Cost of living in Halifax, NS
Mar 9th 2013, 8:57 am
#16
Nova Scotia
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 621
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
I believe that you can come here with next to nothing and make it happen. I know of people that have done exactly that BUT they werent leaving just to leave the UK due to the "its gone to the dogs" viewpoint but rather because they
a) wanted to be here BIG TIME, the UK could be amazing and they still wanted to live here and/or
b) They had a job to come to. I do know of a family of 5 who bought a spacious home and survive on $50k a year income. They dont have the childcare costs though as one stays home. They are no rolling in it by any means but they enjoy life.
Theres a lot here thats free - beaches etc but money is necessary, obviously...
a) wanted to be here BIG TIME, the UK could be amazing and they still wanted to live here and/or
b) They had a job to come to. I do know of a family of 5 who bought a spacious home and survive on $50k a year income. They dont have the childcare costs though as one stays home. They are no rolling in it by any means but they enjoy life.
Theres a lot here thats free - beaches etc but money is necessary, obviously...
We've been here now for 4.5 years and wished we hadn't. I think you should be very careful before you make those kind of suggestions
The other thing I don't understand is how on earth you can feed a family of 4 on that amount each week?? Very unrealistic. Food is extremely expensive here and not just healthy food either, crap food is expensive too. We eat really well and there is NO WAY we can spend that amount with toiletries and such like added to the bill.
Mar 9th 2013, 11:10 am
#17
Citizenship Nov 10 2016!!
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Stewiacke Nova Scotia
Posts: 6,659
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
You're not going to get exact figures, everyone's circumstances, tastes, expectations and expenses are different. You'll have to take anything you read as being an approximation.
So, you need to find out the costs associated with this and budget that overhead into the equation too.
Depends - does the rent include utilities or not? What else would you need? - TV, telephone and internet? Those are unlikely to be included, and the cost is going to be determined by the package you choose.
Depends - will your no claims bonus be accepted or not? What's your risk tolerance - basic or comprehensive cover? Figure on $1000 upwards.
I've no kids, can't help you on that, but if I doubled my 2 person household grocery bill it'd be a minimum of $1,500 p/mth without buying anything fancy, or much alcohol.
No idea, sorry.
You're proposing moving here to earn one income, support a spouse in school, maybe have to run 2 cars so your wife can get to classes while you're working, and raise 2 kids that will need childcare (if you can find a job). If your own profession is unlikely to net you $4k per month I'd say stay in the UK and not gamble your future on such a risky move.
So, you need to find out the costs associated with this and budget that overhead into the equation too.
Depends - does the rent include utilities or not? What else would you need? - TV, telephone and internet? Those are unlikely to be included, and the cost is going to be determined by the package you choose.
Depends - will your no claims bonus be accepted or not? What's your risk tolerance - basic or comprehensive cover? Figure on $1000 upwards.
I've no kids, can't help you on that, but if I doubled my 2 person household grocery bill it'd be a minimum of $1,500 p/mth without buying anything fancy, or much alcohol.
No idea, sorry.
You're proposing moving here to earn one income, support a spouse in school, maybe have to run 2 cars so your wife can get to classes while you're working, and raise 2 kids that will need childcare (if you can find a job). If your own profession is unlikely to net you $4k per month I'd say stay in the UK and not gamble your future on such a risky move.
Also bear in mind health care, most employers offer this, but some dont and the likely reduction in annual leave time.
http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/occ..._search-eng.do
Last edited by nikki dreaming; Mar 9th 2013 at 11:16 am. Reason: added a bit
Mar 9th 2013, 11:26 am
#18
No really, it doesn't
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Rural Nova Scotia
Posts: 1,817
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
In recent times on here, liking NS does not appear to be a very fashionable thing to do but I make no apologies for saying I like it here. Some people like it here, some people don't.....just in the same way some people like Southern England and some people don't.........life is full of personal choices and different experiences.......... Hopefully people thinking of emigrating to anywhere in the world will do a little more research than reading a few comments made in threads by expats
Mar 9th 2013, 12:00 pm
#19
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
I had retired in UK, wanted a bit of adventure in the last third of my life, originally thought of moving to France but decided not to, got offered a well paid job before arriving in NS, had a decent financial cushion, loved the friendliness of the place, wanted to be close to the ocean.
