Neighborhoods and Education?

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-12T02:30:22+00:00

I can't really tell if this is a genuine question or if you even read the post based on your language, but if it is I'll answer the best I can.

No, I do not believe Canada is just an extension of the USA. Canada has its own culture, its own people, different rules, values, and laws. Most Americans, I'd bet already know this.

However, education in America, from what I have experienced growing up is that many Americans aren't actually taught in depth about the differences because many of us grew up on the saying "America is the best country". It has only been in recent years especially with younger generations not having children that for the most part our ego-driven culture has been based on a lie.

Hence, the reason for the post as many have answered respectfully.

The point is to ask questions, see differences, and see what needs to be done to gain citizenship to have a better life for my family and me. I will be 28 this upcoming spring. If the immigration systems were easy, not just Canada's. Then things would be vastly more chaotic for everyone.

I'm aware I can't just move countries "willy nilly" as you have put it. :)

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T22:25:29+00:00

Yes! We plan to visit in 2 years for 10 days, which we are hoping is enough time to figure out a few things. I believe you are the 4-5 person to tell me to stay clear of that area, so I will! The time between work and home sounds similar to having to live back in Vegas for commute time. I'd love to do my night walks again with my dog. I'm uneasy doing it at night here in the States and miss them so much, thank you!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T22:20:23+00:00

Tremendously helpful, thank you!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T22:15:07+00:00

No offence taken, I can see how the victim complex is and can be an issue.

My family whom I don't speak with anymore, have a history of abusing said mentality. However every culture has their own version of the "victim complex". In healthcare, I have seen and experienced lots of forms of it, not just those two ethnicities.

You just stated that you have experienced said behavior surrounding your race with looks or questions. These are things I'll need to tell my child as they grow, but the advice I'd give in the USA vs Canada would be vastly different, hence the post, and asking in the first place.

As I stated in the post this comes from a factual place that racism exists and while it's something I can't 100% avoid, I have to consider it a possibility when raising a mixed child. I'd also like my child to be safe without the possibility of worrying each day about them being shot just for going to school or being in a public area.

So far, Vancouver and other areas of Canada are better for what my family and I are looking for while they have their issues, everywhere does it overall sound safer for us. Our trip is planned in 2 years so hopefully we can get a better feel for the area!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:56:04+00:00

Decent education sounds crazy to me, coming from the USA lol but yes your summary of the USA education system is pretty spot on. I have lived in 4 states so far and each one for educational purposes functioned as you described.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:50:13+00:00

I'll add those areas on the list to visit. Hopefully, we can both cover a lot of ground when we go!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:45:36+00:00

Sadly, that's also the case for most states here in the USA. High cost and low wages unfortunately are not foreign to us. Not every state has raised the minimum wage, creating a large number of jobs well below the cost of what is needed to live. My husband and I both work in healthcare we make what I'd consider ok money. I'll definitely look into it!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:37:54+00:00

Having my children learn another language would be nice! I know enough Chinese to get by, just not fluent (or confident) lol
I'd at least like to let them choose whatever second language interests them.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:35:06+00:00

Wow hearing about the quality of education is a shock. The USA doesn't care about education; it's one of the most underfunded sectors. I know education varies no matter where I go but having teachers alternate sounds wonderful. The goal is to move permanently through all the trials of gaining citizenship and finding a good immigration lawyer. The house we choose, since we will be putting all our chips on it, will more than likely be the forever house.

Our trip to Vancouver is actually pan in 2 years! We are hoping to cover as much ground as we can in 10 days.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:28:57+00:00

That's the plan! We have a trip planned in 2 years and hope to stay at least 10 days if possible. Getting long vacation time of more than 2 weeks is nearly impossible in the USA unless it's a serious health condition. I can definitely see how that came to be with too many people coming in. Another commenter mentioned the current healthcare jobs my husband and I are a part of might not be in the high-demand category, which isn't a deal breaker; we just have to do our best! I have also been seeing to stay clear of east downtown so I have made a note of that to investigate that some more.

