As mentioned Im applying for the Edmonton police service and they have a starting salary of $66,000 . Is that any good for Alberta?? and more importantly can anyone give me a very vague break down of monthly costs??(say average rent,utilities,etc)

I know this is a tall order, please bear with me ,im trying to type with aching arms from doing dips(any other EPS applicants will understand)and my young lady is debating the whole process with me.
(sick of me obsessing in the gym mainly, and we've a six year old and another bun in the oven)- because of this we're having one of those will it be better to move or to stay conversations



Help please folks

well I don't know about Alberta but here in Ontario I am on $35k and we manage, just, and we are a family of four (although we have bought our house outright so saving a lot there). Also you have to factor in the reduced tax in Alberta and you might well be ok. I wish I was on $66k

The other thing to consider is the life style etc. for us that counted for a lot so i think it was worth a 50% drop in wages, hell I took a huge paycut

$66k in Edmonton should do you ok.

We know people surviving on a lot less in Calgary and they have BIG mortgages to service

$66,000 per year should be alright. You're not going to live like a king but you'll do ok.

I can't speak for rent or mortgage payments as I no longer have either but here are few figures based on a home built in 1972 (so not up to todays insulation and vapor barrier standards)located in Calgary. Others will have to perhaps give you some idea as to rent or mortgage costs and groceries.

Our telephone local and long distance averages $40 per month, keeping in mind we make very few long distance calls.

Cell phone Virgin "pay as you go" used very little. $5 per month.

Cable package includes high speed internet, all cable channels including digital movie channels, plus one subscription channel (BBC Canada). $101.25 includes GST.

Electricity this includes water and sewer in Calgary. $117 a month equalised payments.

Natural gas for furnace, hot water and cooking $155 a month equalised payments.

Our property taxes $169 per month for an average sized four level split 34 year old home in an average NW Calgary neighborhood.

Banking charge $12.95 per month supposed cover all services, we've been with the same bank and branch for 32 years and to be honest we to lazy to change. I understand you can get better rates elsewhere, i.e. Presidents Choice Banking (through Real Canadian Superstore).

Cheers
Steve

I've been away for a year now, but $66K is pretty good. Housing prices have increase dramatically but still a bargain in UK terms. Expect to spend $1300k-$1500 in mortgage per month if you choose to buy and heavily dependant to where you live.

I have no idea what an EPS thing is but dip DOMS are a killer in that 'god it hurts! I'm going to die! damn I love it!' sort of way, eh? Sympathies though.

$66k sounds good to me. I earned $50k when I worked full-time here 6 years ago and I have a Engineeirng Degree with a lot of Managerial experience. If I was still working f/t I'd expect to be on around $60k to $80k. A friend of mine with no degree but some accounting experience landed a job as a School business advisor for the salary you mention. Lots of people fare better or fare worse, its very mixed here and doesn't seem to bear as much relation to the skill/experience mix as it does in the UK but more to luck (or what you settle for) from what I notice. The company I work for p/t never give pay rises to anyone so I have been on $30/hr for about 3 years but it seems like a pretty sweet deal to me as I work p/t, hours to suit me. I know of another lady who works p/t for $30/hr as an Admin assistant. So its sort of the luck of the draw and $66k would be something I'd be pleased about myself. One thing you might want to negotiate before you start (if you can) is extra holiday. Really stick your neck out for that if you can, its like gold dust here.

Anyways to come back to the question....My husband and I (sounds very regal doesn't it ?!) bring in about $75k between us and we live in a suburban bungalow in Edm with a $160k mortgage ($1k/month) and we run 2 cars. We don't have TV but otherwise we have all the other bills that are the norm round here.

I have done a great job of my taxes this year, even if I say so myself, so I can give you a helping hand with some idea of finances if you like...

I recommend you get a Mortgage with Presidents Choice because they give you a great deal (you have to bargain for the best rate and ask them to waive some of the fees) and a load of points to spend in Superstore. We got a new TV and DVD out of our mortgage app. with them and still have points left over to spend on a digital camera. Also set up your Bank account and get a credit card from them (all free). You get PC points every time you use the card which means you can get free groceries. Roughly speaking I think if you spend $2k on your credit card you will get $20 off your groceries that month. So over time this can stack up. Besides Banks like the TD suck (mainly your money out of your pocket).

Also we locked in our utilities so that we had a fixed rate because gas and electric is going up so much. Not sure if you can still do this tho...? Our total utilities for the year last year were just under $2k.

If you are going to work for the Police you probably only need 1 car right ? Car Insurance is expensive here, we pay $1244 p.a. for my husband's car (Golf GTi) and $870 for mine (92 Golf). My husband sells VWs so we got a good deal and anyone in Edm who wants one let us know and he'll do the same for you !

Not sure what else you need to know but ask me and I will help if I can. We live near the Police Stn in the West end here, if you live close-by you can walk to work and this area is very pleasant with entirely affordable housing and good schools and good bus services for your wife to get about and close to Save-On foods where she will discover that the 1st Tuesday of every month is Bargain-time !! 15% off day ! I tell ya I never was into all this 'get a deal' stuff til I came to AB, they love it here !! anything you want to buy negotiate.....I don't get it but thats the way it is here, you haggle and then brag about your shrewd deal later and everyone thinks you're marvelous....er hem sorry, cynicism slipping out there....AB is a great place for many !!
If you move to the West End let me know and I can be more specific about areas to avoid and places to go etc.

Squidlet