Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
I know there are several posts on here indicating the cost of living in Toronto... but I would like some realistic opinions from people actually living there. How easy is it for a couple to get by on minimum wage? I'm aware that lifestyle varies from person to person... but let's assume a couple is working minimum wage jobs ($10 per hour) Would this be enough to pay for rent (1 bedroom), utilities, food, car insurance and gas for one car?
We don't have any children... I'm in my late 20's, and my hubby is 35. We've grown up in Cyprus and don't like the lifestyle here... it's a very small place, there aren't many opportunities, and the cost of living is quite high. We rent a 2 bedroom apartment, and just get by... we don't go out very often, except for the odd meal at a restaurant twice a month. It's mostly just work, home, work. We won't be losing great jobs when we move to Toronto, and we could always come back to them in the future. My husband is a computer technician (MCSA certified) with ten years experience in this field. I work in a Vet. clinic as a receptionist/assistant. We don't have a college degree (this worries us with regards to finding jobs) We're just looking for some reassurance that we'll be able to 'get by' on minimum wages. We feel that it's now or never.. as we would like to have a child in a couple of years. Your opinions would be gratefully received. Thanks :) |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Originally Posted by oceanblue
(Post 7629502)
I know there are several posts on here indicating the cost of living in Toronto... but I would like some realistic opinions from people actually living there. How easy is it for a couple to get by on minimum wage? I'm aware that lifestyle varies from person to person... but let's assume a couple is working minimum wage jobs ($10 per hour) Would this be enough to pay for rent (1 bedroom), utilities, food, car insurance and gas for one car?
We don't have any children... I'm in my late 20's, and my hubby is 35. We've grown up in Cyprus and don't like the lifestyle here... it's a very small place, there aren't many opportunities, and the cost of living is quite high. We rent a 2 bedroom apartment, and just get by... we don't go out very often, except for the odd meal at a restaurant twice a month. It's mostly just work, home, work. We won't be losing great jobs when we move to Toronto, and we could always come back to them in the future. My husband is a computer technician (MCSA certified) with ten years experience in this field. I work in a Vet. clinic as a receptionist/assistant. We don't have a college degree (this worries us with regards to finding jobs) We're just looking for some reassurance that we'll be able to 'get by' on minimum wages. We feel that it's now or never.. as we would like to have a child in a couple of years. Your opinions would be gratefully received. Thanks :) What sort of visa will you have, |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
My husband was born in Canada. He is going to sponsor me.
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Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Originally Posted by oceanblue
(Post 7629664)
My husband was born in Canada. He is going to sponsor me.
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Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Thanks for your reply.
I would not mind being a waitress - I enjoy anything that keeps me busy - even if it's physical - I work 12 hour shifts on my feet all day - no problem, while I'm still young! |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Originally Posted by James Martindale
(Post 7629704)
You would get by.
What they'd need to do would be to forego the car in the short term and then run it without insurance (something we did for years when we were poor). If they want to avoid actual crime, they'd want to find work for cash money; hospitality, construction, some form of work where the regulations are flouted and there aren't any deductions. They'd also want to find out how to beat the queues at the food bank. Poverty is a high risk lifestyle, one of the risks for the immigrant is being caught for something minor and deported, which makes me wonder; how can the husband meet the financial requirements to sponsor the wife if they're broke? Regardless of whether or not it can be done for an immigration law standpoint, in my view moving to Toronto to work for minimum wage is not going to be a step up unless you're in a refugee camp. |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
I hear your comments, but I would welcome other peoples opinions on what you say because it appears to be a little bit dramatic.
Who said we're broke? We will have 25,000 CAD to establish ourselves, but would rather not use that money to pay for day to day living expenses. Thankyou for your input though. Nobody chooses minimum wage jobs, if they can avoid it... we're looking at worst case scenario here. |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
On minimum wage (x2) with a car it would certainly be a struggle...not a lot of fun for sure.
In reality though with your expereince I think eventally you would both get a fair bit more than minimum wage, especially if you can get the relevent canadian qualifications/ certificates for your respective roles...so that I guess is the silver lining. The cloud though is that the job market is tough right now, so no guarantee that either of you would be working for minimum wage for a while... |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 7629847)
which makes me wonder; how can the husband meet the financial requirements to sponsor the wife if they're broke?
Regardless of whether or not it can be done for an immigration law standpoint, in my view moving to Toronto to work for minimum wage is not going to be a step up unless you're in a refugee camp. I agree entirely. |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
It will be very difficult. Toronto is not a low-cost place to live. Assuming a 40 hour week, minimum wage would bring you < 20K pa, before taxes. IMHO it would be a struggle to feed, clothe, and house yourselves. Imagine living like grad students on a low stipend... tolerable for a few years knowing that there is a reward at the end. Unless you know this will be a very temporary situation, there's no way I'd recommend trying to get by in Toronto on minimum wage.
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Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Originally Posted by oceanblue
(Post 7629906)
I hear your comments, but I would welcome other peoples opinions on what you say because it appears to be a little bit dramatic.
Who said we're broke? We will have 25,000 CAD to establish ourselves, but would rather not use that money to pay for day to day living expenses. Thankyou for your input though. Nobody chooses minimum wage jobs, if they can avoid it... we're looking at worst case scenario here. Try this test. Would you be comfortable in a situation where it took more time to earn enough for a pint of beer than it took to drink it? |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
I'm certainly not up to speed on cost of living in TO but i would think minimum wage would bag you around $2000 per month after taxes etc for the both of you combined.
So with that in mind, rent would be what? $1.3k a month downtown for 1 bed avge? Plus bills, food, transport? I'd say it's doable in the lower income areas and in my opinion your life will remain stagnant to your current situation just with different scenery. If you still feel like side stepping (is what you're talking about) to another country to begin on minimum wage, i would say it's doable with a little comfort if you drew down on your savings each month. You've probably already done it but spend some time researching cost of rent, bills, transport costs, and if possible try to find out grocery expenses etc. It'll give you a view of whether you're good to go or not. Just my thoughts. |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 7629932)
There is no financial requirement for spousal sponsorship....Im suprised you didnt know that!
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Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Originally Posted by Souvenir
(Post 7629965)
I don't think it's overly dramatic. $25k is not a lot of money.
Try this test. Would you be comfortable in a situation where it took more time to earn enough for a pint of beer than it took to drink it? |
Re: Can You Get By In Toronto Earning Minimum Wage?
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 7630010)
I thought I signed an agreement to support a spouse for n years, to keep her from being a burden on the state. That's a bit hollow if there's no requirement for proof of income.
I think in practice the state will support with one hand, but claw money back eventually with the other at tax reporting season. Could be wrong though. Wont apply to these folks as they will both have full time minimum wage jobs... Good luck with that eh! |
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