Cost of Living in Toronto, Canada

Helen from Australia, I'm Multi generation Canadian and have lived in all parts of Canada through my 40 some yrs. The only reason one would move to TO is because it's probably the most mainstream city in Canada - more due to it's size than anything else. It's where if you have great credentials and experience you can get the highest income. It does have a number of great venues ie the ROM etc but the city as a whole is nothing special at all, very drab, a miserable commute to pretty much anywhere. Pollution is definitely an issue etc. Hot summers an crappy winters. The only reason some one would contemplate moving from Australia - which most Canadians consider Paradise by the way - is if you'll be bringing in $500+ K and be able to escape to Cottage country In Muskoka or up that way for the weekends. For the average Joe/Jane earning under 100k you'll be kicking yourself for the rest of your life. if you really have your heart set on Canada do some research on Vancouver, - much better climate although it can rain some years quite a lot in the fall, beautiful setting, Mountains , Ocean, cleaner etc. and yes also expensive but easier to get out of the city for the weekend and enjoy nature without having to own a cottage ... Both cities are very multicultural - this mix of a very easygoing and trusting old canadian culture with middle eastern, eastern european and Asian cultures, which typically are the complete opposite kind of culture, creates a new reality that some embrace, while others, especially the older generations, feel uneasy with . .. Many Canadians forgo the chance of a large income and choose instead to live in small towns and rural areas to retain that old Canadian flavour ... In particular the east coast I.e. PEI is an absolutely beautiful place at least in summer but you would have to be satisfied with a much smaller pay check .... Many people move to Toronto to build up their pension and retire in such places ...
Another important consideration is that the economic picture for anywhere east of Calgary is pretty much dismal and will be for at least the near future - The west is OK but rides a precarious road as any new oil find threatens the wealth currently generated by the Alberta Oil sands. (Very high extraction costs)

The hockey thing that every US TV show refers to when poking fun at Canada is an overblown myth by the way - I've never played hockey and spend my leisure time sailing in the summer and skiing in the winter.. The Maple Syrup is a real thing - I have actually made it - a real treat. Anyway think this through because from what I can tell you live in a great place already.. PS We just watched 'The Man from Snowy River' with our daughter not too long ago - looks like you have some beautiful mountains over there also ;)

G,'day Mate!

#Ziyad your best option is and intracompany transfer, if your current company has an office in Canada, option 2 is finding an employer and then getting sponsored (not the easiest in todays times), option 3 is try immigration, the canadian govt website is www.cic.gc.ca

Hello all,
I'm senior software developer and I'm living now in Syria :(, currently I'm planing to move to Canada to work there with my family (wife and two children 4-2 yrs).
But I don't know where to start from, can any one advise or help me to get started to move there and find job with my experience.
Thanks in advance

Hi all,
Will we be able to live a decent life with a monthly salary of $3700 in Concord,Toronto? We r a family of 3( 2 adults n 1 small kid). Pls give us ur valuable suggestions.

#Khan

With 120K u should stay in Kuwait. Ontario taxes very high. Finding a job is very tough. The winter season is bad. I rather stay in Kuwait.

Hi
I agree with all above comments, but it is depends on us how we accept living style in Toronto, and for how long you are planning to live in.

tomorrow is always better, compromise is always nice and contentment is treasure

KVS Thank you for the information, why is it when I check online tax calculators I get a figure of approx 5600 CAD ? Also if my spouse is not working I might get some benefits as well right ? If you could also tell me would 4500 CAD be goof for 2 adults (dont smoke or drink). We are looking at getting a one bedroom in downtown, walk/train to work, occasional weekly meal outside ? Thanks for you help.

HI, Can someone please tell me on a CAD 90,000 salary a year, how much do you think I would be able to take home every month after all deductions and taxes.My company is taking care of medical, dental and life insurance so no deductions there.Thank you!

