Originally Posted by kerryandgordon (Post 6486898)

I came back from Australia in November 2007 as we were on a 457 visa and the job wasnt as promised. Myself and partner are considering going back to Australia on a permanent visa this time. We want an idea of house prices, rates etc as we are comparing Canada and Australia any info would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by kerryandgordon (Post 6486898)

I came back from Australia in November 2007 as we were on a 457 visa and the job wasnt as promised. Myself and partner are considering going back to Australia on a permanent visa this time. We want an idea of house prices, rates etc as we are comparing Canada and Australia any info would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by the big nowhere (Post 6487162)

....canada much cheaper......

Originally Posted by smurtaza (Post 6487260)

Living is much more cheaper in Canada then Australia. The problem with Australia is the govt dont want competition.For example the only cable television service provider in Australia is foxtel.

Considering the size of Australia and its populations there are not many options available.

Originally Posted by kerryandgordon (Post 6488788)

Ok next step, does anybody know any good agents for emigrating to Canada

Originally Posted by Dorothy (Post 6487929)

Not. Cost of living is basically the same, or was when we left in August 2006


Canada is geographically much bigger than Australia with not much bigger population. Have you lived in Canada, Smurtaza? Didn't think so.

I spent the first 43 years of my life living in Canada, so can probably make a fair comparison of the 2 countries. Cost of things is relative. We had very good jobs in a very good area of Southern Ontario, between Toronto and Niagara Falls (known as the Golden Horseshoe), lovely house, good schools, etc. We lived paycheque to paycheque then and still do here in Australia. Yes, things are more expensive here, but then again our wages are higher in Perth.

I have lived in 5 provinces (Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, BC and Quebec) and have found 5 different types of weather. Southern Ontario gets cold during winter but not so cold that you can't do things. We very rarely had to shovel for 30 minutes to get the car out. As a matter of fact, when it snowed that much we would simply walk to the shops instead. Nothing like going for a walk in the falling snow with the promise of a hot chocolate for when you get home. Summers in SO are hot and very humid. If it's 30 you need to add at least 5 or 6 degrees for the humidity.
Manitoba is VERY cold in winter with lots of snow. It's very dry, so -40 is almost tolerable. You just need to dress for the weather. Summers are lovely on the prairies. Long hot days with very little humidity and lovely cool evenings.
Alberta winters are kind of a weird thing. In Calgary you can wake up to -20 and 4 hours later it's +5 if a chinook wind blows through. There is a lot to do in Southern Alberta if you like outdoor lifestyle. Calgary hosted the 1988 Olympics, so there are all the facilities available. Some fabulous ski resorts only a couple of hours drive west. Summers there are also lovely.
We lived for a few years in Vancouver, which I hated. The scenery is nice if you're a tourist, but the reality of living there was horrible. Drugs, homelessness, prostitution, basically shit. Although, weather wise it's very similar to UK. Warm summers and cool, wet winters. Very little snow on the Lower Mainland. You have to drive an hour or so into the mountains to get any real appreciable snow.
Quebec was ok. I lived very close to Ottawa, so it was cold with tons of snow. Nice summers and lots of job opportunity if you want to work in the public service.