Canadians living the good life in Florida

[Value Buy]

Have a couple of questions for our Canadian posters, although since you live in Canada rather than Florida, not sure if you can answer them.

1. Why do Canadians only stay up to six months here?
Some have said that is as long as they are allowed to stay.
Some say because of taxes, if they stayed longer they would pay income taxes here and in Canada.
Some say because they would lose their health care benefits if they are gone six months or more.

Are all three answers correct, or partially correct?

2. How do they get their little dogs through customs? Do they hide them in the luggage at the border, or does the U.S. just allow the little butt scrapers to come through without papers?

3. Why do the Canadian snowbirds never talk politics down here any more?
They were real gum flappers loving Obama, and telling us we should be lovers of socialism, etc, but now they are quiet and do not discuss politics with us

[alabamagal]

I don't know all the answers, but winters in Fl summers in Canada is pretty sweet weather wise.

[mroped]

I'm just guessing here: they don't talk politics anymore because there isn't much to talk about! If I'm not mistaking "Cirque Du Soleil" began/was created in Canada and they have in the troupe their clowns so there is no need to talk about ours.
Latest US policies had people removed from this country after honorably serving in the military and defending the freedoms that we so much enjoy. It is not a stretch to think that the ICE people under direct orders would remove a visitor without blinking.

The six month stay might be the maximum length of time that they can stay without having to extend their visas. Or maybe because they are retired, they have medical reasons to be back home every six months for regular checkups. You know, preventive care and so on!

[Value Buy]

Mar 10, 2017 8:30:56 GMT -5 mroped said:

I'm just guessing here: they don't talk politics anymore because there isn't much to talk about! If I'm not mistaking "Cirque Du Soleil" began/was created in Canada and they have in the troupe their clowns so there is no need to talk about ours.
Latest US policies had people removed from this country after honorably serving in the military and defending the freedoms that we so much enjoy. It is not a stretch to think that the ICE people under direct orders would remove a visitor without blinking.

The six month stay might be the maximum length of time that they can stay without having to extend their visas. Or maybe because they are retired, they have medical reasons to be back home every six months for regular checkups. You know, preventive care and so on!

I like the clown reference.
Problem is, on the other questions I had, I get bits and pieces from them while here.
Some seem to contradict what others say.
As far as healthcare requirements, I think that might be true.
As far as six month limit, what is to stop them from going home, and turning around in two weeks. Does Canada, require Canadians to stay home a certain amount of time every year?
Politics, we listened to a lot of "lecturing' rather than discussion last year, imo.

This year, crickets. 
Pool time at the community pool is a lot more leisure this year!

[mroped]

When I was in Canada, there was an immigration rule about the holders of permanent residency that said that in order for a "calendar year" to count towards your citizenship, you couldn't be out of the country for more than 28 days at a time and less than six months on all leaves combined within one year. 
I'm not sure if it still stands and I have no idea about citizens. It might have something to do with taxes.

[Value Buy]

Where is weltz and Virgil on this issue?
Inquiring minds (or maybe wandering minds) want to know!
Any other Canadians out here?

[Tennesseer]

The better question is why do you even care other than to mock Canadians.

[zibazinski]

Mar 10, 2017 9:46:07 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The better question is why do you even care other than to mock Canadians.

Well, turn about is fair play. 

[Tennesseer]

Mar 10, 2017 9:49:48 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Mar 10, 2017 9:46:07 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The better question is why do you even care other than to mock Canadians.

Well, turn about is fair play. 

So he's mocking Virgil. Got it.

[zibazinski]

Among others.

[Value Buy]

Mar 10, 2017 9:46:07 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The better question is why do you even care other than to mock Canadians.

Thank you for your feedback.
We will keep your thoughts in consideration in our future engagement(s).

Deflect much?

[Tennesseer]

Mar 10, 2017 10:30:19 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Mar 10, 2017 9:46:07 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The better question is why do you even care other than to mock Canadians.

