bdave1975

Hi All I'm putting together an average list of expenses to find out if a move to Nova Scotia is possible . I've broken it down as much as I can but wanted some input to confirm if my figures are roughly correct.

We are a family of 4.

Me senior test analyst salary 93k CAD (offered PNP to PR)
spouse (stay at home Mum for first year at least)
Son 8
Daughter 6

We intend to rent around the Hubbards area 4 bed house.

Working in Halifax centre.

Need 2 cars expecting to pay 2k each towards 2 10K cars

Expenses..are they about right or way out?

Rent $1200 pcm
Food $800pcm
Energy Costs $350pcm
Cars (loan, fuel, insurance) $900 pcm
Internet $75pcm
Mobile phones $75 pcm
House insurance $200pcm

I know there are lots of other little things I'm just trying to see if the move is viable.

dbd33

Add car insurance, perhaps $400/month.

scrubbedexpat133

I would think that $800 a month for a family of 4 in food is on the conservative side.

$400 a month for car insurance??? That would be very expensive. Johnsons will accept UK no claims history provided that you have a letter from UK insurance.

The energy costs are a bit on the high side but it would very much depend on the house (insulation etc) and source of heat in the winter months.

dbd33

Maybe. Ours is $500 so I lopped a bit off for good behavior.

Tangram

It appears to more expensive in Ontario than the Maritimes, more cars and more accidents maybe.

BristolUK

We've got a bit more money to play with these days, buying more expensive cuts of meat than previously and we're well short of that for four adults.

Go back about 6 or 7 years when the kids were still at school and we had about $400 a month to play with after housing/heating costs, sometimes less.

Yes, $350 might be a bit high. However, our equalised payments are $280 for a detached house and that's everything, including AC in summer. It always seems a big expense to me.

However, aside from people in BC and/or condos and apartment buildings whenever others have posted annual electricity costs and oil or wood is added, it doesn't seem so bad in comparison. I've seen a lot paying more.

scrubbedexpat133

Ours is 160 a month and I think that is too much!!!

scrubbedexpat133

I did not mean to imply that it was not doable but given the price and the increases in certain food items over the last few years it is not hard to spend a lot on groceries. I dont do the equalised payment plan as I believe that it will lead to complacency !! I was suddenly very aware that I have turned into my dad when it comes to the lights, appliances and thermostats!!

BristolUK

I think most of us turn into our parents in many ways.

Silverdragon102

for the last 5 years our insurance which is combined house, truck and car is just over $5000.00 a year to give you a rough idea

scrubbedexpat133

House insurance is 670 a year!!!

Silverdragon102

we have a large farmhouse and I think for us it is just over 3500.00 a year to insure.

Flogger

We spend around $1200 a month on groceries (not including booze).

Family 4

Oink

Kids schooling, recreation and summer camps can add to the expenses considerably.

Flogger

Yep cricket training for the nipper last summer, was a 200 km round trip and started at 9 am on a Saturday morning