Moving To Canada Today? 5 Things To Know

So you've been saying for months that if Donald Trump won the presidency, you just couldn't stand to stay in the States any longer. An alternative awaits just a short jog to the north.

Yes, Canada. The "I swear, this time I'll really do it!" refuge of the disgruntled American voter since time immemorial. It's part of a time-honored tradition of contentious elections: Immigration applications to our northern neighbor spike precipitously in the run-up to and fallout from that fateful November day.

This year, it apparently started early. Google searches for "How to Move to Canada" ratcheted up, and the Canadian immigration website went down as Trump completed his Super Tuesday sweep this spring.

You aren't along in looking into it. Canada's immigration website reportedly crashed Tuesday night.

SEE ALSO: Full Presidential Election Results As They Come In

If 2016 is the year you'll finally, actually make the move, there are a few things you should know:

1. Canada's pretty selective.

If you're a doctor or an attorney, you're probably A-OK. Most Americans, however, must rely on sponsorship from family already living north of the border, or other options. You can figure out whether you qualify as a "skilled immigrant" and find out more about the Canadian visa application process here.

2. It's an imperfect system (but still considered among the kindest to immigrants).

Long wait times and a convoluted bureaucratic process bog down the Canadian immigration system, something Prime Minster Justin Trudeau has pledged to fix. Oh, and did we mention it's a seriously expensive endeavor? All that said, it's still considered one of the best countries in which to live as an immigrant.

3. Ask yourself: Is this really where I want to go?

We're looking at you, Clinton haters. You may well have wanted to escape the country if she won, but first you'd best think long and hard on whether Canada's the kind of refuge you'd enjoy. It has a socially progressive government, offers universal healthcare and, contrary to one of Trump's key proposals, Canada has flung its doors wide open to Syrian refugees, admitting more than 33,000 since November 2015. Plus, there's a strong possibility you'll still be paying U.S. taxes, even if you flee across the border.

4. On the other hand, if Trump wins, you may be in famous company.

Bryan Cranston, Barbra Streisand and Chelsea Handler are all on the list of celebrities who reportedly plan to move to Canada if Republicans win the presidential election.

5. And, finally, this has to be said: You're not gonna do it.

No, really. You just aren't. Did we mention this happens every four years? Yes, immigration applications leap up, but there's little evidence of widespread follow-through.

One explanation can be found in studies that suggest people tend to overestimate how much they'll really be hurt by a bad event, or how long that pain will last. Like the anti-Obama voters before you and the anti-Bush voters before them, you're far more likely to grit your teeth and bear it for the next four years. That, and constantly complain on Facebook.

Are you one of the proud few who really, really plans to move to Canada (or elsewhere) after this election? We'd love to hear more. Email tips@patch.com, and happy packing.

Photo by Alex Indigo, Flickr/Creative Commons