Cost of living in non-US countries...

[deevergote]

This is just out of my own curiosity... but how does the cost of living in other countries compare to the cost of living in the US? Primarily, countries that are on a similar level.
Things like housing, utilities, cars, etc...

I'm sure Canada isn't much different from the US in terms of cost and quality of life. However, seeing as I've never left the US (pathetic, I know), I have practically NO understanding of how things are elsewhere.

I just thought it'd be interesting.

[Lynx]

In Canada it differs from province to province. In Nova Scotia rent is usually 600-800$ for say a 2 bedroom apt, where in Calgary it was 1000$ a month for a 1 bedroom, lol.

Same with food, like milk is way cheaper in Calgary then in Nova Scotia.

[Amiss]

Everything is way more expensive in australia, but the jobs pay more.

[Leung]

Everything is way more expensive in australia, but the jobs pay more.

Just like California i hear.

[Honda_Lady]

seeing as I've never left the US

Your not the only one that hasn't left the US. well atleast not when i was old enough to remember it. I was in Germany from a baby to 4 years old so needless to say.........I don't remember it.

[mozzandherb]

Mike, the cost of living in Canada tends to be generally higher. I just read an article a few days ago that compared the two countries, I tried to search it, and stumbled upon this Wiki page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...ican_economies

[Leung]

Mike, the cost of living in Canada tends to be generally higher. I just read an article a few days ago that compared the two countries, I tried to search it, and stumbled upon this Wiki page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...ican_economies

oh.. interesting read.

[Raf99]

In Canada it differs from province to province. In Nova Scotia rent is usually 600-800$ for say a 2 bedroom apt, where in Calgary it was 1000$ a month for a 1 bedroom, lol.

Same with food, like milk is way cheaper in Calgary then in Nova Scotia.

Yep. And ironically NS has one of the highest sales tax across Canada too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_Canada

NS Power rates - http://www.nspower.ca/en/home/aboutn...icetariff.aspx

+ bills, loans, fun money, n stuff.

[Pandemic]

Minimum wage in Ontario is $10.50. Milk is about $4.50/gal, gas is about $1.20 per liter.

But overall, it's not that bad. Things are generally a bit more expensive but it's also nice knowing you've got general 'free' healthcare. Now, the wait times for that are a bit long and frustrating but if you saw off your hand, you're going to be seen.

[wildBill83]

Minimum wage in Ontario is $10.50. Milk is about $4.50/gal, gas is about $1.20 per liter.

But overall, it's not that bad. Things are generally a bit more expensive but it's also nice knowing you've got general 'free' healthcare. Now, the wait times for that are a bit long and frustrating but if you saw off your hand, you're going to be seen.

Canadian money = Monopoly money LOL (J/K)

It could be worse, you could say "eh?" after every sentence.

Side note and just to pull it further off topic:


What is the exchange rate at currently for USD-CAD just to put it in perspective?

[RyanD]

^ 1 US dollar = 0.9895 Canadian dollars

as of the time this comment is posted

[mozzandherb]

^ 1 US dollar = 0.9895 Canadian dollars

as of the time this comment is posted

and I remember when the CDN $ was worth $0.65U.S..

[rexload]

I can chime in on this as I lived in Ukraine till the age of 16.

The first thing you notice when you go to Russia or Ukraine is that cars, electronics, and name-brand clothes are drastically more expensive. I saw 1996-2000 body style Civics there selling for 6K USD (in rough shape)... and that was this year. Generally, ALL used cars hold their value much better over there. Another example - a new base WRX goes for about 35K in Ukraine whereas in the US it goes for 25K. When you start getting into some luxury brands - the price difference gets more and more drastic... High-end BMW, high-end Mercedes, Porsches, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, etc - are all priced completely unreasonably compared to what they cost in the US. But the interesting thing is that you see those high-end luxury cars there LITERALLY on every corner (in the big cities).

You often see a girl driving something like a Cayenne GTS to get some groceries when some of those cities are so "compact" that you don't even need a car to go to the store! This is because of their mindset - they like to show off to everybody what they can afford. You can see this when you listen to regular daily conversations at bars and on the street - people talk about the stuff and clothes they buy and like to show it off; grown-ups talk about their cars more then they talk about politics and sports. You hear women talk about cars sometimes more than they talk about their TV shows and such!

There is also a very big difference in how most people manage their money in those countries. They tend to have MUCH less stuff than we do here, but whenever they buy something - they buy the most expensive item they can afford. A good example is my old classmate, he lives in Ukraine and his salary is literally 1/4 of what my salary is here in the US. He drives a 50K car, I drive a 25K car(which I don't even own). So here is a perfect example of the different mindset - it is in their blood to manage their resources in such a way so you can afford expensive luxury things.
Of course, overall, the country has a lot of irresolvable problems that have been accumulating over the years and it is not by any means a wealthy country when you look at the size of the lower class - those who cannot afford any car at all.


As for overall cost of living in Ukraine and Russia.... It varies DRASTICALLY.

In a small town in Ukraine, I know a recently married couple who bought an apartment for 9K USD and they live off $600 a month (the husbands salary) and they can afford to go on vacation 3-4 times a year - they do mountain climbing, and skiing, and all sorts of stuff. But they live in a place where you don't really need to own a vehicle and it is a pretty rough city to say the least.

Now as you get into the bigger cities in Ukraine like Donetsk and Kiev - your cost of living goes up by a significant amount. Apartments are in the 30-300K range (once again, depending on location) and houses are in the 50K-1million range (so comparable to US prices). You can generally live off roughly $1,200-1,500 a month in those cities (for a family of three).... that's if you don't have a house or a car payment. So that's comparable to some US cities, like Pittsburgh where cost of living is relatively low.

Once you get into cities like Moscow or St Petersburg in Russia.. you are talking CRAZY prices on everything. clothing, electronics, and food cost WAY above US prices - triple and quadruple US prices isn't uncommon. Real estate will be comparable to New York and Toronto prices. You are talking as much as 500K USD for a studio apartment. You will also see HUGE contrasts in those cities. You'll see bars where you can get shitfaced for $20 and you will see bars where you have to pay $60-70 per person just to walk in there and you'll easily spend $40-50 on ONE shot of decent liquor there.

I think the reason why people make it there is because it is common practice in Russia to pay for your children's college tuition AND to buy real estate for your children. I've noticed, even those who make little money - they will still try to put money away for their children's education at the expense of living a much more modest lifestyle. It is very very common.

Ok, that was probably more information than needed and my lunch break is over

[wildBill83]

I'm about ready to save up $$$ and move to Mexico... $100,000 USD is a retirement fund there! Maybe move to Cozumel and rent Jeeps to tourists or something.

[mozzandherb]

I'm about ready to save up $$$ and move to Mexico... $100,000 USD is a retirement fund there! Maybe move to Cozumel and rent Jeeps to tourists or something.

It's not as easy as you think to open up a business in Mexico without having drug cartels on your ass. I would really check into that before you do anything.