Tell me what it's like to live in Canada.....

[Summitseeker]

Google came up with this:

Indexes
Consumer Price Index (Excl.Rent): 102.88
Rent Index: 38.68
Groceries Index: 104.08
Restaurants Index: 87.58
Consumer Price Plus Rent Index: 79.98
Local Purchasing Power: 96.91


Restaurants [Edit] mean Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 12.00 C$ 10.0015.00
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 60.00 C$ 45.0074.99
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar 8.00 C$ 7.008.65
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 5.00 C$ 4.006.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 6.00 C$ 5.006.99
Cappuccino (regular) 3.50 C$ 3.004.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 1.99 C$ 1.502.00
Water (0.33 liter bottle) 1.50 C$ 1.252.00

Markets [Edit] mean
Milk (regular), 1 liter 1.99 C$ 1.322.75
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) 2.50 C$ 2.003.00
Rice (1kg) 3.35 C$ 2.005.00
Eggs (12) 3.00 C$ 2.503.68
Local Cheese (1kg) 10.00 C$ 8.0014.00
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) 10.98 C$ 8.0015.00
Apples (1kg) 2.96 C$ 2.103.99
Oranges (1kg) 3.00 C$ 2.254.00
Tomato (1kg) 3.00 C$ 2.204.00
Potato (1kg) 1.93 C$ 1.002.20
Lettuce (1 head) 1.50 C$ 1.002.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 2.00 C$ 1.592.80
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 15.00 C$ 12.0018.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 2.75 C$ 2.004.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 3.00 C$ 2.344.95
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) 10.00 C$ 9.0012.00

Transportation [Edit] mean
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 2.75 C$ 2.503.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 81.00 C$ 72.00100.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 3.60 C$ 3.254.42
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) 1.75 C$ 1.502.22
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 30.00 C$ 28.5237.80
Gasoline (1 liter) 1.30 C$ 1.201.36
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 22,300.00 C$ 19,975.0025,000.00

Utilities (Monthly) [Edit] mean
Basic (Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment 177.70 C$ 114.37250.00
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 0.30 C$ 0.250.44
Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 45.00 C$ 35.0050.00

Sports And Leisure [Edit] mean
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 50.00 C$ 40.0060.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 19.60 C$ 12.0025.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 12.00 C$ 10.0013.50

Clothing And Shoes [Edit] mean
1 Pair of Levis 501 (Or Equivalent) 55.00 C$ 45.0070.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 45.00 C$ 30.0055.00
1 Pair of Nike Shoes 100.00 C$ 80.00120.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes 100.00 C$ 85.00130.00

Rent Per Month [Edit] mean
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 907.50 C$ 760.001,200.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 775.00 C$ 600.00900.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 1,500.00 C$ 1,200.002,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 1,250.00 C$ 1,000.001,500.00

Buy Apartment Price [Edit] mean
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre 3,592.19 C$ 2,500.005,381.96
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 2,591.67 C$ 2,000.003,928.83

Salaries And Financing [Edit] mean
Median Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) 3,000.00 C$ 2,500.004,000.00
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentanges (%), Yearly 4.00 3.204.90

These data are based on 12252 entries in the past 18 months from 1471 different contributors.

Last update : November, 2012


In a country as large, diverse and beautiful as Canada, it’s only natural for comparisons to be drawn between cities. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary are some of the most popular cities of Canada. But has anyone ever thought of the living expenses? Probably not. Criteria such as housing affordability, income and job prospects are important to consider. These cities are some of the world’s most expensive cities to live in. According to The Economist Intelligence Unit survey, Vancouver is the most expensive city in North America and 37th most expensive in the world. Whereas, the business and financial capital of Canada, Toronto is ranked 50th most expensive city in the world.

Vancouver is the most livable city in the world, but with so much to offer for living, the expenses do not come easy. Even with the minimum wage at $10.25, living costs are sky high. According to Statistics Canada, the average household expenditures in Vancouver are as follows:

housing $17,449

personal taxes $15,700

transportation $9,506

food $7,920

personal insurance payments and pension contribution $3,499

recreation $4,491

household expenses $3,188

health care $2,432

education $2389

tobacco/alcoholic products $1,393.



On the other hand, the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is not as expensive as Vancouver. At first glance, it may seem as if Toronto is the most costly city in Canada, however, that is far from the truth. The minimum wage of Toronto is also $10.25, same as Vancouver. The statistics of average household annual expenditures in Toronto are as follows:

shelter $17,185

personal taxes $18,488

transportation $10,676

food $8,132

personal insurance payments and pension contribution $5,734

recreation $3,549

household operation $4,053

health care $1,824,

education $2,435

tobacco/alcoholic products $1,331.



