Some advice on living in Canada, please?

[TransAm]

After some advice - I'm English and I currently live/work in Texas (which is great other than it's a bit too far from home - timezones and the flight is like 10 hours) and I am thinking of applying for a job within my company which is based in Ontario, Canada. I'm nto sure which city but I think the zip code is 91761 although I'll no doubt be corrected if I'm wrong.

Yes I know the weather will be somewhat different to Texas but other than that I don't know too much about Canada. I was hoping some of the JW readership that have visited or lived there could give me your opinions?

Thanks!

[coombsie66]

Im afraid i dont know squat about living in canada, but didnt u say in another thread that you used to live in somerset?! And went to wellington school?
Cus i used to go to Taunton School! Small World!

[TransAm]

Im afraid i dont know squat about living in canada, but didnt u say in another thread that you used to live in somerset?! And went to wellington school?
Cus i used to go to Taunton School! Small World!

Hello Coombsie, shame about the rain delaying your pool project...Yep that's right! It is a small world. If you read one of my other posts (top 5 dislikes) you'd see that I think UK wages are crap...and I'm on the continent here already (albeit a thousand or so miles from Canada!) so I am thinking of applying for a job in Canada. I also speak very good French, and have family in Canada, which all helps.

[RC45]

Be prepared for HUGE increase in income taxes. You have been enjoying income-tax free Texas until now. :)

[twboy1999]

After some advice - I'm English and I currently live/work in Texas (which is great other than it's a bit too far from home - timezones and the flight is like 10 hours) and I am thinking of applying for a job within my company which is based in Ontario, Canada. I'm nto sure which city but I think the zip code is 91761 although I'll no doubt be corrected if I'm wrong.

Yes I know the weather will be somewhat different to Texas but other than that I don't know too much about Canada. I was hoping some of the JW readership that have visited or lived there could give me your opinions?

Thanks!

i dun think canada zip cose use numbers only.. is combination of number and letters

i suggest u live in toronto.. is pretty good.. other then the cold winter

[TransAm]

Be prepared for HUGE increase in income taxes. You have been enjoying income-tax free Texas until now. :)

Tell me about it! I don't suppose you know what Income Tax rates are in Canada? Roughly?

Can't be worse than the UK - 25% tax up to and including about $50000 a year, 40% tax on everything $50000+, roughly.

[TransAm]

i dun think canada zip cose use numbers only.. is combination of number and letters

i suggest u live in toronto.. is pretty good.. other then the cold winter

Any ideas about average wages for say a finance manager, how much of that you'd lose in Social Security and Income Tax per year, as a %age?

How much is gas per litre or per gallon? What about car insurance on a Trans Am at age 30? Pint of beer? cost of a music CD, pair of Levis, Big Mac Meal? In $CAN or USD? Anything like that will help me weigh it all up!

Thanks in advance.

[T-Bird]

screw Canada you work for Lockheed correct?
If so go work for Boeing instead and move to Chicago!

CD=$14-20
Levis=$20-30
Big Mac Value Meal=$3-5
Gas=Premium-$2.10 gallon(avg)
Insurance might be only slightly higher than Texas due to Winter conditions and alot more rain.
Best Hospitals in the World (some of)

[TransAm]

screw Canada you work for Lockheed correct?
If so go work for Boeing instead and move to Chicago!

CD=$14-20
Levis=$20-30
Big Mac Value Meal=$3-5
Gas=Premium-$2.10 gallon(avg)
Insurance might be only slightly higher than Texas due to Winter conditions and alot more rain.
Best Hospitals in the World (some of)

Almost right, I work @ Lockheed, but for a British company. I can't move to a different job in the US as I am limited (by my Visa) to working in the US in my current role for my current employer only...

It's a lot easier for me to move to a new job in Canada believe it or not!

It seems that the cost of living in Canada is about the same as the US then? That's good. Everywhere's cheaper to live than the UK (well there are some exceptions) :cry:

[T-Bird]

well those prices were for Illinois.
I wouldn't relly on the Health care system in Canada especially. Get your own Health Insurance.

[BADMIHAI]

I wouldn't relly on the Health care system in Canada especially.



What the fuck? Why are you talking out of your ass?

Priced in CDN

CD=$14-20
Levis=$20-30
Big Mac Value Meal=$3-5
Regular Gas $0.75/l.
Premium Gas $ 0.85/l.


I think that if you're interested in money alone, you'll be better off in Texas, as taxes in Canada are bigger (around 40%). On the other hand they say that living standards are higher here. There is way less crime, better air quality, free health care, etc.

[robruf]

Taxes in Canada kill you. After you make over $70,000 per year the rate is 52%, yes, that is right, 52%. But if you are making $100,000+ then your first $69,000 is taxed at one rate and then everything after $70,000 is taxed at the 52% level.

