Cost of Living in Canada

[FoolsRwe]

Hi there

I'm currently living in South Africa and want to immigrate to Canada, I'm still researching a few things and have some questions that i'd like to have answered, i can't google it all. i'll ask more questions later.

1. If a person gets about 2500 cad $ what would the taxes be?
2. Would a person be able to live on the remaining money comfortably?(i saw apartments for rent close to toronto for about 650 not sure if it's us or cad &
3. How much does one need for Groceries(food and stuff, It's only me, 24yo male)
4. What does a movie ticket cost? and a decent dinner at a restaurant?

Thanks In advance for the replies

[SDuncan]

Toronto is an expensive city to live in. According to some recent study is the second most expensive city in North America -right after New York.

$2500 is per month is $30 000 a year so the taxes will roughly be 20%.

You can probably rent for $650 a small bachelor apartment or basement but it widely depends on the location. You need $300 for groceries per month or more. A movie ticket is $12 if I am not mistaken - I haven't been to the movies in 2 months... A beer in a pub is $6.00 and a dinner is $10 -$20 bucks. (before taxes and tips)
Hope this helps, if you have more questions, feel free to ask.

[FoolsRwe]

Thanks alot SDuncan

So it seems that after taxes a person would get about $2000 and that a person would be able to live comfortably with that kind of money.

I have seen apartments for $650, and have read from numerous persons that groceries would be about $300, so according to this my basic living expenses would be about $1000 - $1200(includes rent and groceries maybe gas etc)
Cable tv and internet for a expensive(fast internet and many tv channels) package would be about $150. Monthly train/bus ticket would be about $90(many zones)

If you could just verify this i'd appreciate it.

and in your opinion is the remaining $2000 enough to live on?

Just to explain where i get this amount, I am Living In south africa and want to immigrate to Canada as an apprentice(in carpentry) I have checked the average prices for a lvl1 apprentice and the average minimum would add up to about $2500 for a 40 hour week.

I have to sell everything i own to get to canada and it's still not enough money and would have to get a loan, and need to know if it is worth it(eg. would i live comfortably or suffer?After the first year it would seem to go easier)

Do you have any idea where i can get prices on groceries in a list for of some kind?

I'd also like your opinion on this apprenticeship program.

Many Thanks for all the help and info

Kevin

[Tsveta]

I have seen apartments for $650, and have read from numerous persons that groceries would be about $300, so according to this my basic living expenses would be about $1000 - $1200(includes rent and groceries maybe gas etc)
Cable TV and internet for a expensive(fast internet and many tv channels) package would be about $150. Monthly train/bus ticket would be about $90(many zones)



You are close. High Speed internet is $50 per month and cable with many channels is $80+ Check http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal (http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal)for more details.
For the TTC (public transportation in Toronto) check http://www3.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Prices/index.jspA metropass for 1 month is $109 and includes subway, bus and streetcar
For groceries prices you may check the weekly flyer at http://www.shopnofrills.ca/ontario/4374.aspx
No-Frills is the least expensive grocery store in Toronto. You may also check http://www.grocerygateway.com/ where you can purchase groceries online but it will be more expensive.


It all depends on where you live. If you are planning to move in Toronto you need to know that along with Vancouver it is the most expensive city in Canada.