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I have to decide between 2 job offers - one in St. Albert and other in Vancouver. I will be relocating with wife and preschooler kid. St. Albert offer is ~15% lower than Vancouver one (115K vs 103K).
I'd like to buy a detached home wherever I end up moving. Avg detached home prices in Vancouver are 700K and Edmonton is 350K. So housing-wise I feel Edmonton is much more affordable, although I can't get Vancouver out of equation due to nicer weather and vibrant community.
The thing is that Vancouver is nice, but you have to adjust to the lifestyle here. Middle class families entering the market in recent times don't live in single family homes, they live in larger condos or townhouses and spend alot of time outside the home since there's lots to do in the city itself. One has less individual space, but there's a nicer shared space and city to spend time in as the trade off for that. You have to be willing to take a gamble on that more urban lifestyle, and not everyone's comfortable with that different way of living. I did choose to live in Vancouver and am happy with my decision, but you have to embrace the choices that make sense locally, and it takes a little getting used to. It's not the right choice for everyone, but I think it was the right choice for me and it may be the right choice for you.
there are many good things about living in Vancouver (awesome restaurants, great parks, mild winter , interesting shopping districts and neighborhoods, close proximity to the usa border, etc etc) but there are many negatives living here too including of course extreme high cost of living, many rainy days, a strange-cold standoffish demeanor of it's citizens and in general, paying thru the nose for everything (car insurance, gas, transit, groceries, parking, fees fees and more fees). But you know what?? if i was earning $115,000 a year (90 grand after taxes???) i would have to be a moron if i could not afford to live here within my means in a good neighborhood and still bank money for retirement or a rainy day emergency. Buying a house and coming up with a huge down payment is the real income killer here, if you can manage that by yourself or as a couple, you should be fine. Otherwise, stay in Edmonton, buy yourself a nice newer house for half of vancouver, have money for a new car, boat, vacations, children's future education, etc.
Go with Vancouver. Sure it's more expensive but the salary you are getting is higher and you can find an affordable enough place somewhere if you search around. Plus it's a better city than Edmonton in my opinion.
Go for Vancouver. You can happily live here. There are plenty of people who make only $25,000 or $30,000 etc. and live happily. Vancouver is better for kids as it is a great place to teach them to admire nature. The weather is good enough to play any sport at any time of year.
And unless you are moving to the Downtown Eastside, Whalley or Granville street in Downtown, you will be safe outside at anytime of day.
I don't think Alberta has sales tax, BC's tax is 8% or something like that. I am not sure about income or property tax. Water and power are extremely cheap in Vancouver compared to other places.
To be honest, there is nothing much to do in Edmonton, there is the mall, Hockey and CFL but nothing else. Vancouver has more sports teams, more malls, more tourist attractions.
If you like nightlife: Vancouver
If you don't want to spend money: Edmonton
If you are afraid of drugs: Vancouver
If you are extremely conservative: Edmonton (I am not saying Edmonton is very conservative, but Vancouver is very liberal,
If you don't like to drive: Vancouver
If you/your child likes sports: Vancouver
I have to decide between 2 job offers - one in St. Albert and other in Vancouver. I will be relocating with wife and preschooler kid. St. Albert offer is ~15% lower than Vancouver one (115K vs 103K).
I'd like to buy a detached home wherever I end up moving. Avg detached home prices in Vancouver are 700K and Edmonton is 350K. So housing-wise I feel Edmonton is much more affordable, although I can't get Vancouver out of equation due to nicer weather and vibrant community.
That is just for income tax and does not include other taxes.
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