Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
#31
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
Actually that's a fair point! The open roads through some stunning scenery are/can be very beautiful. I think for us it was the sense of the enormity of the province and the distances involved. I suppose the diversity that the UK offers by comparison is unusual in a geographic sense. In a fraction of the space you can have the Pennines, the Norfolk Broads, South Downs, big cities, Brighton Beach, the New Forest. Only trouble is they're all so bloody busy!
#33
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
I would much rather drive from here to Lethbridge, say, than drive from Sidney to Victoria down Hwy 17 during rush hour. One day they will discover these things called: "flyovers".
#34
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
It does get busy down there in the morning. Mind you it's all relative. I still recall the hours wasted on UK motorways, or the South Circular!
#35
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
#36
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
Looking on the website: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables anything from D upwards is more expensive than here, and that includes the vast majority of passenger vehicles it appears.
I think it's worth pointing out to the OP that you seem to be the only person on the forum that thinks it's cheaper in Alberta than the UK. Most agree that the cost of living is around the same.
Recent discussions from those who've lived in both seem to think that GST may be cheaper, but then it's paid on everything unlike VAT, utility bills may be cheaper but food bills are generally more, children's activities cost more, etc, so it evens out at about the same.
HTH.
#37
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Joined: Jun 2012
Location: Didsbury, AB, Canada
Posts: 87
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
Ask me this question again in July/August and I will probably give different answers. March/April are my bad months and everything I can live with during the summer is just heightened right now as I wait for winter to finally do one and summer to arrive.
#38
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
I think it's worth pointing out to the OP that you seem to be the only person on the forum that thinks it's cheaper in Alberta than the UK. Most agree that the cost of living is around the same.
Recent discussions from those who've lived in both seem to think that GST may be cheaper, but then it's paid on everything unlike VAT, utility bills may be cheaper but food bills are generally more, children's activities cost more, etc, so it evens out at about the same.
Recent discussions from those who've lived in both seem to think that GST may be cheaper, but then it's paid on everything unlike VAT, utility bills may be cheaper but food bills are generally more, children's activities cost more, etc, so it evens out at about the same.
It's just factually wrong in a major way to say taxes are even remotely comparable to anything in the UK. Yet another example - no inheritance or gift tax. Capital gains tax in the UK is 28% - here it is 50% of the income tax rate, so in Alberta the maximum rate is 19.5%.
Cost of living I suppose depends on how you live, but certain things are certainly a lot less like gas, natural gas and electricity.
My property tax is about the same and my house is twice the size.
There are things where you can say they're more expensive, e.g. you basically have to have cable or satellite TV here as there are only 4 OTA channels whereas in the UK you could manage with OTA. Car insurance is more expensive. Kid's activities depend on what your kids do (if you have them). Used cars are more expensive because of the demand in Calgary.
Certain grocery items are more expensive but imx based on what people have said on here I think sometimes it's also to do with a lack of familiarity with where to shop to get the best price. People in the UK I think are more familiar with these mega Tesco stores where you can get everything in one go or shopping on-line, here you have to hunt around a bit more, imo. Shopper's Drug Mart, Rexall's and Sobey's for example are pretty pricey. Loblaw's is usually the least pricey.
Anyway I worked it out multiple times when I first moved to Calgary and I was saving substantial amounts. I honestly don't understand how people say the cost of living is roughly the same, that hasn't been my experience at all. Just on the taxes you should end up better off.
Plus another advantage we've got is that in Montana there is no sales tax. And Alberta residents are exempt from Washington State sales tax too.
It includes the vast majority of *old* vehicles. Most produced now or in recent years, including popular models such as the VW Golf or Ford Fiesta, are tax free.
Last edited by Steve_; Apr 29th 2014 at 11:04 pm.
#39
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
I know we're in BC, not Alberta, but I think our cost of living to quality/standard of living is lower. Our property tax here is half our council tax (granted we were in Borough of Richmond, London) for a house more than twice the size and land that is imeasurably bigger. I think that because we have the space for storage we buy very much in bulk. It would be unheard of for us to have less than 10 rolls of kitchen paper in the store closet. I think we run at an average float of c50 toilet rolls at any one time. Gas is certainly cheaper. Also, ever since we invested in a fancy new efficient wood burning insert, we have bought $500 worth of furnace oil this winter and still have some left. We are burning the same number of chords of wood as we have in previous winters.
