Newbie
Posts: 5 
January 6th, 2007, 10:25 PM
I have been offered a postdoctoral position in edmonton for $33 000 plus benefits.
Is this enough to live a reasonable lifestyle? I dont drink, smoke and live a pretty
moderate lifestyle, prefer to live alone. Id only be looking for a small apartment. My only real essentials in life are highspeed internet.
Finally is edmonton a multicultural city, I come from Australia which is technically
in south east asia thus iam used to a lot of asian food. For example can you get japanese, thai, etc in edmonton?
I know this question probably gets asked a bit, but i searched previous posts and it did not appear to answer my question. Any input would be greatfully appreciated.
Peter
I have been offered a postdoctoral position in edmonton for $33 000 plus benefits.
Is this enough to live a reasonable lifestyle? I dont drink, smoke and live a pretty
moderate lifestyle, prefer to live alone. Id only be looking for a small apartment. My only real essentials in life are highspeed internet.
Finally is edmonton a multicultural city, I come from Australia which is technically
in south east asia thus iam used to a lot of asian food. For example can you get japanese, thai, etc in edmonton?
I know this question probably gets asked a bit, but i searched previous posts and it did not appear to answer my question. Any input would be greatfully appreciated.
Peter
January 6th, 2007, 10:36 PM
I am currently in the process of moving to Edmonton. Crazy crazy. The cost of living isn't too bad if you're willing to rent (we're currently in, honest to goodness, a bidding war to buy a house). Groceries, utilities, clothing, all that's pretty reasonable. There is a large 'Chinatown' in Edmonton. You might not be able to find Thai restaurants in as high a numbers as you have at home, but you will be able to find them. There is a lot of choice in Ed. Best of luck!
Quoting driekus
I have been offered a postdoctoral position in edmonton for $33 000 plus benefits.
Is this enough to live a reasonable lifestyle? I dont drink, smoke and live a pretty
moderate lifestyle, prefer to live alone. Id only be looking for a small apartment. My only real essentials in life are highspeed internet.
Finally is edmonton a multicultural city, I come from Australia which is technically
in south east asia thus iam used to a lot of asian food. For example can you get japanese, thai, etc in edmonton?
I know this question probably gets asked a bit, but i searched previous posts and it did not appear to answer my question. Any input would be greatfully appreciated.
Peter
Is this enough to live a reasonable lifestyle? I dont drink, smoke and live a pretty
moderate lifestyle, prefer to live alone. Id only be looking for a small apartment. My only real essentials in life are highspeed internet.
Finally is edmonton a multicultural city, I come from Australia which is technically
in south east asia thus iam used to a lot of asian food. For example can you get japanese, thai, etc in edmonton?
I know this question probably gets asked a bit, but i searched previous posts and it did not appear to answer my question. Any input would be greatfully appreciated.
Peter
I am currently in the process of moving to Edmonton. Crazy crazy. The cost of living isn't too bad if you're willing to rent (we're currently in, honest to goodness, a bidding war to buy a house). Groceries, utilities, clothing, all that's pretty reasonable. There is a large 'Chinatown' in Edmonton. You might not be able to find Thai restaurants in as high a numbers as you have at home, but you will be able to find them. There is a lot of choice in Ed. Best of luck!
The Padre
Posts: 4,558 
Location: Ontario
Location: Ontario
January 7th, 2007, 06:54 AM
I have friends in Edmonton. Love the city, as a tourist. I did have the chance last year to transfer to Edmonton but didn't follow up on it. Did not relish the thought of an Albertan winter!
Quoting karrie
Is it easier to find a rental property than a house for sale? Or easier to get?
I am currently in the process of moving to Edmonton. Crazy crazy. The cost of living isn't too bad if you're willing to rent (we're currently in, honest to goodness, a bidding war to buy a house). Groceries, utilities, clothing, all that's pretty reasonable. There is a large 'Chinatown' in Edmonton. You might not be able to find Thai restaurants in as high a numbers as you have at home, but you will be able to find them. There is a lot of choice in Ed. Best of luck!
