Cost of Living
#46
I happened to notice a for sale sign up the street from me today.
It's property that back in 2020 was a bit run down from the outside and was sold for $58,000. It had been occupied since at least 2005 until then so it was at least habitable.
We saw new windows put in and the steps/deck/front door changed from

to this

Obviously we can't know what was done inside but it went on the market and sold just one year later (2021) for $205,000.
We've seen no sign of anything done since and in looking at the photos now it looks no different to those I remember seeing inside and the realtor's description makes no references to recent renos.
Asking price now $340,000.
It's property that back in 2020 was a bit run down from the outside and was sold for $58,000. It had been occupied since at least 2005 until then so it was at least habitable.
We saw new windows put in and the steps/deck/front door changed from

to this

Obviously we can't know what was done inside but it went on the market and sold just one year later (2021) for $205,000.
We've seen no sign of anything done since and in looking at the photos now it looks no different to those I remember seeing inside and the realtor's description makes no references to recent renos.
Asking price now $340,000.

Another world, $340,000 is deposit money, table stakes, in Toronto.
#47
#48
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If cost of living is your concern, don't consider Canada and stay in the UK, that is unless you have a good job arranged for you.
Lot's of Canadians are drifting hand in mouth from one month to the next, living on hourly wage jobs.
Not only prices in the supermarkets seem higher, the worst, in Canada is the car insurance. You will almost certainly pay a lot more than in the UK an in most parts of Canada you do need a car.
Lot's of Canadians are drifting hand in mouth from one month to the next, living on hourly wage jobs.
Not only prices in the supermarkets seem higher, the worst, in Canada is the car insurance. You will almost certainly pay a lot more than in the UK an in most parts of Canada you do need a car.
#50
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Many things in Canada are some sort of "semi-monopoly". Only several few companies operating in the country offering something comparable and more or less controlling prices and not having any competition. This is also further underpinned by the sheer size of the country and the relatively small population. Somebody offering something out in the country can basically ask any price as there is nobody else or few others offering something similar, - whatever that is.
Airlines, bank, internet service providers or mobile phone contracts even down to supermarkets. You will see in in the prices everywhere. Some people in Canada will consider Loblaw's excessively expensive when shopping for food.
Don't expect any cheap flights like easyjet or rianair like in the UK to the same extent as in Canada.
Unless you have a good job offer in mind, or are in a really sought after job market and professional field, try to avoid Canada if the cost of living is your prime concern.
Airlines, bank, internet service providers or mobile phone contracts even down to supermarkets. You will see in in the prices everywhere. Some people in Canada will consider Loblaw's excessively expensive when shopping for food.
Don't expect any cheap flights like easyjet or rianair like in the UK to the same extent as in Canada.
Unless you have a good job offer in mind, or are in a really sought after job market and professional field, try to avoid Canada if the cost of living is your prime concern.
#51
I find it a bit of a puzzle. Having said that, I was in Montreal for 9 months before moving to Moncton and Loblaws was up market compared to Super C and Maxi - although not especially expensive - and here I find it's Sobeys that is up market and definitely more expensive than Atlantic Superstore (Loblaws).
There are many things that are a lot more than they used to be - not just accounted for by general inflation - but equally there is plenty available (if you look) for less than inflation would account for and sometimes for the same price as I was paying over 15 years ago.
I do spend more than I used to but that's because a few years ago I had to be careful but now I don't. I still avoid paying more than I have to though.
#52
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Joined: Oct 2016
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There's been a lot about that in Canadian news lately.
I find it a bit of a puzzle. Having said that, I was in Montreal for 9 months before moving to Moncton and Loblaws was up market compared to Super C and Maxi - although not especially expensive - and here I find it's Sobeys that is up market and definitely more expensive than Atlantic Superstore (Loblaws).
There are many things that are a lot more than they used to be - not just accounted for by general inflation - but equally there is plenty available (if you look) for less than inflation would account for and sometimes for the same price as I was paying over 15 years ago.
I do spend more than I used to but that's because a few years ago I had to be careful but now I don't. I still avoid paying more than I have to though.
I find it a bit of a puzzle. Having said that, I was in Montreal for 9 months before moving to Moncton and Loblaws was up market compared to Super C and Maxi - although not especially expensive - and here I find it's Sobeys that is up market and definitely more expensive than Atlantic Superstore (Loblaws).
There are many things that are a lot more than they used to be - not just accounted for by general inflation - but equally there is plenty available (if you look) for less than inflation would account for and sometimes for the same price as I was paying over 15 years ago.
I do spend more than I used to but that's because a few years ago I had to be careful but now I don't. I still avoid paying more than I have to though.





