Tell us what it is like to live in Canada:
Prices of goods, food, utilities,?
Rents what the rent of a three bedroom house, two bedroom, one bedroom,?
Rents for apartments.?
What is the best place to live for convenience, i.e., shopping, medical, safety, etc.?
Is the medical that bad that we hear people coming here for surgery's?
Is the East Coast better or the West Coast or in between.
Is it similar in living, neighborly, etc.
Please we want to hear what it is like to live there. Since there are some of us ready to jump ship. (not this one of course)
Canadians on this forum
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Sean_in_Montreal
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As for the individual rental fees for the various parts of the country , just do a simple search for the newspapers of the major Canadian cities. Most have web sites with a classified ads section. For example, http://www.montrealgazette.com
In general the west coast is more expensive to live than the east coast. Montreal is probably the least expensive major Canadian city to live in, Vancouver would be the most expensive.
Taxes are higher here, yes, but keep in mind that Canada is a socialist country, with a lot of social programs that have to be funded. Medicare would be about the most noticeable. Here if you have a medical crisis you won't have to sell off all your assets but you may die while waiting for treatment. But that's rare.
Cost of living is generally higher but then so the basic salary( minimum wage).
Gas, heating oil is more expensive here. Speaking of heating Canada is COLD! with the exception of coastal British Columbia, if you can put up with all the rain there. We have lots of electricity and water, and its cheap.
There is not much difference between our two major federal political parties. The Liberals and the Conservatives. We like our politicians middle of the road, generally.
We have less crime. Living in a city in Canada is much the same as living in a city in the U.S. Essentialy no friendlier, or nastier. Keep in mind if you want to work in Quebec you need to speak french. In the other Provinces you don't need this skill.
If you're thinking of coming to live in Canada just about the fastest way to get in is by applying for a work permit. It helps if you are a professional or have a degree. Takes six to twelve months for that. you don't need to have a job lined up but it helps. This way you can check out the country before you decide to apply for immigrant status.
Before you go running to the Canadian Embassy--Americans don't qualify for refugee statis. If you really wan't to immigrate you will have to apply through the normal channels.
I hope this helps.
In general the west coast is more expensive to live than the east coast. Montreal is probably the least expensive major Canadian city to live in, Vancouver would be the most expensive.
Taxes are higher here, yes, but keep in mind that Canada is a socialist country, with a lot of social programs that have to be funded. Medicare would be about the most noticeable. Here if you have a medical crisis you won't have to sell off all your assets but you may die while waiting for treatment. But that's rare.
Cost of living is generally higher but then so the basic salary( minimum wage).
Gas, heating oil is more expensive here. Speaking of heating Canada is COLD! with the exception of coastal British Columbia, if you can put up with all the rain there. We have lots of electricity and water, and its cheap.
There is not much difference between our two major federal political parties. The Liberals and the Conservatives. We like our politicians middle of the road, generally.
We have less crime. Living in a city in Canada is much the same as living in a city in the U.S. Essentialy no friendlier, or nastier. Keep in mind if you want to work in Quebec you need to speak french. In the other Provinces you don't need this skill.
If you're thinking of coming to live in Canada just about the fastest way to get in is by applying for a work permit. It helps if you are a professional or have a degree. Takes six to twelve months for that. you don't need to have a job lined up but it helps. This way you can check out the country before you decide to apply for immigrant status.
Before you go running to the Canadian Embassy--Americans don't qualify for refugee statis. If you really wan't to immigrate you will have to apply through the normal channels.
I hope this helps.
"I believe in keeping an open mind, but not so open that my brains spill out."(unknown)
I live in central Alberta. The winters are a bit to long and Jan is a cold, bitter month when the eastern winds come across the prairies. Chinooks are always a welcome sight in the winter. Hockey is the religeon here (although you wouldn't know it right now) and all else is second.
The Alberta economy is driven by two factors, farming and oil/gas. All the major oil players have shops here and in some cases several shops around the province. Calgary is referred to as Dallas north. All the major box stores have outlets here as well and always seem busy. Personally I don't shop in them opting for the smaller locally owned shops. Just about everyone drinks beer to some degree.
