CFCman:

Hehe.
I'm only stingy when I have to pay for an un-planned service or good.

Kachisbarbie:

Don't mind me dear, just kidding.
Why so expensive? Are things generally overpriced there or is it about the quality?

CFCman:
- Here, in the US, public colleges and universities are required by law to make their campuses voter-registration areas. In fact, my alma mater was a polling unit in the 2012 elections.

- Smoking is generally prohibited in restaurants

- Presidential nominees only campaign in 8-11 states during the general election. Those states are referred to as "swing states".

- In most states, patrons cannot touch strippers. Only handshakes/hugs are allowed. Most counties/cities and states go to the extent of legislating the type of outfits strippers should wear on the job.

- The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Some states (and cities) have a higher minimum wage. California's minimum wage is presently $10/hour, which will increase to $15/hour in 6 years time.

- Full time work, in general, is no less than 40hrs per week. It would surprise you to know that some highly skilled professionals such as lawyers, doctors, investment bankers etc work up to 60 hours per week.

Royat1:

bro , I sent u a pm . is bsc banking and finance lucrative in USA ? will you advise me to further my education with a msc in investment .kindly shed more light

jwillng:


No-. At least not for Nigerians. You need a visa to Canada. But if you are a green card holder-you dont need Visa.

iAmCharis:
You can do a PGD (Post graduate diploma) with your CGPA and maybe further to masters if you so wish.

SmartMugu:

Glad you're seeing it yourself. I bet if someone had told you when you were in Nigeria, you would have thought they were lieing. It's a great place, but it comes with a cost. I wish everyone in Nigeria could be granted visas to th US, let's see if most of them won't run back to Nigeria.
If the Nigerian government fixes the roads, electricity etc, I'm sure most Nigerians overseas will want to go back home.

At your comment about where people get capitals from, I'm sure you're already aware the US is more of a credit economy vs Nigeria that is a cash economy. You can actually take out huge loans with good credit, so you don't have to wait on someone to explain how they did it when you already know how some people are - many would prefer you to follow them rather than walk with them, the first lesson I learnt in the US.

SmartMugu:
I don't think anyone would ever say America is not a great place. It is. There is a difference between visiting the US and living in the US. I guess people get to understand the US more when they decide to live there.

By the time you start working, making money and find out much of it is going back into the system, then you'll understand why people said those negative things about this beautiful place.

When you eventually start seeing that the cost of your accommodation for 2 months is more than some people need to pay for a similar place for a year in Nigeria. Factoring in other bills like car note, auto insurance, gas, taxes, 401k etc. Those add up pretty quickly and dictate how much you're left with after those deductions. When you start racking up credit cards, then you'll realize you're actually gradually getting enslaved and can remain in the US working and working to be free again.

No one prays to get in trouble, but when people start to deal with legal issues like child-support, traffic issues, alimony, or some criminal issues, then they're further trapped in the system. Nobody wants that to be their portion, but some people have been labelled criminals for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. All they can do is work and work to give the system what it wants from them. Some just give up and end up like the returnees you mentioned.

Also, when you start a family and understand how much daycare alone takes from your paycheck per week, you'll understand more. If God blesses you with a set of twins to start with, as long as you can budget at least $1000 a month for someone to watch them while u go to work, ure fine. In Nigeria, most people would rather hire a maid and pay them about $50 a month for that. So, it's easier to save in Nigeria than in the US and Canada that you mentioned.

Have you ever wondered why the US passport can get US citizens almost anywhere in the world, yet Americans hardly travel like Nigerians do? My opinion is that many people living in the US are at what they'd call "comfort zone". Many US nationals haven't seen anywhere else but the US and can only assume that's how the rest of the world is.

I've been asked a few times by some Americans that if it's true that Africans live on trees, how did I learn English etc. I'd just suggest they visit Africa themselves to find out. I guess many only rely on what they see on TV - some bushmen documentaries from some weird part of Africa, with bare-chested men and women and they just assume that's how we all look. I know Nigerians ain't nothing like those bushmen stuff they see on TV. Some Nigerians are blessed enough to cater for some of their cities for years, many don't know that because all they know about is their country.

Many others that would love to travel are buried in debt and bills or don't even know what a passport and a visa looks like. Their mom and dad probably never had one. The same amount of money you invested on your trip, some would rather put that towards a bill and remain here, never trying to see anywhere else because the bills are more important. To me, the system is designed for everyone to keep working and end up spending whatever they make in the US in the same country.

