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Misconception on cost of living
Having been in BC coming up for a year, I have to say that one thing I was not prepared for is the cost of living. There are lots of posts on this forum saying that salaries are lower here, and cost of living is much lower, so your standard of living is overall better. This is certainly not my experience.
General overheads are very costly, and I fail to see how some people manage to make ends meet on the salaries quoted on this site. Don't be under any illusion that you can survive on half the salary you'd get in Britain, for example. Not in BC - it's not going to happen. The reality is that most jobs pay far lower than Britain, many at approximately half the rate. The reason I mention this is that I was at a function recently, and speaking to a Brit who'd just arrived. He was going through the usual tired old banter about how wonderful it is here, and how everthing was so much cheaper than 'the UK', and of course so much better. This is not the case. This does seem to be what people expect and having just arrived, they see the most obvious savings (e.g. petrol). But when you've been to the dentist a couple of times, and some utility bills start hitting the doormat, it does make me wonder how the hell Canadians afford to live here, let alone people who've emigrated from Britain. What concerns me is that there's very few posts raising this issue. Probably because by the time people realise this, they're working their nuts off so damned hard to pay the bills, they don't have time to discuss on here. Many people regard this forum as fairly objective and I'd like to warn anyone who thinks this, to more thoroughly investigate the cost of living, and avert your ears to sweeping generalisations about how it's so much cheaper. Moving half way across the world, to find that you cannot afford to stay, could set you back years, financially, and even make moving back to Britain an expense you cannot endure. |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Yep gotta agree with what you're saying.
Normal grocery shopping is on a par with UK prices even after converting it to pounds. Petrol is cheap when compared to pounds, but pricey if you earn $s. Your daily expenses are generally about the same, but cars are dirt cheap and houses are much better value for money. Not sure about your "tired old banter" quote though, makes you sound a bit misserable ;) Everything is better here. :D But I'm lucky in that I still earn pounds, so everything's good value for me. |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Originally Posted by Bleech
But I'm lucky in that I still earn pounds, so everything's good value for me.
G, Actually I think if you dig into threads posted hereabouts you will definately find 'negative' or rather 'realistic' comment about the cost of living in Canada. (& Not just BC either.) There is a journey all new expats go through IMHO from visiting & earning in UK, spending in CAD where all is cheap and, back in the day of $2.3 to 1GBP we spent money like a drunken sailor, to the reality of living, earning in CAD, paying taxes and hydro, car insurance, grocerys etc. At this point the realisation sets in that Canada is not the low cost paradise that many believe it is. Doesnt make the place any worse but its a reality you have to come to terms with to make it work here IMHO. In fact the only significant thing that is much cheaper in parts* of Canada than UK is housing. I spend roughly a similar proportion of my income on a mortgage than I did in the UK and have a much bigger property. * Not AB, the GTA, Van etc etc! :) AX |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
I rather think the earning in GBP and spending in CAD (Assuming you have a good GBP income) is absolute Nirvana. Where do you pay tax?
This is only a temporary thing though, maybe 3 years if I'm lucky, so I do try to be realistic about things for when the pounds stop coming. |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Petrol may be cheaper ..... but look at the mileage you do. :eek:
Cars are dirt cheap? new cars are ceratinly much cheaper, but used cars are not as cheap as you'd expect. Most other things are the same if not more expensive. I think clothes are cheaper. We didn't expect the cost of living to be as high as it is, and it can come as something of a shock :( ..... good thread. |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Originally Posted by Morwenna
Petrol may be cheaper ..... but look at the mileage you do. :eek:
Cars are dirt cheap? new cars are ceratinly much cheaper, but used cars are not as cheap as you'd expect. Most other things are the same if not more expensive. I think clothes are cheaper. We didn't expect the cost of living to be as high as it is, and it can come as something of a shock :( ..... good thread. |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Insurance in Ontario is a killer! And chicken costs lots!!
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Re: Misconception on cost of living
Originally Posted by g_is_for_canada
Having been in BC coming up for a year, I have to say that one thing I was not prepared for is the cost of living. There are lots of posts on this forum saying that salaries are lower here, and cost of living is much lower, so your standard of living is overall better. This is certainly not my experience.
General overheads are very costly, and I fail to see how some people manage to make ends meet on the salaries quoted on this site. Don't be under any illusion that you can survive on half the salary you'd get in Britain, for example. Not in BC - it's not going to happen. The reality is that most jobs pay far lower than Britain, many at approximately half the rate. The reason I mention this is that I was at a function recently, and speaking to a Brit who'd just arrived. He was going through the usual tired old banter about how wonderful it is here, and how everthing was so much cheaper than 'the UK', and of course so much better. This is not the case. This does seem to be what people expect and having just arrived, they see the most obvious savings (e.g. petrol). But when you've been to the dentist a couple of times, and some utility bills start hitting the doormat, it does make me wonder how the hell Canadians afford to live here, let alone people who've emigrated from Britain. What concerns me is that there's very few posts raising this issue. Probably because by the time people realise this, they're working their nuts off so damned hard to pay the bills, they don't have time to discuss on here. Many people regard this forum as fairly objective and I'd like to warn anyone who thinks this, to more thoroughly investigate the cost of living, and avert your ears to sweeping generalisations about how it's so much cheaper. Moving half way across the world, to find that you cannot afford to stay, could set you back years, financially, and even make moving back to Britain an expense you cannot endure. I think your spot on.....however.....I do beleive there has been many posts that have raised this point before (most ignore them by the looks of it as people seem to overlook negatives) I think the big ticket items are cheap......hose, car and large electronics.....which will be your major initial expenditure. So for anyone coming with a bit of cash.....they will have a head start for sure. However...normal cost of living....its the same or more if you take account of local earnings. Utilities may be cheaper....but you end up paying more as you are likely to have a large home. Grocery......we spend no less here than in the UK Petrol....as already explained above...yes cheaper but look at the engine sizes and the distances you travel so that equals out! However.....quality of life....as the Mastercard Commercial says "PRICELESS" :) Rgds Mans |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
The production of some goods in Canada such as eggs, chicken, turkey, milk, cheese and some other goods is controlled through "marketing boards" that fix prices very high (perfectly legal) to support the producers.
