I'm Mike, from Edinburgh

I already made my first post entitled "help extending my stay".
Besides two short trips back home to the UK, I've been on vacation and working in Canada since August 2005.
Although I'm desperate in need of help myself at this time, I will gladly help out anyone with any questions I can answer.

I only wish I'd know about this place sooner

....hoping that someone can help me out.

hi mike

we are a family based in edinburgh , 3 kids 2 adults , the main thing i cant get my head round is the cost of living in canada , i know the dollar is good against the pound at present but compared to edinburgh (excluding house costs ) how is it ?

we are awaiting a date for medicals and hpefully be out at latest early 2008
good luck

gordon

Hi Gordon,

Personally, I find the majority of things over here cheaper than in the UK.
Top of my list would have to be petrol/gas prices. It's about 80c/litre here on average compared with 1.09 uk pounds (when I last was there anyway).
By using xe.com currency converter as an example, 1.09 (uk pounds) is = to almost $2.50 CAN!
Electronics are also very cheap out here. I tend to look at similar items in the UK online and then compare them to Canadian items of the same.
Computers, Televisions, that kinda thing. Just don't try to ship anything over the border from the US to Canada or either of those to the UK as you will get hit with a huge customs fee as I found out the hard way.
In my opinion, although the cost of living seems cheaper, the average and certainly the minimum wage is much less.
The thing that took me a little while to get used to was adding the GST/PST tax onto every price listed. So it might SEEM a really good deal until you add this on top. As I said, I still think you would notice a big difference.

As an additional piece of info.
I find that most people over here seem so friendly! They will always chat with you wherever it is you go, whether buying groceries or whatever.
I have never seen any road rage with people driving up the ass of my car here in Canada neither! It just seems so much more relaxed and laid back from what I'm used to.
The summer weather is great and seems to last forever. Not something you'll be used to in Scotland for sure - haha. I've only seen rain last for 2 or perhaps 3 days simultaniously! Winters can be very cold, but not nearly as long.

Hope some of this helps you and best of luck for the future!
If there is anything more specific you would like me to answer, feel free to ask.

Mike

Hi, I think the mistake you both are making is that you can talk about what it is like "in Canada".

Canada is unimaginably vast compared to the UK, and, as the cost of living, pace of life and type of person you meet (friendly/angst-ridden or what haven't you) will vary in the UK, how much that is magnified by comparing different regions of Canada, and the difference between urban and rural living.

Here in Calgary, although some things seem cheaper, especially if you are not living and working here, we find the overall cost of living is much the same as it was for us in Sussex. Tailgating, I have found, is much more rife if anything, and people do not seem quite as laid back as we found it when we visited in 2003.

So is that all to do with how the pace of life picked up here as Calgary in expanding, or is it simply the difference between being here on vacation and actually living here? Probably a combination of the two.

One thing I am sure of is that the people here, the cost of living and many other things are like chalk and cheese if compared with a small rural town in Newfoundland for instance.

You need to ask specifically of the area you are considering. And sometimes the fact that houses are cheap, cost of living low, and people having a great community spirit or whatever has to be offset by the fact that there is virtually no prospect of finding a job (maybe) in those areas.

Just a perspective.

I should just say as well that we are very happy with our choice.

Hope everything goes well for both of you, and welcome to BE
Now since I am in the US I only really frequent that forum and the lounge, now we need all the Scots we can get, so please drop by the lounge (not for any help or serious topics but more a pub talk )and have a drink or two and meet some weirdos
Hope that didn't put you off

Welcome to canada you! Visit often!

Thanks
It's just as cold up here as it is at home

Oh Seattle is nearly Canada anyway!

I know which is good as I like Canada as well

(Had my honeymoon in Toronto then flew to Calgary for a couple of days then drove to Lake Louise and stayed there a week ) STUNNING scenery!
Canada is beautiful and different to the PNW as it is more vast and untamed than here I think.

I could go for an Irn Bru! When I lived in area of Vancouver BC, we used to go across the line periodically. It's a shame that I didn't see more of Seattle... it was only a couple hours drive from the border (I've seen a bit driving to & from the airport!). Will have to rectify that someday with a proper visit.

Oggy

ironbru4u.seen this daft wee thing poppin up everywhere,cant help but laugh every time I see it.love it to bits

Yes and its a great site too, for information on Canada, from where to get your Iru bru to Square Sausage.

OMG we never had a thread on SQUARE SAUSAGE, my kids will starve.

Any way always nice seeing another scot in the forums...

Sutherlands.

ah,but doyou know where to get yar tatty scones?

hpoe ya dont mean me

no Scottish person is a weirdo