Close Reading

I often find that poverty is so different in American than other places. I'm referring to more of the mindset. I noticed that when facing poverty like other countries people are still innovative and surviving. It feels like poverty culture here is really like people have given up on morality, honor, and based on greed. I grew up in a very gang infested area of wisconsin and it was like a lot of young people trying to make quick easy dollars slanging. It was really like people didn't care about family, friends, neighbor, or appearences. I find that poverty culture kind if embodied by american culture that pursuit of wealh at the cost of others. Why i felt like living in America was so different. Like in Barbados even if the area is poor everyone is your auntie, your uncle, your daddy, or mommy. If someone is acting out everyone in that neighborhood corrects you. Everyone comes out to celebrate you though too when you do good. People help and talk to each other. Yeah we it has poverty, crime etc. but it's nothing like how it is in America.

I'm just laughing at the idea some vanilla suburban soccer dad is gonna find this video in the future thinking they're gonna move to Canada or America only to go down the A&P rabbit hole social commentary and have their world view rocked after 4 or 5 videos

Born in Canada. Dad is American. Mom is Canadian. Lived in both (Ontario Canada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida). \nI moved back to canada just after 9/11. Dad thought my brother and I would get drafted. \n\nHealth care sucks for different reasons. The horror stories I can tell you that I'm STILL going through here in Canada is insane. \n\nLived in Texas just outside austin south/east going towards Lockhart. Different breed of human beings down that way. I loved Austin. Great food, good people. Though my dad caught shit because his parents Sicilian. Dude is a little less brown than aba. People thought he was Mexican. \n\nOther than Slag hills. Loved Pennsylvania. \n\nFlorida.. its Florida. Lived in Daytona. Too young at the time to have fun. I hated it but might have been better if I wasn't 10. \n\nI dunno. Ask me anything about both. I miss a lot about America. Dislike and like a lot about Canada. Depends on what you want to talk about.

I am an American born in NY, raised in VA. I also lived in Van Nuys for a year, also lived in Texas before my job industry moved me to Canada. \ni have been in Canada for 7yrs, been to Vancouver, Toronto and MTL and to be honest i like a lot of things in Canada like the health care differences and of course the lower insulin cost for my husband but i still want to go back home. If anything i would stay in Toronto because it's the closest similarity to home but where Aba and Preach live, in Montreal, it's literally been my nightmare. I feel like the tap water at least in my area has gotten worse over time. \nOne thing i feel like they didn't mention that I have to tell people from America to watch out for is the credit card vs debit card thing. \nI grew up only having debit cards because i didn't want to get into debt. when i came to Canada i continued getting a debit card and realized the hard way that not everything accepts debit cards and you NEED to also have a credit card to access certain things.\nbut overall i do feel much safer in Canada even though the crazy trump lovers are showing up here and there it's significantly less than i see when I'm back home.

Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto are all beautiful. i’m in Oromo (Ethiopia) and we don’t have too much diversity compared to our other residence in Dubai (UAE) America US is ok! I like Arizona, Texas parts of Washington DC but it’s not too friendly and even affluent people only speak one language, English and have primal diets! I was stunned by the poverty and homelessness in New York, DC, California, Florida, Georgia and other states….looks like 3rd world

NYC has clean tap water. Problem is the pipes in your building might be from the 1800s. But the segregation is dead right. I remember being a kid (20+ years ago) walking through Queens and I'm in a neighborhood that's lauded for being the biggest melting pot. But these MFs were racist towards black people. Hell every neighborhood that wasn't predominantly black, didn't want blacks in it. I traveled all over the city and had to deal with that. Even in the Heights where most Dominicans are my complexion. Let them find out I'm not Dominican too...\n\nI found this to be true in most places I've been to in America. Hell in Florida, Jacksonville area I've seen people driving around with nooses hanging from their rear view mirrors.

I'm in MI so folks go to Windsor often. The first time I went I could tell I wasn't in America anymore lol. So much cleaner.

