is 32k enough to live on in canada
Jan 21st 2014, 6:17 pm
#76
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 992
Re: is 32k enough to live on in canada
I don't know if "difficult" is the term to use, but having to commute over the Lion's Gate Bridge or the Iron Worker's Memorial Bridge during rush hour twice a day is not my idea of fun. Living in Lower Lonsdale around the Sea Bus would be better, as long as you recognize that your commute now involves a 2 zone transit fare, and the Sea Bus doesn't run late into the night.
I currently live in East Vancouver and I have friends who live in North Vancouver by Lynn Canyon. We visit them on weekends and the drive is a piece of cake - we're there in 20 minutes.
By living in Vancouver, you still have hills and you can see the mountains, which you can drive to in 20 minutes. I personally don't think it's necessary to live in the mountains. It's the sacrifice. Is the need to live in the mountains more important than the need to live a commute-free day to day existence?
I currently live in East Vancouver and I have friends who live in North Vancouver by Lynn Canyon. We visit them on weekends and the drive is a piece of cake - we're there in 20 minutes.
By living in Vancouver, you still have hills and you can see the mountains, which you can drive to in 20 minutes. I personally don't think it's necessary to live in the mountains. It's the sacrifice. Is the need to live in the mountains more important than the need to live a commute-free day to day existence?
.. You make good points and we're really not even very active- partner thought the idea of being close to nature would be novel (we live in the metropolis now) and oh so romantic but its probably a pipe dreamTa, Lychee
Jan 21st 2014, 6:32 pm
#77
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Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Queenstown, NZ
Posts: 59
Re: is 32k enough to live on in canada
Just to chip in if it helps anyone...
I'm a single female In Vancouver with no dependents and I walk away with $660 a week after tax (office/admin job).
I live on Cambie and Broadway, so 30 minutes walk to Downtown or ten minutes on the skytrain (which is less than 5 minutes walk from my house). Really nice area, everything we need (grocery store, gym, takeaways, restaurants, bars) within 5 minutes walk away.
My rent is $625, I have my own, very large room. I am in a houseshare with three others (one couple) in a lovely old (in Canadian years!) Heritage home.
I work downtown, so I usually walk or take the skytrain if the weather is bad.
I live a pretty comfortable lifestyle i.e. eat out 3-4 times a week, party on the weekends, snowboard 1-2 times a week, member of the gym, go trips maybe every 3-4 months (last trip, NYC next trip, Vegas and LA), top my Starbucks card up $15 every week, am a ZipCar member.
However I haven't really managed to save anything since being here. I'm on IEC, so it's a working holiday and I always intended to treat it as such. I've been here for a year and a half and only have half a year left, so I intend to make the most of it.
So, if I was being conservative with my spending, lived in the suburbs and stayed home at the weekends...I would have quite a bit saved up I imagine. Two of my roommates earn less than I do, and survive quite happily living the same kind of lifestyle. One is so good he actually has saved some money!
So yes, living on 32k is entirely possible!
I'm a single female In Vancouver with no dependents and I walk away with $660 a week after tax (office/admin job).
I live on Cambie and Broadway, so 30 minutes walk to Downtown or ten minutes on the skytrain (which is less than 5 minutes walk from my house). Really nice area, everything we need (grocery store, gym, takeaways, restaurants, bars) within 5 minutes walk away.
My rent is $625, I have my own, very large room. I am in a houseshare with three others (one couple) in a lovely old (in Canadian years!) Heritage home.
I work downtown, so I usually walk or take the skytrain if the weather is bad.
I live a pretty comfortable lifestyle i.e. eat out 3-4 times a week, party on the weekends, snowboard 1-2 times a week, member of the gym, go trips maybe every 3-4 months (last trip, NYC next trip, Vegas and LA), top my Starbucks card up $15 every week, am a ZipCar member.
However I haven't really managed to save anything since being here. I'm on IEC, so it's a working holiday and I always intended to treat it as such. I've been here for a year and a half and only have half a year left, so I intend to make the most of it.
So, if I was being conservative with my spending, lived in the suburbs and stayed home at the weekends...I would have quite a bit saved up I imagine. Two of my roommates earn less than I do, and survive quite happily living the same kind of lifestyle. One is so good he actually has saved some money!
So yes, living on 32k is entirely possible!
Jan 21st 2014, 6:39 pm
#78
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 992
Re: is 32k enough to live on in canada
Very nice, thanks maz. Now if only I can bring myself to houseshare again
Jan 21st 2014, 7:17 pm
#79
Bex in the city
Joined: Jun 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 3,899
Re: is 32k enough to live on in canada
I live a pretty comfortable lifestyle i.e. eat out 3-4 times a week, party on the weekends, snowboard 1-2 times a week, member of the gym, go trips maybe every 3-4 months (last trip, NYC next trip, Vegas and LA), top my Starbucks card up $15 every week, am a ZipCar member.
Jan 21st 2014, 7:26 pm
#80
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 1,371
Re: is 32k enough to live on in canada
No way! I agree, just had ideas of hills and mountains imprinted into the mindset by all those tourist photos probably. .. You make good points and we're really not even very active- partner thought the idea of being close to nature would be novel (we live in the metropolis now) and oh so romantic but its probably a pipe dream
Ta, Lychee
.. You make good points and we're really not even very active- partner thought the idea of being close to nature would be novel (we live in the metropolis now) and oh so romantic but its probably a pipe dreamTa, Lychee
Jan 22nd 2014, 7:12 am
#81
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 992
Re: is 32k enough to live on in canada
Yes sounds great. Thanks Lychee
