America Had Some Surprising Contenders
If Canadians had to pack up and move to the United States tomorrow, you'd probably expect Florida, California, and Hawaii to top their wish lists. But when Canadians were asked this question, some of the most enthusiastic answers included places with freezing winters, quiet towns, and surprisingly familiar scenery. Apparently, escaping the snow wasn't everyone's priority. In fact, one Canadian's answer was so close to home that it sparked jokes about Canada claiming an entire American state.
The Question That Got Canadians Talking
When Canadians were asked which American state they'd choose if they had to move south of the border, their answers ranged from tropical islands to remote northern wilderness. Some dreamed of sunshine and beaches, while others preferred mountains, small towns, and places that reminded them of home. The responses weren't part of a scientific survey, but they revealed some interesting personal preferences. And one state in particular attracted attention for how much it resembled Canada.
Cristo Vlahos, Wikimedia Commons
Washington Was An Early Favorite
Washington received an enthusiastic response almost immediately, with several Canadians agreeing that it would be their preferred destination. One person from British Columbia explained that Washington felt like a continuation of their home province. With its mountains, forests, coastline, and familiar Pacific Northwest atmosphere, it's easy to understand the appeal. But another state attracted attention for an even more amusing reason.
Spicypepper999, Wikimedia Commons
Minnesota Was Almost Too Canadian
A Canadian who had already relocated from Alberta to Minnesota offered one of the funniest responses. They explained that Minnesota felt so Canadian that their homeland should practically claim it. Others joined the joke, suggesting Canada could trade Timbits and coffee for the state. Apparently, some Canadians weren't looking to escape their northern identity at all.
AlexiusHoratius, Wikimedia Commons
Hawaii Was Still The Dream
Of course, some respondents had a much more traditional idea of paradise. One Canadian who had previously lived in Washington, D.C., and Boston said Hawaii would be their dream destination. Another preferred the Big Island, imagining a quieter lifestyle filled with surfing, diving, and paddleboarding. The tropical fantasy was alive and well, although another famous sunny destination came with a significant catch.
Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons
California Came With A Warning
California attracted plenty of interest, but several Canadians couldn't ignore its reputation for expensive living. One person loved the state but considered it too costly to make a permanent home. Another, who had moved from Toronto to the San Francisco Bay Area, described a different experience, reporting that they earned twice what they could have made back home. California might be a dream destination, but the dream apparently depends on your paycheck.
Lightandtruth, Wikimedia Commons
Maine Offered Something Florida Couldn't
While some Canadians imagined palm trees, others were perfectly happy to keep their winter coats. Maine earned praise from someone who loved its scenery and people, while another chose it because it bordered New Brunswick and felt familiar. Southern Maine also received a separate endorsement. Rather than seeking a dramatic new lifestyle, these Canadians seemed drawn to the comfort of somewhere that already felt like home.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
New York Had An Unexpected Selling Point
New York was another popular choice, but one Canadian's reasoning went well beyond Broadway and skyscrapers. They acknowledged the state's harsh winters but loved its culture, history, sports, and endless activities. The prospect of spending years exploring their own city as a tourist was apparently worth enduring more cold weather. Yet another person preferred a very different side of the Empire State.
![View of the Empire State Building in New York City from the Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Plaza during sunset. The tower was illuminated in green in honor of Climate Week NYC.[1]](https://www.factinate.com/storage/app/media/splashtravels/2026/10/26/1793006576da9c8029b090ae3eadd60cb8296dfb68501213ac.jpg)
Upstate New York Was The Quieter Alternative
For some Canadians, New York meant mountains and small towns rather than Manhattan. One French-speaking respondent favored northern New York or Vermont specifically because they didn't want to move very far away. Others praised upstate scenery, particularly around the Catskills and Adirondacks. It was another example of Canadians choosing proximity and familiarity over a dramatic change of scenery.