Gas is more expensive in Canada depending on where you live. I am paying $0.90 per liter or $3.60 per gallon so, if we convert that into American dollars, it turns out to be around $2.70 US per gallon. But food is cheaper here, beer is more expensive, but it has alcohol in it, lol. CD's are only $15.00 CDN or about $11.00 USD. I don't know what kind of Levi's cost $30.00, because the new ones that are actually decent are around $160.00 CDN.

Canada has among the best health care system in the world, it is substantially better than the USA because most of all it is free to all citizens, this is where the taxes go. For insurance it isn't that bad, more than likely cmparable to the USA. You have to buy snow tires up here or you will be in the ditch. If you are going to be living in Toronto, beware of the rents as they are very expensive, if you want to live downtown. As well, Toronto has the 4th largest population in North America, hence all the Ferrari's you see.

[TransAm]

Cheers for that! Robruf. Dunno that I'd be much into that 52% bracket and to be honest once you're over 50k you can live more than comfortably...

We'd not want to live in a downtown area, and if house prices are anything like Texas it sounds like a good deal, bearing in mind the alternative option is to go back to the UK - crap wages, $300000 (US) for a modest sized house, and $7 (US) a gallon for gas!

[BADMIHAI]

Toronto has the 4th largest population in North America, hence all the Ferrari's you see.



No, it doesn't. Toronto only has about two million people. That's not even close to the biggest population in North America.

[cavallino]

^^^^actually robruf is right, Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America and there are well more than 2 million people now living in all of the Toronto area.

[T-Bird]

no you can't count the Toronto area as a population Toronto can't be #4 maybe top 10 but not 4.

And to the above statement about Levi's for $160 CDN you got fucked!
I got brand new Levi 502 Red tags and 517 Red tags for $30 each. Hell they are even cheaper in San Fran when I was there.

And you have to admit that the Government Health care isn't very good, atleast that's what the Canadians I know say.

So it doesn't seem that Canada is the best place to live. from what I hear it can be expensive especially the taxes.

[blinkmeat]

The towns that surround Toronto would be your best bet to live more cheaply. West of Toronto is a bit more expensive East b/c more "rich" people tend to live there and commute to Toronto. Moving East however to say (25) Pickering/ Ajax/ Whitby/ Oshawa (40 mins east) you can live more cheaply.

Depends where that Job is I guess. Did you find out where yet? If you give me the city I can suggest to you where I'd live.

[BADMIHAI]

Toronto is #5 in North America BTW. http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/North_American_cities.htm

[blah]

Screw canada come work for Boeing out here in California. Youll love it out here. Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, and the Ocean. Canada is too perfect if ou ask me. With their low crime rates, open doors. I need drama in my daily life. I need breaking and entering and a raped pet in the same crime.

[BADMIHAI]

I need breaking and entering and a raped pet in the same crime.


You need that kind of stuff? What if it's your family that's next on the line, dawg? Why would anyone want high crime rates? :roll:

[nthfinity]

bing that i practically live next to canada... and know people who drive 2 hours to, and from work living in the US... and wages are similar, and can be worth it to wait for the bridge, tunnel etc. .... however, if your visa wouldnt permit that, that would be dificult.
your trans am ws-6 would suffer in the garage (hopefully) until weather permits... but who says snow isnt a blast :)

i wish you luck, and texas is definately one of the cheaper states to live in.

[callen]

i live in the niagara region(niagara falls) if u are to work newhere in the greater toronto area i suggest u live here. it is a further drive (1.5 hrs to downtown but thier are options like the GO train) but u get the most bang for ur buck. u can buy serious houses, 3500 + sq feet on acre lots for under 400,000. want one of those in toronto? ull pay over a million. i live on 25 acres in a 5,000 sq foot house we recently had appraised for a shade under 400,000. this is one of the most scenic areas to live in ontario. alot of history is in the niagara region(in the 19th century niagara on the lake used to be the capital of upper canada!) we fought back u limey bastard americans in this very area as well. so u guys cant say we cant fight! niagara falls is here, the welland canal(which is only good for long waits and traffic jams, o and all the boat traffic to the great lakes heh) neways u get the picture, if u are to live in ontario, its best if u live within 2 hrs of toronto or ottawa, it can get boring and not much in terms of good paying jobs for financial managers.

[T-Bird]

blah I already suggested Boeing since they moved here to Chicago but he said he is limited by his Visa in the US eventhough he could get citizenship.
Where in California is Boeing I only know of their corporate office building(tower) in Chicago and the Big ass assembly facility in Seattle(larger than the SeaTac airport next door)

[nthfinity]

limited by his Visa in the US eventhough he could get citizenship.

it takes quite a bit to achieve a citizenship status... not just filing papers, and there-you-go

[T-Bird]

but the fact that he already lives here and has a stable job, and a home etc... he would have an easier time than most wouldn't you say?