Thank you for your feedback.
We will keep your thoughts in consideration in our future engagement(s).

Deflect much?

Like I could answer your Canadian questions in the first place.

How about this: if you are sooo curious, why don't you ask the Canadians who are silently sitting around the pool with you. You seem to be a gregarious type of person, so ask them.

[Value Buy]

I have already stated I am confused by some responses which contradict other responses I have gotten. That is why I asked Canadian posters to try and explain it to me.

[Value Buy]

I posted this on another thread, but want to post it here, as it makes a little more sense to continue the discussion here.
Please ignore the first sentence, as it has nothing to do with this thread, but I did not want to edit the response.



Nothing will happen to out of country residents, unless you are from the countries on the terror watch list.

My community has many Canadians. They own seven homes on my block out of twenty homes.

The next group of non-citizens seem to be from Germany.

They too, seem to have time restrictions on how long they can be here. I always thought we (Americans) could move anywhere without losing your rights in your home country. Evidently not true for some countries. Americans have trouble with medical as might not be able to use Medicare insurance in foreign lands, but I do not think you have to travel back to America to maintain your rights and privileges.

Am I incorrect on this?

[Gardening Grandma]

Mar 10, 2017 10:49:45 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Americans have trouble with medical as might not be able to use Medicare insurance in foreign lands, but I do not think you have to travel back to America to maintain your rights and privileges.
Am I incorrect on this?f

I believe that is correct.
In general Medicare cannot be used outside the US (there are a few exceptions)... Of course, healthcare in other countries is nowhere as expensive as it is here. Even w/o ins....

My mother lived in another country for over 50 years. It never affected her US citizenship in any way.

Keep in mind, however, that American expats still have to pay US taxes. Even if their earnings are outside the US and even though they may also be paying taxes to the country they are living in.

[zibazinski]

Mar 10, 2017 10:49:45 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

I posted this on another thread, but want to post it here, as it makes a little more sense to continue the discussion here.
Please ignore the first sentence, as it has nothing to do with this thread, but I did not want to edit the response.



Nothing will happen to out of country residents, unless you are from the countries on the terror watch list.

My community has many Canadians. They own seven homes on my block out of twenty homes.

The next group of non-citizens seem to be from Germany.

They too, seem to have time restrictions on how long they can be here. I always thought we (Americans) could move anywhere without losing your rights in your home country. Evidently not true for some countries. Americans have trouble with medical as might not be able to use Medicare insurance in foreign lands, but I do not think you have to travel back to America to maintain your rights and privileges.

Am I incorrect on this?

Because Alaskans get money yearly they can't be gone for more than thirty days at a time to stay qualified and the state does check. Preventing its citizens from wintering elsewhere while collecting the yearly cash.

[Value Buy]

Mar 10, 2017 10:56:26 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Mar 10, 2017 10:49:45 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

I posted this on another thread, but want to post it here, as it makes a little more sense to continue the discussion here.
Please ignore the first sentence, as it has nothing to do with this thread, but I did not want to edit the response.



Nothing will happen to out of country residents, unless you are from the countries on the terror watch list.

My community has many Canadians. They own seven homes on my block out of twenty homes.

The next group of non-citizens seem to be from Germany.

They too, seem to have time restrictions on how long they can be here. I always thought we (Americans) could move anywhere without losing your rights in your home country. Evidently not true for some countries. Americans have trouble with medical as might not be able to use Medicare insurance in foreign lands, but I do not think you have to travel back to America to maintain your rights and privileges.

Am I incorrect on this?

Because Alaskans get money yearly they can't be gone for more than thirty days at a time to stay qualified and the state does check. Preventing its citizens from wintering elsewhere while collecting the yearly cash.

Never knew that. That is scary.

[swamp]

Mar 9, 2017 23:00:27 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Have a couple of questions for our Canadian posters, although since you live in Canada rather than Florida, not sure if you can answer them.