So I agree with Steve; from my experience, with not road fund licence, no MOT, cheaper gas, the majoy thing cost-wise that's different for us negatively is the car insurance.
Cheese is rubbish though....
So I agree with Steve; from my experience, with not road fund licence, no MOT, cheaper gas, the majoy thing cost-wise that's different for us negatively is the car insurance.
Cheese is rubbish though....
Last edited by rivingtonpike; Apr 29th 2014 at 11:51 pm. Reason: Got the first bit the wrong way around!! Duh!
#40
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 466
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
This is a silly argument. I would say taxes are lower here, but cost of living is considerably higher.
The common response on here about salaries etc is that you pretty much need to have a joint income of $100k minimum to be comfortable.
I would imagine most people in the UK have an income of much less than that, yet live more comfortably than they would here on the same money.
The common response on here about salaries etc is that you pretty much need to have a joint income of $100k minimum to be comfortable.
I would imagine most people in the UK have an income of much less than that, yet live more comfortably than they would here on the same money.
#41
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
We don't buy many consumables, we're not the kind of family that has things like Ipads or electronic gadgets (we have one tv we bought 10 years ago!), so for us VAT isn't terribly noticeable as I rarely have to pay it. Perhaps if we did have lots of things like that it would impact me more.
All of our house renovations have been VAT free, so again that's made a big difference to us (it was completely derelict when we bought it and we've spent a lot on the renovations). Plus utilities are either zero rated (water) or 5% at most, so that's in line with Canada.
VAT is higher, but it's also charged on much less stuff, so unless you spend lots in shops it again probably evens out, or even would work out higher in Canada for a family like us that doesn't really spend in the shops other than on food.
Anyway I worked it out multiple times when I first moved to Calgary and I was saving substantial amounts. I honestly don't understand how people say the cost of living is roughly the same, that hasn't been my experience at all. Just on the taxes you should end up better off.
Last edited by christmasoompa; Apr 30th 2014 at 9:27 am.
#42
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 43
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
Not been on for a couple of days so just caught up with all of this. Thanks for the input.
I should briefly mention a few things if I haven't already.
I do hate the UK and, yes, this is a form of escape. But it is by no means my first time emigrating. I lived in Switzerland as a child and in the Canary Islands for almost 10 years as an adult (returned to the UK last year actually).
The UK was always to be a stop gap while we knuckled down and worked out where was out best choice to move to.
We went through the med countries/islands but hubby isn't keen after the experience with lack of work the last time. France has extortionate taxes for foreigners (and in general). Switzerland has no work, then there is Italy where hubby isn't keen to go. Small islands he has had enough with, Australia is too far and too many things that kill you (yes, I know about the bears), and then we are kind of looking over the water to the US and Canada. US is near impossible to get in which leaves Canada.
he has been there, I haven't.
Alberta comes as first choice purely because they are accepting carpenters which is what my husband's trade is. The idea/hope/dream(?) is then to relocate after obtaining citizenship to maybe BC or somewhere with a bit more "normality" and less landlockedness .
This will take time I realise.
I am not expecting things to be "better" there however the sheer fact that it is not the UK is already a HUGE bonus in my eyes.
Yes, I admit to being slightly daunted at the prospect of living in Alberta because there seems to be a fair bit of negativity (I now picture Walter White in New Hampshire in the 5th season of Breaking Bad - I think it was the 5th). But I am hoping that a: that is wrong, b: that we enjoy it and c: that the prospect of moving on a little down the line to a different province becomes a possibility
I should briefly mention a few things if I haven't already.
I do hate the UK and, yes, this is a form of escape. But it is by no means my first time emigrating. I lived in Switzerland as a child and in the Canary Islands for almost 10 years as an adult (returned to the UK last year actually).
The UK was always to be a stop gap while we knuckled down and worked out where was out best choice to move to.
We went through the med countries/islands but hubby isn't keen after the experience with lack of work the last time. France has extortionate taxes for foreigners (and in general). Switzerland has no work, then there is Italy where hubby isn't keen to go. Small islands he has had enough with, Australia is too far and too many things that kill you (yes, I know about the bears), and then we are kind of looking over the water to the US and Canada. US is near impossible to get in which leaves Canada.
he has been there, I haven't.
