Working and expenses in the U.S.

[trailmix 77]

So i'm just wondering how you all are finding your work situations and renumeration compare to what you had in Canada. I know there are probably a lot of variables - say you had been working for an employer for a long time in Canada and now you have started mid-rung in the U.S.

I guess the question really is - when you compare apples to apples - have you found living in the U.S. cheaper - are you any further ahead or just the same - or are you supplementing your income with your savings, for instance.

Edited February 9, 2009 by trailmix

[Emancipation 2]

waaaaay more expensive here in the US.. I paid $250/ month for my half of rent in Canada, and that included phone, heat & cable.. now my 1/2 of rent is $550 without heat or any utilities. I make less and I have less time off.. as far as benefits, it's hard to compare.. i had supplemental insurance in Canada which is better than my health insurance here, but it's hard to make a direct comparison..

It should be noted that i moved from one of the cheapest parts of Canada to the most expensive here in the US.. so you have to factor that in as well.

[MrsCat 6]

Cost of buying a house (especially now) is way cheaper here than in Edmonton. However, cost of essentials is so much more expensive (groceries, utilities, gas, clothing).

There are some things that are much cheaper here though (cell phone, internet, satellite, insurance, banking).

One thing that bothers me is the lack of maternity leave benefits here. I've grown up with thinking one year was normal and essential. 6 weeks seems like a joke.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I think we can all agree that the "cost of whatever" highly depends where you're living. There are areas in Canada and the U.S. where the costs can skyrocket and areas where the costs plummet. Even within the same city. So definitively saying "one is more expensive than the other" is a difficult issue to compare.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Cost of buying a house (especially now) is way cheaper here than in Edmonton. However, cost of essentials is so much more expensive (groceries, utilities, gas, clothing).

There are some things that are much cheaper here though (cell phone, internet, satellite, insurance, banking).

One thing that bothers me is the lack of maternity leave benefits here. I've grown up with thinking one year was normal and essential. 6 weeks seems like a joke.

Rent in Seattle is much more spendy than in Deadmonton. For sure. Food is cheaper, and so are communication bills.

the social support networks in Canada are second to none. I agree with Mrs Cat about the maternity leave.

[JillA 2]

Cost of buying a house (especially now) is way cheaper here than in Edmonton. However, cost of essentials is so much more expensive (groceries, utilities, gas, clothing).

There are some things that are much cheaper here though (cell phone, internet, satellite, insurance, banking).

One thing that bothers me is the lack of maternity leave benefits here. I've grown up with thinking one year was normal and essential. 6 weeks seems like a joke.

I can't really comment because I'm not working yet. But the maternity leave issue, I completely agree with you Cat. I cannot believe they only give you 6 weeks. How is that enough time to bond with your baby, especially when breastfeeding! How on earth can you go back to work so soon after. I don't know what we'll do when the time comes but it is a difficult decision.

[MrsCat 6]

Rent in Seattle is much more spendy than in Deadmonton.

I love that word.

[Sprailenes 47]

Rent and property taxes in South Jersey are through the roof.

My rent for a two bedroom apartment is double what it was in Midland for a three bedroom house. My in-laws pay 14,000.00 a year for taxes on their home. Insane. Homes are cheaper in Midland, I find it odd how some of the homes you see around here are going for 400,000 and its just a simple bungalow.

My salary is about the same too. But I didn't have to worry about health insurance.

When it comes to buying stuff, I am still adding on way too much money when I am trying to figure out the price of something, its always nice to get the check out line and find out that you're not being taxed out the rear.

[MrsCat 6]

My rent for a two bedroom apartment is double what it was in Midland for a three bedroom house. My in-laws pay 14,000.00 a year for taxes on their home.

I just about choked on my coffee.

[Jenni and Bo 0]

I"m gonna have to go the other way on apartments here...we are getting a NICE one bedroom right on the city line between Raleigh and Cary - pool, gym, walking trails, fireplace and new appliances in the apartment and hookups for washer/dryer - 624/mth! Yes, we have to pay our utilities, but when I was in Halifax going to University, you couldnt get a place like this for under 900$. Hell, my two bedroom I had 4th year which is the same size as this new one was 1100/mth, only hot water inc...

But I got cranky as hell yesterday...looking for wedding photographers...lowest I've seen is 875/4 hrs *gag*

it was 300/5 hrs in Miramichi *cry*No professional photographer for this new couple

[trailmix 77]

I"m gonna have to go the other way on apartments here...we are getting a NICE one bedroom right on the city line between Raleigh and Cary - pool, gym, walking trails, fireplace and new appliances in the apartment and hookups for washer/dryer - 624/mth! Yes, we have to pay our utilities, but when I was in Halifax going to University, you couldnt get a place like this for under 900$. Hell, my two bedroom I had 4th year which is the same size as this new one was 1100/mth, only hot water inc...

But I got cranky as hell yesterday...looking for wedding photographers...lowest I've seen is 875/4 hrs *gag*

it was 300/5 hrs in Miramichi *cry*No professional photographer for this new couple

Ohhh we had pondered moving to Cary originally, then decided on Florida!

[Sprailenes 47]

I"m gonna have to go the other way on apartments here...we are getting a NICE one bedroom right on the city line between Raleigh and Cary - pool, gym, walking trails, fireplace and new appliances in the apartment and hookups for washer/dryer - 624/mth! Yes, we have to pay our utilities, but when I was in Halifax going to University, you couldnt get a place like this for under 900$. Hell, my two bedroom I had 4th year which is the same size as this new one was 1100/mth, only hot water inc...

But I got cranky as hell yesterday...looking for wedding photographers...lowest I've seen is 875/4 hrs *gag*

it was 300/5 hrs in Miramichi *cry*No professional photographer for this new couple

My cousin is getting married and you know what he did? He went to a college and found a student. You can find some who are cheap and super talented.

Always worth a try right?

[sly_wolf 199]

Can't completely respond to this since I am still commuting to work in Canada. Healthcare aside, the cost of living is definitely lower where we live in the US. I could not afford a house in Montreal.

I also still pay Canadian income taxes on employement income. That also hurts since I know it would be much lower if I was getting taxed in the US instead.

Sly

[trailmix 77]

Can't completely respond to this since I am still commuting to work in Canada. Healthcare aside, the cost of living is definitely lower where we live in the US. I could not afford a house in Montreal.

I also still pay Canadian income taxes on employement income. That also hurts since I know it would be much lower if I was getting taxed in the US instead.

Sly

Would it be lower if you figured in health care insurance? Also, would you have an equal income in the U.S.?

I think this is kind of an apples and oranges thing. If my Husband was still working in Calgary, making that wage and living here in Florida, then sure, it would be fantastic

Edited February 9, 2009 by trailmix

[sly_wolf 199]

Can't completely respond to this since I am still commuting to work in Canada. Healthcare aside, the cost of living is definitely lower where we live in the US. I could not afford a house in Montreal.

I also still pay Canadian income taxes on employement income. That also hurts since I know it would be much lower if I was getting taxed in the US instead.

Sly

Would it be lower if you figured in health care insurance? Also, would you have an equal income in the U.S.?

I think this is kind of an apples and oranges thing. If my Husband was still working in Calgary, making that wage and living here in Florida, then sure, it would be fantastic

My wife gets health insurance through her employer which is good and very reasonable (the family is covered for $370/month). I pay much more in extra taxes in Canada .... since I also have to pay the other country, Quebec.

I understand what you are saying though. If I worked for the US parent company in NJ, I would actually get paid a bit more but I would never be able to afford a house in NJ either.

What would be great is if I could get paid by the US parent but live and work from home

Sly