I'm American. I'm from Louisiana. I'm a military brat and a veteran. So I check all of the necessary boxes to comment. ? Southern Hospitality is real. Louisiana is all about good food and good times. Come on down. Also, traveling around the world, I do love that we have a lot of diversity here -- cultures, nationalities, religions, scenery, food, and activities. THAT is what makes us great. However, our politics and religious madness make us look like idiots. I could go on, but I'll stop with the best and worst of America.\nI've visited Vancouver once. Beautiful city and has very good hospitality. My ex lives in Toronto. She didn't like it when she first moved there. Not sure how she feels about it now.

The way things are going here in Canada, I'm moving back to America.

i'm a canadian who lives in america and your takes are only right from a montreal context. a lot of this isn't true if you apply it to toronto for example.

I’ve always wanted to venture out of America I’m over it been in Atlanta all my life.

Can´t speak for Canada, but it´s pretty similar to a lot of places in Europe and America. I´ve lived in the states and currently live in Germany and I´m happier here for the same reasons mentioned. Food, public transportation, safety, water quality...

Hey, I'm from Chile. I'm an American. USA is just one country in America. Friendly reminder.

To confirm as an American. Yes, it seems like everyone wants to put hot sauce and cheese on everything and it's annoying. The tap water here is bad unless you get it from the fridge or have a filter. Here in Arkansas, I think our spring water is great.\n\nRegarding the city and getting around to restaurants and other areas, pretty much. A good portion of our factories are on acres of land. However, some are still close enough that you can walk to. I'm certain this is hardly different from Canada but we are 97% rural. People think of America as big cities but usually its the local town and a pumpkin patch. When Aba said America is like 40 different countries, he ain't wrong. \n\nFirearms is ingrained in our culture. That's a given. I see a lot of people mention safety and this is what I can say; I felt my safety was compromised by a tornado warning. Trouble can happen but if you don't deal drugs or do some under the table stuff, usually you won't be a victim of a crime. \nI'm planning on owning some land myself so I can shoot on it, farm, and raise a family. Just be independent.

2 things that came to mind was i'm surprised you didn't mention healthcare. Lifelong american, figured that would be one of the top things. But, one thing on the cost of living, kind of like ya'll said on the america being 40 counties, the cost of living varies so wildly. LA, New York, those biggest cities are crazy expensive to live in, even compares to the rest of america

I'm glad you said something because small towns and is the real America in my opinion. Lower rent prices and tap water is just fine out in Pennsylvania. Fuck all the inner city shit it's over rated lol

I’m looking to leave America within the next couple months. I cannot wait! This place is a crazy house

Hearing y’all say you like drinking tap water blew my mind. And it’s only cause I’m from and live in America. You ain’t drink tap water where I’m from ?

America is good for money. It is a capitalist society and everything runs on money- the people, the food, parking, breathing lol. But it doesn’t always provide a great life balance to the point where people don’t prioritize their health and wellness because they simply can’t afford to. Like literally. Without money you will die in a health institute here because they will not treat you without money. You can buy any and everything here- it’s all for sale. Personally I’m a wrench and I don’t subscribe to American society. I was born and raised here and it always felt wrong the way things work here, the way people are. So I really appreciate this video and would love to hear more about your travel experiences in other countries

ok I live in Canada in Quebec to be precise, I'm from Latin America originally but became a Canadian Citizen a few years ago. I'm not white, I can tell you that the examples that you chose to demonstrate silent or systemic racism are fallacies, that doesn't mean that there is no racism, there is racism in every country in the World. But to point out that because the leadership of mayor companies are mainly 'White', it's not prove of systemic racism, you didn't say anything for example of median age of the different populations, that is an important factor in economic advancement of a population and helps to explain why some groups may be more prevalent in higher paid jobs than others. For example, according to Statistics Canada and the latest census you can see that the black population is around 2% of the total population of the Country, but more over a huge chuck of that population is not only young, but recent immigrants from the last 30 years or so. Maybe you should read some Thomas Sowell to have a more broad perspective instead of 'denouncing' racism gratuitously

Interesting. Traveling through Europe, Canadians are considered Americans. The continent of America. So when I'd say I'm not American I'm canadian, they would look at me like ...ooookkkk?. \nIt would be like me saying, I'm not European I'm German or something.

