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this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2023
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Depends on where in canada you are going. It's a huge place. Each province ia very different from the others
Here is some general information that applies almost everywhere: Food: expensive. Almost all the grocery stores are owned by only 3 companies, so they dont really compete to have good prices Telecom: Almost all the internet/mobile providers are owned by only 3 companies, so they dont really compete to have good prices Health care: is really bad everywhere. Hospitals are all over capacity. People have problems finding a family doctor
Despite all the above problems, it's overall a good place to live
If you can be more specific about where you are moving to, it would help. I'm sure we can give you some good things to lool forward to instead of all the negative stuff above
Welcome!
Thanks for the response. I've heard about the negatives that you're talking about, as those seem to be all over internet. To be honest it does scare me a bit. I'm not sure on where I'd like to go. I'd love to go somewhere like Vancouver or Toronto, so my Chinese wife can have easier time in the foreign country, but the prices do scare me. I'd be happy to hear any recommendations. Thanks again
Avoid those two cities.
For a Chinese wife, the west coast is going to be better due to a higher Asian population. More exposure tends to mean better acceptance.
Somewhere on Vancouver island that's not in or near Victoria may work. Consider Nanaimo, Courtenay, Campbell River, or smaller places like Port Alberni or Ladysmith maybe. They're not cheap, but they're still cheaper than the two big cities and there are still many normal jobs depending on your skills.
Good luck and welcome to Canada.
I will definitely look into those places. Thanks!
Calgary is worth looking at. We have a rather large Chinese population (not as big as Vancouver obviously) and fairly large Ukrainian population as well. Cost of living is going up here but wages are good and jobs are available. What is your trade / education in?
I majored in Chinese/English translation. Had Chinese-English, English-Chinese translation job for a few years, a few gigs here and there translating and interpreting between Chinese, English, Ukrainian and Russian. Currently teaching ESL/EFL... I feel like I'm all over the place without a proper career path
The thing with Vancouver and Toronto is that everyone wants to live there for some reason so it's super expensive.
Personally, I'd rather live in a smaller town where I can afford a better quality of life for a smaller cost.
Does your wife speak English?
I gree with you, but my wife's English isn't great. She can get by, but I think she might have problems finding a job.
Yea, that's not an easy choice to make for sure.
Thing is... Toronto is expensive enough that living on a dual income in Toronto might actually be worse off than a single salary in a cheaper city.
Rent in Toronto is on average 43% higher than Calgary, 64% higher than Montréal, 125% more expensive than Gatineau or Québec city, 190% more than Sherbrooke.
Vancouver is even worse.
Not all places are fun or even interesting, and your own job options will be vastly different in different cities too, so it's much more complicated than just those numbers.
There's also way more to this than just the money.
Yours and your wife's social circle, professional opportunities, or simply just doing something fulfilling is certainly important.
All I'm saying is if you can work half as much between the two of you for a similar standard of living, that's also something to think about.
If you have to work 3-4 jobs between the two of you, would you even have the time or energy to enjoy anything Vancouver or Toronto has to offer?
I don't wanna be a party pooper here, my own bias is showing, and plenty of people do make it in more expensive places too, so it's not like it's impossible. I just think they're way over-rated for the price.
Whatever you choose, good luck and safe travels.