About marketing boards: "In Canada marketing boards are used widely because it serves as a safe guard to guarantee an equal marginal profit for all farmers. The government sets regulations on quotas, imports, supply, and taxes.... Economically marketing boards focus solely on producers without much thought to consumers.... marketing boards support farmers by raising the prices paid by consumers.... in the early 1990’s prices of chicken, turkey and milk in Canada were higher than U.S. prices by 50% or more. The U.S. receives subsidies from the government to support their payments, rather than through the higher prices that occur under Canadian marketing boards." http://www.bignerds.com/print.php?eid=210 |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Originally Posted by TrishB
And chicken costs lots!!
Some things are dear, others are not. Thats life. I generally agree with most of whats written here. I have a fairly decent job, paying in the mid $60s, and we live OK without having to send my wife to work. I would not want to live here on less though, and our mortgage/taxes are only $800 a month. There have been enough "cost of living" threads that none of this should come as a surprise to anyone who wanted to know it in advance though I think. "Same shit, shinier bucket" |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Originally Posted by iaink
On the other hand grilling steak can be pretty cheap. The board thing is a bit crazy though...farmers are sometimes paid NOT to produce milk due to the quota system!
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Re: Misconception on cost of living
Back in the UK we ate a lot of chicken.....here we eat more Beef as its cheaper. Grocery costs here are horrendous I think. I've harped on about this before, about the fact I have to spend nearly $3 to get a small pack of 6 Fromage Frais for the boys. I still haven't got used to coming away from the Supermarket $50 lighter and only carrying 1 or 2 bags.! Cheese is ridiculously priced................oh, I could go on, but aside from the grocery costs and also utility costs, I think most other things are reasonable.
Petrol is cheap, but not as cheap as it was. Clothes about the same, unless you go to Walmart or Canadian Superstore and the like for the cheap and cheerful ranges. Dental charges are OK for us as we only pay 20% off the costs as the rest is covered under hubs company plan. We are not better off here yet in terms of cash in our pockets........BUT, thats mainly because I don't work here at the mo, BUT in terms of quality of life, then YES, most definately. Husbands basic allows us to get by each month, then his Commission gives us that extra spending money that my Part-time job in the UK used to............so we come out abou the same really. |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
The reason I mention this is that I was at a function recently, and speaking to a Brit who'd just arrived. He was going through the usual tired old banter about how wonderful it is here, and how everthing was so much cheaper than 'the UK', and of course so much better. This is not the case. This does seem to be what people expect and having just arrived, they see the most obvious savings (e.g. petrol). But when you've been to the dentist a couple of times, and some utility bills start hitting the doormat, it does make me wonder how the hell Canadians afford to live here, let alone people who've emigrated from Britain. What concerns me is that there's very few posts raising this issue. |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Yes I agree with everything you say. I have to shop all over the place just to get good deals. In the UK I wouldn't even look at the prices before throwing the stuff in the trolley!
Petrol is pricey here compared to when I first arrived when it was 67cents. Running a car for me and dh is more expensive. The only thing I find cheaper is eating out and kids activities. My husband has a very good salary but it is still half what it was in the UK. Our mortgage is horrific so we don't get out as much as I would like. My advise is to come over here and enjoy it for what it has to offer, don't get a massive mortgage and just get out there and live the outdoors. That's what I would do if I started over! I'm now considering taking my own advise, selling my 'mansion' :D and renting for a year before going back to the UK with a nice amount of equity in my pocket
Originally Posted by g_is_for_canada
Having been in BC coming up for a year, I have to say that one thing I was not prepared for is the cost of living. There are lots of posts on this forum saying that salaries are lower here, and cost of living is much lower, so your standard of living is overall better. This is certainly not my experience.
General overheads are very costly, and I fail to see how some people manage to make ends meet on the salaries quoted on this site. Don't be under any illusion that you can survive on half the salary you'd get in Britain, for example. Not in BC - it's not going to happen. The reality is that most jobs pay far lower than Britain, many at approximately half the rate. The reason I mention this is that I was at a function recently, and speaking to a Brit who'd just arrived. He was going through the usual tired old banter about how wonderful it is here, and how everthing was so much cheaper than 'the UK', and of course so much better. This is not the case. This does seem to be what people expect and having just arrived, they see the most obvious savings (e.g. petrol). But when you've been to the dentist a couple of times, and some utility bills start hitting the doormat, it does make me wonder how the hell Canadians afford to live here, let alone people who've emigrated from Britain. What concerns me is that there's very few posts raising this issue. Probably because by the time people realise this, they're working their nuts off so damned hard to pay the bills, they don't have time to discuss on here. Many people regard this forum as fairly objective and I'd like to warn anyone who thinks this, to more thoroughly investigate the cost of living, and avert your ears to sweeping generalisations about how it's so much cheaper. Moving half way across the world, to find that you cannot afford to stay, could set you back years, financially, and even make moving back to Britain an expense you cannot endure. |
Re: Misconception on cost of living
Originally Posted by pinkpanther
I'm now considering taking my own advise, selling my 'mansion' :D and renting for a year before going back to the UK with a nice amount of equity in my pocket
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