Canadian cost of living

Invisibleman

Well-known member
I see this thread has been active again. Its ironic because obviously im preparing for university and recently ive decided on going to university in Ottawa. Its not my first city of choice, but its the only city in the damn country il be able to afford an apartment, I guess its the cheapest city in the canada. Its f**kin complete bullsh*t.
 

awkwardamanda

Well-known member
Yes-- generally, the further away from the city center you are-- the cheaper the square footage is.

I've always wanted to be much more rural, anyways.

That probably depends on the city. Downtown Winnipeg is kinda shabby. It's not very residential friendly. Even the stores often close for the evening. Unless there's a hockey game or maybe a concert, it's kind of a ghost town except for the lowlifes. You don't really feel safe walking around at night. There are some apartments that are more on the expensive side, but that's not the case in general. There are some holes too. Also true of other neighbourhoods. Houses in the inner city neighbourhoods are often cheaper but they tend to be older and more run down as well as more crime-ridden. Suburban neighbourhoods are generally nicer and more expensive. But, unlike Toronto or Vancouver, you can easily commute downtown or across town everyday if you live in the outskirts, or even outside of city limits. It's much less desirable to live near the city centre.
 

Agent_Violet

Well-known member
my monthly expenses are a lot but not as much as they could be considering i live in a very nice area. and i refuse to have a roommate other than my dog and foster dog.

I'll pay the $1130 for rent over paying $600 a month to rent a place in the ghetto.
 

coyote

Well-known member
my monthly expenses are a lot but not as much as they could be considering i live in a very nice area. and i refuse to have a roommate other than my dog and foster dog.

I'll pay the $1130 for rent over paying $600 a month to rent a place in the ghetto.

yep, it was worth it in chicago to pay $1500 a month 10 years ago for a vintage* walk-up apartment in a decent neighborhood so that i wouldn't have gang-bangers hanging out on the corner and drug addicts breaking in to steal the toaster

*tiny closets, no air/conditioning, slanted floors, etc.
 

Agent_Violet

Well-known member
yep, it was worth it in chicago to pay $1500 a month 10 years ago for a vintage* walk-up apartment in a decent neighborhood so that i wouldn't have gang-bangers hanging out on the corner and drug addicts breaking in to steal the toaster

*tiny closets, no air/conditioning, slanted floors, etc.

can't put a price on feeling safe;)
 

KooKies

Member
I just found these numbers and thought I'd share them!
I'm not so sure how accurate they are though... but I've only ever lived in Ontario.
What does everyone think?



Kinda makes me want to move out of province... but then I'd miss Toronto; even if I never leave my bedroom. haha
Do these numbers seem accurate?

My rent in the city was $875 when I was in college and then the city home we rented was $1550.

Are you taking tax & the average income into consideration as well??

I am in Alberta. Remember we have 5% tax instead of 14% tax such as BC. However, since this is an old post, & Alberta has finally been hit by another Bust, especially in the Mines - well it's a bit tougher here I suppose.

There are TONS of job opportunities (although I hear it will be continuing to slow down) & there is talk (has been for awhile though) that the city in which I live is going to see much deeper blows), depending on where you look. Rent is quite expensive, to have a roommate is on average $750/month. I live in a tiny place in Southern AB & I pay $500 all inclusive. I am lucky, right now, but I don't know for how long. I try not to think about it.

I live very simply too. My living expense is about $1000/month - rent/phone/internet/gym/food. Take off the gym, & lower my food intake & maybe just under $800/month. Walmart & the Dollar store food, meaning no organic or specialty which would make life difficult in other ways for myself. & my cell plan is where I get my net from. It is a great deal, & I wouldn't get rid of it.

& unfortunately due to the money that's been made, & is being kept up, it is becoming more & more expensive to live here. Go out. Buy needed products. Thankfully I taught myself a long time ago, how to be frugal. Still, it's a concern that lingers, with every new design shop & fine diner that is opened in the area I live in. I'm slummin' it considerably compared to the "average" & yet they can only raise minimum wage by $1.50... :eek:h:

Trades are the place to be. Getting into one, can be a little taxing (& I don't mean in terms of $$) I mean it as a women.

That's my little rant. :ironicsmile:
 
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