1. Why do Canadians only stay up to six months here?
Some have said that is as long as they are allowed to stay.
Some say because of taxes, if they stayed longer they would pay income taxes here and in Canada.
Some say because they would lose their health care benefits if they are gone six months or more.

Are all three answers correct, or partially correct?

2. How do they get their little dogs through customs? Do they hide them in the luggage at the border, or does the U.S. just allow the little butt scrapers to come through without papers?

3. Why do the Canadian snowbirds never talk politics down here any more?
They were real gum flappers loving Obama, and telling us we should be lovers of socialism, etc, but now they are quiet and do not discuss politics with us

1. more than 6 months makes you a resident, so you can lose your health care, etc.

2. You show a record of immunizations and you take the dog through. No big deal. I used to bring my dog back and forth to Canada all the time. She liked to go for rides. The border patrol people would give her biscuits.

3. They're smart.

[Gardening Grandma]

Mar 10, 2017 10:58:53 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Mar 10, 2017 10:56:26 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Because Alaskans get money yearly they can't be gone for more than thirty days at a time to stay qualified and the state does check. Preventing its citizens from wintering elsewhere while collecting the yearly cash.

Never knew that. That is scary.

Why is that scary?.  Alaskans receive money as a benefit of being a state resident. Why shouldn't they have to maintain resident status to continue receiving state resident benefits?  Alaska wants to keep that money IN Alaska.    It has no relationship -at all- to their US citizenship...

[mollyc]

Mar 9, 2017 23:00:27 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Have a couple of questions for our Canadian posters, although since you live in Canada rather than Florida, not sure if you can answer them.

1. Why do Canadians only stay up to six months here?
Some have said that is as long as they are allowed to stay.
Some say because of taxes, if they stayed longer they would pay income taxes here and in Canada.
Some say because they would lose their health care benefits if they are gone six months or more.

Are all three answers correct, or partially correct?

2. How do they get their little dogs through customs? Do they hide them in the luggage at the border, or does the U.S. just allow the little butt scrapers to come through without papers?

3. Why do the Canadian snowbirds never talk politics down here any more?
They were real gum flappers loving Obama, and telling us we should be lovers of socialism, etc, but now they are quiet and do not discuss politics with us

I don't keep lists of info like some people seem to so I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the regular and irregular Canadian posters don't go to Florida or elsewhere for 6 months of the year.  I was going to pass on responding as I rarely get within 100 miles of the Border let alone over it but here goes.

1.  As far as I know, your Govt only permits Canadians to stay for up to 6 months without a Visa.  I am pretty sure that BC Medical Services Plan only covers you Out of Country for up to 6 months.  It may, however, only be for 3 months.  I know that is how long the BC plan will cover you when you change provinces and that you have to live in BC for 3 months before you qualify.  I won't bore you with all the details but the BC Govt has Homeowner Grants, money that the Province pays your municipality/regional district towards your property taxes.  The qualification is that you live in your home.  I believe prolonged absences disqualify you from the Grant.

Unless everyone you have met is from the same place and the same circumstances, that their responses contradict each other doesn't surprise me.  The 10 Provinces and 3 Territories don't all have the same rules.  Also some people will go with "what they heard" or "somebody said" rather than research it.  I've no intention of ever living outside of Canada for any length of time so I'm not bothering to confirm any of my answers.

2.  I have never known a little dog to be able to keep its mouth shut for more than 5 minutes.  The only people I've known to successfully take animals across the border have had the proper paperwork.  You will have to ask the people you know if their little dogs are legal or not.  It seems like a US Border Guard problem if the dogs are getting in without papers.  Complain to your govt.

3.  Maybe they are keeping quiet because it is impolite to tell your hosts that they are idiots.  Or maybe they are afraid of being attacked.  Or maybe they think President Trump is awesome.  You can try to pick at Weltz all you want but it's not going to give you a real answer.  Ask the people around the pool.  Maybe they aren't talking to you about politics because your phrasing makes it obvious you are trying to get a rise out of them.  This would be a shame if you are genuinely interested in the answers and just have communication issues.

