Considering Job in Halifax...

[shawneve]

I'm in Ontario and I'm considering a job in Halifax.

I hear talk about how its less expensive to live in the Maritimes, but after doing some research Im not sure I agree.
The only thing that I can see that is less expensive is housing, after that everything costs more actually.
I compared income tax and its about 3% higher.
Gas costs more, groceries probably cost a little more, there's no natural gas so heating your house probably costs more, and theres probably more...
Yet most companies pay significantly less. (the difference is usually more then the supposed lower cost of living)
I would love to take the job for the lifestyle it would bring but I dont think I should take a step backwards financially to do so.

Thoughts?

[george benjamin]

Recommend you post this in the personal finance forum

[rems]

I'm in Ontario and I'm considering a job in Halifax.

I hear talk about how its less expensive to live in the Maritimes, but after doing some research Im not sure I agree.
The only thing that I can see that is less expensive is housing, after that everything costs more actually.
I compared income tax and its about 3% higher.
Gas costs more, groceries probably cost a little more, there's no natural gas so heating your house probably costs more, and theres probably more...
Yet most companies pay significantly less. (the difference is usually more then the supposed lower cost of living)
I would love to take the job for the lifestyle it would bring but I dont think I should take a step backwards financially to do so.

Thoughts?

Well the housing is what's gonna take out a major chunk in your salary. I took a job in the maritimes for what paid about 10K lower than what you would get in Toronto. But the apartment I got would have cost at least $1400/month in Toronto for $600. So I "save" 800/month on rent. Now multiply that by 12 and that's roughly the 10K...

[setell]

You're right that gas prices are higher. We're paying 133.6/L right now which is DAMN high!! but remember though we drive a lot less than somebody would need to in Toronto. You can drive from one end of the HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality) to the other within 30 mins on a low traffic day. Even with traffic it's not as bad as Toronto. Food here is about the same as Toronto, well when I went to Toronto last summer I found the prices to be the same as Superstore/Loblaws and Sobeys but T&T is soo cheap though!! We have limited asian grocery stores here so the prices are high for any asian goods. One thing about food here is that eating out is a lot more costly than Toronto. I love the cheap eating out prices of Toronto vs Halifax.

You can get a really nice house, I mean really nice in a new division for under 400k. If you're willing to drive a bit say 15/20 mins from downtown Halifax you can get a nice house by the lake for 300k brand new by the builder (without the upgrades of course). I don't know much about renting in Toronto to comment on it since I've never rented before to know the quality of the apartments etc. but my friend has a really nice apartment in Clayton Park West or Bayers Lake area(newer division of Halifax) for about $900/mth and it's a two bedroom too. Her apartment has a walk in closet, master bathroom, really nice new kitchen etc. So I'll say it's a really good price for the quality of the apartment.

Interesting how I am looking to leave Halifax to go to ON :) but I'm only going cause my boyfriend has a really good job offer in Kingston. One thing though... 'sigh' I find that new grads well for me anyway it was tough trying to land a job. It took me a while but I landed one but it was way longer than what people were getting jobs after graduating (another rfd thread). I never knew why but our salary is so low compared to TO or any other place for the same position and title. It's not like it's that much better living here other than the lifestyle but the cost of certain things is significantly higher than TO.

Anyhow sorry for the long post but I couldn't help but say something and let you know what it's like here. I still love Halifax and wouldn't move if I didn't have to.

EDIT: we don't have natural gas since our traditional method of home heating is oil or electrical. We are slowly getting natural gas pipes installed but it's really slowly being installed.