kswoosh

Where does this ridiculous idea that Vancouver is so super expensive that people can't afford rent without working like a slave come from?

I lived in a 1bd appartment in the West End for $930/mo, which, IMO, is more than reasonable. If you compare it to London, its at least half the price, if not a third.

Everyone goes on about how expensive Vancouver is, and I just don't get it. It's not as though the wages are poverty line, either.

bc2015

If you are working minimum wage in BC then you end up with ~$17000 after taxes which is about $1500 a month

http://work.alberta.ca/documents/min...fter-taxes.pdf

Paying $930 of that out in rent every month would make things very tight.

kswoosh

Yes but if you are on minimum wage, then you wouldn't live in the West End.

Besides, $150/week is plenty, assuming you know how to budget, don't mind drinking Cariboo, and don't go throwing your money away on expensive cable subscriptions and expensive phone contracts... but that's an entirely separate debate.

I so often hear about people who pay $1500/month on rent because they can't be bothered to look for cheaper places, and then complain they have no money and that Vancouver is mega expensive. That just doesn't make sense to me.

David3627

So I just realised that we've got something like 2.5 weeks to go until the dates were released in 2013!

I'm feeling the pressure, I cannot lie.

I've only just gotten over the rush and stress of the spouse PR application done in 1 month. I dunno if I can mentally make it to Christmas time.

beckiwoo

In the metro and 24 newspapers on Tuesday there was an article about how a percentage of people (can't remember how much) were paying at least two/thirds of their wages on rent. This includes places like Burnaby and Richmond, where rents are becoming more expensive.

So it's not such a 'ridiculous idea'!!!

Divvym1

The dates have been released?

ChrisBan

Nope, I think this is just in reference to when they opened last year, not that it's any real indication for this year.

David3627

What's changed?

ChrisBan

What do you mean? It could be any time in the next 3 months really

David3627

It's just the way you put it, 'this year anyway'. Sounded as if something's happened, change in procedure, news, etc.

ChrisBan

Yeahh unfortunately we're all in the dark as much as each other

ChrisBan

So update from CIC is that the IEC scheme will not open before January:

Travel and Work in Canada | Temporary Work Visa For Work Holidays in Canada for Students and Youth | International Experience Canada

El Supremo

I'm thinking that the delay may be as a result of the CIC re-assessing the number of permits that will be made available. I'm hoping that the number will increase - afterall aren't they looking at the number of Canadians using similar schemes in other countries? Surely the UK must be extremely popular with Canadians.

beckiwoo

Most definitely but I wouldn't bank on an increase - as much as that along with a 2 year visa and an age limited up to 35 would be great!!!

It's good to know though that I can focus on Xmas and not worrying until then.

David3627

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Well, back to being a tourist for me, then, I guess!