I think the pricing of most goods is comparable to American prices once you factor in the exchange rates. These prices may vary depending what province your in. Cities like Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal may be higher but wages may be higher there to offset thngs. I own my house so I don't know about rents except I see in the papers that vacancy rates are very low right now in my area. Bedroom communities are growing as people are opting to live a few miles outside the city for cheaper houses and lower taxes. I don't know if this trend continues in other parts of the country. The housing industry continues to boom here as the cities are buying up farmland to build more subdivisions. Urban sprawl is a reality here.
Utilitiy pricing is always on the rise, especially natural gas and heating oil. Fuel at the pump rises and falls and always a bone of contention for the public at large. I think American pump prices are catching up to ours. I've seen higher pump prices in Europe and Australia compared to ours.
Living for convenience is not a problem in Alberta cities. Everything you need is close by and in no shortage, especially bars/pubs heh.
The medical remains a sticky point and even though we have health care people can get quicker services south of the border depending on what those services are...MRI etc. Personally I've never had a problem seeing a doctor and getting what I need in short order with Alberta Health Care covering most of the costs.
We have higher tax rates than America but the government does give out a lot of subsidies and finance social programs. We also have a lot of crown land in Alberta which means any citizen can access it. The hunters/fishermen take advantage of this. Some crown land is leased to oil companies for drilling purposes.
If I had to choose I'd live on the west coast (Vancouver/Victoria) for the weather (I don't mind rain) but the maritimes are equally as lovely scenic wise and people wise.
The provinces inbewteen the coasts vary. Google can help out there.
Canada's military continues to downsize and far removed from the heady days of WWII when we were a force to reckon with. Nowadays we send in peacekeepers while having small forces deployed in various parts of the world. As far as I know the military will continue to downsize as the years roll on. I don't know what we'd do without our American friends watching out for us.
We have all the technological ammenities of any country. Canada is "plugged" in.
The government has a tendancy to stick its collective nose into everything and then pass a law about it. I think Canada has too many laws and politicians for its own good.
There is a fracture between eastern and western Canada and this has been pontificated for decades.
Canada has a big backyard and something like 80 percent of the population lives within 200 miles of the 49th. California has a bigger population than Canada. It's been said Canadians are a quiet, apathetic people and I suppose it's true. We don't seem to get very excited about much and watch the world with quiet eyes. Canada is a very easy country to immigrate to...our slogan is "We take anyone!"
If you travel to any small Canadian town there are three things your certain to see...
A chinese cafe
A catholic church
A curling/hockey rink
Hopefully others will pipe in with their provinces. Alberta is just one part of a bigger picture.
I've never seen a bear but I know they're there...watching and waiting...
The Alberta economy is driven by two factors, farming and oil/gas. All the major oil players have shops here and in some cases several shops around the province. Calgary is referred to as Dallas north. All the major box stores have outlets here as well and always seem busy. Personally I don't shop in them opting for the smaller locally owned shops. Just about everyone drinks beer to some degree.
I think the pricing of most goods is comparable to American prices once you factor in the exchange rates. These prices may vary depending what province your in. Cities like Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal may be higher but wages may be higher there to offset thngs. I own my house so I don't know about rents except I see in the papers that vacancy rates are very low right now in my area. Bedroom communities are growing as people are opting to live a few miles outside the city for cheaper houses and lower taxes. I don't know if this trend continues in other parts of the country. The housing industry continues to boom here as the cities are buying up farmland to build more subdivisions. Urban sprawl is a reality here.
Utilitiy pricing is always on the rise, especially natural gas and heating oil. Fuel at the pump rises and falls and always a bone of contention for the public at large. I think American pump prices are catching up to ours. I've seen higher pump prices in Europe and Australia compared to ours.
Living for convenience is not a problem in Alberta cities. Everything you need is close by and in no shortage, especially bars/pubs heh.
The medical remains a sticky point and even though we have health care people can get quicker services south of the border depending on what those services are...MRI etc. Personally I've never had a problem seeing a doctor and getting what I need in short order with Alberta Health Care covering most of the costs.
We have higher tax rates than America but the government does give out a lot of subsidies and finance social programs. We also have a lot of crown land in Alberta which means any citizen can access it. The hunters/fishermen take advantage of this. Some crown land is leased to oil companies for drilling purposes.
