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Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by mikelincs
(Post 12376267)
We had the same when we lived in Spain, compared prices for the first few months, then stopped, there was no point as we didn't live in the UK at the time.
Oh I understand that. I guess for us is different because we still aren't living full time in Canada. I see that due to my last post people are under the impression that we have already moved permanently. We didn't. So when we go up and down or when my partner and I are dealing with anything financial, usually we get to speak about where things are cheaper. We often delay buying something until we are either in the UK or in Canada, exactly because of this. |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by sharkus
(Post 12376245)
I think you should specifically call out Cheese on that list (talk about opening a can of worms :D
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Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by Hurlabrick
(Post 12376216)
More expensive: Wine and beer (LCBO and Beer Store - seems slightly more expensive)
Much the same: Hydro / electric Cheaper:Any form of beef, especially steak (mmmmmmm) Pork ... When I moved it seemed to me to be quite a bit cheaper - especially with so many groceries costing half as much in Store A as Store B 'this week' and the reverse 'next week'. Later, a comparison made things look more expensive, but only if one had (some) UK income. But here we are, 13 years after I moved, and there are very many things I still pay the same $$ price I was paying originally or a little more, or the size is a little smaller. I go green with envy that you can still by a decent wine in the UK for a fiver when it's $15 here. Yes, decent cheese is expensive but it's largely offset by the cheap beef. I'm never sure how electricity compares when you need so much of it for heating costs at -20 or colder. I reckon I was paying £40 a month tops for gas/electric in the UK (Zoopla says £86 now). Equalised payments here are $264. That's an enormous difference, albeit for a bigger house. |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by Paul_Shepherd
(Post 12376251)
...(sorry no pound sign on this keyboard)...
Otherwise (hold) alt and 156 and release. |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 12376310)
Try shift and 3 for the # if keyboard set to UK English.
Otherwise (hold) alt and 156 and release. Look... £££. :thumbsup::thumbsup: |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 12376302)
In broad agreement. Of course, a lot depends on the exchange rate. When I moved over it was around $2.25 (as high as 2.40) but then it fell to around $1.50.
When I moved it seemed to me to be quite a bit cheaper - especially with so many groceries costing half as much in Store A as Store B 'this week' and the reverse 'next week'. Later, a comparison made things look more expensive, but only if one had (some) UK income. But here we are, 13 years after I moved, and there are very many things I still pay the same $$ price I was paying originally or a little more, or the size is a little smaller. I go green with envy that you can still by a decent wine in the UK for a fiver when it's $15 here. Yes, decent cheese is expensive but it's largely offset by the cheap beef. I'm never sure how electricity compares when you need so much of it for heating costs at -20 or colder. I reckon I was paying £40 a month tops for gas/electric in the UK (Zoopla says £86 now). Equalised payments here are $264. That's an enormous difference, albeit for a bigger house. Your right about expensive cheese being offset by cheap beef.....had a fantastic steak last night for half the price of what it would cost in the UK. :thumbsup: Best to plan steak nights instead of wine and cheese nights! lol |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
We’ve been looking at costs as we’ll (hopefully) be moving from London to Toronto. Seems to me that Canada will, generally, be more expensive. BUT we would be earning more money so relatively it will be (a bit) cheaper! I find the costs of cheese and wine very alarming :ohmy:
:hysterical: |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by UxSims
(Post 12376268)
Fantastic that if I mention something here, that will be used against me in any further questions or comments I may make. Sorry, when I started this thread I did not found necessary to go back and read all my posts.
And no, we aren't arguing after making the move. We are talking about it, the same way we talk about things we like about Canada or that we like about the UK. We have been up and down between both countries a lot in the last year, and comparing it is an unavoidable thing as far as we are concerned. Nope, it isn't a make or break at all. It's more of a curiosity than anything else. I think the most important factors are a) - Housing costs - and where you want to live which will reflect on this, together with the mortgage rate attainable in either place, if applicable b) - Income - Canada v UK c) - Unavoidable expenses (utilities, cell phone & etc) d) - Grocery costs e) - Vehicle costs f) - Other costs (clothing, socialising) It's impossible to compare like with like unless you ascertain the level of income that you would likely to have in Canada. If you are earning £15 an hour and a pint costs you £3 in the UK - or an average of $34 an hour and a pint costs you $7 in Canada, then you can say which is the more expensive. A straight comparison doesn't really work, in my opinion. I've usually worked out how expensive something is by working out how many hours I need to work to pay for it! :) |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Everyone has their own basket of goods so it's difficult to compare.