I'm tired of people bad mouthing canada. just because you don't like the amount of lakes and rivers a lot of people do. and when people (especially americans) bad mouth other countries just take a look at your country and shit we have our cons but yours might have more because I know the u.s has a lot more bad shit then canada does just take a look at america

I'm from South America and I totally agree with you.

I’m not being rude however I’ve never understood why immigrants say they come to the US for a better lifestyle when essentially majority of immigrants hold a prestigious skill in their country only to relocate to the US & become a janitor cook are something beneath what they were doing living a comfortable life just to live like a homeless person coming to America ?? are Canada ?? are anywhere. It has never made sense to me unless u live in a poor underdeveloped country. I knew someone who married a US citizen just for citizenship she has been struggling with her kids for the last 7-8 years she’s been here & still struggling but had a great life in her own country. I live in the US & it’s overrated to a certain extent stay in your country you’ll be a happier person.

I'm guessing your diet is change from fufu to burgers ? america is horrible place. third world nations should appreciate their lifestyle and happiness.

I'll be dead honest and say I'm slowly losing my faith in Sikh community recently, because what these khalistani Sikh guys are doing to Hindu community in Canada(or let's generalize to the whole of North America)

I'm sorry but you're coming off a bit precious this is a worldwide problem it's not just happened in Canada I think you do need to get over yourselves a little bit don't you just love First World Problems if you think of America is better why don't you move there I guarantee you won't like it there you have to pay for all your healthcare if you can't just go away and die and that country. Use a just come across like spoilt little brats who can't get your own way. If you don't like it in Canada you can always move back to your original country I know you make call that racist but it's a fact as I say you're just too selfish Brats.

Late seeing your video. Thanks for sharing, ladies. I was in Montreal Canada in the 1970s, when I relocated and married. I loved Quebec, too. I had a blast with my tall handsome husband, now deceased. Laurentian mountains were amazing. I have many memories of my married life in Canada. I have full medical coverage her in the USA. I have been to Central America,1999 where I remarried. No more snow...................... from the houseboat on the lakes of the Ozarks USA m childfree for life, age 70

I truly agree as I’m based in Brampton. America is more reasonable

I'm a blk American born and raised and l have serious interest in moving to Canada. Since my people are from the US this is all l know so Im acclimated to the racial climate of the states. A lot of your cons are the same issues many face in the states. Taxes are crazy cost of living is insane wages are stagnant and you basically live to work. I live in Minnesota which is not far from the Canadian border but originally from New Jersey so I'm used to the cold. The health care system is sh*t here. Noone really has money to pay privately that's why our care is funded by employers. At the current moment there is also a shortage of medical professionals so often times you still have to wait months for appointments but you know what l would rather wait and have my taxes pay for my doctor then go into medical debt. My biggest issue with America is you pay all these taxes and reap nothing at least in Canada you can kinda see where the money is going.

I’m sick of this crap about taxes. When you’re older you’ll need these services and back you’ll come to get free stuff other people pay for. Europe is about tax and services and no, it’s cheaper than the American system which costs more for less.\n\nThis constant birching about tax is pure selfishness. Low tax America literally starves its children.\n\nRest of the world? There were lockdowns all over Europe. There are rules all over Europe.\n\nWhat you want pal is Texas. No rules, no service, no sympathy for anyone. You are a Republican.

Ladies you just described America. That is EXACTLY how it is here in the U.S. I’m a natural born U.S. citizen and I’M ready to leave!

The cost of living is not high everywhere in the USA ??. God bless America where even those that hate it won’t leave! I love this country ?? . \n\nI’m in Georgia, USA ?? , and you have a little bit of goodness for all income .