If I had to choose I'd live on the west coast (Vancouver/Victoria) for the weather (I don't mind rain) but the maritimes are equally as lovely scenic wise and people wise.
The provinces inbewteen the coasts vary. Google can help out there.
Canada's military continues to downsize and far removed from the heady days of WWII when we were a force to reckon with. Nowadays we send in peacekeepers while having small forces deployed in various parts of the world. As far as I know the military will continue to downsize as the years roll on. I don't know what we'd do without our American friends watching out for us.
We have all the technological ammenities of any country. Canada is "plugged" in.
The government has a tendancy to stick its collective nose into everything and then pass a law about it. I think Canada has too many laws and politicians for its own good.
There is a fracture between eastern and western Canada and this has been pontificated for decades.
Canada has a big backyard and something like 80 percent of the population lives within 200 miles of the 49th. California has a bigger population than Canada. It's been said Canadians are a quiet, apathetic people and I suppose it's true. We don't seem to get very excited about much and watch the world with quiet eyes. Canada is a very easy country to immigrate to...our slogan is "We take anyone!"
If you travel to any small Canadian town there are three things your certain to see...
A chinese cafe
A catholic church
A curling/hockey rink
Hopefully others will pipe in with their provinces. Alberta is just one part of a bigger picture.
I've never seen a bear but I know they're there...watching and waiting...
Last edited by Lakesider on 11-06-2004 07:50 PM, edited 1 time in total.
Yes, electrical blankets are essential in Canada.
Some more Canadian facts:
- We all keep winter igloos. They're like cottages made of snow. Come October, families gather to carve their igloos and spend most weekends refining them until the summer thaw.
- Our dog sleds are second to none.
- Gay marriage is encouraged, and everyone is required to smoke marijuana at least once a week, unless they have asthma.
- Canada has two national airlines: WestJet and Jetsgo. There is also something called Air Canada, but no one seems to fly with them.
- Most Hollywood films are actually filmed in Canada. ALL superhero films are filmed in Canada.
- We gave you Celine Dion. WE DON'T WANT HER BACK! It was a gift to you in honour of NAFTA.
- Canadians did so bad in the summer Olympics because the Grecian bud was not to their liking, but they did like being in the ancestral home of gay marriage.
- Celebrities are not celebrated in Canada the way they are in United States, UNLESS said celebrities are hockey players.
- Canada's spiritual leader is Don Cherry. Read his scriptures. Memorize them. You will be welcomed here when you understand his words.
- Canada has three major political parties. The Conservatives (or whatever they are called this week) are equivalent to your Democratic party. The Liberals are kind of like whatever it is Nader is trying to do, just a bit more organized and prone to scandal. The NDP are like what New York and Boston would like to have as government. The equivalent to the Republicans in Canada are called "right wing nutbars" and are eventually charged with hate crimes.
Canada extends our deepest sympathies over recent events in the United States and promises to refrain from issuing official statements about hate crimes against foreign leaders (although we cannot control all statements being issued by our Ministers of Parliament).
Some more Canadian facts:
- We all keep winter igloos. They're like cottages made of snow. Come October, families gather to carve their igloos and spend most weekends refining them until the summer thaw.
- Our dog sleds are second to none.
- Gay marriage is encouraged, and everyone is required to smoke marijuana at least once a week, unless they have asthma.
- Canada has two national airlines: WestJet and Jetsgo. There is also something called Air Canada, but no one seems to fly with them.
- Most Hollywood films are actually filmed in Canada. ALL superhero films are filmed in Canada.
- We gave you Celine Dion. WE DON'T WANT HER BACK! It was a gift to you in honour of NAFTA.
- Canadians did so bad in the summer Olympics because the Grecian bud was not to their liking, but they did like being in the ancestral home of gay marriage.
- Celebrities are not celebrated in Canada the way they are in United States, UNLESS said celebrities are hockey players.
- Canada's spiritual leader is Don Cherry. Read his scriptures. Memorize them. You will be welcomed here when you understand his words.
