sweetheart wife and younger daughter. My daughter decided to continue her education at McGill and returned to Montreal.

After a financial struggle, I connected with a large Company and commuted weekly to New York from Ft. Lauderdale.

After a period of time, I resigned to live with my wife in the hospital where I lost her in '88. Five years later, I met a wonderful woman who gave me my life back, but unfortunately, lost her also. I moved to the east coast and live in a nice home on a golf course. Four years ago, my younger daughter moved with her husband to North Carolina and 2 years ago, we lost her to cancer.

I have a daughter, son-in-law and 2 beautiful granddaughters in Hamilton. The girls attend U of T. My daughter is a pubished poet and teaches at Mohawk College. Her husband is a great doctor. I recently took up oil painting and am enjoying the challenge. In the community where I live in North Ft. Myers, we have a small Canadian club and get together each October or November. Most of these Canadians are snowbirds. I play duplicate bridge here and will soon get back to golf (after 2 knee replacements).

Syd F., North Fort Myers FL
April 17, 2006
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Je suis au canada, dans la région de Québec, en ce moment mais je quitte cet été pour rejoindre ma fiancée qui vit en banlieue de Washington. Je vendrai ma propriété au printemps pour m'établir dans la région mais je ne connais personne là bas qui vient du canada ou du Québec. Je veux établir des contacts avec des gens qui peuvent m'aider à m'intégrer, trouver un travail, où se tiennent les québécois et canadiens etc. J'ai aussi un ami, que j'ai perdu de vue, là bas dont je n'ai pas l'adresse. Il s'appelle Nicolas Tardif et vient de Montmagny. Si vous connaissez j'aimerais le revoir. merci.

Martin G., Hyattsville MD, Quebec
April 13, 2006
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