[Tiny]

Why would anyone want to voluntarily be in Florida during "off" season?  

It might be ok for the youngsters to be out and about in the sweltering humidity and rain - but I suspect older folks feel like they are trapped indoors for those months of the year. 

OK, if you've got a really big lanai that covers your patio and pool AND blocks the worst of the sun maybe it's not too bad to be out in the middle of the day...

but, really, it rains - everyday and it's sweltering - why would you want to be there?  

[Value Buy]

Mar 10, 2017 11:33:38 GMT -5 mollyc said:

Mar 9, 2017 23:00:27 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Have a couple of questions for our Canadian posters, although since you live in Canada rather than Florida, not sure if you can answer them.

1. Why do Canadians only stay up to six months here?
Some have said that is as long as they are allowed to stay.
Some say because of taxes, if they stayed longer they would pay income taxes here and in Canada.
Some say because they would lose their health care benefits if they are gone six months or more.

Are all three answers correct, or partially correct?

2. How do they get their little dogs through customs? Do they hide them in the luggage at the border, or does the U.S. just allow the little butt scrapers to come through without papers?

3. Why do the Canadian snowbirds never talk politics down here any more?
They were real gum flappers loving Obama, and telling us we should be lovers of socialism, etc, but now they are quiet and do not discuss politics with us

I don't keep lists of info like some people seem to so I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the regular and irregular Canadian posters don't go to Florida or elsewhere for 6 months of the year.  I was going to pass on responding as I rarely get within 100 miles of the Border let alone over it but here goes.

1.  As far as I know, your Govt only permits Canadians to stay for up to 6 months without a Visa.  I am pretty sure that BC Medical Services Plan only covers you Out of Country for up to 6 months.  It may, however, only be for 3 months.  I know that is how long the BC plan will cover you when you change provinces and that you have to live in BC for 3 months before you qualify.  I won't bore you with all the details but the BC Govt has Homeowner Grants, money that the Province pays your municipality/regional district towards your property taxes.  The qualification is that you live in your home.  I believe prolonged absences disqualify you from the Grant.

Unless everyone you have met is from the same place and the same circumstances, that their responses contradict each other doesn't surprise me.  The 10 Provinces and 3 Territories don't all have the same rules.  Also some people will go with "what they heard" or "somebody said" rather than research it.  I've no intention of ever living outside of Canada for any length of time so I'm not bothering to confirm any of my answers.

2.  I have never known a little dog to be able to keep its mouth shut for more than 5 minutes.  The only people I've known to successfully take animals across the border have had the proper paperwork.  You will have to ask the people you know if their little dogs are legal or not.  It seems like a US Border Guard problem if the dogs are getting in without papers.  Complain to your govt.

3.  Maybe they are keeping quiet because it is impolite to tell your hosts that they are idiots.  Or maybe they are afraid of being attacked.  Or maybe they think President Trump is awesome.  You can try to pick at Weltz all you want but it's not going to give you a real answer.  Ask the people around the pool.  Maybe they aren't talking to you about politics because your phrasing makes it obvious you are trying to get a rise out of them.  This would be a shame if you are genuinely interested in the answers and just have communication issues.

Thank you for a well reasoned response with some actual answers.
Very good!
You have answered some questions I had. For some reason, I guess I was talking to people from various regions, although most are from Ontario.

As far as number 3.......last year they were very open in their opinions. I guess they are not happy with our results
this year

[Value Buy]

Mar 10, 2017 11:37:12 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Why would anyone want to voluntarily be in Florida during "off" season?  

It might be ok for the youngsters to be out and about in the sweltering humidity and rain - but I suspect older folks feel like they are trapped indoors for those months of the year. 