- Canada has three major political parties. The Conservatives (or whatever they are called this week) are equivalent to your Democratic party. The Liberals are kind of like whatever it is Nader is trying to do, just a bit more organized and prone to scandal. The NDP are like what New York and Boston would like to have as government. The equivalent to the Republicans in Canada are called "right wing nutbars" and are eventually charged with hate crimes.
Canada extends our deepest sympathies over recent events in the United States and promises to refrain from issuing official statements about hate crimes against foreign leaders (although we cannot control all statements being issued by our Ministers of Parliament).
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Devastated
- Moderator - Hammock Expert
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- Joined: 12-29-2002 03:00 AM
Devastated wrote: Come south!:D
Okay I'm game.
Medical?
Housing expenses
Government abuse?
Disease?
Water?
Sewage in streets?
boil water for dishes? (Durango)
Well these are things I've heard. What's it really like because it is just getting too expensive to survive on a fixed income in this Country!
So Cananda info and now Mexico info.......please.
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Devastated
- Moderator - Hammock Expert
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- Joined: 12-29-2002 03:00 AM
Well, it depends.
Where I live we're being Santa Fe'd to death, with every other doorway (colonial) housing a spa and facials, and the ones in between with fancy teas and real estate agents.
Pick your weather. Warm on the coasts (where I lived for a few years), seasons (sort of) in the mountains (where I live).
Pick your rent, from a hundred bucks (u furnish) to thousands (including domestic employees, tennis courts, pools).
Jobs, you better be very good at what you do and be sure that a Mexican can't do it better, or you won't be able to work down here.
Advantages: Many. Less mania-driven consumerism is the number one advantage for me, and always has been. Nice, hardworking people, everything within walking distance, from exotic marketplaces to mom and pop stores. One of the best bus systems in the whole world.
Disadvantages: mananaland. Some folks get frustrated when they can't have what they think they want now.
I've been down here since '77. Live on $600 a month, have 4 dogs and a VW bug. Just barely enough to get by.
Good food. Bring a Brita pitcher for municipal water.
Where I live we're being Santa Fe'd to death, with every other doorway (colonial) housing a spa and facials, and the ones in between with fancy teas and real estate agents.
Pick your weather. Warm on the coasts (where I lived for a few years), seasons (sort of) in the mountains (where I live).
Pick your rent, from a hundred bucks (u furnish) to thousands (including domestic employees, tennis courts, pools).
Jobs, you better be very good at what you do and be sure that a Mexican can't do it better, or you won't be able to work down here.
Advantages: Many. Less mania-driven consumerism is the number one advantage for me, and always has been. Nice, hardworking people, everything within walking distance, from exotic marketplaces to mom and pop stores. One of the best bus systems in the whole world.
Disadvantages: mananaland. Some folks get frustrated when they can't have what they think they want now.
I've been down here since '77. Live on $600 a month, have 4 dogs and a VW bug. Just barely enough to get by.
Good food. Bring a Brita pitcher for municipal water.
You don't have to believe everything that you think...
Canada vs Mexico~
I could actually deal with Australia for a LONG vacation..but alas..it's too expensive to get me there..and that whole "Neely is afraid to fly" thing..presents a pickle. I know I am a "pirate" but Sailing to Australia on a 25 foot boat...doesn't sound all that SAFE:)
Okay and Dobler!! I spit my coffee out
I could actually deal with Australia for a LONG vacation..but alas..it's too expensive to get me there..and that whole "Neely is afraid to fly" thing..presents a pickle. I know I am a "pirate" but Sailing to Australia on a 25 foot boat...doesn't sound all that SAFE:)
Okay and Dobler!! I spit my coffee out
~Good times, but I have Asthma;)Gay marriage is encouraged, and everyone is required to smoke marijuana at least once a week, unless they have asthma.
Hot diggity Dog!!:DWe all keep winter igloos. They're like cottages made of snow. Come October, families gather to carve their igloos and spend most weekends refining them until the summer thaw.
Wiggle your big toe.
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CindyLouWho
- Pirate
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Devastated
- Moderator - Hammock Expert
- Posts: 4943
- Joined: 12-29-2002 03:00 AM
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Devastated
- Moderator - Hammock Expert
- Posts: 4943
- Joined: 12-29-2002 03:00 AM