Mwanner at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Arizona Offered A Completely Different Escape
Arizona presented an alternative for Canadians who wanted to leave northern winters behind. One person named Scottsdale, while another considered Sedona and Flagstaff attractive possibilities. Those destinations offer very different experiences, from desert communities to mountain towns with cooler temperatures. But another western state caught attention for something Arizona's famous cities couldn't necessarily promise.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
Wyoming Had Something Big Cities Couldn't Offer
Wyoming earned an especially enthusiastic endorsement from someone who loved its wildlife and lack of crowds. Others included it among the western states they would consider for retirement. Instead of chasing nightlife, restaurants, or major attractions, these Canadians seemed interested in having more room to breathe. And Wyoming wasn't the only sparsely populated state attracting unexpected attention.
Vermont Had A Surprisingly Strong Appeal
Vermont was another state that Canadians mentioned repeatedly, and one respondent was especially enthusiastic about it. They appreciated its greenery, small communities, and proximity to Montreal and New York for concerts, museums, and restaurants. Another person simply declared their love for Vermont with considerable enthusiasm. Apparently, the chance to enjoy American life without straying too far from Canada was a compelling selling point.
Ascended Dreamer, Wikimedia Commons
San Diego Could Ruin Canadian Winters Forever
One Canadian who moved from Montreal to San Diego described becoming spoiled by the weather almost immediately. Before long, temperatures below 68°F or above 77°F were enough to bother them. That's quite a change for someone accustomed to Montreal winters. And it helps explain why California remained tempting even to Canadians who otherwise preferred familiar northern destinations.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Roland A. Franklin, Wikimedia Commons
Montana Had A Very Personal Advantage
Montana attracted several admirers, but not everyone chose it simply for its mountains. One person liked the state's scenery and its connection to the kind of art they painted. Another wanted Montana or North Dakota because either would keep them relatively close to family in Saskatchewan. For that person, maintaining family connections mattered more than escaping to somewhere exotic.
Forest Service, USDA, Wikimedia Commons
Oregon Was Worth Going Back For
Oregon's appeal wasn't entirely hypothetical for one Canadian. After spending 15 years living in Portland, they said they missed the city and their friends enough to choose Oregon again. Others grouped Oregon with Washington, Vermont, and Maine as desirable destinations. It was a reminder that the best place to live isn't always the most glamorous one, especially when you've already built a life there.
Spicypepper999, Wikimedia Commons
Alaska Wasn't Too Cold For Everyone
You might assume Canadians moving to America would want at least a slightly warmer climate, but Alaska proved otherwise. Several people considered the state, including one who admitted their spouse probably wouldn't agree to the move. Another observed that parts of Alaska might feel familiar to people from northern British Columbia or Yukon. Apparently, some Canadians were willing to trade one cold wilderness for an even bigger one.
Colorado Offered The Best Of Both Worlds
Colorado attracted Canadians who wanted mountains, outdoor activities, and recognizable seasons without necessarily living near the border. One person liked the idea of somewhere with fewer people, while another considered Colorado or California because they appreciated mountain scenery and a relaxed atmosphere. Denver and Boulder also appeared as possible destinations. For Canadians who enjoy the outdoors but want a change from home, Colorado offered an intriguing compromise.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
Utah Wasn't On Everyone's Bingo Card
Utah was another western state that unexpectedly entered the conversation. One person specifically mentioned Moab, while another included Utah alongside Montana and Colorado as a preferred destination. Moab's dramatic red-rock scenery offers a striking contrast to the forests and lakes many Canadians know. And that contrast suggested some people were genuinely interested in starting somewhere completely different.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
Massachusetts Made A Convincing Case
Massachusetts earned praise from someone who wanted a familiar climate without sacrificing access to the ocean or interesting places to explore. They liked the state's history, outdoor opportunities, and the possibility of living away from Boston's busiest neighborhoods. Western Massachusetts was particularly appealing for its natural surroundings. But the respondent also had one amusing reservation: they weren't especially interested in adopting a Boston accent.
Sharon Hahn Darlin, Wikimedia Commons
Wisconsin Got A Very Canadian Compliment
Wisconsin entered the conversation after someone joked that Canada should claim Minnesota. Another person suggested taking Wisconsin too, praising its cheese and beer. Elsewhere, Canadians included Wisconsin among the states they would consider moving to. Between the lakes, cold winters, and familiar Midwestern atmosphere, it was another destination that didn't require abandoning everything Canadian.
