Mr fixyou

Hi

I'm new to the forum so i'm sorry if this question has been covered in previous threads.

I'm a chiropractor/sports injuries specialist and I've been trying to find out living expenses for a single guy moving to vancouver. I've been to van several times and done quite a bit of exploring so i know where I want to be based. I've tried to work out living costs as best as I can. Could anyone tell me how close these figures are or offer any advice etc

Condo yaletown/gastown/crosstown - $2000

Hydro - $150 ( I'm assuming its water and elec combined???)

Cell phone - $60-70

Food - $300 (including a couple of meals/breakfasts out a week)

Internet/cable tv - $80

Car insurance $150 (mustang/camaro, I have 4 years no claims in the UK and i've read that you can transfer this.....)

Health insurance ???

Season ski pass for grouse/cypress mountain $800-900

Is this anywhere near correct? I know van is really expensive to live in these days and I could make things cheaper if I lived in the 'burbs' and didn't insist on a sports car, ski pass etc but I don't want to hold back on the things that make me happy.

JonboyE

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el_richo

Your Hydro bill is probably on the high side and the Cypress pass will be more than that shortly. Other than that, it's not that far off.

I pay $55 ish a month for health coverage through my wife's work.

gracey1982

I'd say you were along the right lines.

Hydro for 2 of us is only $30 a month in a 2 bed condo but that was over summer without heating.

I pay $170 car insurance for a 6 year old ford explorer. I'm 28 with 0 no claims as I could not transfer mine across as they are scattered from too many uk companies.

You could really reduce your condo/rental fees if you wanted to live 30 mins from downtown but that's a lifestyle vs budget decision. I have paid $1100 all inc for a huge 2 bed basement on the Northshore. $450 for a room in a 2 bed suite in Kits $1100 all inc for a condo on Cambie /B'way and now $1300 for a huge 2 bed condo in Port Moody. I only tell you this to give you an idea wof what things are like around Vancouver. I moved around to see what places were like but now I am settled after 14 months of 3 month rentals...

When pricing things remember that soo many things here have 12% to add onto them which often are not shown in the prices/labels etc but only at checkout... It took me ages. It's basically prices are advertised without VAT!

Oink

Booze is expensive, so unless you don't drink, brew your own, have loads of money or are a hot girl, you're going to have budget quite a bit for 'entertainment'.

goodpikey

If you want your no claims form the uk, you will need a letter from each of the insurance companies you had. It must have the policy number, exact dates of coverage, what was covered, must be on headed paper and state if there were any claims made against the policy.

This sounds simple, i tried to do it once i arrived in Canada as i didn't know i needed one from very insurer i had! It was not east from Canada and took me over 6 months in total from 1st trying to finally getting it accepted by ICBC. If one thing is missing or one word is off, ICBC will refuse it! It was a nightmare.

You can also use the years you had a learners permit as experience! over 10 years experience (holding a license!) will get you a discount.

Mr fixyou

Thanks for all the replies, glad I wasn't too far off the mark.