Something has shifted.
Not suddenly—but noticeably. A slow, steady erosion of motivation, of belief, of clarity about what the future holds if we stay put here in Canada. Today, I’m unpacking something that’s been building for months, maybe years.
And I’m doing it with a spreadsheet open.
The Numbers Don’t Lie — But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
I’ve been comparing cost of living between Calgary and a few U.S. cities—Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee. I wanted to see if maybe the reason I feel this urge to leave is financial. That maybe the dollars just stretch further elsewhere.
Here’s what I found:
- Rent? Roughly the same between Calgary and Austin.
- Utilities? More expensive in Calgary.
- Groceries and transportation? Again, Calgary takes the hit.
- Wages? Slightly lower here.
- Nashville? Very similar story. A little more affordable, especially on day-to-day costs. Wages are comparable.
So, if you’re purely looking at cost of living?
The U.S. has the edge.
But that’s not why I want to leave.
It’s Not the Math—It’s the Mood
This isn’t about saving a few bucks. It’s about feeling like the effort matters. Like the risk is worth it.
I run a construction company. I started a technology platform. I employ people. I try to create value. But lately, I’ve been asking: what’s the reward for pushing harder here in Canada?
And the answer feels like: Not much.
When our province’s Premier stands up and tries to sound tough—drawing lines with Ottawa and vowing to protect Alberta’s interests—I don’t feel reassured. I feel like I’m watching the replay of a game we already lost in the '80s. I think of the National Energy Program. I think of my dad. I think of the motivation it drained from a whole generation. And I see the same pattern forming again.
We live in a country where the more successful you become, the more suspicion you attract. Where taking risks feels more dangerous than rewarding. Where owning a home is becoming a pipe dream for many of our employees. Where you work just to get by—not to build.
That’s what it felt like in Spain, too. And while I respect the philosophy of “work to live,” that’s not how I’m wired.
So Why the U.S.?
Because there’s still this glimmer—that if I structure it right, if I take a calculated risk, I can build something bigger there.
Something that doesn’t just provide for my family—but gives my kids a shot at home ownership, career growth, and purpose.
Something that reinvests our Canadian success into American opportunity.
Something that lets me test the American dream for myself—in real time.
I’ve got work to do:
- An E-2 visa plan
- A U.S. incorporation
- Cash at risk in a U.S. business
- And a team in Canada that can run without me
But I’ve got a timeline now. Maybe next spring, we’ll be there.
What This Season Feels Like
It feels like standing on the edge of something.
Not a breakdown. Not a crisis. But a turning point.
I’m 47. And the older I get, the more I understand that motivation is oxygen. And right now, I can’t find much of it here. Not in the policy decisions. Not in the outlook. Not in the incentives.
I’ll still do my best in Canada. I’ll still lead my team and provide for the people who trust me. But aspiration? Expansion? Bigger dreams?
Those are pointing south.
So yeah, May 6? It’s a marker.
Not the end. Not the beginning. But the moment I stopped wondering if—and started asking how.
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