Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
May 16th 2017, 5:31 pm
#61
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
I read that as the "whopping" $36k was just one, with the mortgage, running the car etc taken care of so the additional $14k would take care of the others.
It all takes me back. Me, wife and two teens from 2005.
Highest net income (incl child ben) one year $21k, between $14k and $15k for most of the other years.
Mortgage free but allowing for the housing costs paid by us but not by tenants and the higher electricity costs from a detached house rather than apartment building, another $2400 is all it would have taken to transplant our situation into a rented one. And there'd have been the saving with no house upkeep.
Less than $18k would have seen the four of us okay (renting) up to around 2012 when things began to get better with the eldest leaving school and getting a job.
It all takes me back. Me, wife and two teens from 2005.
Highest net income (incl child ben) one year $21k, between $14k and $15k for most of the other years.
Mortgage free but allowing for the housing costs paid by us but not by tenants and the higher electricity costs from a detached house rather than apartment building, another $2400 is all it would have taken to transplant our situation into a rented one. And there'd have been the saving with no house upkeep.
Less than $18k would have seen the four of us okay (renting) up to around 2012 when things began to get better with the eldest leaving school and getting a job.
May 16th 2017, 6:01 pm
#62
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
In Canada I need a car to buy a pint of milk, distances are huge in Canada, especially if its -20 C in the winter with a wind chill factor of -36 C. This in Ontario by Lake Ontario where the winters are not so severe. We have three cars because each member of the family needs transport.
You need to forget UK mentality and start thinking like a Canadian. I thought like you in UK, having been in Canada for over two decades you adjust to the differences.
May 16th 2017, 6:20 pm
#63
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
In the Uk I can walk to the shops and the doctor and walk to the city center. Public transport is good in the UK.
In Canada I need a car to buy a pint of milk, distances are huge in Canada, especially if its -20 C in the winter with a wind chill factor of -36 C. This in Ontario by Lake Ontario where the winters are not so severe. We have three cars because each member of the family needs transport.
In Canada I need a car to buy a pint of milk, distances are huge in Canada, especially if its -20 C in the winter with a wind chill factor of -36 C. This in Ontario by Lake Ontario where the winters are not so severe. We have three cars because each member of the family needs transport.
I think that's the last thing any of us needs. Heaven forfend!
May 16th 2017, 6:30 pm
#64
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
Yeah it's a rough estimate of our take home pay. We both work part time so don't have a set amount amount of hours a week
Last edited by confused_uk; May 16th 2017 at 6:37 pm.
May 16th 2017, 7:16 pm
#65
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
The middle/lower range stuff is fine with us, thats all we have back here in the UK. we are not expecting to move and live like kings, if anything we are well expecting to find things very hard to begin with and hopefully get easier over time.
May 16th 2017, 7:21 pm
#66
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
It does, of course, depend where one is living.
I never drove in the UK, lived 25 minutes walk from Bristol City centre, plenty of local shops, got everywhere on foot, bus or bicycle. Five minutes walk from train station, not far from airport. Just 'single' me.
Almost identical situation here - except it's not Bristol
Oh...and I became part of a two plus two family 
Pretty good bus service, but it needs to be taxi back home for groceries. But it's not far.
For a family you really need the car to make the most of things but we've done pretty good for the essentials.
Oh yes we will definitely have a car, just more than likely not 2 of them to begin with. If we have to live closer to the city to make this more feasible we are prepared to do that.
May 16th 2017, 7:21 pm
#67
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
The problem here is there isn't a lot of choice so there's no competition driving down prices. Ikea is coming to Halifax this year so that will be a massive bonus when looking for cheaper stuff.
May 16th 2017, 7:24 pm
#69
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
Costs of kids activities and equipment for those activities too can be really expensive.
Yes Bristol, it does depend a lot, but I think the public transport in the Hubbard's region of NS is about as good as it is here, which is rubbish if so.
The one time I did take a taxi into Charlottetown the bl**dy thing broke down a fair way from anywhere and I spent the next two hours comforting a sobbing taxi driver by the side of the road on the state of her marriage and her life. I remember thinking I'd been transported into a country music video. I then had to hitchhike the rest of the way. It was a surreal day
Yes Bristol, it does depend a lot, but I think the public transport in the Hubbard's region of NS is about as good as it is here, which is rubbish if so.
