samb29

Hi

I am looking for some info on family incomes for those living in Calgary.

We are a family of 4 (kids 6 & 3), live in one of Scotland's cities. 1 of us works FT and the other PT, we use full time child care twice a week. Our current UK joint income is £50k and we manage on that pretty well, bills are paid, kids activities are paid, holiday abroad once a year, I would say we didn't want for anything. House is worth about $300-310k and hold about 50% equity in that. Cars would be paid outright in Canada so no loan, and we would arrive debt free.

I am just wondering what a comparable income would be in Calgary, I have a potential job offer which I expect to be $65-70k ( I am a citizen). Online calculator and having a google suggests $85k would be a similar income to our £50k.

I had originally had in my head that $100k would be more likely. Would going with a rule of thumb of x 1.75 be a approx guide?

Thanks

samb29

neilcumming

What line of work are you in ,in Scotland?

samb29

Hi, I am a qualified Paralegal

neilcumming

Im a truck driver and I get about $65,000 so I would think you can earn more than that because with 2 young children and wife at home looking after them you will need to be earning more.Are you thinking of buying a house with profit from house in Scotland?

Aviator

Why compare? It is what it is, changes with the FX and is pretty meaningless really. 20 years ago, £50000 was $120000 CAD, now it is $80000 to $85000. Total cost of living minus income (in Canada) is the measure. Whatever it is in the UK matters not if you are in Canada. If this is a deciding factor in immigration, maybe immigration is not such a good idea?

samb29

Almost Canadian

I would be amazed if a paralegal could command a salary of $70,000 in Calgary at the moment.

I wasn't able to earn that until I became an articling student and, even then, I was earning more than most 1st year associates in large downtown firms simply because of my prior legal experience.

If you have already received such an offer, I would accept it with both hands as soon as possible as there are lots of lawyers that would love to find such a position in the current economic climate in Calgary.

neilcumming

I think with $90K to $100K you be will ok.My wife and I rent a small apt. as we do not want a mortgage,we dont have any dependants ,my son is 28,my wife works part time and we can save money for holidays etc.I owned a house in Winnipeg and the mortgage wasnt a problem ,it was the other bills I struggled with,the property tax,insurances,cable TV,telephone,heating,you need to heat your home all winter especially in Winnipeg and water is metered.So may I suggest if you are thinking of buying a house,start off with a small house ,I know can be difficult with 2 children,then when you are earning more income get a bigger place.
What made you think of moving to Calgary?

samb29

We would be looking to rent first but to buy 3/4 bed house at $400-500k. We looked at Toronto and Vancouver being the original first choice but were soon shot down on house prices, Calgary was more favorable for the housing market. Calgary was also where I received a lot of job interest so it seemed a good a choice as any to consecrate on.

I would say it is also going to be more comparable to our cost of living in the UK.

christmasoompa

According to the Jobbank salary data, $26.00ph is the average for a paralegal in Calgary. Assuming a 40 hour week, that's around $54k annually. So OP got to say I agree with AC, if you've been offered $70k then grab it!

samb29

Most roles I have had interest in have been around $60-65k. It is only a potential offer and not concluded but the $60k is comparable with my UK salary (although its 35hrs a week).

If no job offer comes then we wouldn't make the move, and $65k would really be the min amount I could consider to make the move even manageable

neilcumming

You can get a newly built 3 bedroom house for less than $500K, around $300K,I have seen new townhouses 3 bed with 2 car garage advertised at $200K + in NW.
Calgary is a nice city, clean,lots to do now the snow has gone!

Photoplex

Care to share any examples? You can barely get a 40 year old 3bd townhouse for that money in the NW.

samb29

We were looking NW but the prices were $400-500k for a 4 bed decent sizes house