I would think a person making $100,000 per annum in the US would prefer a job that pays $50,000 in Nigeria. Why? Everyone living in the US pay for the comfort the US provides. Depending on that person's lifestyle, even though they make over $100,000 (about N33m in Nigeria today), they may end up still living from paycheck to paycheck. On the other hand, someone that makes meagre $50,000 in Nigeria can actually save about half of it because the cost of living in Nigeria is actually lower.

I wish no one thinks I'm trying to discourage anyone on their travel plans. I'd encourage people to go anywhere in the world they like -it changes people's mindset to know things are done differently in several parts of the world. This is just to give an idea of what to expect if anyone decides to live there. Visiting a country is different from living there.

It all takes planning though.

Welcome to the US bro.

jwillng:


Thanks sir.

We must make Naija better. I am here to make money and secure Naija. Naija for Life!

Not as a student-I took the advice of a Nairalander and used his tips-so sort of a Seminar/Training in Yankee and wedding in Canada.

SnakeDoctor2020:
Don't mind that smartmugu guy, i really don't know what kind of life you are living in US but as for me, i am very comfortable here.

maternal:


Your post is bias against Canada and the US.


1. People in the west get paid way more and CONSISTANTLY than people in Nigeria. You factor in cost of living, and rent is not as bad as you're making it seem to be.

2. Don't break the laws and you won't have any criminal issue. Child support is necessary sometimes. I can't believe the system here makes men financially responsible for their child.

3. Each region/state is different when it comes to child care. In my province it depends on your yearly salary, while in Quebec for example daycare costs 10 Canadian dollars per day. Though they pay a lot more taxes there.

4. When you live in one if not the most developed nations in the world, their really isn't a desire to live anywhere else. Why would I go from a Bentley to a Honda ? I think that's more the issue than wealth.

5. Stop it. Mostly the elites or very well off can travel abroad. Because very few travel outside of Nigeria now you're making it seem like anyone there can pick up their bag, get a visa, and spend 1200 USD on a plane ticket. A country where most make 1 USD per day ? That's 365 USD per year.

6. I make 100K per year. I live a very comfortable life and have money in the bank. If you're in the west and make 100k per year and you're living pay to pay, you're living above your means. The cost of living is cheaper in naija ? I disagree. You literally have to pay for everything including unplanned expenses out your pocket. Gen,Fuel,children school, transport, etc.

otosa:
no matter the age may be?

Thompsonneyo:


bro were u at precisely? coz dat 100k enta my eye o lol.....

maternal:


I think he messed up his life when he came abroad. Either way he needs to understand his reality is not the next man's.

maternal:


Your post is bias against Canada and the US.


1. People in the west get paid way more and CONSISTANTLY than people in Nigeria. You factor in cost of living, and rent is not as bad as you're making it seem to be.

2. Don't break the laws and you won't have any criminal issue. Child support is necessary sometimes. I can't believe the system here makes men financially responsible for their child.

3. Each region/state is different when it comes to child care. In my province it depends on your yearly salary, while in Quebec for example daycare costs 10 Canadian dollars per day. Though they pay a lot more taxes there.

4. When you live in one if not the most developed nations in the world, their really isn't a desire to live anywhere else. Why would I go from a Bentley to a Honda ? I think that's more the issue than wealth.

5. Stop it. Mostly the elites or very well off can travel abroad. Because very few travel outside of Nigeria now you're making it seem like anyone there can pick up their bag, get a visa, and spend 1200 USD on a plane ticket. A country where most make 1 USD per day ? That's 365 USD per year.

6. I make 100K per year. I live a very comfortable life and have money in the bank. If you're in the west and make 100k per year and you're living pay to pay, you're living above your means. The cost of living is cheaper in naija ? I disagree. You literally have to pay for everything including unplanned expenses out your pocket. Gen,Fuel,children school, transport, etc.

akanniade10:
Na this kain smartmugu go dey tell hin brother for naija say, u don't need to come here, it's really not easy, the struggles and co... Read ur points and trust me I couldn't pick something meaningful.