I have friends in Edmonton. Love the city, as a tourist. I did have the chance last year to transfer to Edmonton but didn't follow up on it. Did not relish the thought of an Albertan winter!
January 7th, 2007, 10:39 AM
As for the winters.... since this move will be the furthest SOUTH in alberta I've ever lived, I find it quite amusing. I've seen winters elsewhere, and I guess perhaps it's what you're used to, but alberta winters are not damp like at the coasts, and so you can dress warm and stay warm. They're also so darn sunny, I'd take -40 in alberta over -10 on a damp dreary coast line.
But, like I said, it's probably a matter of what you're used to.
Quoting sanctus
It is easier to find a rental yes. There are so many young families moving that right now that, unless you can drop upwards of 400 000 on a fixer upper, your pickings for houses are slim to none. Like I said, we're in a bidding war on a house, and it is in need of at least 50 000 in repairs right off the jump. If you were to build in Edmonton right now, your wait time for the construction of your new house is at least 18 months. We are having a hellish time finding a suitable place to live.
Is it easier to find a rental property than a house for sale? Or easier to get?
I have friends in Edmonton. Love the city, as a tourist. I did have the chance last year to transfer to Edmonton but didn't follow up on it. Did not relish the thought of an Albertan winter!
I have friends in Edmonton. Love the city, as a tourist. I did have the chance last year to transfer to Edmonton but didn't follow up on it. Did not relish the thought of an Albertan winter!
As for the winters.... since this move will be the furthest SOUTH in alberta I've ever lived, I find it quite amusing. I've seen winters elsewhere, and I guess perhaps it's what you're used to, but alberta winters are not damp like at the coasts, and so you can dress warm and stay warm. They're also so darn sunny, I'd take -40 in alberta over -10 on a damp dreary coast line.
But, like I said, it's probably a matter of what you're used to.
January 7th, 2007, 10:43 AM
Quoting driekus
Well, I can tell you you'll enjoy the winter..... if...... you make sure to buy good winter clothes, good boots, and make sure not to experience the winter only from the vantage point of salted city roads. There are tons of opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, etc. If you look for ways to enjoy the snow, you'll love it. I've seen guys from florida arrive in Canada during a -40 snap, never having seen snow before, and even they adapted. You'll have the bonus of likely not showing up in the middle of the worst like that.
Definately will be renting, buying would be far out of my price range.
The weather is going to be a shock for me considering I have never seen snow or a temperature below 0C.
The weather is going to be a shock for me considering I have never seen snow or a temperature below 0C.
January 7th, 2007, 11:20 AM
Quoting Kreskin
i have a couple friends attending U of A. they each rent their own apartment in the university area, and manage to live on roughly 20K. So long as you aren't expecting to be able to eat out all the time, or drink heavily, it's doable.
33k seems a little low for the cost of living.
Super Genius
Posts: 1,384
Location: London, Ont. Canada
Location: London, Ont. Canada
January 8th, 2007, 03:27 AM
33k will suffice. Especially if you don't drink or smoke. All of Canada is multi-cultural. Winter is going to be a shock for you. Edmonton is damn cold in winter. You are only a hop skip and a jump from Lake Louise and Banff for world class skiing. A winter is the off season in Banff. You are only a hop skip and a jump from the Northwest Territories for world class fishing. The Rockies are just west of you. Alberta is screaming out for workers so part time job should be easy to get.
33k will suffice. Especially if you don't drink or smoke. All of Canada is multi-cultural. Winter is going to be a shock for you. Edmonton is damn cold in winter. You are only a hop skip and a jump from Lake Louise and Banff for world class skiing. A winter is the off season in Banff. You are only a hop skip and a jump from the Northwest Territories for world class fishing. The Rockies are just west of you. Alberta is screaming out for workers so part time job should be easy to get.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 6,651
Videos: 5
Location: Newfoundland!
