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 ??
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!
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!
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.
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.