I see you are expecting a baby. Given it seems like you will also be paying for the delivery and you won't qualify for maternity payments (they are not very generous) you will likely have to make sacrifices. Not uncommon for most Canadian new parents.
How is life in Toronto for people who moved from the US?
- Thread starter Jancy
- Start date
Even I am hoping the same. After people who come to US onsite as senior developers come with 65k to 75k salary bracket in US too. They either better the salary moving jobs or with promotions etc.With PR, one should probably have better options with more local experience and networks.
You can stay in GTA and keep the car. You will get used to insurance and all that. Also the next job for your spouse could be outside downtown, and if it is in a place that is not accessible by public transport, car would be must. Giving up car would bring down your quality of life even further.
But given the duty and taxes to import and the insurance you would be paying, it seemed to buy a car later if and when we move out of GTA seems like a better option. You won't believe, I tried an auto insurance quote for the GTA area for just one of my cars and the minimum quote I got was for CAD 4000 a year. I am paying USD $1200 for two cars and two drivers now in the US
That sounds right... If you don't have Canadian driving experience and live in GTA, the cost of car insurance is massive.
I remember leaving in SK (other province) and paying only like $1000 for a newcomer.
If you land in Canada with PR (or even on a visa), you apply for Health Card straight away. Delivering baby doesn't cost you anything in ON and if you don't have benefits, the ward room for postpartum recovery is free also (usually few woman in one room, but if you are lucky and there are not many deliveries on the same day, you might end up alone in the room anyway). Only if you want semi- or private room, you have to pay extra per day.
Did you check my initial response in this thread? You don't need to pay duty and taxes to import the car if you declare it in your goods to follow form while landing. As a first time settlers, PR holders can bring any amount of things including car duty/tax free.
Wow that's great to know. Sorry I missed your previous comment. That really takes the stress off
Yes
Yes we checked and my husband's employer has health coverage for me too. So I am not stressed about it if OHIP doesn't kick start before the delivery
That's incorrect. Everyone returning to Ontario from outside Canada, even citizens, need to wait 3 months to have their OHIP start. Would highly recommend keeping your car if you afford it with a small child. If you are only looking to spend $1500 you won't be downtown.
Have you checked whether it is only extended benefits. Unless it a special health plan as part of your resettlement package health care benefits in Canada do not involve hospital costs, doctors, etc
It says it's a "Supplemental health Insurance" with 90% reimbursement of hospitalization. I am still doubtful if they LL cover me if I am already pregnant before an added to the policy