SmartMugu:

There is nothing biased about my comments. Both Canada and the US are great places to live. I have been living in the US for a long time now and really don't see myself living in Nigeria any time soon with the bad news everyone reads about Nigeria everyday here on NL. It appears nothing really works back there anymore. I probably won't fit in anymore until after spending a good amount of time in Nigeria again. Rather, I'd just visit every year or so.

Back to your points on costs of living, I live in Atlanta, Georgia, and have been paying $1200 per month on mortgage for my house for the past 5 years. That is $14,400 per year. With that amount, some folks could be landlords in Nigeria. Ask around about this city, I know some folks paying about $1600 - $3000 per month on rent or mortgage in different areas of the US, so I don't see anything biased about this comment.
You can actually check it out on www.willow.com yourself. You could pay cheaper in an apartment or living with roommates, I lived like that several years ago but I preferred something else when I started my own family. Those that live with their parents can sometimes live free depending on what kind of parents they have. No lies here, neither is anyone trying to discourage anyone.

One difference between the US and Nigeria - some people can afford to build their own houses in Nigeria, in the US most people rely on mortgages that could span 30-35 years depending on several things. I live here in the US and go to Nigeria often, even have stuff happening there. So I know the difference between both worlds.

On your comments on daycare costs, have you ever paid for daycare? You mentioned Canada, if you've ever been to Canada, you wouldnt say what you said about Quebec, Canada. I have been to Canada more than 30 times, I have friends with kids living there and I have never heard of a $10 CAD per day daycare before. You mentioned Quebec in Canada, the minimum wage in Quebec is $10.55 CAD per hour, so why would anyone watch your child for $10 CAD per day? Or were you referring to just one hour of the day?

If daycare was that cheap, I'd be glad to pay for 3 years straight and not worry about weekly daycare payments.
For me, for two kids, I've been paying $300 per week for the past 3 years. I actually think that's a good deal. That's another $14,400 per annum. Google the cost of daycare in Atlanta. Actually, read some comments on this forum http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlanta/783493-cost-daycare-intown-atlanta.html
The costs people mentioned in the link above are just for one kid. I have two minors. Not complaining, because I'm used to the system already and earn enough to pay it and other bills. Compare to someone coming from Nigeria with 4 kids not knowing what to expect. It could be harder for them not knowing they can't find a maid like they had in Nigeria here.

See if you can find anything cheaper in this area. If you do, please don't hesitate to share the location. I definitely won't have someone living in a drug-infested neighborhood watching my kids for trying to be cheap. I can't imagine my kids coming back home high on something at their ages.

From the tone of my original message, you should be able to tell I didn't mean to scare anyone nor discourage anyone. It's great here and I personally don't really see myself living in Nigeria anytime soon for now. If I want that for myself, why won't I want that for anyone else? I was only shedding some lights on the realities that some of us don't know about before jumping on the plane so we can all be prepared.

You mentioned that you make 100k per year, what you didn't mention is if you were referring to Naira, USD or CAD. If you meant Naira, that's about $400 per year. That's about what some people spend on groceries for a month here, especially when they have kids. I haven't heard of anyone making that little a year in the US. On the contrary, people tend to pay their rents for years in Nigeria, which is unheard of in the US. Also, I haven't heard of anyone paying $400 per month for rent anywhere in the US, so what you currently make a year wouldn't put a roof over your head for a month in the US, unless ure squatting with someone.

I can defend everything I said anywhere, anytime and hope to clarify on some misconceptions. I bounce between the US and Nigeria a lot and I know what I'm saying.

Again, not discouraging anyone - just some heads-up type of talk.

Im done with this topic, everyone can think however they want to think.

nicerichard05:


Bros can I PM u?

Pennsylvania:


If is over 500k you're talking about, then you can fill me in.....I want to know the process.

tpiah11:
Op I am not surprised you are showing people's houses on nairaland, but do you have authorized permission to do do?

Remember my first post on this thread?

Originalsly:
Hmmm.....this kind statement you should make after you get your green card!... just pray your oga don't read this ... he would certainly arrange a ehmm.... bloody welcome back home for you!

Boblee:
I

Bro how were u able to enter Canada with the visitors visa?

bobluck:
Congratulations bro, thanks for sharing. Please can you avail us the necessary documents you used?

honey86:

Daycare is $10 per day in Quebec. The cheapest in the country.

Originalsly:
@Op......no more pictures?...keep them coming before the topic becomes how can I enter the US!