Hi all,

Im negotiating a transfer to Calgary with my work right now and was looking for a bit of help building a budget so I know what sort of salary ill need to aim for. Im 24 with no partner or kids. Hopefully some of you can set me straight on a few things:

1) Would property tax normally be included in the figure I paid for apartment rental? Other things I imagine would be included are Heat, electricity, water and condo fees? Does that sound right?

2) Healthcare? I've read a few posts about living costs where 'Alberta health' has been quoted as a cost. My work have already stated that any offer would be inclusive of health and dental care, would I still need to pay for Alberta health?

Thats about it for now. If there's anything else you think someone in my position should be considering please let me know.

Thanks
Stuart

Heat and electric may be separate to some degree. Depends on the building.

It's only a small amount of money and will not apply in 2009 as I understand it.

You might want to get a car for those trips to the mountains. Do you have your own ski/snowboard equipment?

Thanks Baz,

Im definately planning on getting a car though I think my best bet is to get myself a cheap little run around for the first year until Im better placed to work out how much I can afford to shell out a month on a car.

I was hoping to pick up a set of second hands ski's either in the UK or upon arrival in Calgary.

Is there a big difference in rental costs downtown compared to living in an apartment further out of town?

Don't waste your hard earned cash. Better choice, cheaper, no shipping costs, over here.

R.

Property taxes and condo fees normally would be included in the rent. Heat, electricity and water may or may not be included. Usually the advertisement states which utilities, if any, are included.

When an employer provides you with supplementary medical / dental insurance, that supplementary insurance covers costs that are not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). Usually employees have to pay AHCIP premiums themselves. However, the employer may offer to deduct the premiums from your salary, and pay them to the government on your behalf. But, as another poster has pointed out, that won't last for long. AHCIP premiums will disappear as of January 1st, 2009.

There are several articles that probably will be of interest to you in the Alberta Lifestyle and Moving Logistics-Canada sections of the BE Wiki.

Yes, there can be a difference between rental rates close to downtown and rental rates further out. But proximity to downtown is not the only factor. Rentals also vary according to the condition of the building, the size of the apartment, the other amenities that are included (parking for example), proximity to the C-Train line, etc.

Hope that helps.
x

You'll probably have to pay extra for parking; secured underground in a modern condo building will probably be somewhere between $50-$100. Second hand cars are apparently quite a bit more expensive in Canada than the UK. They just don't seem to depreciate as much. If living downtown you might want to consider just renting at the weekends and for shopping trips, until you know what you're doing.

Hi Stuart,

As you are moving to Alberta from outside of Canada, you will be covered by Alberta Health as soon as you land, but will need to register by completing the application for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Coverage. You can then post the application in, or take it downtown to the Alberta Health and Wellness Office (which is a quicker way to get your healthcare number)

Alberta Health will cover your hospital care, but none of the following:
Cosmetic surgery;
Experimental procedures;
Transportation costs – contact your health region about exceptions;
Medical advice by telephone;
Medical-legal services;
Anesthetic charges for services not covered by the AHCIP;
Hospital charges not covered by the plan, e.g. private room;
Routine eye exams for residents ages 19–64 years of age;
Routine dental care, dentures and eyeglasses;
Hearing aids, medical and surgical appliances/supplies;
Clinical psychologist services;
Prescription drugs;
Third-party medical services (e.g. for employment, insurance or sports purposes; and for driver’s licenses for individuals under the age of 74.5 years);
Immunizations – contact your health region about exceptions;
Services provided by an acupuncturist, licensed massage therapist, midwife, homeopath, social worker or nutritionist.

Many of these things are covered by private healthcare (wich will cover a percentage of the costs). Many full time employers have company private healthcare schemes.

The cost for Alberta Health is $44 per month for single coverage, and $88 per month for family cover.

Hope this helps...good luck, Eddie & julie

Thanks for the heads up folks...

Is there any particular area's of Calgary a 24 year old guy would enjoy living in. Downtown would be ideal but a decent 1 bedroom seems to come in about 1500-1800 unfurnished, is there somewhere with a good C-Train link further out that might save me a shilling?

Kensington

I recently rented a 12th Floor one bedroom apartement with unground parking for $1700. The apartement is on 5th Ave (J/W 9th st) so is in Downtown. The apartment was great but only 700 sq ft (small)

In the Northwest (with access to the C train and closer to the mountains) you could get a two bedroom 2 bath for the same money.

It will really come down to are you a downtown sort of guy or a suburb man and you know yourself better than we do.

If you look at the areas on the northwest route of the C Train you will find some good areas for young people, particularly around the SAIT and University areas.

Helen,

Did that 1700 cover heat, elec, water, property tax and condo fees? Was that unfurnished and if so did you buy or rent furniture?

If I can afford it id prefer to live downtown but that really depends on what my work comes up with rate wise!!

As a rough guide take your UK salary in pounds and double it to get $s - do not work for anything less.

i pay that for a 2 bed, 2 bath 1000 square foot condo, downtown, with all bills except electricity included. i have underground heated parking. im on the 12th floor in one of the best condo buildings in the city.

we have all the amenities, air con etc etc. a huge balcony on two sides. great views. large rooms with walk in wardrobes, en suites etc...
so you can get a lot for your money, plus its nice having no bills, (our electric is about $50 a month on average!)
definitely buy your ski gear here. much cheaper and better stuff..

That's not realistic for a lot of jobs. I had to take a 40% pay cut, Mrs Bazzz was similar. Although we were moving from London.