Best Place to trade in the world - Quality of Life

Quote from condorll:



People live in both suburbs and city. City living is generally older homes, however with the prosperity here, many older homes are demolished and new homes built in their place. City land is at a premium. The city is compact, right on Puget Sound with rolling hills and alot of greenery. No mosquitos (due to salt water) and summer days 75-85, cool nights 60-65, most do not require air conditioning.

Schools I can't comment on, daughter goes to university in another city, However Univ of Wash is right in Seattle proper, easy access.

Hospitals First Rate. I heard that Seattle had the fastest 911 response time in the nation.

Crime is low.

Cultural activities abound from symphony to opera to theater. Seattle is also a hot bed of (younger style) music, many famous artists from here. Many neighborhood festivals all summer long.

Great restaurants for all budgets, some feature Pacific Northwest cuisine (Asian american french style), A fair size "Chinatown" with excellent chinese style seafood dishes, and the best Sushi bars anywhere. (Including Japan-been there several times)

Traffic...I work (trade) from home..so no problem, drive in "off" hours generally. The city is pretty compact so you can get around without the "expressways" (oxy moron in rush hour).

And of course no state or city income taxes, only Federal Income tax.

Do a search on the net, you are sure to see views of Seattle.

Good luck.......
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I must say , if wouldn't be so hard to obtain a permit to stay in USA, choosing between Seattle and Vankong.. ops hehe Vancouver, is quite difficult.
The two cities have a lot in common from a "quality of life" point of view.
 
What is the reason behind Washington no state tax?

Alaska, Texas = oil
Nevada = Casino

Florida ??
Washingto ??


Quote from mark1:



I must say , if wouldn't be so hard to obtain a permit to stay in USA, choosing between Seattle and Vankong.. ops hehe Vancouver, is quite difficult.
The two cities have a lot in common from a "quality of life" point of view.
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Quote from crazy_trader:

What is the reason behind Washington no state tax?

Alaska, Texas = oil
Nevada = Casino

Florida ??
Washingto ??
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Washington = corporate taxes on MSFT ... Seattle is Gates' playground.
 
Quote from crazy_trader:

What is the reason behind Washington no state tax?

Alaska, Texas = oil
Nevada = Casino

Florida ??
Washingto ??
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Florida = they say it is tourism, but it must be smuggling, IMO

Washington = apples ?
 
Quote from taodr:

Vancouver is beautiful but what about the TAXES !!!
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you get what you pay for: higher taxes and all-but-free healthcare or lower taxes and you can hang out on th ET threads complaining about $1500/month premiums.

simalarly for a pension system that actually has a chance of being solvent when we retire etc.

your choice! :)
 
Quote from spyderman:

that "all but free" health care isnt available for a foreigner tho right?
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Free healthcare is available in Canada after 30 days LEGAL residency.

Free is not free. "Free" is why you pay such high income taxes. The cost is included in your Provincial (like state) Income tax.

Free also means waiting a month for a simple ultrasound, 3 months for an MRI, 5 months for a catscan. Free also means a bed in a corridor, not a room, due to overcrowding. Free means waiting 6 months for a simple tonsilectamy for a 6 year old.
(This is all based on personal experience, during my 40 years in Canada)

Procedures and services which can be done same day or within 2-3 days in the US takes months in Canada.

The best doctors have left Canada for the more lucrative US market.

In the USA, (Washington state) Federal taxes on 100 grand US run around 12-15% after deductions for mortgages property taxes home office etc etc... In Canada, the equivalent $ 140-150 grand Cdn would run very close to 50% Income Tax.

So, don't be a cheapskate, if you live in the US buy medical insurance and you will still be way below Canadian Income tax levels, and have a much superior healthcare system and lifestyle.

Canadians have no income tax deductions for primary residence Mortgage interest and property taxes, and forget about deducting for a second home or Yacht mortgage interest.

Vancong (HongCouver) may be close to Seattle, but it is another world, believe me. I considered both, and sorry Vancouver...no way!
 
Quote from condorll:

In the USA, (Washington state) Federal taxes on 100 grand US run around 12-15% after deductions for mortgages property taxes home office etc etc... In Canada, the equivalent $ 140-150 grand Cdn would run very close to 50% Income Tax.
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comparing tax rates between countries is never as simple as comparing a federal income tax rate. in the US you have to add FICA etc, you have to pay for your own medical - and have it rationed by a "compassionate" HMO rather than a gov't - higher capital gains rates etc etc etc.

adding everything together, the difference in total taxation between the US and Canada is not especially large. and considering how much of the services provided for in the US are paid for using the Federal Credit Card it is quite likely the pendulum will swing dramatically in the not too distant future.

as for healthcare, every system has its horror stories. no such thing as a perfect system.
 
Quote from damir00:



comparing tax rates between countries is never as simple as comparing a federal income tax rate. in the US you have to add FICA etc, you have to pay for your own medical - and have it rationed by a "compassionate" HMO rather than a gov't - higher capital gains rates etc etc etc.

adding everything together, the difference in total taxation between the US and Canada is not especially large. and considering how much of the services provided for in the US are paid for using the Federal Credit Card it is quite likely the pendulum will swing dramatically in the not too distant future.

as for healthcare, every system has its horror stories. no such thing as a perfect system.
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Right, I forgot to add in FICA, bring that tax rate up to 18-20%
Thise were not horror stories my friend, those are every day events. (I still have friends and ederly parents/inlaws in Canada)

Whatever you do, do not pray for "free" medical care in the US. You will regret it.
 
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