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Vancouver VS Toronto VS Calgary

chikoo1985

chikoo1985

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May 20, 2017
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Hello all,
I am soon moving to Canada for good and still deciding on which will be better place for us. I am in Media/advertising and wife is in beauty business and hoping to open a Salon in near future if things falls in right places.

I understand that there is no right or wrong answer for this topic but an insight from already settled people will be really helpful and opening this thread with the same intention. Below factors can be considered.

- Job opportunities (I think the universe wants to know this!! LOL)
- Weather
- Taxes and Expense
- Real Estate Price and rents
- Living standards

I have done a lot of research and realized that all these places has their own adv and disadv and it depends on an individual for what they are aiming. Personally, I am more inclined towards Vancouver but I would love to see what others have to say and hopefully we all can get benefit out of this discussion.

Thanks,
Chikoo
 
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chikoo1985

chikoo1985

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Bs65

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Plenty of doomsday stuff out there such as if Yellowstone erupts then a large chunk of North America could be covered including Calgary.

https://www.vox.com/2014/9/5/6108169/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption

Toronto lake shore on the other hand might just gradually sink into the lake eventually if they keep building more and more high rise condos on or near the shore. Some might say that could be a good thing though, the condos sinking that is.
 
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chikoo1985

chikoo1985

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Bs65 said:
Plenty of doomsday stuff out there such as if Yellowstone erupts then a large chunk of North America could be covered including Calgary.

https://www.vox.com/2014/9/5/6108169/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption

Toronto lake shore on the other hand might just gradually sink into the lake eventually if they keep building more and more high rise condos on or near the shore. Some might say that could be a good thing though, the condos sinking that is.
Click to expand...
I think we all should hope for best! and plan things on other factors. Natural Calamity is out of anyone's control and one can only be cautious about such stuff. Hoping for best.
 
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APPNOV2014NY

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Bs65 said:
Plenty of doomsday stuff out there such as if Yellowstone erupts then a large chunk of North America could be covered including Calgary.

https://www.vox.com/2014/9/5/6108169/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption

Toronto lake shore on the other hand might just gradually sink into the lake eventually if they keep building more and more high rise condos on or near the shore. Some might say that could be a good thing though, the condos sinking that is.
Click to expand...
Well. This is from a govt website. 1 out of 4 chances of a big one in Vancouver Area in next 50n years.

http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/earthquake-facts.aspx
 
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Bs65

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chikoo1985

chikoo1985

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May 20, 2017
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Few more research done at my end.
- Calgary is good option who has work /travelling which needs to cover for both east and west coast but weather is cold. Also taxes are low. Real Estate prices are better.
- Vancouver is good for retail and walk in services businesses because of lesser snow. Snow does affect such businesses.
- Toronto is more of a corporate side job and can be compared with NYC in terms of lifestyle, fast paced and happening. may be a little higher salary compared to Vancouver. Real Estate is almost equal to Vancouver.
 
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canuck78

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Jun 18, 2017
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Real estate in TO is still more affordable than Vancouver. There are no geographic barriers preventing urban sprawl. Wouldn't quite say Toronto is comparable to NYC but definitely the most fast-paced city in Canada. People live in Vancouver for the lifestyle. If you like the outdoors and sports it's a much better city than Toronto. Your wife will have similar opportunities in each city so I would make your decision based on your work opportunities. Media/advertising are tough industries ti break into even for Canadians. I would suggest keeping your options open when you arrive in Canada and look for job opportunities all over the country if possible. Not sure if you have children but it can be dome as a couple. I would try and identify where you think you will have the best chances of getting a job from India. Also try to reach out to any contacts you have or people through things like Linkedin.
 
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chikoo1985

chikoo1985

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canuck78 said:
Real estate in TO is still more affordable than Vancouver. There are no geographic barriers preventing urban sprawl. Wouldn't quite say Toronto is comparable to NYC but definitely the most fast-paced city in Canada. People live in Vancouver for the lifestyle. If you like the outdoors and sports it's a much better city than Toronto. Your wife will have similar opportunities in each city so I would make your decision based on your work opportunities. Media/advertising are tough industries ti break into even for Canadians. I would suggest keeping your options open when you arrive in Canada and look for job opportunities all over the country if possible. Not sure if you have children but it can be dome as a couple. I would try and identify where you think you will have the best chances of getting a job from India. Also try to reach out to any contacts you have or people through things like Linkedin.
Click to expand...
That's some useful information you have provided. Yes I agree media and advertising is tough to get in so that's where I am confused about. I made a note about the salon business opportunity point that you mentioned. Thanks.
 
jatt-going-canada

jatt-going-canada

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- Job opportunities
All of the cities are of decent size and offer great job opportunities. Vancouver has a huge film industry and Toronto is catching up. Calgary, not so much. I would suggest comparing the number of ad agencies and population in each city.

- Weather
Calgary has bad weather and winters are long. Vancouver and Toronto are okay, the latter gets more snow.

- Taxes and Expense
Here is a comparison of taxes https://www.taxtips.ca/taxrates/taxcomparison/tax-comparison-2017.htm
Vancouver has highest gas prices. We also have to pay MSP but they're getting rid of it next year.

- Real Estate Price and rents
Depends on your neighbourhood but overall Calgary would be the cheapest and Vancouver is the most expensive. Narrow down your research to neighbourhoods and commute times to downtown.

- Living standard
Also depends on neighbourhood, the east hastings area in Vancouver is riddled with homeless and the west vancouver is full of multi-millionaires.
 
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rooster7

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Dec 16, 2017
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Ad creative here. Toronto def has more opportunities in media/advertising. I just got here last month and am seeking a job. Landed in TO, but visited Vancouver and had one interview there - the hiring manager confessed there are less ad jobs in Vancouver and salaries are lower than TO. Though I fell in love with Van. TO has harsher weather but is slightly more affordable (though still expensive) and more opportunities to make a living. Keeping this mind, I've decided on living in TO. Hope this helps.
 
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chikoo1985

chikoo1985

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May 20, 2017
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jatt-going-canada said:
- Job opportunities
All of the cities are of decent size and offer great job opportunities. Vancouver has a huge film industry and Toronto is catching up. Calgary, not so much. I would suggest comparing the number of ad agencies and population in each city.

- Weather
Calgary has bad weather and winters are long. Vancouver and Toronto are okay, the latter gets more snow.

- Taxes and Expense
Here is a comparison of taxes https://www.taxtips.ca/taxrates/taxcomparison/tax-comparison-2017.htm
Vancouver has highest gas prices. We also have to pay MSP but they're getting rid of it next year.

- Real Estate Price and rents
Depends on your neighbourhood but overall Calgary would be the cheapest and Vancouver is the most expensive. Narrow down your research to neighbourhoods and commute times to downtown.

- Living standard
Also depends on neighbourhood, the east hastings area in Vancouver is riddled with homeless and the west vancouver is full of multi-millionaires.
Click to expand...
That's some useful information! Thanks.
 
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