Posted on: 06-07-10 21:44:52
I understand that some members are keen to know the cost of living in Alberta.
As far as my experience goes, the following is my opinion.
Everybody thinks that Alberta is gas rich and jobs are everywhere and pay is more. In reality, you are paid well only if you work in oil & gas industry and others get the basic pay like $10-12/hr.
Cost of living (rents and real estate prices) is too much in Edmonton and Calgary. My friend, his wife and son all work together and at the end of the month he is left with only $100 in his bank account and he repents now for purchasing a home two years back.
Auto insurance finally kills the person and very high with monthly premiums of around $250 and I don't want to mention about the premiums if you have a bad driving record/accident history. I understand that in provinces like Saskachewan charge around $50 per month, irrespective of your driving record. So no PST in this province makes no sense to me.
Driving license is to be renewed every year, if you have diabetis, for example. For this, you have to pay physician's fee and Registry fee every year. Now-a-days who is not having diabetes. Believe it or not, I am paying $150 fee to my family physician to get medicals done and this has to be done every year to renew your license. I understand that in Ontario, driving license has to be renewed once in 5 years, even though you are diabetic. Of course, it might be the same with other provinces too with 5 year renewal period.
Food is expensive, if you want to go to a Restaurant for dinner with family and same applies to groceries, clothing etc. I understand that clothes are cheap in Toronto in wear houses of many companies. Otherwise, one can cross border and go to US for shopping. Alberta is not connected well to US to travel by car and you have to take only flight for travelling to US, which you can not do frequently, unless you are on office trips.
I heard that University education is cheap in other provinces like BC compared to Alberta, as one of my friend told me that he could have finished his Pharmacy degree from BC at 1/3 cost compared to Alberta.
Doctors and Canadian medical system is not better than other provinces. I heard horrible stories all over Canada about medical system. In my experience, here doctors don't have time to hear what you say and they always push you fast and in less than 5 minutes you will be out of the clinic. I understand doctors are paid here per patient basis and they are interested in the number/quantiy but not quality. Even for prescription refill, you have to visit the doctor in person and they don't send it to Pharmacist by fax. Even today, I call my family doctor in India for any medical advice.
Atleast if weather is good, I can forget about other things. But it is not. We have very harsh and chilly windy winters for atleast 8 months/year.
Inspite of all, why am I still in Alberta?. I already moved twice with family and I can not do it anymore and I have no choice.
If you have high paying descent job offer in your hand, then Alberta can be your destination. Otherwise, absolutely not.
Friends, this is my personal experience with Alberta.
Yes. I agree fully. Alberta is not cheap place . It is far worst in comparision to Ontario for weather, cost of living etc. etc. However, everybody has different thinking.
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Driller the thriller
Quote:
Originally posted by smart desi
I understand that some members are keen to know the cost of living in Alberta.
As far as my experience goes, the following is my opinion.
Everybody thinks that Alberta is gas rich and jobs are everywhere and pay is more. In reality, you are paid well only if you work in oil & gas industry and others get the basic pay like $10-12/hr.
Cost of living (rents and real estate prices) is too much in Edmonton and Calgary. My friend, his wife and son all work together and at the end of the month he is left with only $100 in his bank account and he repents now for purchasing a home two years back.Atleast if weather is good, I can forget about other things. But it is not. We have very harsh and chilly windy winters for atleast 8 months/year.Inspite of all, why am I still in Alberta?. I already moved twice with family and I can not do it anymore and I have no choice.
If you have high paying descent job offer in your hand, then Alberta can be your destination. Otherwise, absolutely not.
Friends, this is my personal experience with Alberta.
thanks for the alert on Alberta. A bit surprised to see real estate so expensive. Have heard some things but this is definitely an eye opener. 8 months of chill is way too much i thought it was something like 4.
Staying put is good as moving becomes too much after a while.
If you have high paying descent job offer in your hand, then Alberta can be your destination. Otherwise, absolutely not.
When you say 'high paying', what range are you talking about? I just want to get an idea
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In Alberta if you hav trade like Electrician , Instrument Mechanic , Welder , Fitter and journeyman ticket you can make good money. Decent hourly pay and lot of overtime. For others all the Canada same . Here Alberta driving license can be renew in five years up to you get senior status and for new driver Insurance start from $150 to upwards.Summer is only for few months here.
Please get a journeyman ticket and move to Alberta
In my openion, it is true that trade ppl can earn good money (with Journeyman ticket and experience) specailly in Fot McMurry. Engineers can also make good money (with P.Eng.). But now in the current economy, jobs are harder to find (including engineering jobs) it may change with the higher oil and gas prices. The flip side is expensive real estate (avg. single family home ~$465k in Calgary), harsh and long winters.
All in all, Alberta is not a bad place to live if you can find a decent job and can put up with long and harsh weather.
