Moving to Canada, Toronto. Salary to expect?

Hello,

I will be moving to Toronto, Canada with my husband during the summer. He was born in Canada and left when he was a teen. I'm originally from the UK, so we both speak English fluently. My husband works as a computer technician for a computer company. He actually manages the IT department. I myself have done numerous jobs, however I don't have a degree. I have worked as a Veterinary Assistant, Receptionst, Office Administrator, Sales, etc. I would like to know what kind of wages we should expect in this line of work? Would we be able to live comfortably with us both working? We're not the kind of people that drive luxury cars and fine dine every night. Would it be possible to give me a quick run down of the expenses of living in Canada? For example, taxes deducted from our income, electricity, gas, rent (or mortgage for an average 3 bedroom house) We're looking at living in Pickering, Ajax, or surrounding areas... (safe areas) etc.
Any feedback would be most appreciated.

I also live in Pickering, (welcome to the neighbourhood)

An IT manager, depending on the company can go from 60k to 90k a year.
For you, on the jobs listed, about 30-35k, more if in sales, depending on what you are selling. I work for an insurance company (coming from the UK actually) and some of our licenced sales agents can make 45k-50k

I have a 4 bedroom house that I paid 180k for (in 99), probably worth 240k now.

Basic tax is 22% for incomes under 39k,
I make in the 70's and all my payroll expenses, CPP (Canada Pension Plan), EI (Employment Insurance) and my works long term disability only amounts to 30% and typically I get a refund.

Roughly, I pay (annually) about $400 for water/sewage, $1500 for gas, $900 for hydro, $2600 for property taxes.

I survive quite well, (with a child and no spouse) on what your husband makes, you both will be fine.

If you shoot me an email, I can even set you up with a real estate agent in Pickering, she is a mother of a high school friend and have recommended her to countless people and everyone is always happy with her.

Cheers.

(oh, any other questions, feel free to email)

First off, welcome to Canada, and specifically Toronto (or in your case the greater Toronto area, lol).

As an IT manager, your husband should stand to make around $60-70k a year. As a receptionist, or a similar vocation, you'd expect to make around $30k a year.

Income tax in Canada depends on how much you make. For your husband, he'll be taxed around 33% and yourself around 27%. I say around because the exact number escapes me right now.

You will have no problems living comfortably. Toronto; although an expensive city; isn't nearly as expensive as London; and Pickering/Ajax is a relatively cheap area to live in. You'll be happy to know that area is considered very safe and probably the second largest growing community around Toronto (Vaughn or Missisauga might be first).

I pay about $100 for gas and another $100 for electricity, of course in summers the electricity is higher but gas is lower, and vice versa. 3 bedroom house in Ajax would be about $300 000 for a very nice house with large backyard, etc. Mortgage on a 25 year should be about $1500 a month.

If you can afford to spend a little more, consider moving to Oakville. Although considered a town, it has a population of 100 000; and is within 15 minutes driving to Toronto and is actually closer than Pickering or Ajax. It's considered the poshiest suburb of Toronto; very safe, amazing schooling for kids...but a 3 bedroom house should be at least $350 000.

Good luck, and welcome to Canada.

I live in Pickering, and if you were looking to rent a house, it would be around $1000-1500 + utilities. Usually you would have the upper floor, and another family would be renting the basement apartment. I mention that because I've heard that basements in houses are not common everywhere!

My husband and I pay $250/month for 10 months for oil heating, $100+/month for electricity, and $100+ every three months for water. Some other monthly costs include: phone $50, internet $50, cable $50, 3 cell phones $200, 2000 vehicle $210, 2003 vehicle $340, car insurance (30 yrs old, perfect records) $210, gas for cars $200, groceries $400, etc...

Here is a great site I used to determine living costs and other details when we moved across country to Vancouver (we've since moved back):

http://relocatecanada.com/

I was living in Toronto 10 years. A very nice, safe and cosmopolitan city. And clean too. And homes are cheaper in Canada than in Europe. Basic wages may be little lower than in UK, but expenses are lower too. Electricity, water, gasoline, food etc, in some details may be only half the price than in Europe. Gasoline price is around one dollar per litre. An average home costs some 300k and more, depending of course on size and if its near public transportation such as in Toronto TTC subway station or bus station. In the surrounding areas you can go by GO trains.