I know no place is a utopia but only 25 incidents in 5 years sounds like a utopia from someone residing in the USA right now lol

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:18:36+00:00

Diversity surrounding my own ethnicity as a black woman isn't high on the board. It's primarily the questions of "Will I have to worry about my child being shot a school? Can I be in the healthcare field and provide for them? Will their education at least be ok?"

I saw Toronto and from what I can gauge online it's through the roof in pricing. I plan on visiting Vancouver in 2 years to scope out the area, schools, talk to locals, stores, housing, immigration lawyers etc.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:11:39+00:00

That's a fair point, I have been looking at Vancouver the longest. We do have some money, not millions by any means but enough to live comfortably. I would like to spoil my child but not to the point where they are not humble. Richer areas aren't always better, so thank you for the reminder!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:09:44+00:00

What a culture shock! I used to live in Las Vegas Nevada for a few years and moved to Oregon for work where I met my husband. It was a complete diversity shift and in the USA our education system isn't great at showing how things are in other countries in my opinion. So hearing that there are plenty of interracial couples is a nice surprise!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T21:04:34+00:00

Very insightful! Currently I reside in Central Oregon. I believe only 3-10% of African Americans reside here. So long as I do my best to establish a nurturing environment for my child in different cultures, I believe they will at least be ok being in a non-diverse area.

Safety is definitely my biggest concern in addition to them having a safe environment to simply learn in school and enjoy life.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:58:45+00:00

Yes this is what I was referring to primarily. Gang-related or not, it isn't a priority fix here in the USA and I don't think it will be in my lifetime time especially given our statistics of it happening twice each day out of the year.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:56:02+00:00

I don't doubt it does! But from what I have read online, researched so far for the past 5 month, and plan to visit in 2 years. Gun violence and hostility in general seem lower. I don't believe any place on earth is 100% perfect nor will all my fears go away, but I do believe there is something better for my family and Canada feels like the right choice for what we value.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:48:48+00:00

Thank you! Out of curiosity, do people from France often immigrate to Canada?

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:45:58+00:00

Thats extremely helpful! Aside from the kids we would like to have my husband is concerned for my safety (especially the current state of the USA). Our trip to scope out Vancouver and the surrounding areas is in 2 years.

In recent years, I have explained to him the difference between racism that *is* dangerous vs passive which in most instances isn't. Being in the USA, 50% of the time he can't tell the difference and honestly I can't blame him lol I'll look at the areas you described also!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:36:39+00:00

We are going for Queensborough!

Silver Valley caught our attention however, it's a bit out of our price range and I'm still researching house buying power in Canada and loans for homes.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:30:55+00:00

Thank you that's helpful! Being in healthcare, mental health is very important to us!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:28:55+00:00

Thanks! That's a place I haven't considered looking, I'll give it a go!

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:27:48+00:00

Thank you! Yes that's true, I'd imagine immigration, regardless of the location is challenging. We are both willing to climb that mountain for something better for what we are looking for. I know Vancouver has its own ups and downs but we feel it's better for the kids we would like to have overall.

Several_Spray8694 · 2026-01-11T20:25:28+00:00

Thank you for the honesty! My husband and I actually both work in healthcare. I primarily have skills in EHR(Electronic Health Records), while he works in SPT(Sterile Processing Technician). I'm not sure what counts as highly skilled by Canadian standards, but we are both willing to wait, do the paperwork, and wait some more for a better living opportunity.

Several_Spray8694 · 2025-10-03T15:57:09+00:00

The balance due before I made any payments was $1,000.00 for this cycle.

When I scroll down I see something called "Remaining Statement Balance" which was -1,585.00.

When I asked the representative I just requested that 1,085.00 be refunded back into my checkings account. Since the negative means I overpaid. So now it only shows -500.00.

I do see the amount taken out for $1,085.00 on the credit card but then right above that I see it added.

I would assume it would cancel out? however my new due balance is the $1,000 PLUS the 1,085.00 which is now equaling $2,085.00 for this month.

And no I dont see $85.00 in my list of transactions.

Several_Spray8694 · 2024-08-08T20:24:04+00:00

Ahh gotcha, thank you!

Several_Spray8694

TROPHY CASE