If we add all of Toronto’s household expenditures, the total comes to $73,407. And by adding all of Vancouver’s household expenditures, the total comes to $67,967. Keep in mind that these statistics were last updated in 2009. During that time, Toronto ranked higher than Vancouver as one of the most expensive cities to live in. Now that Vancouver has surpassed Toronto, its living expenses have dramatically increased from the given numbers. And it seems that Vancouver will keep climbing the ranking of the most expensive cities in the world and might even come at number one position in couple years.

If one was looking for a city with affordable living, Edmonton and Montreal would be the right choice. What make Edmonton and Montreal so affordable and two of the cheapest cities to live in Canada? Well it is the low price of housing, automobiles, insurance, tax and food. According to The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), the comparison of house prices in all these cities explains the overall rate of living expenses in each city:

Vancouver $806,094

Toronto $502,508

Calgary $405,687

Edmonton $329,820 and

Montreal $320,243.

If the price of an average condo is compared, the result is quite the same:

Vancouver $403,200

Toronto $326,400

Calgary $254,500

Montreal $227,200 and

Edmonton $199,500.

Comparing a one-bedroom apartment is even more interesting:

Toronto $977

Vancouver $964

Calgary $899

Edmonton $857 and

Montreal $641

Minimum wages also play a factor in determining the living expenses of a place. Vancouver and Toronto, with a minimum wage of $10.25 are higher than Edmonton and Calgary with a minimum wage of $9.40 and Montreal with a minimum wage of $9.65 (general rate and clothing industry) and $8.35 (employees receiving tips). The secret is that the cities with lower wages have to pay less for their daily needs as compared to the cities with higher wages, which again makes Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton cheaper cities to live in for general expenses.

There is another factor that puts Edmonton above all the other cities when it comes to the most affordable city to live in Canada. Yes, it’s the tax expense. According to Revenue Canada, Alberta is the only province in Canada with no Provincial Sales Tax (PST).

 

[bwylde]

as this study explains, it's mostly based on city living. As soon as you're out of the city, everything goes up but your rent. example- shaw lite-speed internet-68.00 mth
combo meal at McD's, 9.00
Meal for 2 at mid range restaurant, 70.00
Taxi start over 5.00
pair of Levi's, 60.00
and so on, but living on an island it's to be expected, but our quality of life is so worth it.

and excav8ter, if you have an Operator's Ticket, or can prove your experience, there is always work for a good operator in almost every town/municipality, and the wages are decent.

 

[bwylde]

and especially when your first call of the day(this morning) was, "it snowed like a bastid last nite up the mountain, and maybe able to go for a rd ride Sunday!!" and the "Mountain" is only 20 mins to the top from town...WooHoo!!

 

[teeroy]

It's just like living anywhere else, it is what you make of it.

 

[bwylde]

and as far as "under the table" goes, it is likely no different then with our southern neighbors. Certain services allow for it more easily then others, and the more repressed by taxes you feel, the more likely it is to happen, but, we get audited up here the same as anywhere else, so anyone who does it to any degree has to be prepared for that to happen at any time. You know our governments HATE to see anyone having fun.......which is why i NEVER do it....

 

[ruffryder]

They can try to piss on my back and tell me it's raining, but i know better.
It's not fee.
Nothing is, more or less.

It was a semantics game you and I were playing... You were complaining about your cost of insurance. I pay no insurance, well actually I do as it is part of my compensation that my employer takes from me to pay for it.

 

[teeroy]

It was a semantics game you and I were playing... You were complaining about your cost of insurance. I pay no insurance, well actually I do as it is part of my compensation that my employer takes from me to pay for it.

it's the same deal for us canooks....we don't pay for it, but we pay for it. not at point of service but in the form of income tax etc.

 

[plumnuts]

travelled up North to Yukon on our motorcycles this past summer and learned real fast there is a debit card price and a cash price for everything... when outside the big towns. We will come back again... cool land and very nice people!

Wages for your healthcare docs and nurses must not be that good as many keep coming down here to work.... healthcare must not be the best as we keep seeing Canadian residents come here for procedures...

For those of you thinking healthcare in the US is expensive... as the federal government adds "free services" i.e. the minimum plan that we will be allowed to buy... your cost will go up (nothing is free). The other issue is nothing has been done to control the cost of healthcare in the US... oh and can't afford it... don't buy it and you will get taxed more... thanks President Obama.

 

[polaris dude]

healthcare could be so much simpler. Most doctor's visits should be in, tell them your symptoms/what is wrong, get diagnosis/tests, get prescription, and get it filled. I'm not sure why its necessary to wait in the waiting room for 1 freakin hour, move into a room, wait another hour, and then see a nurse practitioner.

And the other thing I don't understand is getting appointments, and you have to book them at least a week out. Sorry I typically don't plan on getting sick, but when I am it would be nice if I could get antibiotics in less than an hour(as you might have guessed I have a sinus infection and went to the dr yesterday.)

