As most Canadians get older the winters there become intolerable. The freezing temperatures are not only uncomfortable but really affect the quality of life for many older citizens. Unfortunately, there are no warm weather regions in Canada. Although there are places where it may get less cold in the winter, there is no region where you can go to the beach and enjoy some warm sun on your face, for example.
This is why a lot of Canadians would like to retire to the US and enjoy the winter in a place like Florida where they can go to the beach all year. Retiring to the USA is definitely possible as long as you keep a few things in mind. In this article, we will go over several factors to consider if you are thinking of retiring to the US.
1. Health insurance
Unfortunately, health care in the US is extremely complicated and many Canadians are rightly confused about how it all works. Getting care is not so simple, especially if you have an emergency situation. The problem is that you have to have health insurance and the particular policy that you have will require you to go to doctors within that network.
It’s very important to choose insurance for Canadians in the US in which you are covered properly. Another issue is that not all policies are the same. Some will require payments for things not covered and there are also deductibles to think about. Choose your policy carefully so you aren’t left with any surprises later on.
If your move is permanent then you should qualify for Medicare which is similar to the Canadian system. It is reserved for Americans or permanent residents over the age of 65 and pays 80% of your medical bills.
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It is important to get a type of supplemental insurance to cover the rest.
2. Snowbird vs permanent
There are two retirement options for moving to the US. You can be one of the so-called snowbirds that go to the US for the winter and live the rest of the year back home in Canada. This is the most straightforward of your options as you are able to stay in the US for up to 182 days per year. With the right visa, you can stay longer than that but you will be subject to being double taxed. Under 182 days in the US will allow you to only pay taxes in your native Canada.
This works out great for most retirees from Canada. They can go to the sunny shores and soak up the sun for a few months. Then go home in the summer and enjoy time with the family and friends.
Permanent is more difficult as it involves going through the usual immigration channels which can be quite difficult. Unless you are going for an investor green card in which you can invest up to a million dollars into a government-approved scheme that grants a visa. Otherwise, it can take a few years to go through the usual process.
3. Entry requirements
For a typical trip to the US, Canadians have it fairly easy when it comes to crossing the border. However, when you are planning to spend a few months or more then it becomes a bit more complicated. There is more documentation required to be able to go back and forth across the border when the duration of your trip is long.
Make sure that when you are coming back into the US you have all of the papers needed to show that you are able to stay. There is a fear on the part of US Immigration officials that people that stay a long time are overstaying their visas and could be possibly trying to live in the US illegally.
4. Working
Not everybody has a vision of sitting on the beach with a margarita in their hands every day for years into retirement. That doesn’t hold much appeal for people who are active and like to have something to do. These people will be tempted to find work so they can stay busy and have a ready-made social circle in their new home.
This is not as easy to do as it sounds as there are going to be restrictions depending on the visa that you have. There are also tax implications to consider. Even if your residency allows for a part time job with limited hours, this can cause a tax situation that becomes a big problem to deal with later on.
Conclusion
If the siren song of the warm sun is calling you as you approach your retirement, then you should listen to it. It can increase the quality of your life tremendously to avoid the harsh Canadian winter. Just make sure to use the guide above to get an idea of what you need to do to make it a reality.