What do you want to achieve with your video? At times it looks like a genuine cry from the heart and at times, your words are too harsh on Canada. First, seems you only lived in Vancouver. Would you have the same feeling or solitude if you lived in a more open space like Toronto, Montréal or St- John where geography is totally different. You speak of Vancouver as being an suburb of Seattle. Friend, it’s North America and there’s one culture, one language, one type of city. You can’t wish Canada were a Spain, France or Italy lookalike. If you want a taste of Europe in Canada, then why not move to Québec. With New-Orleans, Québec city or Montréal are the two places with the more European cachet. I understand you like the proximity of European cities and countries and I’m happy for you that you now live in a city where you feel alive and happy. But please, don’t take Canada for what it’s not: Europe. It’s an extension of US. as for weather, it’s a northern country and Vancouver is the London of the west coast. Rainy but mild.

Thanks Girls ? Bravo for this information ? moving from London to Nigeria and then living in America now, I once thought of moving to Canada but America gives one flexibility and freedom to grow and be wealthy from any level, so America is the Dream country for most people so I'm glad I stayed back in America ✌️ Thanks for that clarity and closure ?Now I feel so proud that I never moved, I for cry tire???

Specially bhn bhiyo m..mery mamo kitny salo se America unho ki wife n kesi k b bhulny nh dea.mere mamo ik gy b thy but khud unho n khud k stablish kiya mami n bhai bhai k rehny nh dea.aj shukr Allah k set h wo b.

I couldn't agree with you more. Canada has become another one of those mindless Totalitarian states like American China, Russia, etc., etc. I spent 10 years in China working as a teacher. I went there because I was fed up in my country and when I returned it was worse than when I left. As I am now 68, if I can afford to leave again I will and I'll never return again. I told the Chinese who knew me I was returning because I missed the land, but I never really missed the people. Now that I'm back, since Jan. 2022, I want to leave again and I will and Never return. Health care in this country is in the Sh*t-house, it's impossible to get a family Dr. In part I returned for medical reasons, but now would rather die than have to deal the the Canadian medical bureaucracy - REALLY !!! So, trust me when I say I both understand you and agree with you.\nCanada has become a Sh*t-Hole treating both immigrants and Canadians like sh*t. I'll be glad to go once I can. North America, because of Canada and the US are going to hell in a hand basket. Both countries are FCUKed and I don't want to be a party to their descent into hell. The End.

Hey, thanks for the video. What path should I go if I'm interested in working as a counselor? I am working rn in USA but am from South America. My fiance is going to Canada to study and I would like to know how to start over there. Thanks!

I'm an Indian living in India. People here dream of places like America and start saving money from a very young age. I think they don't know the true reality of the Western countries. Many of my relatives who go to these countries never come back. I think your point about getting used to it is also true. They never complain about the lonliness. They only praise it, saying that it's not as loud as India. But I don't think I'll be able to live such an isolated life.

I'm an American and you are soooo right. Sometimes I sit on the porch just to see someone. America is not all people think, especially if you're baby boomers or generational X. But there are store's of most countries here, maybe because it's Florida.

This is SO true!!! I am American but have lived overseas in the UK and Europe. I can’t believe the difference. Living in America is so lonely! It’s isolating. It’s very sad. It didn’t used to be this way in the 40s, 50s, 60s 70s. This is a new phenomenon. Without w church family (and I’m not religious) you are literally on your own - and that’s as an American! I can’t believe what it would be like being a refugee or an immigrant. Depression is high and largely due to isolation.

Why do you think that western society is so peaceful and prosperous? Maybe it's because capitalism depends upon individual innovation. It might be true that Africa has less loneliness but the social order in Africa is tribal, not capitalism which is why Africa as a whole is poor. Many people from Africa are talented and hard-working but the society in Africa or other collectivist societies doesn't reward that individual strength. I wouldn't call it loneliness, it's more like privacy and individualism and it's the reason why the US/Canada doesn't have a problem with overpopulation or violent radicalism. On the whole, I'm incredibly grateful to have been born in America.

I'm American. This new lifestyle of indoor culture is so different than the way my parents and ancestors and myself know in America. You have to become a organizer of events nowadays. Be a part of the solution in your communities.

