This is an essential question for anyone how is thinking to move to another country: How much money is going to cost me the expenses there, such as accommodation, food, transportation and some entertainment?
If you come as a student, the Government of Canada ask you for $833 per each month you are going to stay in Canada and you could even round it up to $1.000. Why is that?
Accomodation
First of all, let think about accommodation. If you are staying in a homestay, the price per month, including 3 meals, is from $780 and up. You don’t have to worry about buying food but surely, you will need a Monthly Pass to take the public transportation; the price for that is $91 and up, depending on the Zone that your homestay is located.
If you prefer to live in Downtown, you could get a room in a share apartment for $500 approximately per month or, if you don’t want to share, rent a bachelor or studio for $1.000 approx. In this case, if you study or work in Downtown you can save the Monthly Pass fee but you care about buying food and paying electricity and internet.
Grocery & Restaurants
If you are a cooking lover, the average in expenses in the grocery shop per person and month is around $400. If you prefer to eat outside, this figure will decrease, but you have to add the bills from restaurants. Take into account that sometimes eat outside is as expensive (or cheap) than cooking at home.
How about activities?
Skiing, bowling, biking… A lot of fun which is not cheap in the most of the cases. Save some money for it!
Best city for living
Canada, specially Vancouver, is not a cheap place to live. The Worldwide cost of living index 2013 came out with a ranking where Vancouver is the 21st more expensive city internationally; more even than New York or Los Angeles. But, actually, is also one of the Top 5 most livable cities in the world. You can discover why coming with UvanU International and living your own experience.