March 10, 20251 yr Last year I tried leaving Thailand with wifey. That lasted about 1 month in Toronto. This year I have to leave for good. The truth is I don't wanna, but for personal reasons and to fulfill Wifey's immigration requirements of spending 3 out of 5 years in Canada we simply have to. For all the Thai bashing I did in the past mostly due to filthy air and new tax requirements I still feel like living here and not in Canada. I am looking for some kind of advice, especially from people who went to prison is how to spend these 3 years constructively... something like personal development and s*** like that. 35 hours until liftoff, and my stomach is already feeling sick. But hey, silver lining: I’m about to become Canada’s most enthusiastic healthcare tourist. Time to put that free Canadian healthcare to work and squeeze every last taxpayer-funded Band-Aid out of the system. Consider this my contribution to the economy.
March 10, 20251 yr 1 hour ago, Celsius said: I’m about to become Canada’s most enthusiastic healthcare tourist. Time to put that free Canadian healthcare to work and squeeze every last taxpayer-funded Band-Aid out of the system. Thats why I head back to the States every year. Frenzied health care appointments.
March 10, 20251 yr 1 hour ago, Celsius said: I am looking for some kind of advice, especially from people who went to prison is how to spend these 3 years constructively... something like personal development and s*** like that. Good idea, work on that 711 idea, maybe thrash out a detailed business plan. When you come back you can put your hi-so wife to work making cheese on toast if you have a solid business plan.
March 11, 20251 yr Cant you not just come back here for a few holidays a year in that time? Still 'reside' in Canada, but go up to the limit of days required to be there to qualify?
March 11, 20251 yr On 3/10/2025 at 11:01 AM, Celsius said: I’m about to become Canada’s most enthusiastic healthcare tourist. Time to put that free Canadian healthcare to work Good luck getting a family doctor. Or an appointment with a specialist unless you're hours away from death. ER waits are 10 hours plus apparently.
March 11, 20251 yr Author 2 minutes ago, gargamon said: Good luck getting a family doctor. Or an appointment with a specialist unless you're hours away from death. ER waits are 10 hours plus apparently. yes, I want to experience it myself and will report. I will start with a tax payer funded colonoscopy.
March 11, 20251 yr 2 minutes ago, Celsius said: yes, I want to experience it myself and will report. I will start with a tax payer funded colonoscopy. Maybe a year wait for that, unless you want to pay yourself, and you've got to get your family doctor to refer you.
March 11, 20251 yr I just got my wife US citizenship after three years. Seems we both dont want to go back to Thailand though. If i were canadian i would probably rather be in Thailand
March 12, 20251 yr 3 or 5 yrs will pass real fast. Simply get the cheapest housing available, to meet the resident requirement, then get a RV-ish type vehicle, or convert something, and play nomadic tourist most of the the time there. Pop down to the USA, if allowed during the winters.
March 12, 20251 yr 5 hours ago, KhunLA said: 3 or 5 yrs will pass real fast. Simply get the cheapest housing available, to meet the resident requirement, then get a RV-ish type vehicle, or convert something, and play nomadic tourist most of the the time there. Pop down to the USA, if allowed during the winters. Seems very good advice.
March 13, 20251 yr Author 1st day in whinging and whining. First of all, business class flight on Eva was great. Service spectacular. I had both a steak and a hamburger at 35,000 feet in the sky. Got some quality pyjamas to keep. As soon as I landed in Toronto I was unable to find a taxi that goes to my mom's place, despite almost 300 bux we were ready to pay for a taxi ride. Got the GO bus instead for $11.70 each. This would never happen in Thailand considering all the cheap and plentiful travel options. Will be staying for 2 weeks in my mom's basement as I am waiting for tenant eviction. It's 6am and maybe I'll go and check how to get a health card. it's been 11 years without one....
March 13, 20251 yr 11 hours ago, Celsius said: 1st day in whinging and whining. First of all, business class flight on Eva was great. Service spectacular. I had both a steak and a hamburger at 35,000 feet in the sky. Got some quality pyjamas to keep. As soon as I landed in Toronto I was unable to find a taxi that goes to my mom's place, despite almost 300 bux we were ready to pay for a taxi ride. Got the GO bus instead for $11.70 each. This would never happen in Thailand considering all the cheap and plentiful travel options. Will be staying for 2 weeks in my mom's basement as I am waiting for tenant eviction. It's 6am and maybe I'll go and check how to get a health card. it's been 11 years without one.... If you've been out of Canada that long pop on down to Service Canada and make sure you S.I.N. is still active. After 7 years of no action it will go dormant. Mine did causing lots of problems New driver's license? Have to redo the written and practical test, my Thai license wouldn't convert across because they don't use a number system, little picture of car or motorcycle won't work Health Care card, your on it. That one comes pretty quickly. If you know your heath care card number you can use that until a replacement card arrives, your number doesn't change.
March 14, 20251 yr On 3/11/2025 at 6:32 PM, gargamon said: Good luck getting a family doctor. Or an appointment with a specialist unless you're hours away from death. ER waits are 10 hours plus apparently. At least it’s free.
March 15, 20251 yr 5 hours ago, Mike_Hunt said: At least it’s free. I'd rather pay if it gets done promptly. Needed a hernia surgery. Waited 18 months in Canada. Then they cancelled it with no new scheduled date. Flew to the US and had it done in a week.
March 15, 20251 yr Author 4 hours ago, gargamon said: I'd rather pay if it gets done promptly. Needed a hernia surgery. Waited 18 months in Canada. Then they cancelled it with no new scheduled date. Flew to the US and had it done in a week. There are private clinics in Canada that do hernia surgery. Prices cheaper than most private Thai hospitals.
March 15, 20251 yr 15 minutes ago, Celsius said: There are private clinics in Canada that do hernia surgery. Prices cheaper than most private Thai hospitals. I have Medicare also so my costs was $250 USD. Nice vacation in Florida too. Not all provinces have private clinics. Ontario is the exception, not the rule.
March 15, 20251 yr Author Yesterday I did 2 things. Opened a CIBC account as they are the only bank that currently has a promo for new accounts. 5% for 4 months which is pretty good considering how much the rates have dropped. Subscribed with Rogers (robbers) mobile. Just over 100 bux a month for 150GB unlimited texts and calls to US and Canada. I tested the connection and it is faster than AIS or TRUE ever was while I was living in Bangkok. It is a 2 year contract. The 2500 baht price per month may sound steep, but it comes with brand new shiny Galaxy s25 which currently sells for over 30,000 baht in Thailand, so it is really not that bad when paired with a new phone. Currently staying in the armpit of Ontario known as Hamilton while my tenant in Toronto moves out on April 1st. Then the only costs will be condo fees, property tax, robbers bill, condo insurance and food for 2. I expext to spend no more than 1,500 cad per month on everything.
March 16, 20251 yr Well glad you're getting it together back in Canada, btw we Americans do love you regardless of what the Orange one says. $100CAD for the phone seems a lot, we pay $50USD with AT&T for pretty much the same What about internet, you priced that out yet? We don't do cable TV so internet is it. We pay $78/Month for 1Gig then all the streaming services. Oh and MrsC might want to check out https://www.malimar.tv/
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