Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

25% cheaper in what areas? Genuinely interested in your answers.

We had trouble renting a UHaul car dolly this weekend, it took OH almost a day to get one booked, each place he called for a dolly or trailer was met with you won't get one here there are none left, everyone one is leaving the Province. We eventually located one from a franchise. The guy said we were lucky to get itas there is so little equipment left in the Province as so many people are moving out. For 4 different places in different cities to say the same thing says something imo.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Cheaper for property, yes, but not general cost of living. Just wanted to make sure you weren't expecting your bills/groceries etc to be half what you'd pay in the UK as you'd be in for a heck of a shock! There are lots of cost of living threads where people have given good info that are well worth a look.

Have you applied for the IEC pool?

Best of luck.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Hi we've had a look through those we've also been on quite a few sites one of which actually gives a break down on the costs of living in each area (mine and over there) the only thing that nearly matched the cost of living here was groceries but still around 3% cheaper
I'm not saying there bang on, but for all of them to say it surely there somewhere near the mark?
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Canada&country2=United +Kingdom&city1=Edmonton&city2=London
People leaving the area will surely only bring down house prices even more
Thanks

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Numbeo isn't great in the forums experience, it's known as being inaccurate. But perhaps if you live in central London it would be closer than somebody living in another part of the U.K.

I'd strongly suggest you do a forum search or perhaps start a new thread about the cost of living in Edmonton, so those in the area can give you some precise figures.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

I've been wracking my brains trying to remember the name of this recent thread and I've finally found it - http://britishexpats.com/forum/maple...-spend-845708/

Loads of useful figures in there for you if you haven't already read it.

HTH.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

If you live in London and have the mortgage to go with it then maybe Canada - rural - is cheaper. We generally find that prices are dollar equals pound (very ish). But you have to remember you're remunerated in dollars, so the cost of things in the UK, on a day to day basis, is irrelevant. If you live in Edmonton Canada, what does it matter the price of the same item in Edmonton North London?

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

It doesn't. Same as comparing pay between two countries. All that matters is how much you have left in your jeans at the end of the day. Cost of living comparisons don't seem to take into account taxation (income tax as well as all the other taxes, sales, property etc.). Some ignore the overall cost of running a vehicle (incl depreciation and insurance). There are too many factors to consider to make any comparison of any value at all.

Comparisons are pointless, exchange rates continually vary. Cost of living in different parts of the UK varies considerably too. A bit like the obsession with getting the 'best' FX on currency. One has to set ones own benchmarks, if it is satisfactory go for it, if not forget it.

I just moved, never even gave a thought to any of this stuff. It all figured itself out in the end.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

You moved to canada, I'm guessing anyway?
I keep being told to read this article and that article but what I actually want is peoples answers if you've moved over there do you regret would you be happier back in the UK do you struggle more now your there or do you feel better off
Thanks

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

You're not 'being told' to read articles, people are very kindly taking the time to point you in the direction of relevant info and threads on the forum. For instance, the thread I linked to above has loads and loads of posts in which people have given their exact monthly or weekly spends on numerous things, which seemed to be what you were after?! If you took the time to read it, you'll see that the general consensus is that people don't feel any better off in Canada.

There are also hundreds of threads with people's views on, if you search or just look at the Canniversary forum. Most people don't move to 'feel better off', as that's kind of at odds with emigrating (just the thousands it costs to get there and set up a new life for a start!), they move because they have a love of Canad, or perhaps have married a Canadian, or been transferred with work etc. The only forum on BE where I've seen people moving for the money are the Middle East forums, for obvious reasons.

FWIW, my feelings on Canada will no doubt crop up if you do a search, but for me it was a great place and I do love the country, but I'm happier in the UK. And better off in the UK as it happens, although it's the first time I've ever thought about it and realised that.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

"This article and that article" are invariably based on people's experiences of exactly what you're asking. Everyone's experience of better off will be measured in so many different ways, I'm not sure what your actual question is?

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

So have you read any of them?

What do I regret? I didn't get back on a bike sooner.
Would I be happier in the UK? I doubt it. I am a happy camper everywhere.
Do I struggle more here? Shit, everyone is getting older, getting out of bed can be a struggle these days!
Do I feel better off? No better no worse I suspect. It's been a while though. Airplanes and motorcycles are cheaper here, so guess I am better off, got more change.