My husband and I have 4 little kids and want to relocate from USA to Toronto. My husband wants to get his Master's in Canada and eventually so do I. I'm almost done with my BA. What should we do first? Should we apply for jobs, pay the fee and look for living and move? Or should we apply to Master's programs and then jobs and so on? Were trying to do this as efficiently as possible. We have money to move, but after having to pay a fee and such, we are going to have to save one more year before doing all this. Any suggestions are great! Thanks!

It depends upon your situation.
I am from Pakistan driving cab 6 days a week in Toronto since last 5 years.
living at north west part of Toronto with family of 4 my wife and two kids.
After paying my taxes I am taking $3000(cab income) + $900(Child & HST Tax Benefits) = $3900 to home.

My Basic Monthly Expenses
Rent 2bdrooms $1125 (electricity , hydro , water ,1 parking included)
Bill home phone $28
Bill Cell phone $32 (unlimited incoming outgoing minutes in Ontario)
Bill TV Cable $40 (basic with 30 channels)
Bill Internet $40 (16mb download speed with 75gb monthly usage)
Car Insurance $230 (with 2 minor traffic tickets in my driving record)
Car Gas $100 (Avg)
Car Price + maint $200 (Avg) 2006 camary
Grocery for 4 $700 (Avg) McDonald(kids) + restaurant only twice a month
Coffee on work $100
Clothing $200 (Avg)
------------------------------
Total $2795

What about the part time jobs in toronto?
is it easy to get?
how much can we earn through it and is it sufficient for our living if we share with roommates?

I'm a resident of Toronto and I have to say some of the opinions of other posters seem inflated to me. For the last 10 years I've managed to live very cheaply in Toronto. Firstly, you can find single bedroom apartments for $600 even near the downtown core with a little effort. Secondly, if you'd like to live with roommates you can often find really good deals, for example my last 3 rents have been ($260 w/ 3 roommates, 450 w/ 1 roommate (loft apartment), and 220 w/ 2 roommates). All of my apartments have been nice, especially the last which included a massive backyard, a deck, fire pit, 30 m old-growth trees, as well as a barbecue! And finally, the city is extremely bikeable. During rush hour I will beat you on my bike no matter what choice of transportation you choose, and I'll pay nothing for parking to boot. Even outside of rush hour biking is an extremely zippy mode in and around the downtown core, and I can usually beat most of my colleagues taking cabs, mind you, I'm pushing it. Even in the winter the roads are clear 90% of the time so it's no big deal if you've got a bit of courage and some gear.

sorry made a few typos.

If you are a couple (forget children) and make around $1,500-2,000 a month, be prepared to hand over at least $1,000/mo. for rent. You'll be lucky if your utilities are included..because that $1,000. doesn't cover any of your cable cell etc bil or even grocery

Not many people get 3,430.14 C$ disposable income. You have to earn about $68,000 to get that much in hand. Average salary is $45,000 and you get about $2800 in hand. Imagine living in a 1BR apt for about $1000 + bus pass for $125. You are spending close to 1/2 of your salary! Only chinese grocery store is cheap, restaurant or eating out is expensive. Take out lunch could be $8-$10. Small coffee $1.50 It's a boring and tedious life cause all you can do is go to work and eat/drink at home. BTW if you are a newcomer and have Car, Insurance is a whopping $350 per month!!!

Hi. I live in Sydney Australia, living in sydney is great. But i have a young family and living here is very expensive. My husband and I have been thinking about moving to Canada. So far all ur comments have been very helpful.this survey are tricky at time. U just dont know how true is it all. But it's good to hear from the people that actually live there. All I want to know is Canada affordable to live in.i don't want to move to the other side of the world if it's not going to be any different to Sydney.

It is very useful me i will come to next year 2013 with family thanks

I'm not sure who is filling out some of these answers, but most people in Toronto do not earn a disposable income of $3000 after tax. Restaurants are much more expensive and so is the rent. Average rental costs here in Toronto: 1400-1650. Anything below that is either taken and passed on through friends (i.e.: never advertised) or is not the type of place you want to be living.

Very useful information as to prepare myself to move to toronto at the end of Oct' 12.