Life in the East
Jul 25th 2020, 5:49 pm
#31
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Re: Life in the East
top quality replies. the difference between finding a good carrier could you answer that Alex? you worked in NB trucking what was the work culture like. they rave about laid back east coast I imagine that doesn't reach trucking and that it's been the same for you in both provinces?
am just completing my class 1 here so I can finally compare. I don't want my kids to be scientists but dense isn't attractive either. trips to France isn't really top priority for us mainly Scotland for hiking and camping fishing and hunting. that was the original draw to Canada but I found I just worked all time and never really got time. 1 hike up temple mountain in 2 years then a spot of sailing in vancouver 2 years later was a big change from darting up to lakes for a weekend or at least 3 trips to Scotland a year.
I do hear that the great lakes are brilliant small boat sailing and canoeing and fishing in northern ontario is second to none but I'm not sure we can afford that and to buy all on a truckers wage until the kids are I'm nursery and we have 2 wages.
your responses have been great and I have bison and lafarge in Ottawa to fall back on should i jump ship in a year... in NB I have no connections so it may be cheap but the logistics are a bit more of a headache.
thanks everybody
am just completing my class 1 here so I can finally compare. I don't want my kids to be scientists but dense isn't attractive either. trips to France isn't really top priority for us mainly Scotland for hiking and camping fishing and hunting. that was the original draw to Canada but I found I just worked all time and never really got time. 1 hike up temple mountain in 2 years then a spot of sailing in vancouver 2 years later was a big change from darting up to lakes for a weekend or at least 3 trips to Scotland a year.
I do hear that the great lakes are brilliant small boat sailing and canoeing and fishing in northern ontario is second to none but I'm not sure we can afford that and to buy all on a truckers wage until the kids are I'm nursery and we have 2 wages.
your responses have been great and I have bison and lafarge in Ottawa to fall back on should i jump ship in a year... in NB I have no connections so it may be cheap but the logistics are a bit more of a headache.
thanks everybody
Jul 25th 2020, 6:03 pm
#32
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Re: Life in the East
I can never compete with Alex' knowledge on the work front as I have never had to work in Canada.
But the fact that I could retire in NB at age 48 and using an equity of £123,000 from my house sale in Bristol to buy a nice detached house and a duplex in the city of Moncton and then live on an income that only once exceeded $20k for a family of four probably tells it's own tale of how affordable things can be.
I could not have done this West of Atlantic Canada. I'm not suggesting anyone else does it but it does show there is room for some halfway point where one could maybe work fewer hours or in less of a rat race scenario but make up the shortfall with rental income from still cheap property. Or just live without the toys.
Using those pay rates of $28ph and $16ph and multiplying by a 40 hour week - overtime may well make a big difference but if you want a work-life balance do you want that? - and then adjusting for the tax differences, the net pay in Alberta is $44k and for NB $33k. A difference of $11k a year.
A quick google on average house prices shows Edmonton about $350k and Moncton $180k. Does the extra $11k make that more manageable? Obviously with overtime it would but how many hours a week do you want to work?
We are now four adults with three incomes, two of them OAS/GIS and one part-timer but we live very comfortably not having rent or a mortgage. The lower price of housing can make an enormous difference. But for the pandemic, I'd be looking forward to taking the family to France for two weeks in a couple of months. That's when we'd get the scenery and culture, because the overall lower cost of living would enable it.
Between me and my wife (and with her in particular that was an awful lot) I have zero complaints about the medical stuff - cost of prescriptions aside. All of Canada complains of a doctor shortage.
I found some figures up to 2015. The number of Doctors per 100,000 for Canada overall is 228. NB is 222 which is not as good as Quebec and Alberta (242/237) but better than Ontario's 220. Statscan has NB ahead of Ontario too, although their figure goes only to 2013.
I have a post here in 2018 when me and Alex had a similar discussion and according to a Moneysense study Moncton had a better doctor/resident ratio than the rest of NB, the same as Vancouver and better than Toronto.
Funnily enough, I see I made a similar post in 2016 as well when Moneysense's latest study showed Moncton "slumping" to 28th position out of 180 which was still very good.
It just shows that there's often not that much difference between provinces where you would expect there to be and that there's also some cities within a province outstripping the province. We all have different experiences.
But the fact that I could retire in NB at age 48 and using an equity of £123,000 from my house sale in Bristol to buy a nice detached house and a duplex in the city of Moncton and then live on an income that only once exceeded $20k for a family of four probably tells it's own tale of how affordable things can be.
I could not have done this West of Atlantic Canada. I'm not suggesting anyone else does it but it does show there is room for some halfway point where one could maybe work fewer hours or in less of a rat race scenario but make up the shortfall with rental income from still cheap property. Or just live without the toys.
Using those pay rates of $28ph and $16ph and multiplying by a 40 hour week - overtime may well make a big difference but if you want a work-life balance do you want that? - and then adjusting for the tax differences, the net pay in Alberta is $44k and for NB $33k. A difference of $11k a year.
