Newcomer doctor budget

[xoubie]

Hello everyone, I am 29 y o international single doctor willing to relocate to canada soon. My PR is in process and I am preparing for my exams.

I have a budget question: is 28k CAD enough to relocate in a low cost province, In the suburbs, have a car and live for few months before I get a job?

Or is it better to get a job before traveling?

Any doctors here with same experience? Please advise! I am really stuck at this point .

 

[Naturgrl]

Are you licensed to practice? If not, don't know what job you will get before you leave. What "low" cost province are you moving to? $28k seems like a lot but you can go through it quickly.

Budget is the same for everyone and will depend on province and if able to find any job. Used car/insurance may take up most of your budget. And can you transfer your driver's license or must you take exams/driving tests? Will depend on province.

Living: Sharing an apartment or renting own apartment.

Utilities: water/electricity/gas if not included, internet, phone $200-300

Food: Need to start with staples which could cost $500 then $300-1000 per month depending on tastes

Car: Could be up to $20k. Finding one is difficult and in good shape that you can drive on the road.And can you transfer your driver's license or must you take exams/driving tests? Will depend on province. Insurance may be up around $300 per month.

Are you coming with furniture, cooking supplies, winter clothes etc.

So the $28k could be gone through quickly if you buys a car and have no job.

 

[canuck78]

Hello everyone, I am 29 y o international single doctor willing to relocate to canada soon. My PR is in process and I am preparing for my exams.

I have a budget question: is 28k CAD enough to relocate in a low cost province, In the suburbs, have a car and live for few months before I get a job?

Or is it better to get a job before traveling?

Any doctors here with same experience? Please advise! I am really stuck at this point .

Where did you do your medical training? That will have an influence on how long you will need to prepare to support yourself. What province/city are you trying to relocate to? The cost of living is extremely different between provinces and even within a province. Processing IMG paperwork tends to be painfully slow although it has gotten much better in certain provinces.

The fact that you have no credit or job history in Canada and may not have a job secured with likely may make it more difficult to secure things like housing, a car, etc. You may need to put down considerably more money than if you were employed, had credit history in Canada, etc. There is now more housing available in some areas of Canada so there may be more flexibility from landlords in certain areas of Canada and due to the economy car dealerships may be more willing to make deals but you may need to plan on having a temporary solution until you start working for example, compromise on what type of car you purchase, etc.