Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

Is it possible for a family to emigrate to metro Vancouver on a nurses $70000 salary?. My wife will hopefully find a 20 hour a week job in retail. We have 2 children that are 9 and 4 years old at the moment but will be a year older when I complete a bridging course.

Owning a property looks to be out of the question. When I started the process over a year ago there was around 40 properties around the Maple Ridge area for under $400 000 on Realtor. Now there aren't any.

At the moment I am in the process of completing a bridging course. I have completed 1 of the 3 modules. The next module is $600 and I am debating if this will be worth the time and money if the eventual goal is no longer achievable.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

If you could bring up your family income to around $100k gross, living out in the valley, it may be doable. Won't be a lot of room for luxuries though.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

Hi



1. Personally I would be looking at the Interior of BC or Northern BC (if BC is where you want to be) A lot easier to live on that salary range.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

I would agree, demand for staff may be higher too.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

It would be difficult in Vancouver. Rents are high and a place large enough for a family will eat a nice chunk of income.

Its certainly doable but you may not have luxuries.

Fraser Valley would be doable well eastern part of the Valley.

Interior or North is cheaper but not as nice in my view, interior more tolerable then the north.

Maybe check out Vancouver Island? Once away from Victoria things are more reasonable.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

Would love the interior but job prospects are not as good, especially as I would need a full-time permanent post as opposed to casual which the majority seem to be at the moment.
I just don't get who will work in the shops and provide services for the rich in Vancouver in the years ahead.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

If you could consider Northern BC, there appear to be a few full time permanent jobs in nursing there. ExpectMore - Search for Health Care Jobs and a Career with Northern Health - there also seem to be a few in Maple Ridge, Surrey and Delta areas. https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=RN&l=Br...ia&jt=fulltime and Vancouver Island - https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=Nurse&l...BC&jt=fulltime

Is there a reason for wanting to move to Vancouver, rather than somewhere that may be cheaper to live?

:)

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

I think for myself, why move to another country just to struggle financially?

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

Immigrants. Same as in London. People from places that are dangerous either in terms of violence or starvation. People for whom a meal in a warm dry room is the American dream, even if the room is shared.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

Even then its difficult to find staff in Vancouver now. Many places are struggling.

We pay 15/hr to start and then 16.50 after 3 months and we cant get staff. The lower paying places have it even harder.

Of course the wage we pay isnt enough to afford Vancouver and not even enough to rent an apartment.

Even at 19.50 that I make rent eats up almost all income.

Its a bit insane in Vancouver these days...

Some smaller shops, coffee places and retailers have reduced hours as they cant staff fully.

The McDs near my house is closing overnight now as they lack staff and keep having hiring fairs.

I imagine its only going to get worse unless the economy collapses as unemployment sky rockets.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

I am a psychiatric nurse and my profession is only recognised in BC,Alberta,Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
When I chose BC there was plenty of houses within my price range but the pace of change has been phenomenal.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

If a lot of places start getting closed and the attractions of living in Metro Vancouver diminishes then surely this will impact the cost of living and property/rental prices?
Probably wishful thinking. Not many people are predicting the bubble to burst any time soon.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

Definitely wishful thinking. I think there is more chance of a lottery win.

It has been talked about for at least the last 25 years, no sign yet! But, you never know.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

Keep in mind that Canada is very vast so when looking at a map, Maple Ridge may seem close to Metro Vancouver, but in actuality it will take one to two hours to commute depending on traffic and how far into Vancouver you need to go.

It was recently reported that the average cost of a one bedroom apartment in Vancouver is $2,120 a month, and the average size is probable around 700 square feet or less.

Re: Metro Vancouver on normal wage
 

its doable, many are already doing it, but will be tough and may not leave room for luxuries/extras. As a new arrival to the city you may find it especially tough.

Along with very high rents the cities of lower mainland BC have vacancy rates below 1%. This means there is extreme competition for the more affordable rental properties, it is not unheard of for tenants to offer more than the advertised rent or upfront payment to secure these. Obviously the more you can pay the lower the competition.

I wrote a post a few years ago when I first arrived on the rental process which you may find useful.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/canad...couver-870124/