A quick google on average house prices shows Edmonton about $350k and Moncton $180k. Does the extra $11k make that more manageable? Obviously with overtime it would but how many hours a week do you want to work?
We are now four adults with three incomes, two of them OAS/GIS and one part-timer but we live very comfortably not having rent or a mortgage. The lower price of housing can make an enormous difference. But for the pandemic, I'd be looking forward to taking the family to France for two weeks in a couple of months. That's when we'd get the scenery and culture, because the overall lower cost of living would enable it.
Between me and my wife (and with her in particular that was an awful lot) I have zero complaints about the medical stuff - cost of prescriptions aside. All of Canada complains of a doctor shortage.
I found some figures up to 2015. The number of Doctors per 100,000 for Canada overall is 228. NB is 222 which is not as good as Quebec and Alberta (242/237) but better than Ontario's 220. Statscan has NB ahead of Ontario too, although their figure goes only to 2013.
I have a post here in 2018 when me and Alex had a similar discussion and according to a Moneysense study Moncton had a better doctor/resident ratio than the rest of NB, the same as Vancouver and better than Toronto.
Funnily enough, I see I made a similar post in 2016 as well when Moneysense's latest study showed Moncton "slumping" to 28th position out of 180 which was still very good.
It just shows that there's often not that much difference between provinces where you would expect there to be and that there's also some cities within a province outstripping the province. We all have different experiences.
As far as the work life thing goes it is highly dependent on the type of jobs available within the industry. Transportation in general does involve long hours. 8 hours a day is almost unheard of over here. Much more common in the UK. Again depending on what part of the industry. The OT factor did make a massive difference in the lads paycheck. I can't remember if it was after 8 or 10 but time and a half when working 12 to 14 hours a day soon adds up vs 16ph flat rate.
How many hours do I want to work? 🤔 🤣🤣🤣
I think that it comes down to the circumstances. As you say you were looking to retire with an income property. Atlantic Canada certainly does offer this as a viable choice. If (assuming I live to that ripe old age 😛) I was in the scenario that you described it would be a different discussion.
In terms of the medical issues. I should say that I don't have anything bad to say about the facilities or the staff. The problem I had was accessing specialists, diagnostic services and treatment. In my case it was non urgent. However as a direct result of the delay in diagnosis and no treatment being offered in NB my knees have deteriorated. The simple fact is that the public services are under funded and under staffed in NB because of the economic circumstances that the province finds itself in. I take no pleasure whatsoever in saying that as there are a people who in need of those services.
Windsor is something of an exception on the GP front. We could choose from a list that were taking new patients.
I saw something again recently regarding Moncton performing well. It might have been another moneysense article? 🤔
Moncton certainly does out perform the province and the region with the exception of Halifax on most fronts. If someone ultimately decided that Atlantic Canada was there destination of choice and didn't fancy HRM then it would be a good choice.
I think that the most important thing is to find somewhere that ticks as many boxes as possible.
Jul 25th 2020, 6:29 pm
#33
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Re: Life in the East
top quality replies. the difference between finding a good carrier could you answer that Alex? you worked in NB trucking what was the work culture like. they rave about laid back east coast I imagine that doesn't reach trucking and that it's been the same for you in both provinces?
am just completing my class 1 here so I can finally compare. I don't want my kids to be scientists but dense isn't attractive either. trips to France isn't really top priority for us mainly Scotland for hiking and camping fishing and hunting. that was the original draw to Canada but I found I just worked all time and never really got time. 1 hike up temple mountain in 2 years then a spot of sailing in vancouver 2 years later was a big change from darting up to lakes for a weekend or at least 3 trips to Scotland a year.
I do hear that the great lakes are brilliant small boat sailing and canoeing and fishing in northern ontario is second to none but I'm not sure we can afford that and to buy all on a truckers wage until the kids are I'm nursery and we have 2 wages.
your responses have been great and I have bison and lafarge in Ottawa to fall back on should i jump ship in a year... in NB I have no connections so it may be cheap but the logistics are a bit more of a headache.
thanks everybody
am just completing my class 1 here so I can finally compare. I don't want my kids to be scientists but dense isn't attractive either. trips to France isn't really top priority for us mainly Scotland for hiking and camping fishing and hunting. that was the original draw to Canada but I found I just worked all time and never really got time. 1 hike up temple mountain in 2 years then a spot of sailing in vancouver 2 years later was a big change from darting up to lakes for a weekend or at least 3 trips to Scotland a year.
I do hear that the great lakes are brilliant small boat sailing and canoeing and fishing in northern ontario is second to none but I'm not sure we can afford that and to buy all on a truckers wage until the kids are I'm nursery and we have 2 wages.
your responses have been great and I have bison and lafarge in Ottawa to fall back on should i jump ship in a year... in NB I have no connections so it may be cheap but the logistics are a bit more of a headache.
thanks everybody
Is it that they can't be bothered because the pay and conditions aren't great or are the pay and conditions not great because they are slacking? 🤔
This is of course a massive over simplification but it does hold true in broad strokes.