I disagree with your analysis, I'm Asian American and most of my friends are all different colors and races. Allot of us have a very active lifestyle, if your an indoor type of person then you will obviously prefer staying indoors. I think why most people want to immigrate to a America is economical and social freedoms. I'm sure it might be very exciting in Africa, but Its chaotic, lawless and economically depressed. But if that's what you rather have than I suggest you stay where you came from.

I was born in USA but this man speaks 100% truth. \n\nI feel afraid, lonely , depressed in California. People are mean, rude, cold, violent. So lonely people don't talk to nobody only to fight. Too much drugs. \n\nI'm visiting my parents in Mexico and I like Mexico better. People are very friendly there is crime but not too much. Right here it is nice lovely friendly people say hi friendly neighbors.\n\nUSA is full of everything virtual, everything online and yes consumerism , materialistic and yes very plastic. Working day and night never home. Stupid. I know a lot of people like my uncle always at work never home working 7 days a week like slaves and not ever home just to sleep. Ridiculous. \n\nMy Dad retired and went back to Mexico by Otay and I'm visiting my parents a lot here in Mexico more freedom and very friendly people friendly neighbors. \n\nNot horrible lonely America. In America too much cell phones nobody talks only text. Cold people no interaction no socialize only depression, drugs, drugs, drugs, money money, money, cell phones all day and fighting . \n\nPeople mean rude in USA I fight with everybody in USA too much racism. Too much entitled crazy people. I hate it in California. I prefer Mexico or other foreign countries like Africa, Thailand, Japan, Cambodia. \n\nNo greedy money hungry commercialism capitalist USA and Europe.

Here in America…. My neighbors run into there home when I go outside…. I’m standing outside within 15 feet of my neighbors and they put their head down without saying a word. \n\nThis is in a rich part of town… when I lived in the poor side of town people were more friendly.

13. Iqaluit (not sure if I'm spelling this right. cold and expensive, whale blubber anyone?)\n12. Northwest Territories (just waaay too cold, wasteland)\n11. Yukon (too cold, least it's near alaska? )\n10. Saskatchewan (farmer/hick central)\n9. Manitoba (murder capital, too cold, not near anything...)\n8. New Brunswick (nothing there...some nice areas)\n7. Newfoundland (Waaaay out there, but friendly, talk funny, club a baby seal anyone?)\n6. Ontario (too expensive, America Jr., Toronto not that safe anymore, too many chinese..fake people)\n5. Alberta (beautiful, but too many cowboys/crackers, tar sands also terrible)\n4. Quebec (great culture and food, can be unfriendly towards outsiders)\n3. BC (forest fires, drugs everywhere, but very beautiful, too many chinese)\n2. Nova Scotia (beautiful, cool culture, not too expensive)\n1. Prince Edward Island (beautiful, scenic, picturesque, affordable, friendly)\n\n- from a Canadian expat in China

I would dispute the cost of living argument putting Quebec at #1. I'm from there, and in Quebec, you have extremely high tax rates, almost no social services (since the health care system started imploding in the 90s and has the only such system in Canada that is almost completely non-transportable across provinces as Quebec refuses to pay anyone else or delays payment for so long, other provinces give up). Daycare workers don't even make minimum wage, the education system is heavily politicized and extremely poor (far too many teachers who couldn't care less about their students and do little work), rents are quite high in most cities, especially when you couple them with the high tax rates and the infrastructure is among the worst in North America. There are good points about Quebec, but I put it about on par with Montana or Alabama for what it offers the population, compared to costs. And then there's the wonderfully racist and nationalist government that feels it's a crime to wear a scarf.

Sorry gals your intentions are just good as your heart but in the minute 7th I got tired to heard about all the barriers Canada has!! I'm from Argentina and even LA is boring for us. I just wanted hear what you have to say. I don't change my country for anything. Even they offered me a job in the US some years ago and I declined the offer. There are a lot of boring people in the whole north america.

It’s funny how young Americans currently wouldn’t allow anything bad to be said about Canada. Young Americans believe Canada is what America should be and that it is a perfect country. I always thought it funny how Canada built all their major cities along the Border, they literally piggyback off America. I’m from AZ, I’ve watched immigrants come up and get jobs and start businesses without even being able to speak English.