OK, if you've got a really big lanai that covers your patio and pool AND blocks the worst of the sun maybe it's not too bad to be out in the middle of the day...

but, really, it rains - everyday and it's sweltering - why would you want to be there?  

We are strongly considering making the move permanent. I have a sister on the east coast that swears no matter what, she will never go back north.

[zibazinski]

I'm not a fan of Florida in the summer either but it beats the winter up north. I'll be glad when I can park in Costco again. Too many Quebec license plates.

[zibazinski]

Mar 10, 2017 11:39:47 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Mar 10, 2017 11:33:38 GMT -5 mollyc said:

I don't keep lists of info like some people seem to so I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the regular and irregular Canadian posters don't go to Florida or elsewhere for 6 months of the year.  I was going to pass on responding as I rarely get within 100 miles of the Border let alone over it but here goes.

1.  As far as I know, your Govt only permits Canadians to stay for up to 6 months without a Visa.  I am pretty sure that BC Medical Services Plan only covers you Out of Country for up to 6 months.  It may, however, only be for 3 months.  I know that is how long the BC plan will cover you when you change provinces and that you have to live in BC for 3 months before you qualify.  I won't bore you with all the details but the BC Govt has Homeowner Grants, money that the Province pays your municipality/regional district towards your property taxes.  The qualification is that you live in your home.  I believe prolonged absences disqualify you from the Grant.

Unless everyone you have met is from the same place and the same circumstances, that their responses contradict each other doesn't surprise me.  The 10 Provinces and 3 Territories don't all have the same rules.  Also some people will go with "what they heard" or "somebody said" rather than research it.  I've no intention of ever living outside of Canada for any length of time so I'm not bothering to confirm any of my answers.

2.  I have never known a little dog to be able to keep its mouth shut for more than 5 minutes.  The only people I've known to successfully take animals across the border have had the proper paperwork.  You will have to ask the people you know if their little dogs are legal or not.  It seems like a US Border Guard problem if the dogs are getting in without papers.  Complain to your govt.

3.  Maybe they are keeping quiet because it is impolite to tell your hosts that they are idiots.  Or maybe they are afraid of being attacked.  Or maybe they think President Trump is awesome.  You can try to pick at Weltz all you want but it's not going to give you a real answer.  Ask the people around the pool.  Maybe they aren't talking to you about politics because your phrasing makes it obvious you are trying to get a rise out of them.  This would be a shame if you are genuinely interested in the answers and just have communication issues.

Thank you for a well reasoned response with some actual answers.
Very good!
You have answered some questions I had. For some reason, I guess I was talking to people from various regions, although most are from Ontario.

As far as number 3.......last year they were very open in their opinions. I guess they are not happy with our results
this year

[


I can imagine. Especially when they end up with our illegals.

[justme]

6 months is the longest a Canadian citizen can stay in the US and the longest a US citizen can stay in Canada without a visa.

There's little if any rules for dogs crossing the border.

Have you been to Canada in the summer? Way better than the hell that is Florida summer.

[zibazinski]

I go to Oregon and Michigan for my obligatory trips north. It's enough for me. The Michigan one will end this summer and the Oregon one will end when my aunt and uncle die.

[Gardening Grandma]

The only rule for taking dogs to Canada is a current rabies immunization.  We've crossed the border with dogs many times. Always carried proof of rabies immunization, but have never been asked to show it.  Once, we were asked if they had had rabies immunization and they accepted our word that they had.

[zibazinski]

Mar 10, 2017 11:37:12 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Why would anyone want to voluntarily be in Florida during "off" season?  

It might be ok for the youngsters to be out and about in the sweltering humidity and rain - but I suspect older folks feel like they are trapped indoors for those months of the year. 

OK, if you've got a really big lanai that covers your patio and pool AND blocks the worst of the sun maybe it's not too bad to be out in the middle of the day...

but, really, it rains - everyday and it's sweltering - why would you want to be there?  

This isn't the "off season." This is prime for snowbirds. January,February, and March are the worst three months.