Average monthly living expenses in Calgary???

[newcomer]

Hi,

I need to know what are the average living monthly expenses for a family of 3 (asian) moderately spending.

I have read many estimates at internet but would like to know any real life experiences from someone who is currently living there.

Thanks

[Christine32]

Hi,


We have been living in Calgary since May (my husband, son and myself) and our average monthly expenses are about $1600 which covers only the rent, internet+TV+phone and the food costs. Any other expenses like buying clothes, books, toys, having a car with insurance etc. are extra costs. I think life is expensive here but if you find a job within a short period you can manage with it easily. Daycares are also extremely expensive...:-(
Still it is a great city to live in!!!:-)

All the best,
Christine

[newcomer]

Hi,


We have been living in Calgary since May (my husband, son and myself) and our average monthly expenses are about $1600 which covers only the rent, internet+TV+phone and the food costs. Any other expenses like buying clothes, books, toys, having a car with insurance etc. are extra costs. I think life is expensive here but if you find a job within a short period you can manage with it easily. Daycares are also extremely expensive...:-(
Still it is a great city to live in!!!:-)

All the best,
Christine

Thanks for the info , would you like to share what could be the estimate for total monthly expenses such as 2000$+ ,2500$+ etc.Any idea about average food costs,I ve heard that food is expensive here than US.

BTW if possible kindly reveal what rent you are paying for your house and in which area you are located.I m planning to stay in North(East or west) to stay close of good high schools.

Any help will be highly appreciated.

[calgary1]

For a ideal family (2+2) needs min $2000 per month in Calgary.

[dtsgai]

Rent in NE Calgary including utilities and phone, cable and internet = $1,400.00 - $1,600.00
Food cost = $1,500.00 - $2,000.00

[newcomer]

For a ideal family (2+2) needs min $2000 per month in Calgary.

Thanks very much for the information.Appreciated!

[newcomer]

Rent in NE Calgary including utilities and phone, cable and internet = $1,400.00 - $1,600.00
Food cost = $1,500.00 - $2,000.00

Thanks for the info ,but do you mean to say that a family needs to spend 1500-2000$ monthly only for food cost,isnt it HUGE!!!! .

In that case one cannot think of spending less than 4000$ per month for all .

[calgary1]

It includes all living cast and food.

[bizzaro]

this is very informative. I am interested and been searching the web fro similar info. My wife and I will be coming to calgary by august this year.

Say I earn 110k a year, can we live a decent life with that? how much is the net income after taxes per month? how much can we save with moderate spending?

any help would be appreciated.

[newcomer]

Hi,

Well if you are expecting to get 110K/year thts in the higher income bracket ,so u should be able to live comfortably here.

We are a family of 4 (me,my spouse n 2 kids of ages 17 and 13) are spending around 2500-3200$/per month.All the expenses are included in it .We have rented a 3 bedroom townhouse in SW(one of most expensive areas) which cost us 1100$/month plus electricity.Groceries are around 600-1000$.Petrol is around 250$/month,I know its a lot but I need to travel atleast 40km/day for my job.

Hope it helps.

[bizzaro]

Hi Newcomer,

Thanks for that info. Say I earn 110k/year (thats CAD$9166/month), how much is left after taxes? I would want to know how much can we save monthly..

thanks

[newcomer]

Hi,

Plz visit

http://lsminsurance.ca/calculators/canada/income-tax

Here you can calculate taxes and after taxes income.You can also qualify for some tax refunds at the end of year at the time of tax filing in some circumstances such as if your spouse is not working,you are using public transport for reaching your work place etc etc.I am not sure about other provinces but here in AB we qualify for some refund depending upon every invidual case.

Hope it helps.

[bizzaro]

Hi Newcomer,

Thanks a lot for sharing the site. I read somewhere that you can only b taxed when you are already a permanent resident or a citizen of canada. So what happens to me when I arrive there at calgary and worked? I think they will give a working visa,not a PR visa. Does this mean I am exempted from paying taxes?

In your experience, when you first came to canada what happened? Did you pay taxes right away?

Thanks

[newcomer]

Well I have never heard that only PR and Citizens are required to pay taxes.Everyone one who is legally admitted in Canada is legally bound to pay tax.There is no exception to this rule.

I actually landed as a PR and paying taxes from day 1 ,but I ve filed only one annual tax return as I landed only six months back.

[info-gc]

I'd say around 2,500 - 3,000/month.