The one time I did take a taxi into Charlottetown the bl**dy thing broke down a fair way from anywhere and I spent the next two hours comforting a sobbing taxi driver by the side of the road on the state of her marriage and her life. I remember thinking I'd been transported into a country music video. I then had to hitchhike the rest of the way. It was a surreal day
if public transport makes living out in the sticks more difficult with only one car we are prepared to live closer to Halifax.
May 16th 2017, 7:25 pm
#71
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
Someone starting out in new country on a limited budget should not be considering any sort of rural property. Rent a place near work or near the bus station for the first year so as to have the possibility of living without any car and a good chance of living without two. Ideally rent an apartment so as not to have to worry about heating and electric bills.
After a few months, when it's clear how far apart everything is, how much money there is, and how much one wants to drive in the winter, a better informed choice of property and location can be made.
After a few months, when it's clear how far apart everything is, how much money there is, and how much one wants to drive in the winter, a better informed choice of property and location can be made.
May 16th 2017, 7:26 pm
#72
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
A friend of ours when we lived in Finland said that you can make any move work, it just depends on what, and how much, you're prepared to sacrifice. For us we weren't prepared for our son to have to sacrifice anything, or for his quality of life to suffer.
Still, I've bought some beautiful and pristine antique furniture from thrift stores and yard sales for less than $10 per piece, and we have a great collection now. There are some real bargains to be had, when you know where to look
May 16th 2017, 7:30 pm
#73
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
You will have to live in, not near, Halifax to get public transport.
I agree with different ways of thinking too, when we lived in the UK I used to think a long sweeping driveway and house set back from the road was ideal, now I just think "hullo my old nemesis"
I agree with different ways of thinking too, when we lived in the UK I used to think a long sweeping driveway and house set back from the road was ideal, now I just think "hullo my old nemesis"
May 16th 2017, 7:31 pm
#74
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
It is good advice. I can't speak to the cost of living in Nova Scotia but I do have a good laugh when I read similar threads about how much you need to live in Vancouver. It is helpful to remember that a "comfortable" living standard to most people means earning a little bit more than they currently do. If you are used to living on $40k a year then $50k is riches beyond compare. If you are used to living on $60k then $50k is abject poverty.
You do need to be realistic though. If your motivation in emigrating is to own a big house, a fully loaded **** off big truck and all the gas powered toys you can fit in a double garage, you will likely struggle. If your motivation is more of an adventure, and you are prepared for a bit of make do and mend while you settle in, it is a very different prospect.
None of us know what you consider an acceptable material standard of living so none of us can say if $x pa or $y pa is doable for you and your family.
BTW, rental prices are mostly inclusive of property tax. This is usually the landlord's responsibility. It is worth confirming that before signing a rental agreement.
BBTW I agree that if you are considering one car living it is much, much easier if your home is close to transit.
You do need to be realistic though. If your motivation in emigrating is to own a big house, a fully loaded **** off big truck and all the gas powered toys you can fit in a double garage, you will likely struggle. If your motivation is more of an adventure, and you are prepared for a bit of make do and mend while you settle in, it is a very different prospect.
None of us know what you consider an acceptable material standard of living so none of us can say if $x pa or $y pa is doable for you and your family.
BTW, rental prices are mostly inclusive of property tax. This is usually the landlord's responsibility. It is worth confirming that before signing a rental agreement.
BBTW I agree that if you are considering one car living it is much, much easier if your home is close to transit.
we are really just after an adventure and a change from the UK.
I will make sure i check that before signing any rental agreement, thanks
May 16th 2017, 7:37 pm
#75
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Re: Moving to NS is 50,000k salary enough?
We had a pretty big house from the start, it was however an abandoned, urban legends creepy style hole of a place - but it had potential and good (if rather deeply buried) bones as they say. We've renovated it ourselves and its a world different now - Wisteria Lane and not Elm Street as one of our friends said!
We bought it extremely cheaply (less than $20 k), so if you are able/prepared to put the work in there are bargains to be had, and that would, potentially, help to reduce your living costs.
We bought it extremely cheaply (less than $20 k), so if you are able/prepared to put the work in there are bargains to be had, and that would, potentially, help to reduce your living costs.