The single biggest difference I have found vs the UK is that they will leave a problem for the next person to deal with and don't give a flying that it will bugger you up. It's never their fault and they have an excuse for everything. Again broadly speaking.
With regard to the work life balance it isn't great. You can expect to be working 50-60 hours a week as a norm with 2 weeks holiday until you have 5 years service then you will get 3 weeks. Most companies will be happy to let you take unpaid time. I usually take a few weeks off unpaid a year.
From what you describe that you like doing then Atlantic Canada certainly does offer that in abundance. The question is can you get a job that offers you the time and income to do it. Much the same as anywhere else I suppose.
Jul 25th 2020, 6:31 pm
#34
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Re: Life in the East
can't thank you enough the trucking forum is dead as a door nail.
if the not giving a flying and passing it onto the next guy is aimed at Canadian trucking I found that in heaps in alberta. they will fix nothing as it's shop rate but then tell all that will listen it's the other drivers they slip seat with wrecking the truck. mind numbing at times.
if it's the UK then thanks to berta I am familiar with that kind of back stabbing culture.
if the not giving a flying and passing it onto the next guy is aimed at Canadian trucking I found that in heaps in alberta. they will fix nothing as it's shop rate but then tell all that will listen it's the other drivers they slip seat with wrecking the truck. mind numbing at times.
if it's the UK then thanks to berta I am familiar with that kind of back stabbing culture.
Last edited by wardy_1990; Jul 25th 2020 at 6:35 pm. Reason: further thought
Jul 25th 2020, 6:48 pm
#35
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Re: Life in the East
can't thank you enough the trucking forum is dead as a door nail.
if the not giving a flying and passing it onto the next guy is aimed at Canadian trucking I found that in heaps in alberta. they will fix nothing as it's shop rate but then tell all that will listen it's the other drivers they slip seat with wrecking the truck. mind numbing at times.
if it's the UK then thanks to berta I am familiar with that kind of back stabbing culture.
if the not giving a flying and passing it onto the next guy is aimed at Canadian trucking I found that in heaps in alberta. they will fix nothing as it's shop rate but then tell all that will listen it's the other drivers they slip seat with wrecking the truck. mind numbing at times.
if it's the UK then thanks to berta I am familiar with that kind of back stabbing culture.
Yes it was at the drivers here. I never experienced that in the UK. It was always a case of if there is a problem speak up and it will get fixed asap.
Maintenance over here is faith healing.
Jul 25th 2020, 6:50 pm
#36
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Re: Life in the East
cheers buddy
all the best to you
all the best to you
Jul 25th 2020, 7:32 pm
#38
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Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
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Re: Life in the East
trips to France isn't really top priority for us
) frees up cash for other things like trips to France or even flying to Montreal/Toronto rather than a long drive.Of course, flying back to the UK isn't so easy from here. On the other hand, if you watch the football, the Saturday matches start at 8.30 am in this time zone instead of 4.30am on the other coast.
Jul 25th 2020, 7:44 pm
#39
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Re: Life in the East
cheers bristol you have argued honorably for NB. it's still in the running for consideration if I can find a good employer.
if Alex had any companies he would stay away from and ones he would consider that would help in a years time.
if Alex had any companies he would stay away from and ones he would consider that would help in a years time.
Jul 25th 2020, 10:12 pm
#40
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Re: Life in the East
Jul 25th 2020, 10:17 pm
#41
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Re: Life in the East
Jul 25th 2020, 10:29 pm
#42
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Re: Life in the East
And a new Indian.
Jul 26th 2020, 11:06 am
#43
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Re: Life in the East
I live near the border of NB and NS and I can’t talk about children as I have none but I live rural and have done since we moved here 12 years ago. We have approx 18 acres which for us was what we wanted as we came with dogs and still have dogs. Some land is farmed by a local farmer and the rest we just leave alone. We don’t do too bad as Moncton and Truro are roughly an hour away and Halifax is 2 hours. One of my friends partner is a lorry driver and he has worked his schedule to be home Wednesday through to Saturday and that works for them. We manage on one wage and to be honest although some things are a bit expensive I always find what we need on a reasonable budget
Jul 26th 2020, 4:26 pm
#44
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Re: Life in the East
Masstown market always had the best for my money. Close second would be Duncan's Pub in Amherst. Although it's quite a few years since I went to the latter.
Is the new Indian where Asian Garden was previously?
Jul 26th 2020, 7:35 pm
#45
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Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
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Re: Life in the East
No, it's on Robinson, just off Main. Tandoori Zaika.
Strangely the best fish and chips (actual Cod too) is from Kelseys at Trinity. The Old Triangle is good for it too, although Haddock. Good batter though. But even Deluxe, which was previously dreadful has come good.
Strangely the best fish and chips (actual Cod too) is from Kelseys at Trinity. The Old Triangle is good for it too, although Haddock. Good batter though. But even Deluxe, which was previously dreadful has come good.
