Anxiety

Poor snowbirds. What else can possibly go wrong?

Canadians owning Florida condos are flooding the place with listings, local realtors say. Bailing out as fast as possible,. Which, sadly, ain’t that fast. The market in much of the state is a mess.

Insurance rates have skyrocketed as the climate gets less predictable and in the wake of some doozie ‘canes. Units owners are seeing their HOA fees swell as condo boards deal with the cost of insuring aging buildings in a wilder world. Then there’s the loonie, of course. Every beaver buck buys a lot less at 69 US cents. For renters it means a $4,000-a-month winter getaway now costs six grand. And tougher-on-condos state laws have translated into a spate of special assessments and one-time upfront fee payments to plump reserve funds.

The perfect condo storm. Getting worse now that US mortgages are stuck close to 7% and the Fed has put the brakes on further reductions in its policy rate. Of course those personal tax cuts promised during the election campaign (on tips, overtime wages and social security benefits) have yet to materialize.

And then there’s Trump, ruling from his golden palace at Mar-a-Lago – and scaring the crap out of Mike.

“I have been a loyal reader of this illustrious blog for many years,” he writes.  “And we have a dilemma…”

He is a dually by birth who left Canada after graduating as a teacher thirty-five years ago, got a job, got married (to a Canadian) then took US citizenship during the first Trump reign. “I wanted to be protected from his disdain for immigrants and any potential changes in immigration law,” he explains. “I now find myself in a very difficult position.”

She has a green card and now as they approach retirement with all net worth in US assets (real estate and retirement accounts), “we find ourselves in a country with leadership that is attacking our homeland for no apparent good reason, with Trump fomenting a MAGA mob here that could easily find Canadians an easy target.”

“I know I am extremely privileged to have followed my career goals here in a profession that really doesn’t exist in Canada and I would not be where we find ourselves financially if I had remained in Canada those many years ago.  If we chose to return to Canada now, the income tax and cross border administrivia seems insurmountable.

“What can we do if this conflict spirals out of control and we are caught in the middle and fearing ending up in some internment camp or an El Salvador private prison?  I would hope I am protected as a US citizen, but the little misses could be held without reason on some “Trumped” up charge and be deported or detained. Am I overreacting?  Should we seek consular services now? Like you said the other day he is just seems ‘Nuts’”.

Well, Mike, this week came news that US authorities have decided deportation of legitimate and long-time green card holders will occur if those people express views opposite to the policies of the administration. Seriously. Open speech and indy thought are now considered suspect in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Amazing. In the comments to a recent Florida CBS story on fleeing Canadians some locals referred to our “cesspool country” – maybe unaware of the fact three million little northern beavers visit the state annually, spending $6.5 billion and supporting about 20,000 jobs.

Could things gets worse?

Of course they could. And likely will. Trump is out of control, without meaningful guidelines, and now actively chilling the US court and legal system. It’s only a matter of time before Canadians owning US real estate are capriciously and greedily taxed as we do to Americans who own here, for example. The president’s anti-Canada ravings have been persistent, louder and more pointed. The fight-Trump rhetoric of our current federal election campaign will likely get him further lit.

As with trade, he proves daily there are no rules. Only his.

So, Mike, what’s keeping you there and possibly risking your retirement happiness and stability?

Yeah, money. Assets. Taxes and possessions.

Will it cost more to come to Canada, face levies on your retirement savings, sell your real estate in a tough market and take a step back financially? Maybe. But your dollars are worth $1.40, and your unfettered, unquestioned, unbridled freedom is priceless.

Or you can gamble and stay. Maybe Trump will invade and make Canada a state. But that may not be the end of things.

On late-night TV the other day it was pointed out Canada within the USA would have so many electoral votes that, “our next president will be a kind-hearted lesbian moose.”

About the picture: “Thanks for all your great advice and guidance over the years,” writes Joseph, in Vancouver. “This is my sister’s GSD named Griffey. He’s a big goofball with a loud bark that loves his people. This is him with one of my nephew’s toy cars. When he wants attention, he grabs a toy and makes a run for it. He loves the ensuing chase or tug of war. He’s one of the good boys for sure.”

To be in touch or send a picture of your beast, email to ‘[email protected]’.