Being able to go to Canada is often a unique opportunity, whether it is for a vacation, a long stay or to live here for good. The culture, language, access to employment, quality of education, standard of living, make the country the ideal place for many. However, to live well here requires knowledge and good management of daily expenses. And this, even before preparing the necessary papers to get there. The cost of living in Canada and the way daily life works are somewhat unique.
Living well in canada: preparing for the cost of living
Living well in Canada is no big deal. All you have to do is plan all the expenses up front and prepare for the cost of living in this country. If you have a fairly tight budget, it's best to choose to live in the country or away from the big cities. It also depends on the type of stay you want. Whether you want to work, study or live here, knowing the cost of living in Canada will surely help you in your choice and preparation.
It is when you arrive in Canada that the expenses will be the highest, but that is normal. The installation, the subscription to all the offers related to communication, furniture or even adequate clothing require additional expenses that you should plan for upon arrival. Thereafter, you will only be left with the monthly fixed charges and a few miscellaneous expenses.
Cost of living in canada: daily expenses
The standard of living in Canada is not the same. It all depends on the city where you want to live. Life is more expensive in Vancouver and Toronto, for example. For a single person, monthly expenses can be as high as €2,500. In Montreal, it is €1800 per month. Moncton is one of the cheapest, since you will only need to spend between €1000 and €1500 per month.
One of the reasons why Canada is attracting more and more visitors and immigrants is because the cost of living in Canada seems cheaper. Food, cars, fuel, energy, restaurants, outings, recreation are more accessible. However, it is necessary to check the rates carefully, as everything is posted tax-free. Therefore, you have to add 10 to 15% of the total cost to get the real value of a good or service.
On average, a one-way bus trip is worth $2.25 CAN. For a local call, the minimum charge is $0.25 CAN. For recreation, a movie ticket costs between $11.5 and $13 CDN. For a dinner at a restaurant, you should plan on spending $10 to $25 CAN per person.
Housing and health: major expenses
Before settling in Canada, it is essential to have housing and to plan for health-related expenses. Rents also depend on the city and the neighbourhood. They are cheaper in areas far from major cities. So the closer you get to the big cities, the more expensive the housing will be. Toronto and Vancouver are among the most expensive cities in terms of rent.
The minimum rent for a studio apartment is $600 CDN, or €450 per month. For a three-room apartment, it is between €500 and €1,000. In a residential area, the rent is much higher. You have to plan between 700 € and 1800 €. If you plan to move to Canada, you will have to take into account the expenses associated with the city where you want to live. The best thing is to go where you can enjoy life properly. It is also possible to live in a shared apartment. For this option, you will need to prepare the modest sum of 150 € per month. You will certainly find the accommodation that suits your needs and your budget.
It is necessary to take out private insurance on arrival, or at least 5 days later. The cost of a private insurance is 650 € per year. If, on the other hand, you are a permanent resident, you will be able to benefit from a health insurance.
Other expenses to be expected
The cost of living in Canada is adaptable to all needs, and depends mostly on the length of the visit. To live well in Canada, it is necessary to plan for all possible expenses. In addition to basic expenses, you will also need to consider such things as work permits, car insurance, income taxes and other personal needs.
The fee for a work permit application is €110. For Quebec City, there is a special certificate to validate any work permit application. The Certificat d'acceptation du Québec or CAQ is obtained with the sum of 80 €.
An all-risk car insurance is expensive in Canada. Indeed, it costs $1500 CAN per year, since each vehicle must take out third-party insurance. This cost can vary according to the age of the vehicle and the owner's behaviour on the road.
Normally, income tax is deducted directly by the employer from the payroll. All persons residing in Canada must pay it, by contacting the Canada Revenue Agency directly.