New Mexico Was A Wild Card
New Mexico attracted interest from Canadians who wanted something different from the usual coastal destinations. One person considered it a possibility because of its climate and political environment, while another included it among several southwestern locations worth exploring. The latter admitted they hadn't actually visited, so their interest was more curiosity than a firm relocation plan. Still, New Mexico's appearance showed that Canadians weren't limiting themselves to the obvious American favorites.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
West Virginia Had A Dedicated Admirer
West Virginia produced one of the most memorable answers. One Canadian openly acknowledged that it wasn't a particularly fashionable destination but said the Appalachian region fascinated them. That personal interest was enough to put West Virginia at the top of their list. Sometimes a landscape that captures someone's imagination matters more than a state's popularity.
Mark Fickett, Wikimedia Commons
Florida Wasn't The Automatic Winner
Florida appeared among the choices, but the responses didn't resemble an overwhelming rush toward the Sunshine State. One person included Florida alongside Virginia and Georgia, while others favored destinations with mountains, forests, and colder weather. Some Canadians simply wanted somewhere they would never see snow again. Yet plenty of their fellow respondents seemed perfectly content to keep experiencing winter.
Some Canadians Wanted A Southern Lifestyle
Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi also made appearances among the choices. One person praised the Washington, D.C., region for combining southern greenery and humidity with the amenities of a major metropolitan area. Another simply chose Tennessee or Mississippi without offering much explanation. These responses provided a useful counterpoint to the enthusiasm for northern states, showing that some Canadians really did want a substantial change.
Bruce Emmerling, Wikimedia Commons
The Best State Depended On The Paycheck
Not everyone approached the question as a pure fantasy. One person said they would choose Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Wyoming, or Montana for retirement if money weren't an issue, but preferred Connecticut if they still needed to work. Others discussed California's high living costs and the importance of finding employment. The answers revealed a basic truth about relocation: a dream destination and a realistic destination aren't always the same place.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
Taxes Were Part Of The Conversation Too
Some Canadians were interested in states without individual income taxes, but the discussion quickly became more complicated. Others pointed out that property taxes and sales taxes can change the financial picture considerably. States such as Washington, Florida, Nevada, and Texas were discussed in that context. It was a useful reminder that choosing somewhere based on a single tax advantage doesn't necessarily mean everyday life will be cheaper.
Healthcare Gave Some Canadians Pause
When considering a move to America, healthcare emerged as another important concern. Some Canadians worried about leaving behind the familiarity of their country's publicly funded healthcare system. Even those attracted to American destinations had practical questions about the differences between the two countries. A beautiful coastline or a higher salary might be tempting, but neither automatically settles the question of where someone should build a life.
Some Canadians Would Rather Stay Put
Not everyone was enthusiastic about the idea of moving south at all. Some Canadians said they enjoyed visiting the United States but had little interest in living there permanently. Others indicated that they would consider different countries before choosing America. For those people, even the most appealing American state wasn't enough to make leaving Canada sound attractive.
The Biggest Surprise Was Right Along The Border
Looking across the responses, a particularly interesting pattern emerges. Washington, Vermont, Maine, Minnesota, and other northern states attracted people who valued familiar scenery, communities, and lifestyles. Hawaii and California certainly had their supporters, but they weren't the only places generating enthusiasm. In many cases, Canadians seemed more interested in finding an American version of home than in completely reinventing their lives.
Jeffery Hayes, Wikimedia Commons
So Which State Actually Came Out On Top?
There wasn't an official winner because these were informal responses rather than a representative national poll. Washington received enthusiastic support, while Vermont, Maine, Colorado, Hawaii, and California appeared among the recurring choices. The most revealing answers, however, weren't necessarily the glamorous ones. For some Canadians, the perfect American state wasn't the one that offered the biggest change, but the one that allowed them to keep the things they already loved about Canada.
Ascended Dreamer, Wikimedia Commons
You May Also Like:
The Countries That Canadians Say Feel Easiest To Visit, Even If They're Halfway Around The World
Canadians Reveal The American Foods And Restaurants They Wish They Had More Of Up In Canada
Sources: Reddit, ,
