Can anyone answer these questions about life in Canada?

Question

I am considering immigrating from the States to Canada, British Columbia to be more specific, however I have a few questions. What is the average income tax on say $1000 a week? What is the current fuel price per liter? Does everyone really have government provided free health care? What is the average sales tax? What would be the annual property taxes say on a $600K house? What are the average utility bills per month (gas, water, electric) for a 4 bd house? Are the schools more advanced with education than the states? What would the average monthly groceries bill be for a family of 3? Does B.C. have Wal-Marts on every street corner like the States? I could probably think of a few more but this should do. Oh anything else that I missed??

Answer 1

You can check exactly what your Take Home pay will be after deductions at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/...  However, you might get most of this back as a refund depending on how you live your life.  For example, the kids will be a tax deduction, if you run a home-based business a percentage of your home operating expenses will be a tax deduction, etc.  

The price of gas will vary across the province (large cities vs small towns) but $1.30/litre would be a good estimate.  However, many Cdns make good use use of alternative tranportations (carpools, public transit, car sharing).

We do not have 'free' health care, we have 'universal' health care.  It is funded by our taxes.  As long as you are a Canadian resident, ever person is covered for basic health care.  It does not cover dental for adults or precriptions drugs, but most employers would offer additional coverage for those items (if they dn't, there is always Blue Cross at $45/month). You can live your life freely knowing that if you get hurt or sick, you will be taken care of (you can even have a pre-existing condition).

There is a 5% Goods & Services Tax (GST) across the country.  Some provinces have a Provinal Sales Tax also.  BC's is 7%.  Neither tax applies to most groceries.

Property taxes are set by the municipality, so it will depend on what city/town you live in.  Pick a town a Google their "Mill Rates". For me, my $600k home is $209/month. Our Mill Rates are higher because we have a lower commercial base.  Check out listings on http://www.mls.ca and you can see how much property taxes are for houses in your range/area.

I pay an average of $55 for electricity, $45 for gas and $60 for water/sewer.  The gas bills are obviously much higher in winter and lower in summar, but $45 is the average for the year.

I bevieve you would find that Canadian children are better educated than US children of the same age. There are thousands of studies to back that up.  Here's the quickest one I could find:

http://garlicsalt.blogspot.com/2007/12/u...

Our average groceries are $300 for 2 people and we eat quite well.

There are plenty of WalMarts almost everywhere you go. There may be some outlying areas of BC that don't have a Walmart, but you'll be fine in any of the cities.

I think the thing you missed was whether or not you are eligible for a Work Permit in Canada.

Answer 2

very expensive.

i suppose so.

no not every street corner, specific areas. they have some other shops like superstore and costco.

have fun.

Answer 3

my dear,   be true to yourself.

www.notcanada.com

www.canadaimmigrants.com

Answer 4

1) total tax deductions on approximately $4000 per month = $300-$400

2) in BC around $1.20-$1.35 per liter

3) yes, and if your employer provides you with health benefits you pay only a percent of the cost, for instance 20% of the actual cost of a dental visit

However a visit to your doctor costs you nothing, the taxes we all pay here in Canada, pays for your visits.

4) 10% and GST 4% = 14%

5)$600K house ? not too sure but I would guess yearly, around 1500-3000, of course you can pay it monthly too, so you do not have a huge bill at the end of the year, the bank will tell you, it depends on interest rates at the time of purchase and how much you have as a down payment for you home.

6)around 400-600 depending on how much of each you use.

7) The school systems here in Canada are strong, we like to think we are equal, however there are higher learning schools available, like private schools, home education etc.

8) Groceries, about $100-150 a week

9)Wal-Marts are everywhere

I hope you decide to move here, I live on the East coast, and believe me, there is no place like good ole Nova Scotia, I liked BC when I was there, my sister lived there in Burnaby, and Langley

Good Luck