The biggest hit here is the price of a beer in the bar. Seldom a full pint, costs more and you are expected to tax and tip. That being said here a nice Hooters girl brings it to you whilst you relax. In England you elbow your way to the bar where an old man with no teeth gives it to you. |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by Paul_Shepherd
(Post 12376329)
Your right about expensive cheese being offset by cheap beef.....had a fantastic steak last night for half the price of what it would cost in the UK. :thumbsup:
Best to plan steak nights instead of wine and cheese nights! lol
Originally Posted by ScotinCanada
(Post 12376331)
We’ve been looking at costs as we’ll (hopefully) be moving from London to Toronto. Seems to me that Canada will, generally, be more expensive. BUT we would be earning more money so relatively it will be (a bit) cheaper! I find the costs of cheese and wine very alarming :ohmy:
:hysterical: |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by Siouxie
(Post 12376342)
What you have written in the past helps us to help you :)
I think the most important factors are a) - Housing costs - and where you want to live which will reflect on this, together with the mortgage rate attainable in either place, if applicable b) - Income - Canada v UK c) - Unavoidable expenses (utilities, cell phone & etc) d) - Grocery costs e) - Vehicle costs f) - Other costs (clothing, socialising) It's impossible to compare like with like unless you ascertain the level of income that you would likely to have in Canada. If you are earning £15 an hour and a pint costs you £3 in the UK - or an average of $34 an hour and a pint costs you $7 in Canada, then you can say which is the more expensive. A straight comparison doesn't really work, in my opinion. I've usually worked out how expensive something is by working out how many hours I need to work to pay for it! :) Oh, a coke 500ml in the supermarkets here is around 30p. OK, so it's relative in terms of say a holiday when you can say that's cheaper/dearer than the UK but is valid for permanent living. Living here on UK pensions we are much better off than in UK , but if I had to live on the average wage here then we would suffer.............:( |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
I think it's all in the price of property. Most things are more expensive in Canada but cheaper housing makes Canada viable. Housing is such a large proportion of one's budget that cheaper housing compensates even for the outrageous cost of running a car and buying a pound of cheddar.
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Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by UxSims
(Post 12376268)
Fantastic that if I mention something here
And no, we aren't arguing after making the move. We are talking about it, the same way we talk about things we like about Canada or that we like about the UK. We have been up and down between both countries a lot in the last year, and comparing it is an unavoidable thing as far as we are concerned. Nope, it isn't a make or break at all. It's more of a curiosity than anything else. I'm not so sure now if you 'are arguing' or 'want an argument'?
Originally Posted by UxSims
(Post 12376133)
Ok, so we need some opinions to sort an argument!
I think cost of living in Canada is higher than the UK, my partner disagrees. Have the "opinions" expressed & posted in this thread to your OP satisfied your 'curiosity"? |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
In my opinion in Nova Scotia specifically; houses, gasoline, childcare are substantially cheaper than in the UK.
Food, unless you shop smartly can be expensive (cucumber at $2.99) but you have options like Walmart, Costco or buying when items are on sale and storing (we do this). Cellphones and alcohol also are expensive. Electricity can be costly but its a similiar price per kwh to the UK at a 1.5 fx rate so dont heat with electric baseboard. Therefore to me I can afford a home, gas to get to work and childcare should I need it. I have cheap clothing options should I need that (Walmart) For the non essentials its more expensive (bottle of wine), cable TV That to me makes more sense than not being able to afford my own home but having access to GBP3 a bottle wine in Asda, and a really cheap smartphone plan but each to their own. |
Re: Cost of living? Help us settle this discussion!
Originally Posted by Howefamily
(Post 12376879)
That to me makes more sense than not being able to afford my own home but having access to GBP3 a bottle wine in Asda, and a really cheap smartphone plan but each to their own.
I don't shop in Asda, but I would never buy a £3 bottle of wine - aaaarrggghhhh! I know what you mean, you can still get a half-OK bottle in the UK for £5 or 6. |
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