In recent times on here, liking NS does not appear to be a very fashionable thing to do but I make no apologies for saying I like it here. Some people like it here, some people don't.....just in the same way some people like Southern England and some people don't.........life is full of personal choices and different experiences.......... Hopefully people thinking of emigrating to anywhere in the world will do a little more research than reading a few comments made in threads by expats
In recent times on here, liking NS does not appear to be a very fashionable thing to do but I make no apologies for saying I like it here. Some people like it here, some people don't.....just in the same way some people like Southern England and some people don't.........life is full of personal choices and different experiences.......... Hopefully people thinking of emigrating to anywhere in the world will do a little more research than reading a few comments made in threads by expats
Mar 9th 2013, 1:13 pm
#20
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 0
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
Can I just ask those that live in NS, why did you move there (and I would like brutal honesty please.)
Because from everything I read, and have heard first hand from maritimers over here in AB, there are no jobs and the cost of living is high.
Did you move because it's one of the 'easier' provinces to get into and you can buy a big house for a lot less than anywhere else, and are now thinking "sh1t, what did we do"??????
And before you harp on about beaches and scenery, there are other provinces that have that, so what was the REAL reason for NS?
Because from everything I read, and have heard first hand from maritimers over here in AB, there are no jobs and the cost of living is high.
Did you move because it's one of the 'easier' provinces to get into and you can buy a big house for a lot less than anywhere else, and are now thinking "sh1t, what did we do"??????
And before you harp on about beaches and scenery, there are other provinces that have that, so what was the REAL reason for NS?
I think Halifax is a great city but dont really understand why its as expensive as it is compared to the rest of the Maritimes. Not worth it IMHO
As for the Beaches and scenery?? I lived in Bournemouth and spent many a summer in Cornwall and West Wales so not really impressed, is that really a reason to move anywhere unless you are retiring???
Last edited by scrubbedexpat133; Mar 9th 2013 at 1:24 pm.
Mar 9th 2013, 1:23 pm
#21
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 0
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
I have to say for you to suggest that it's 'doable' to move ANYWHERE let alone NS where there is a huge unemployment issue is totally dangerous!
We've been here now for 4.5 years and wished we hadn't. I think you should be very careful before you make those kind of suggestions
We've been here now for 4.5 years and wished we hadn't. I think you should be very careful before you make those kind of suggestions
But in my case I had £5k and 2 bags of clothes when I arrived and I'm doing fine. The difference?? I had me and my GF to worry about no kids. I had the job before we came and she had an open work permit and was open to doing any job that she could. We also had the attitude of if it does not work we can pack up and go home and its not the end of the world.
Mar 9th 2013, 3:03 pm
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Somewhere in Hamilton, ON
Posts: 4,307
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
We've been in NS for 18 months. We live in one of the most economically depressed towns in NS. But we both have very well paid jobs so its all good.
Would I want to do it on $50,000? Not sure... It can be done but that's a net of about $3000 which is not huge...
Do I want to live in NS forever? Not entirely convinced. I have a son in Halifax and another in Toronto. The other 2 still live with us. If they ended up all living in Toronto then I probably would follow...
Saying that if OHs job came to an end we would have to leave Yarmouth for sure and possibly/probably NS...
Would I want to do it on $50,000? Not sure... It can be done but that's a net of about $3000 which is not huge...
Do I want to live in NS forever? Not entirely convinced. I have a son in Halifax and another in Toronto. The other 2 still live with us. If they ended up all living in Toronto then I probably would follow...
Saying that if OHs job came to an end we would have to leave Yarmouth for sure and possibly/probably NS...
Mar 9th 2013, 11:16 pm
#23
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,609
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
The other thing I don't understand is how on earth you can feed a family of 4 on that amount each week?? Very unrealistic. Food is extremely expensive here and not just healthy food either, crap food is expensive too. We eat really well and there is NO WAY we can spend that amount with toiletries and such like added to the bill.
Mar 9th 2013, 11:16 pm
#24
Happy
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,942
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
It always makes me laugh when I read how much bashing NS gets on here from people that dont even live here. Those that do and are unhappy are entitled to think that.
We had this conversation last night with our Canadian friends who came here on a job relocation from Calgary. I asked why people have this "NS is asshole of Canada" view in the context of "Do I not have it because I just dont know any differnt, this is the only place I have lived" and he said "They have it because THEY dont know any different"
This is a nice place, yes its expensive and that irritates me in the same way as it irritates everyone else. But we now both have good jobs, we were careful not to become house poor and we had built a great financial cushion in the UK by the choices we had made. But we built that cushion by buying and selling property at the right time, not everyone has that option, certainly not anymore. I would never tell anyone not to try something that they really want to do in their own lives. Its their risk to take and own.
I like the ambience, the place, I like Halifax as a little city.
I believe that you can move anywhere if you really want to, but I do believe that people posting on here are adults who are capable of making a judgement call based on their own personal circumstances. I put honest figures to the costs that we face, to help enable that decision.
