Things to consider when moving to Vancouver
The American experience with the subprime mortgage and the financial disaster that followed had many Americans thinking of moving elsewhere, perhaps in a place a lot more laidback but a lot less expensive in cost of living, healthcare, and taxes. If, in all of Canada you contemplate of moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, because of its stunning natural beauty and higher-than-average quality of life, here are a few things to consider first – apart from the standard three-month preparation prior – before applying for that immigrant visa:
Employment: Unless your employer has already sponsored your relocation, you may want to make sure you have enough cash stashed for the rainy days. British Columbia has 8.8% unemployment rate as of April 2011, higher than the average Canadian rate of 7.8%. You cannot get a tourist visa, look for a place to stay, find work, and apply for permanent residence in British Columbia. Either you already have work waiting for you, or brace for a job hunting spree before your emergency fund runs out. Vancouver is not for young professionals wanting to pile up their savings, and it is also not for professionals mid-career seeking advancement.
Minimum Hourly Wage: Unless you start from scratch and build a location-independent career, the minimum wage per hour in Vancouver is about CAN $9.
Taxes: Prepare to extol the virtue of being a faithful tax-paying citizen. Taxes are the second-highest household expenses as of 2009-2010, as much as 23% of the annual income. For this fiscal year, federal taxes can be as low as 15% on the first $41,544 of taxable income, or as high as 29% for taxable income over $128,800.
Provincial income taxes can be as high as 14.7% for taxable income over $100,787. The harmonized sales tax is 12%.
Cost of Living: There is a reason why Vancouver is not suitable for people in between careers – housing and real estate can be very expensive. Housing alone takes up almost 25% of household expenses; coupled with 23% of taxes, the family will be left with only about 50% for the rest of its needs. Transportation eats up an additional 15%, while food eats up 12%. Personal insurance payments, pension contributions and health care take up about 10% of the annual income.
Climate: Vancouver has a moderate oceanic climate, which means moderate drought conditions in July and August. The rest of the year however is another story. Extreme temperatures are quite the norm, because it does rain most of the time, especially between October and March. So if you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), you may want to think twice about putting down your roots in this part of British Columbia, and seriously consider a place along coastal B.C. instead.
Crime Rate: Vancouver has been dubbed by its public safety minister as “Gangcouver.” As of 2010, there were 118 cases of homicide, 9,154 cases of serious assault, 4,952 cases of robbery, and 74,208 cases of total violent crime.
Culture: About 40% of people living in Vancouver were born outside of Canada, so expect to brush elbows with people from all colors, creed and cuisine. Tolerance is a fundamental virtue, and this extends to religion and sexual orientation. Despite this loose cultural characteristic, Vancouver is not ideal for young people seeking to party. Instead, it is a perfect place to raise children and start a family if you can afford it. In place of nightlife, get ready with your running shoes or hiking gear, as Vancouver’s residents are more of outdoor fanatics than party people.
To get assistance with Moving, Please contact:
VanCity Moving
1511 East 3rd, Vancouver, BC V5N 1G8
Phone: (604) 221-6683
Processing your request, Please wait....
