[HelgeSeetzen]

I moved to Canada some 12 years ago,lived in the big cities and visited every province (except Nunawut, the new north east territory). Can't say that I have any regrets.

The tech scene is decent in the big cities with some strong universities and tech centers. The investment community is definitely weaker than the US (not in volume/assets but in talent: the archetypical US VC partner is a former entrepreneur while her Canadian counterpart is more likely to be a former pension fund manager). It has improved over the years though.

A surprising discovery (for me), was that the most leftist province (Quebec) has by far the most support for tech companies: All the usual Canadian programs such as getting 60-80% of your tech expenses back in tax credits but also some really neat stuff such as a "tax holiday" for foreign developers (that would be you: no income tax for almost 5 years). Oh, and one of the lowest corporate tax rates in North America (coming in around 27% right now).

Tech business aside, Canada is a nice place. A lot less of the steep socio-politico-economic gradient that has become so common in the US. Definitely a good place to raise kids.

The winters are unpleasant though if you are used to the Valley (I cry a little bit inside whenever I go back to SF).