So in answer to those asking for brutal honesty - we chose this place for its location and its ambience. We chose it for the people and we are glad we did. Yes we have had ups and downs but we would have probably had those anywhere. There are many that move West and will be glad for it, but there are many that go West that then come home and say they couldnt wait to get back, they hated where they went to.
Everyone is entitled to enjoy living somewhere without having to justify it constantly to people that dont live here and dont live in your personal life.
We had this conversation last night with our Canadian friends who came here on a job relocation from Calgary. I asked why people have this "NS is asshole of Canada" view in the context of "Do I not have it because I just dont know any differnt, this is the only place I have lived" and he said "They have it because THEY dont know any different"
This is a nice place, yes its expensive and that irritates me in the same way as it irritates everyone else. But we now both have good jobs, we were careful not to become house poor and we had built a great financial cushion in the UK by the choices we had made. But we built that cushion by buying and selling property at the right time, not everyone has that option, certainly not anymore. I would never tell anyone not to try something that they really want to do in their own lives. Its their risk to take and own.
I like the ambience, the place, I like Halifax as a little city.
I believe that you can move anywhere if you really want to, but I do believe that people posting on here are adults who are capable of making a judgement call based on their own personal circumstances. I put honest figures to the costs that we face, to help enable that decision.
So in answer to those asking for brutal honesty - we chose this place for its location and its ambience. We chose it for the people and we are glad we did. Yes we have had ups and downs but we would have probably had those anywhere. There are many that move West and will be glad for it, but there are many that go West that then come home and say they couldnt wait to get back, they hated where they went to.
Everyone is entitled to enjoy living somewhere without having to justify it constantly to people that dont live here and dont live in your personal life.
Mar 9th 2013, 11:21 pm
#25
Happy
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,942
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
I would have to ask the same question - I have lived in NS for 5 years now and my weekly food bill is between 250 and 260 - no matter what I do. We don't buy ready meals etc, it's meat, bread, fresh fruit and veg and I am not able to get my under this amount, even shopping with flyers.
Mar 10th 2013, 4:02 am
#26
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
It always makes me laugh when I read how much bashing NS gets on here from people that dont even live here. Those that do and are unhappy are entitled to think that.
We had this conversation last night with our Canadian friends who came here on a job relocation from Calgary. I asked why people have this "NS is asshole of Canada" view in the context of "Do I not have it because I just dont know any differnt, this is the only place I have lived" and he said "They have it because THEY dont know any different"
This is a nice place, yes its expensive and that irritates me in the same way as it irritates everyone else. But we now both have good jobs, we were careful not to become house poor and we had built a great financial cushion in the UK by the choices we had made. But we built that cushion by buying and selling property at the right time, not everyone has that option, certainly not anymore. I would never tell anyone not to try something that they really want to do in their own lives. Its their risk to take and own.
I like the ambience, the place, I like Halifax as a little city.
I believe that you can move anywhere if you really want to, but I do believe that people posting on here are adults who are capable of making a judgement call based on their own personal circumstances. I put honest figures to the costs that we face, to help enable that decision.
So in answer to those asking for brutal honesty - we chose this place for its location and its ambience. We chose it for the people and we are glad we did. Yes we have had ups and downs but we would have probably had those anywhere. There are many that move West and will be glad for it, but there are many that go West that then come home and say they couldnt wait to get back, they hated where they went to.
Everyone is entitled to enjoy living somewhere without having to justify it constantly to people that dont live here and dont live in your personal life.
We had this conversation last night with our Canadian friends who came here on a job relocation from Calgary. I asked why people have this "NS is asshole of Canada" view in the context of "Do I not have it because I just dont know any differnt, this is the only place I have lived" and he said "They have it because THEY dont know any different"
This is a nice place, yes its expensive and that irritates me in the same way as it irritates everyone else. But we now both have good jobs, we were careful not to become house poor and we had built a great financial cushion in the UK by the choices we had made. But we built that cushion by buying and selling property at the right time, not everyone has that option, certainly not anymore. I would never tell anyone not to try something that they really want to do in their own lives. Its their risk to take and own.
I like the ambience, the place, I like Halifax as a little city.
I believe that you can move anywhere if you really want to, but I do believe that people posting on here are adults who are capable of making a judgement call based on their own personal circumstances. I put honest figures to the costs that we face, to help enable that decision.
So in answer to those asking for brutal honesty - we chose this place for its location and its ambience. We chose it for the people and we are glad we did. Yes we have had ups and downs but we would have probably had those anywhere. There are many that move West and will be glad for it, but there are many that go West that then come home and say they couldnt wait to get back, they hated where they went to.
