Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Me and my husband have had a chance to visit and stay in Vancouver for shrort durations in the past. This was because my husband had opportunities to work onshore/onsite in Vancouver. Ever since, Vancouver became our dream city and we loved every aspect of our stay! Having said that - there was nothing to dislike - job was already arranged, accomodation would be provided by the office, so there was no stress what so ever!

The situation is different now however! Now we are looking forward to settle down in Vancouver and uderstand that things are not easy to get around in terms of finding a job and managing finances! What scares me is that we already have an Australian PR and gave up on a good paying job opportunity to be able to move to Canada! We don't mind the sturggle (we dont have Canadian PR, so it's going to be a long wait!)... but I just hope that this doesn't prove to be a devastating decision!

Came across a few blogs about Vancouver and people souneded really frustrated and kind of regereted the decision of moving to Vancouver- mainly because of the difficulty in finding a job! Is the job market really so cramped and hopeless?? This scares me to death... On an average, how would you rate the chances of getting a decent job (which would pay you enough to supprort average living)? Irrespective of the field, can one hope of finding an open/odd job just to start with? Also, if I have a PhD offer with CAD 21K annual stipend, is that enough to support living in Vancouver or I would have to pay extra from my pocket? M talking about an average lifestyle - nothing fancy!!

Thanks...

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

No way could you survive in Vancouver on $21k, or anywhere I would think, for that if you have rent or a mortgage to pay.

No way for anyone to tell you the chances you have of getting a job, first off you would have to get a work permit. Probably getting a minimum wage job somewhere is quite possible.

I came to Can with a couple of job offers, good income and found it quite easy, others have had different experiences. Which camp you fit into, only time will tell.

If you have AUS PR and nothing for Canada, it would be a no brainer for me.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

I don't know anyone who wants to work that cannot find a job. However, there are certainly people who are under-employed - people working for less money, in a more junior position, or in a different role than they want or feel is suitable for them. This is pretty much the immigrant experience. A good rule of thumb is that it will take an average of five years to get your career and finances back on track.

Vancouver is not a very corporate city and, unless you are in resource extraction of some sort, there are a limited number of some types of career positions. You don't say what sort of jobs you are looking for so it is difficult to offer any more than generalized advice.

A recent survey concluded that in BC (across the province, not just in Vancouver) a family of 2 adults and 2 kids would need a gross annual family income of $80,000 to live a reasonable lifestyle. A few years ago a similar survey concluded than a similar family would need $100,000 a year if they wanted to get on the housing ladder in Vancouver.

A lot will depend on your housing costs but if you can't find subsidized housing of some sort a $21k stipend will be really bare bones living.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

+1

I fail to see why the OP want's to take such a risk.

Why not come over for an extended holiday for a few months and go back to where you have PR and a job?

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Its designed for young adults who live with their parents not for a grown up. :rofl:

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Plenty of people do live off that and sometimes less, and still manage to pay rent and have a life.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Thats tough here in NS with cheap housing, I cant imagine what it would be like in Vancouver

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

True. But the OP mentions a husband. However she doesn't mention what he does, if he has a job lined up, or anything at all really.

I've had mature graduate students from all over the place who've managed on a stipend, but most, no all, had support from family one way or the other.

Perhaps there was one (from Somalia) who didn't. He was rubbish though.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Cannot imagine how in Vancouver, or even suburbs for that matter. Rent has to be at least $1000 a month, $12000, utilities & insurance $150 a month $1800, groceries, $600 a month, $7200, so far $21000. Not much left for transport, clothing and social.

There is always Yahk or Spuzzum, rents are low there.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

As someone who never had more than $21k here for a family of four - albeit mortgage free (but still insurance, property tax and water) - this naturally interests me.

I see kijiji has rooms there for $400 (ore even less) with all utilities (including internet) included.

No idea where located - although skytrain gets several mentions - but they don't sound like slums. They sound like normal flat-shares.

Of course, they don't compare to executive style living but it would seem manageable from $1500 a month. Even for two.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

That's all well and good. But a PhD student has to pay Graduate Tuition Fees from their stipend. About $7500 per year at for example UBC. (International Student). OTOH, a Stipend is not taxable.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

The OP wants an 'average' lifestyle and a room and $1750 a month might not offer what they are looking for. $21000 a year in Vancouver is not average. The may also be tax to pay on the stipend, they should investigate whether it is taxable or not http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/provost-r...75R4-E6191.pdf

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

I was just addressing the general issue of people living on $21k gross or less as suggested by Jsmth321 and that would be about $1500 a month after the usual tax allowances.

