Having spent many hours on the internet and looking at everyday living costs, housing, utilities, groceries and transport. My good lady is getting concerned about the amount of money you need to be earning to have a normal standard of living. Our intended destination is Calgary, if any of you peeps out there can give me any insight of how much take home pay i would need to have a normal standard of living??

There is myself, my wife and my 17yr old son, any info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Nigel

I think to get a useful answer you'll need to start by defining what you consider to be 'a normal standard of living', and - if you can - give some idea of how much of your income will be going on mortgage payments. If you're moving over with enough money to buy a house outright, obviously you'll need considerably less income for the same standard of living than if you're moving over with a small deposit and planning on a hefty mortgage.

From one of my other threads

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...0&postcount=14

Whilst peoples outgoings and incomes vary wildly many thought the above was a good starting point.

We don`t drink or smoke, we would only have enough money for a deposit on a property. The amount of mortgage we would be looking for would be based on repayments of about $800pm.
We would not need finance on a vehicle we have cash for that to buy outright, we also have cash for furnishings. It is the everyday running costs of a house that is giving my good lady reason for concern.
I expect my take home pay to be in the region of $800-$950pw although it will fluctuate up and down.

Hi,

Whats your intended occupation and how did you arrive at that take home figure? Just interested as salaries vary enormously for equivalent positions UK to Canada.

SAW04

Truck driver long haul, I will be teaming up with a friend out there and that is the kind of money he is making. However I do know that my pay will go up and down according to many factors which go with the job.
I am just trying to get a feel for overall expenses or should i say trying to convince my good lady wife we will have enough doh!

You'll have enough money for the basics. You'll be able to keep a roof over your heads and food on the table.

If you want what I would think of as a reasonable lifestyle, I believe your wife will need to work. If your son wants extras, he'll need to get summer jobs during the school or university vacations and perhaps a part-time job during the academic year as well.

However, the arrangement that I've just described is pretty usual in Canada. It's the norm for both partners to work. In addition to that, many young people have part-time jobs while they're studying, not just for extras but to cover some of the costs of their tuition.

Working actually would be a good way for your wife to get to know people in the community, especially if your job takes you out of town a fair bit, which I imagine it will.

Nigel

This may help you define standard of living: it is a cost of living index.

http://www.finfacts.com/costofliving.htm

London is at 120.3 and Toronto 76.2, i.e., London is approximately 58% more expensive to live in than Toronto. I would always look at this as purely a guide, but if you then compare median salaries (Toronto US$38,005 to London US$65,936) which is 73% more in London. Assuming a similar tax system, you are better off in London (apparently).

I personally disagree with the findings somewhat, but these are just medians and averages. I am sure you can refine it more to help you work out how well off you will be.

The links are below to help you compare salaries more effectively:
http://www.payscale.com/salary-surve...ALARY/fid-7031
http://www.payscale.com/salary-surve...18070/fid-7217

Cheers.

Thanks for the help

for everyone

We think that the best way is for me to come over first and my good lady and daft son :scared: will follow in the new year......if it all works out.

Hi,

Given that you've done your research around salary, I would say you could have a fairly comfortable lifestyle with that kind of money. My wife earns approx the same in IT, I dont earn at present until I start my own business, we have a big house and run two cars with plenty to spare each month and its not that much cheaper in NB!

SAW 04

hi nigel
my name is nigel and truck driver and hoping to move to calgary next year.when we was over in feb for my job interview we looked at everythink house's cars fuel prices food areas and found as a canadian trucker you will have a much better live than a english one eg dodge caravans £10.200 new
new homes with double garagas starting at £112.000.which look like £250.000
if you are renting first check out rentfaster.ca

If your son is 17 is he wanting to go to college? if so you would have to factor in college fees. Many employers look at degree's as the norm should your son want to get a good job.