Everyone is entitled to enjoy living somewhere without having to justify it constantly to people that dont live here and dont live in your personal life.
Canada - it's the suggestions that you can turn up and make a go of it with no financial cushion that pees me off.
And yes people can make their own decisions ... But then why are they constantly on here saying ooh I have 6.3 kids and will earn 7.75 an hour gross .. Will we be able to make ends meet?
People want to hear what real life is like.
I for one would never suggest a family with kids move without having a savings , to do so is irresponsible.
All it takes is an month longer without finance to sink your dreams ... Who was the lady in BC - hubby crane operator ... Moved back after 7 weeks due to lack of work and thus pay for hubby!
Mar 10th 2013, 4:14 am
#27
Happy
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,942
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
I am not bashing NS or any particular place on
Canada - it's the suggestions that you can turn up and make a go of it with no financial cushion that pees me off.
And yes people can make their own decisions ... But then why are they constantly on here saying ooh I have 6.3 kids and will earn 7.75 an hour gross .. Will we be able to make ends meet?
People want to hear what real life is like.
I for one would never suggest a family with kids move without having a savings , to do so is irresponsible.
All it takes is an month longer without finance to sink your dreams ... Who was the lady in BC - hubby crane operator ... Moved back after 7 weeks due to lack of work and thus pay for hubby!
Canada - it's the suggestions that you can turn up and make a go of it with no financial cushion that pees me off.
And yes people can make their own decisions ... But then why are they constantly on here saying ooh I have 6.3 kids and will earn 7.75 an hour gross .. Will we be able to make ends meet?
People want to hear what real life is like.
I for one would never suggest a family with kids move without having a savings , to do so is irresponsible.
All it takes is an month longer without finance to sink your dreams ... Who was the lady in BC - hubby crane operator ... Moved back after 7 weeks due to lack of work and thus pay for hubby!
I am telling you what OUR real life is like. You clearly believe I am making it all up.
Mar 10th 2013, 4:18 am
#28
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,688
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
I have to say for you to suggest that it's 'doable' to move ANYWHERE let alone NS where there is a huge unemployment issue is totally dangerous!
We've been here now for 4.5 years and wished we hadn't. I think you should be very careful before you make those kind of suggestions
The other thing I don't understand is how on earth you can feed a family of 4 on that amount each week?? Very unrealistic. Food is extremely expensive here and not just healthy food either, crap food is expensive too. We eat really well and there is NO WAY we can spend that amount with toiletries and such like added to the bill.
We've been here now for 4.5 years and wished we hadn't. I think you should be very careful before you make those kind of suggestions
The other thing I don't understand is how on earth you can feed a family of 4 on that amount each week?? Very unrealistic. Food is extremely expensive here and not just healthy food either, crap food is expensive too. We eat really well and there is NO WAY we can spend that amount with toiletries and such like added to the bill.
Even in supposedly uber-expensive Vancouver there are immigrants who manage to raise a family on $30,000 to $40,000 (sometimes even less) for a few years: a couple of minimum wage jobs and night school to get the appropriate Canadian qualifications. It might involve more compromises than many of us are prepared to make, but I don’t understand how saying that it can be done is “dangerous.”
Mar 10th 2013, 4:33 am
#29
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
I believe that you can come here with next to nothing and make it happen. I know of people that have done exactly that BUT they werent leaving just to leave the UK due to the "its gone to the dogs" viewpoint but rather because they
a) wanted to be here BIG TIME, the UK could be amazing and they still wanted to live here and/or
b) They had a job to come to. I do know of a family of 5 who bought a spacious home and survive on $50k a year income. They dont have the childcare costs though as one stays home. They are no rolling in it by any means but they enjoy life.
Theres a lot here thats free - beaches etc but money is necessary, obviously...
a) wanted to be here BIG TIME, the UK could be amazing and they still wanted to live here and/or
b) They had a job to come to. I do know of a family of 5 who bought a spacious home and survive on $50k a year income. They dont have the childcare costs though as one stays home. They are no rolling in it by any means but they enjoy life.
Theres a lot here thats free - beaches etc but money is necessary, obviously...
I am absolutely NOT suggesting people behave irresponsibly. You dont need to get so upset. You have read your own context into my opinion, and this is absolutely the problem with a chat forum.
I am telling you what OUR real life is like. You clearly believe I am making it all up.
I am telling you what OUR real life is like. You clearly believe I am making it all up.
That's all .
Mar 10th 2013, 4:48 am
#30
Happy
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,942
Re: Cost of living in Halifax, NS
and I agree but each to their own, right. There are many that arrived with next to nothing and made it work... takes all kinds to make a world.