For people who do that it IS a normal or average lifestyle. :)

Isn't that amount minimum wage-ish even in BC?

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Yeah, they're called the "working poor". Or in this case, the student poor. It's fine. We've done it to survive, living off my 10 dollar an hour job. But it's very much living on legumes, shopping at Salvation army, can't afford to go away etc, and we would have ended up going gradually into debt (we also had a kid though).

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

I doubt this is an average lifestyle for Vancouver though. Minimum wage, two earners would likely survive. Minimum wage, one earner in Vancouver, will be very tough and just about survival.

'Normal' is what you are used to. Average is more the majority, which in Vancouver is not $21k pa.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

And it's obviously not considered 'average' in Vancouver cos we got lots of tax breaks when we were poor. Because we were poor.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

I can't imagine that my daughter in Vancouver made $21,000/yr as a part time receptionist, part time server in a bakery, part time salesperson in a trinket shop for cruise ships. She survived there, though not in the great style that had been afforded by being a part time bagel bagger in Montreal. That's what people who want education do.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Well quite. But the OP (being foreign like) would be limited to a 10 hour a week job on campus (what, maybe $100/wk?) if she can get one.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

I don't how the environment is in Canada but I'd thought with some tenacity one could unearth a lot more funding sources. Travel grants, data collection and transcription allowances and dissertation awards and scholarships etc.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Ah. I knew a woman who'd been in that postion at Western. She finished her PhD but, my, position was the word.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

:)

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Yes, you can. but you can't guarantee those things in advance.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

I lived on $22k for 2 years in Vancouver - had to live in Surrey, near the Skytrain station since I could afford rent but could not afford a vehicle. It's doable but it's not much fun at all, you don't have enough money for any luxurious purchases, just rent, food and bills. Once I gained the invaluable "Canadian experience" on my resume I was able to make more money - though still not as much as I would like yet to live comfortably and save for the future.

I think the issue isn't just that it's a tough city to get a job in, but also that the attitude of employers/HR is basically zero respect for candidates:
* they never post the salary or tell you the salary until the very end of the process - potentially wasting everyone's time.
* I have gone to interviews where the person interviewing me looks at my resume for the first time at the interview and realises I'm not suitable.
* I have received emails that have asked me for a time to schedule an interview, only for them to reply a week later telling me they have chosen other candidates and there won't be an interview.
* A lot of established tech companies that make multiple millions a year like to talk about themselves like they are "startups" so they can make their employees work long hours in cheap offices.

It's rather infuriating since I know that not only in other Canadian cities but even just across the border in Seattle everything is much more open and honest.

So yeah, Vancouver's job market is not fun to navigate, it's very competitive and it can take a lot of time to land a job that pays well and treats it's employees properly.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

None of has a permanent job lined up as of now. My husband has a TWP and we will be visiting Vancouver for 6 months. He is in IT/AS 400, I am into biomedical research (completed MS Biotechnology from USA).

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Thanks for your reply... M into biomedical research - looking for research jobs, also okay with accepting any open/odd jobs to start off in Vancouver! I have completed my MS in Biotechnology from USA and have 3 years experience...my Husband is into IT/AS 400/ Business Analyst..
What could be considered as an average pay to live in Vancouver?

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

True... I am talking about PhD stipend - it's non-taxable and for the program I am interested in (at UBC), certain amount of fee is waived off for international students and they pay fees as per domestic students when accepted for PhD (around 3500 per year)!

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Average is a relative term in that it depends where in Vancouver you would like to live?, will you want a car, will you use public transport, do you want to go out otr happy to stay in and watch netflix. Will you want to rent house or an apartment and what size. How much experience does your husband have, as you say he is a business analyst but is a junior in the postion or management etc?

There are a lot of variables you see

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Yes, that's certainly true of my place (in ON), but I wasn't sure about UBC.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

Pretty much the same in Toronto.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

I pay 450 a month all utilities included in Vancouver across the street from the PNE for a bachelor suite.

I live cheaply though, and don't like to go out and spend money unless I have to.

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

I don't understand this.

I was referred to a senior manager in an office by their manager. I emailed, called, followed up - no response. What is with that?! Isnt it just basic manners?

Re: Vancouver - Dream or Nightmare??
 

It's an appalling place to be looking for work. Candidates are considered desperate and at the mercy of the recruiter. They don't have the spine to be honest with you; no acknowledgement of your application, after an interview no feedback or explanation unless they want to take it further. It's a disgusting practice really.

Everyone seems to get jobs because they know someone, so the ones advertised are often problem jobs. It's an incredibly insular place and completely contrary to its reputation. I for one am glad I left, although geographically the place is amazing and I really miss that.