Let me pitch in my (naive) 2 cents - though I have never lived in the US.

Like any city or country, the entire USA is not a pot of GOLD - so where you locate to is the most important decision.

Comparing major cities in USA with GTA, while you enjoy higher standard of professional success (and $$), the relative comfort is higher in GTA. The social life and desi amenities are aplenty to choose from. I heard from friends visiting me from US that most desis become highly $$-centric after landing in USA with limited regards to social life - relations. They were quite 'surprised' and 'envious' (the good kind) about the kind of groups we are able to develop here and the social life we are able to enjoy, even though we earn less than them and save even lesser. A few (from Chicago and Delaware) even mentioned that they will prefer to move to GTA if they could find a lower paying but comfortable employment here.

Even desi grocery are not available in many 2nd tier and 3rd tier cities - least of all the 'exotic' items we enjoy like PAAN and FALOODA...maybe even the Alphonso mangoes..

Now these are just my observations based on the limited interactions I have had.

From this it looks that though the $$ are higher in US, the quality of life is better in GTA. It may not be true outside of GTA.

So it will generally depend on what rocks your boat - if you are reasonably settled and comfortable in the GTA and do crave for regular socializing with friends and relatives, moving to US might not be a great idea. I know of 1 family who already have green card for the past 3.5 years, husband is in IT (with option to get a transfer to US) and wife is a RN, have not yet taken the plunge to move, even though their brothers and sisters live there.

Good luck with your decision and congrats for your GC in advance.

Hiren

P.S. : With so many PRO-US opinions, I just intended to give the discussion some balance..

Doesn't one risk losing the GC if they reside outside the US for more than 180 days?

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Dimple2001

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Originally posted by dimple2001
Doesn't one risk losing the GC if they reside outside the US for more than 180 days?

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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."

-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"

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Originally posted by pratickm

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Originally posted by dimple2001
Doesn't one risk losing the GC if they reside outside the US for more than 180 days?

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I think the default is 1 year.
But you need to do that re-entry permit thing, similar to the Canadian TD.
However, taking up permanent residency is another country is usually cause for immediate lapse of the GC.
Similar to how taking up a GC is essentially considered abandoning Canadian PR, regardless of actual time spent abroad.
One cannot be a permanent resident in two different countries at the same time
Further details:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3f443a4107083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3f443a4107083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

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1) I think alphanso and honey mangoes are still not available in US
2) You cannot import cuban cigars
3) Every city and most of suburbs have some areas which you do not want to wander off to, not even during day time. 100 times dangerous than Jane and Finch (or whatever worst area here)
4) Marijuana is legal in some states
5) you can use radar detectors
6) Some states in up north still have racism (comparable to what is there in Canada)
7) You may not have as many desi restaurants but that will suddenly change your opinion once you visiti oak tree road in NJ or Jackson Heights in NY
8) There is no UUCB benefit, no child tax benefit and no RESP.
9) mostly you will pay state income tax and federal income tax (which is still lesser than what you pay here)
10) No central or Federal sales tax only state.
11) No Tim hortons (replace with dunkin donuts), No Pizza Pizza.
12) not much of curling (Canadian pride sport)
13) Not much of maple syrup
14) Not many maple trees
13) No big lake and fresh water beaches
14) No USADesi.com like canadiandesi
15) Not many Pakis (categorizing it as negative if you are fascinated by pakis)
16) No Halal (If you have become used to it)
17) not much environment friendly because you do not have to separate the 3-4 types of garbages.
18) Well some Canucks are proud of this I will mention: no so called, pretended "free" healthcare.
19) No TARION
20) No ROGERS or BELL (If you are a fan and cannot leave without either one)
21) No French as official language (if you have your education done in French...they hate French there)
22) You will not get milk in bags.
23) Max of six weeks break after delivery compared to a year+6 months here.
24) No FTA dish in many parts.
25) No CN Tower, No mcguinty
26) oh yeah Schools....you have to be careful where you will stay..especially if you have kids. Schooling is little weird. If you are in good school district you kids will get good education, otherwise you will be educated from kids with the stuff you never imagined.

Happy now?
Hiren bhai, I know you are half heartedly tried to raise some points that are non-issues..
Folks are $$ centric because there are lot of $ available..here we have groups because there is not much we can do but get together and sing 'Mehngai Dayan Khay Jaat he"
ILOVENA
Honestly, when you have doubts even after family members who sponsored your GC I am not sure how much anyone from this forum would swing your opinion. You are just trying to play here..aren't you

Vande Mataram

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From this it looks that though the $$ are higher in US, the quality of life is better in GTA. It may not be true outside of GTA.

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Microsoft - Which end of the stick do you want today?

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Originally posted by DesiTiger

but atleast I didn't have to sit behind an idiot driving 60 in a 70 zone

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