Somebody asked me how to recruit folks in the Atlanta area to move to Ontario. It was a great move for us – our situation required that we leave the states, as my husband is not a US citizen and we couldn't stay there any longer. So Canada was great for us on that level, and for gay people a whole hell of a lot better place to live in general. Not having to listen to constant anti-gay rhetoric in our daily life is quite liberating, and we don't miss the constant reminders of second-class citizenship in every official capacity, from taxes to insurance to hospital visits. Similarly, Black and Hispanic friends who have left the states for Canada have been generally happy, as have various non-US people who went there to work for a while (particularly Moslems, and some Asians and eastern Europeans, and notably expatriate Canadians sick of the states).
Progressive/liberal straight white Americans like to say they want to move, and I've read stories about them, but I've never actually seen it happen (they're kind of like unicorns). The tax disadvantage is quite profound, with the mortgage interest deduction in the states, the lower federal and state income taxes, sales taxes, etc. The real estate situation in Atlanta is hard to beat, especially if size is your criteria and you don't mind driving for hours a day. Livable communities are a lot easier to find in Canada, but for homeowners the price would be very difficult: Atlanta's in a slump, so they'd have to unload their gargantuan white elephants in a buyer's market, then buy a crackerbox in a seller's market in Ontario (or rent, which isn't so bad). Very few straight white folks would be feel any urge to make a switch at present. The healthcare system is a possible magnet, though Americans have been fed a line of fear on that one too. Perhaps people who want to desert from the armed forces, or skip out on their student loans? Maybe people who don't like having a lot of retail selection but do like paying more? (I'm reaching here. :)
So disenchanted minorities of all stripes, recent immigrants without green cards or citizenship (the process here is much faster and easier), recently graduated international students... there's the sweet spot. Otherwise, I would think it would be hard to sell an Ontario opportunity in Atlanta.
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Personally, if I'm moving anywhere, it will be to Scotland (though I'm not sure Becky's in agreement with that policy just yet).
Aye, that sounds like a fine land where a man named Scott can feel at home... and wear his kilt every day without feeling self-conscious. Are you studying Gaelic yet? One must attempt to out-native the natives when acculturating (or maybe that's just me).
Och, aye, me Gaelic's a bit rusty. But me love for haggis, neaps and tatties, and the wee bonnie dram of malt is unsurpassed in this country! I'm on a personal quest to out-Scottish the Scottish! Nothing like taking things to extremes, I say!
Hey, I'm currently reading a David Sedaris book-on-tape that Becky picked up for my commute: "Holidays on Ice". He's retelling the time when he was working as a Macy's elf in a Christmas Santa display.
I can't help but think of you and the times you spent in the mall listening to the Nutcracker Suite.
I'm sure you've probably read it, but it's quite an amusing book.
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