Cost of living VS job opportunities

[ADJSawyer]

Hi, I’m applying to study at graduate level in Canada. I will be qualifying in The Arts and bringing my husband and our son (preschool age) with me.
One of the courses I’m applying for in in Vancouver but I’m worried that the cost of living is too high and we’d just eat through our savings. My husband does not work in any desirable field so may have to take whatever job he finds.
Would we be safer in Calgary where there is another course for me. Or in Dartmouth NS where there is another. The cost of living is more affordable but would we risk unemployment?
Any advice from people studying and working in these cities?

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi, I’m applying to study at graduate level in Canada. I will be qualifying in The Arts and bringing my husband and our son (preschool age) with me.
One of the courses I’m applying for in in Vancouver but I’m worried that the cost of living is too high and we’d just eat through our savings. My husband does not work in any desirable field so may have to take whatever job he finds.
Would we be safer in Calgary where there is another course for me. Or in Dartmouth NS where there is another. The cost of living is more affordable but would we risk unemployment?
Any advice from people studying and working in these cities?

You have to research the cost of living for each city, and determine what you can afford. You will have to show that you paid tuition and have enough for living expenses for 3 people. Also factor in daycare costs which is very expensive in Canada since you will be in school and if your spouse may be working. SOWP and visitor visa are not guaranteed either.

 

[ADJSawyer]

We’ll have enough. We sold property last year so have around 96k (CAD) in the bank.
It’s less about what we can afford and more about making the best choices based on our preferences. I’ve researched a lot and will continue to do so but I was just looking for peoples opinions who had direct experience with studying or working in these cities.

 

[Naturgrl]

We’ll have enough. We sold property last year so have around 96k (CAD) in the bank.
It’s less about what we can afford and more about making the best choices based on our preferences. I’ve researched a lot and will continue to do so but I was just looking for peoples opinions who had direct experience with studying or working in these cities.

Where do you want to live? budget $1.5-2k per month in daycare costs, $2k (way too low for rent) not including utilities/internet/phone and then food, transportation, insurance etc. Then add tuition for how many years. You may not have much left of that $96k. You can work up to 20 hours a week. You can’t calculate any future income from spouse, because he may not be guaranteed a SOWP. Same with child.

 

[ADJSawyer]

Where do you want to live? budget $1.5-2k per month in daycare costs, $2k (way too low for rent) not including utilities/internet/phone and then food, transportation, insurance etc. Then add tuition for how many years. You may not have much left of that $96k. You can work up to 20 hours a week. You can’t calculate any future income from spouse, because he may not be guaranteed a SOWP. Same with child.

I’ve read that to get approved for a student visa you need to show proof of funds to cover full tuition (my course is 2 years at just under $10k per year) plus living expenses of $10k per year and $4k for first dependant and $3k per additional dependents. If that’s accurate then we’d have enough to be approved a visa on the grounds of having enough money. Or have I misunderstood something?

 

[Naturgrl]

I’ve read that to get approved for a student visa you need to show proof of funds to cover full tuition (my course is 2 years at just under $10k per year) plus living expenses of $10k per year and $4k for first dependant and $3k per additional dependents. If that’s accurate then we’d have enough to be approved a visa on the grounds of having enough money. Or have I misunderstood something?

Never said you wouldn’t be approved with your funds but telling you how much things cost. Canada is expensive.

 

[joey2020sh]

I suggest Vancouver. because of more work opportunity in Vancouver.

 

[orwell46]

By arts do you mean the creative arts? Unless you are gifted in your area then I strongly suggest you take a long hard look at why you would want to stake your savings and uproot your family to come here. Even if I assume that you are eventually planning to qualify for PR after completing your studies here are a few pointers basis my own experience.

Cost of living - even if it is not Vancouver, no destination in Canada can be termed affordable especially if you are currently in Asia/Africa. The 10k+4k+3k estimate for a family of 3 is a joke and is behind by atleast 3-4 years. You would easily need twice that amount unless you are willing to heavily compromise on your standard of living ie live in illegal basements, cut back on basic necessities. Unless you currently live in Australia/western europe, the cost of almost everything will come as a shock to you.

Housing - To say that there is a crisis in affordable housing in Canada is a BIG understatement, especially in Toronto and Vancouver. Expect to pay nothing less than 2.5k per month CAD for a decent ABOVE GROUND condo with utilities etc being extra. But being a new immigrant without a credit history, you will struggle to get even that and will most probably have to shell out several months rent in advance or having to settle for a compromised choice like a basement. You will find that landlords from your own national origin trying to take advantage of your situation.

Jobs - In my experience, the employment situation has been the biggest letdown. Do not believe what you read about the so called abundant job opportunities here, in certain cities, getting even a minimum wage job can be a struggle, especially if you are not so young. (I have been asked my age at a job interview to clean kitchens) Do come by all means if you are a coding whiz, in which case you will be snapped up anywhere in the world. Its true and logically should be that the part time scene is better in Tor/Van but will be offset by the insane rentals. As has been explained already, you will have to factor in steep daycare costs too.

Transportation - Most employers here require you to own a car and a clean Canadian drivers license to even consider you. But guess what, due to chip shortages, the cost of used cars are now sky high and you may have to shell out 10k plus to get one which is not falling apart. Budget for 250-300 CAD/month for insurance and the cost of gas is the highest in BC. Not all areas are served by public transport and I have observed that w/o your own car, your mobility is seriously compromised especially if you have a family.

SCAMS! Yes, I had to mention this separately since I was completely unprepared for this. As you start hunting for acco and jobs, be prepared to be bombarded by calls, texts and emails which will ask you click some shady link or download some crooked app. FB and whatsapp groups promising jobs are teeming with scamsters, so if something looks too good to betrue, it most definitely is.

So to answer your original questions, what could you reasonably expect to spend monthly unless your uni has housing available for students with families?
Rent - 1.5k atleast for 1room+den utilities incl phone plans, internet and med insurance for your spouse 300CAD + food and groceries 800CAD + transportation(insurance+gas) 300CAD Note - this is a frugal budget and most likely will be difficult to achieve in Van/Tor. Try Alberta if you can as housing is cheaper but job prospects are less in comparison. NS - same problem with affordable housing. I have not included childcare which you may need if both of you find work.

My tone has been ominous but I wanted to warn you since you are likely to burn through your savings especially if you struggle to find a job. I do not know of your personal situation and where you come from so despite the possible hardships, Canada may still represent a great possibility for a fresh start and if you are very young, you are likely to take many of these things in your stride. Everything I have said, I have experienced/observed since I have arrived here. Good luck!

 

[yesWeCanada]

I’ve read that to get approved for a student visa you need to show proof of funds to cover full tuition (my course is 2 years at just under $10k per year) plus living expenses of $10k per year and $4k for first dependant and $3k per additional dependents. If that’s accurate then we’d have enough to be approved a visa on the grounds of having enough money. Or have I misunderstood something?

I agree with all the above points from everyone. But I still believe Canada is an opportunity to improve your life especially if you are coming from a third world country. The "relative" freedom to achieve your dreams are higher in Western democracies than our countries. So I suggest you to take the plunge and fight it out, but only after you have thought through the opportunity costs of staying back and not moving to Canada. Because these are just upfront costs for a better future, also we dont want to regret later in life that we did not try.
I am sure you have already calculated that. All the best!!