 

[m8magicandmystery]

.... healthcare must not be the best as we keep seeing Canadian residents come here for procedures...

QUOTE]

if a procedure is not offered in Canada and is needed for the health of the patient....the Canadian patient you see down there is covered by his /her Canadian medicare...

 

[hivoltagesledhead]

For about 12-15 years I've been telling my wife I'd like to move "north" .......I'm not a hunter or fisherman.....although fishing does interest me....I just think Canada looks like a cool place to live. I love "small" towns.....where you basically know everyone.....that's what I would look for, but it would need to be somewhere that I could work running some heavy equipment. I love excavating work.

Lots of construction work in BC.....one of my bosses companys is always looking for heavy equipment operators in the minig/road building industry. A house on 5 acres in Prince George will cost you about $500,000, depending on how much house you want. City limits home on city lot, about $300,000.
Wages will vary depending on how much "out of town or shift work" you are willing to do. Good health care and dental plans. Awesome people, about 80,000 pop, good university and colleges,restaurants,shopping,golf,racing,hunting,fishing,sledding and best of all, we have all 4 seasons. Wea re 100kms from the geographical center of BC and it is about an 8 hr drive to any major centers, such as Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver. Good sledding right outside my house and the Rocky Mountains are 1.5 hrs away.
Taxes vary, depending on income, HST will gone soon and we will be back to 5% PST and 7% GST

I love it here and live outside city limits, so my taxes are lower and my privacy is excellent.

Mining is exploding in northern BC right now and the gov't is spending huge dollars to train people to work in this sector. Great opportunities.

 

[Scott]

It was a semantics game you and I were playing... You were complaining about your cost of insurance. I pay no insurance, well actually I do as it is part of my compensation that my employer takes from me to pay for it.

Yeah, i figured that one out. Lol

 

[CatRpillar]

Booze, gas and cigarettes are more expensive in Canada. Mortgage interest is not deductible on your taxes but then there is no capital gains on selling your primary residence. A large part of healthcare is provided via taxes, but personal taxes are higher most likely.

The US probably has an edge in providing more complex procedures, but Canada pays significantly less for healthcare per capita, and has a slightly longer life expectancy (both of which counter the claim by many that Canadas system is more expensive and less effective.....).

The spread between rich and poor is less apparent in Canada (been to 25 states and the spread is really obvious, imo).

I think we live in the best country in the world but then I know lots of Americans who would say the same!

 

[steveo10]

everyone pretty well mention what i would mention.... ice on the lakes is 14" thick already. cold and snowy up here. thank god for igloo's

 

[Vern]

we were discussing this at work the other day and a driver told us there's a lot of regulations keeping foreigners(i/e us down south) from getting work very easily up there. i was just curious if this is true or what exactly would the process be for getting a job in canada if one were to move up from the states?

 

[Bulldog]

Some of you fellow canadians kill me. No it it not the coldest place on earth. Yes it costs more but you make alot more. I live in a small town which I think has the best outdoor activities you can have. Canada ROCKS!! I enjoy visiting the states but always look forward to coming home. All I can say is come visit and check it out for yourself.

 

[teeroy]

Some of you fellow canadians kill me. No it it not the coldest place on earth. Yes it costs more but you make alot more. I live in a small town which I think has the best outdoor activities you can have. Canada ROCKS!! I enjoy visiting the states but always look forward to coming home. All I can say is come visit and check it out for yourself.

lol....I find many of my fellow online countrymen seem to like to make as if the weather is worse than it actually is. sure it gets cold a few weeks every winter, but you would think by what some guys post that it's -40 all the time and you have to have eyes in the back of your head to watch for polar bears....

 

[teeroy]

we were discussing this at work the other day and a driver told us there's a lot of regulations keeping foreigners(i/e us down south) from getting work very easily up there. i was just curious if this is true or what exactly would the process be for getting a job in canada if one were to move up from the states?

it's not as bad as they say, we are hurting for skilled labour up here and those are the jobs that they prefer to give to Canadians if they can. If the positions cannot be filled then they will accept peeps from anywhere on the planet if they meet the requirements.

If you want to do any other work like oilfield construction and the like you would have a job in a heartbeat. just need a work visa and clean criminal record. here is the gov't site with all the info you need.... http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/work.asp

 

[sidehil]

My company is gonna rapidly expand up north and I've spent alot of time climbing, skiing and riding I'n BC. You boys have it made except for one little item, guns! Do I give all my handguns away or is there any hope of taking them north?

 

[OffOrWFO]

Haven't seen any discussion of personal rights and gun control in canada. Thats what would keep me from moving there. I know a non citizen cant bring a pistol in.
Looks like anything with a barrel less than 4.1 in is illegal. AR type semi auto rifles are limited 5 round mags. 10 round limit for pistol mags. Whats it really like up there? I assume there is no concealed carry?