u/Aggressive-Dirt-104

Landed as a PR in April 2024 (got SIN, opened a bank account, stayed with family who are Canadian citizens), but returned to the US where we both have stable jobs. We’re realistically looking at only ~60 days of physical presence in Canada by early 2029, when we’re currently planning to move for good.

Reasons for the delay: have been applying for Canadian jobs but hasn’t landed one yet, and we own a home in the US with a mortgage, selling now would mean a loss given the current market, and neither of our current income levels would comfortably cover it if we moved without secured jobs.

We know the residency obligation is 730 days in a rolling 5-year window, We’re planning to consult an immigration lawyer, but wanted to ask here first:

1.    Has anyone been in a similar spot: PR landed, left, came back years later well under 730 days?
2.    Did you apply for a PR Travel Document proactively, or travel on a still-valid PR card and deal with it at the border?
3.    Was an H&C argument based on financial hardship (mortgage, bad housing market, no job offer yet) taken seriously, or did it mostly get treated as “you chose to stay”?
4.    If you got a report/lost status, what did the appeal process look like and how long did it take?
5.    Anything you wish you’d done differently, timeline-wise?

Not looking for legal advice, just real experiences before we go into the lawyer consult with better questions. Appreciate any insight.

Hi,
We are a couple in our 30s, married, no kids yet.

We've been in the US several years on H-1B with approved I-140s and a 2023 EB-2 priority date

A while back (in 2024) we got Canadian PR through Express Entry. We did soft landing the same year. Our PR expires in April 2029 and if we don't meet the RO, I don’t think we can reapply again..

Where we are mentally:

We're loosely aiming at financial independence / maybe starting something of our own eventually. The working spouse has a decent US corporate role they'd be giving up if we moved

What I want honest opinions on:
If you've been in a similar spot (H-1B, also held COPR/Canadian PR) — what did you decide, and would you make the same call today?
If you moved from the US to Canada in your 30s and took the salary cut — was it worth it? What surprised you (good or bad)?
If you let your Canadian PR lapse to stay in the US — any regrets?
For people who just landed to preserve PR while continuing to work in the US — what should we know about the tax/residency obligation math? Did it actually work out, or did you eventually have to choose?
Not necessarily asking "USA or Canada." At minimum I'm trying to figure out if we should move to Canada to keep PR and citizenship option open or continue in USA.
But if you actually made the full move, your perspective is what I most want to hear.
Happy to clarify in comments without identifying details.