Alberta comes as first choice purely because they are accepting carpenters which is what my husband's trade is. The idea/hope/dream(?) is then to relocate after obtaining citizenship to maybe BC or somewhere with a bit more "normality" and less landlockedness .
This will take time I realise.
I am not expecting things to be "better" there however the sheer fact that it is not the UK is already a HUGE bonus in my eyes.
Yes, I admit to being slightly daunted at the prospect of living in Alberta because there seems to be a fair bit of negativity (I now picture Walter White in New Hampshire in the 5th season of Breaking Bad - I think it was the 5th). But I am hoping that a: that is wrong, b: that we enjoy it and c: that the prospect of moving on a little down the line to a different province becomes a possibility
#43
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
This is a silly argument. I would say taxes are lower here, but cost of living is considerably higher.
The common response on here about salaries etc is that you pretty much need to have a joint income of $100k minimum to be comfortable.
I would imagine most people in the UK have an income of much less than that, yet live more comfortably than they would here on the same money.
The common response on here about salaries etc is that you pretty much need to have a joint income of $100k minimum to be comfortable.
I would imagine most people in the UK have an income of much less than that, yet live more comfortably than they would here on the same money.
Its not hard if you live within your means and don't need all the latest brand name crap.
Back home we had child benefit and child tax credit(we qualify for that here this October),and the wife had incap,here we have only had my wage and we are still way,way better off than back in the UK.
Like others have said it pays to shop around!
#44
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 81
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
I wonder if people's expectations of life rise as soon as they emigrate. There must be a natural feeling of excitement and expectation that soon dissipates when reality sets in and you end up doing exactly the same things as you used to do before you emigrated: going to work, commuting, doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom. The only difference is that now you're doing them in an unfamiliar environment thousands of miles away from friends and family.
I've lived in Alberta for almost 7 years now, having moved from the UK. I certainly don't regret it and I wouldn't want to return, but Alberta is not a paradise: it's mostly flat, cold for most of the year, has almost no history and even less culture. It's relatively expensive with a boom/bust economy based entirely on petrochemicals.
But... I do actually really like it. The people are practical and friendly, the prairies have a stark beauty and you can't let winter stop you from enjoying yourself. I get UK TV whenever I want and I've been to ballet, the symphony and other cultural events.
I came to Alberta for the same reason as most people: because of the cash.
I've lived in Alberta for almost 7 years now, having moved from the UK. I certainly don't regret it and I wouldn't want to return, but Alberta is not a paradise: it's mostly flat, cold for most of the year, has almost no history and even less culture. It's relatively expensive with a boom/bust economy based entirely on petrochemicals.
But... I do actually really like it. The people are practical and friendly, the prairies have a stark beauty and you can't let winter stop you from enjoying yourself. I get UK TV whenever I want and I've been to ballet, the symphony and other cultural events.
I came to Alberta for the same reason as most people: because of the cash.
#45
Re: Alberta residents - can I pick your brains please?
I wonder if people's expectations of life rise as soon as they emigrate. There must be a natural feeling of excitement and expectation that soon dissipates when reality sets in and you end up doing exactly the same things as you used to do before you emigrated: going to work, commuting, doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom. The only difference is that now you're doing them in an unfamiliar environment thousands of miles away from friends and family.
I've lived in Alberta for almost 7 years now, having moved from the UK. I certainly don't regret it and I wouldn't want to return, but Alberta is not a paradise: it's mostly flat, cold for most of the year, has almost no history and even less culture. It's relatively expensive with a boom/bust economy based entirely on petrochemicals.
But... I do actually really like it. The people are practical and friendly, the prairies have a stark beauty and you can't let winter stop you from enjoying yourself. I get UK TV whenever I want and I've been to ballet, the symphony and other cultural events.
I came to Alberta for the same reason as most people: because of the cash.
I've lived in Alberta for almost 7 years now, having moved from the UK. I certainly don't regret it and I wouldn't want to return, but Alberta is not a paradise: it's mostly flat, cold for most of the year, has almost no history and even less culture. It's relatively expensive with a boom/bust economy based entirely on petrochemicals.
But... I do actually really like it. The people are practical and friendly, the prairies have a stark beauty and you can't let winter stop you from enjoying yourself. I get UK TV whenever I want and I've been to ballet, the symphony and other cultural events.
I came to Alberta for the same reason as most people: because of the cash.
My Gran would never leave Lancashire and the bossom of her family; she can have it!
Horses for courses I suppose.