[BADMIHAI]

alot of history is in the niagara region(in the 19th century niagara on the lake used to be the capital of upper canada!)



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[Stikz]

Hey transam, Toronto's a great place to live. The winter's a little rough, but if i can adjust i'm sure it'll be no problem for you. The people here are pretty nice. The city is incredibly multicultural. Good thing or bad thing depending on your point of view. There's tons of stuff to do. Pretty decent sports team except unfortunately no NFL team, but Buffalo is just across the border. Yeah, the taxes suck but like you said, once you're making the big bucks its not that big a deal anyways. Housing is pretty expensive in town, cheaper the further east you move. Going west i think the house prices are actually still pretty high. At least in Georgetown, Oakville, Mississauga and Brampton. Where exactly would you be working? Probably be able to get pretty specific info if you give us a location. Good luck with your decision.

[Kal-EL905]

Hey TransAm2001,

I live in Hamilton, Ontario. It's about an hour drive to Toronto(TO). Many people who work in TO do not live there. It's very expensive and there is no parking unless your building has private parking. There are many smaller cities and towns in and around TO that are much cheaper to live in. Not only that but insurance charges change dramatically depending on which town you choose, but they will almost all be cheaper than TO.

Gas usually floats between 73 cents/litre and 85 cents/litre, expensive but not too bad. I don't find the living cost to be too bad here at all. You can have a modest 3-4 bedroom home for $160,000-$225,000 and up, it all depends on the area in which you choose to live.

I haven't traveled much or done much research on living costs in other countries, but it seems to me that if one thing is cheaper in another country something else is more expensive to make up for it. To be completely honest, I don't think I will ever want to live anywhere else.

Cheers,
Kal-EL

[Stikz]

To be completely honest, I don't think I will ever want to live anywhere else.

Amen to that

[blah]

I need breaking and entering and a raped pet in the same crime.


You need that kind of stuff? What if it's your family that's next on the line, dawg? Why would anyone want high crime rates? :roll:

did you not see the phrase raped pet?

[SFDMALEX]

Let me see.

Insurance in Toronto is sky high! In no way is it comparible to the States. Its a rip off on a major scale. Maybe your US license and status will give you cheaper license. But for me. A new driver first car(shit box) I get quoted about 3100$ a year.

Rent. You can find good deals and bad deals. If you want a 1 bedroom you can find good places very cheap.

Gas. Dont know, dont drive.

Food is cheap. Especialy in ChinaTown :lol:


Wages......it all depends. Canadians get high wages, immigrants get low. No one wants to pay, but considering your field of expertiese I think you'll get payed well. As long as its a serious company ran by Canadians or Americas. My father is an RF Engineer and he worked for two russian ran(bosses being russian) companies which simply dont want to pay :wink:

The public transportation is good.

Everything McDonalds is smaller in size then in America. Our extra large fries are like American small........


The good thing is that there is no violence. You can walk the city at 3am and not get into any trouble.

THe bad thing is that everysecond young guy is high.

Another bad thing is that 50% of people in Toronto dont speak english.

The city is very culturaly diverse. Its good because there are people here from every single country in the world.

[Toronto]

canada is good, you can always go to the doctor for free :D, then again taxes are rather high, but alot of people with "landed" status don't pay income tax (trust me :wink: ),

and eating out at resturants (fast food and sit down) is the same price as it is in the states (but in canadian, so after you do the math it is cheaper in canada)

very sexy ladies :D (more in montreal :D )
if you win the lottery you don't pay taxes on it :D
people talk to other poeple,

Toronto is a very good place to live, very easy city to get around, winters arn't all that bad, yet montreal is cheaper but 60% of the people there are french.

as for houses, if you leave just out side of the city, in york region they can range from 500,000-3,000,000CDN but most with small lot sizes, try and stay above finch and you can find many 4bedroom 2car houses in the 650,000-850,000CDN range

toronto is a very good place to raise kids, lots of places to take them, many people from different parts of the world, you can be grindin at caribana (don't know how to spell it) then walking in a greek food fest the next weekend, wounderland is great for kids and teens, NY is a short drive away (less then 2 depends on how you drive), montreal 6, cottage country 45min-1hour, downtown from anypart of down 30min, unless you are are far east or west (not near the subway then 45min) o ya the subway, it is 3 lines you can't get lost 8)

[TransAm]

Thanks for all your info guys, I'll let you know if I get an interview (I applied for the job)

It's in Toronto by the way, but I'll commute in - I'm a country sorta person really! :wink:

[Stikz]

If you live above Finch, at least 50% of the people are Chinese. Pretty good restaurants up there.