Videos: 5
Location: Newfoundland!
January 9th, 2007, 04:50 PM
i just started a postdoc. i'll be on 40,000 and i'm worried about the cost of living. although i have a wife and a baby to support. I suspect with 33,000 and no dependants you could manage fine if u were thrifty.
It's a cool city
i just started a postdoc. i'll be on 40,000 and i'm worried about the cost of living. although i have a wife and a baby to support. I suspect with 33,000 and no dependants you could manage fine if u were thrifty.
It's a cool city
January 9th, 2007, 07:58 PM
Quoting hermanntrude
Yeah, a family of three on that kind of money is much harder. I hope I don't offend you, I offer this bit of advice out of habit.... right now all through Alberta, working families are SCREAMING for childcare. Dayhome operators are in short supply against the demand. It's an easy, flexible way for your wife to make some extra money if it's needed. And if you have a baby of your own, you're already totally set up to run one.
i just started a postdoc. i'll be on 40,000 and i'm worried about the cost of living. although i have a wife and a baby to support. I suspect with 33,000 and no dependants you could manage fine if u were thrifty.
It's a cool city
It's a cool city
Newbie
Posts: 3
January 14th, 2007, 07:04 PM
Does anybody know what I can not send private messages? (Im new in this forum)
thanks
Quoting karrie
Hi I read you said you have friends attending the university of Alberta. Well Im not sure Im going to that university but I would like to find out how expensive it would be to be a student and you know things like that.
i have a couple friends attending U of A. they each rent their own apartment in the university area, and manage to live on roughly 20K. So long as you aren't expecting to be able to eat out all the time, or drink heavily, it's doable.
Does anybody know what I can not send private messages? (Im new in this forum)
thanks
Newbie
Posts: 3
Location: Edmonton
Location: Edmonton
January 29th, 2007, 06:12 PM
1 bedroom apartment will cost you about $725 + $35 for power per mo and up in better areas. Thats approx $9120 per year for housing. The rest of your expenses are up to you. NO PROVINCIAL SALES TAX is nice. If you find a place close to your work you wont need a car. Vacancy rate in Edmonton is around 1% very low. You may find some rentals at these sites to compare costs:
www.rentexhomes.com
www.buysellrentads.com
1 bedroom apartment will cost you about $725 + $35 for power per mo and up in better areas. Thats approx $9120 per year for housing. The rest of your expenses are up to you. NO PROVINCIAL SALES TAX is nice. If you find a place close to your work you wont need a car. Vacancy rate in Edmonton is around 1% very low. You may find some rentals at these sites to compare costs:
www.rentexhomes.com
www.buysellrentads.com
Senate Member
Posts: 6,500
March 15th, 2007, 09:17 AM
Driekas
Welcome - I am appalled at $33K for POST doc???? I hope it's for one year only and you can negotiate a better deal when you put in some time.... it doesn't seem right and I hope they are not taking advantage of their "outsourcing" trying to undercut a higher salary they would have to pay Canadians.
Perhaps you can look around once you arrive and sort things out for something more lucrative.
Maybe they base it on a shorter work week/annual hours....still ....dunno...Oh - are you working on a fellowship award? If so - are they allowing you time to write and publish your work?
That money sounds more like a post graduate salary - not post doc.... especially in flourishing Alberta where the wages should be on a more affluent level.
Sorry I am being too nosy.
Driekas
Welcome - I am appalled at $33K for POST doc???? I hope it's for one year only and you can negotiate a better deal when you put in some time.... it doesn't seem right and I hope they are not taking advantage of their "outsourcing" trying to undercut a higher salary they would have to pay Canadians.
Perhaps you can look around once you arrive and sort things out for something more lucrative.
Maybe they base it on a shorter work week/annual hours....still ....dunno...Oh - are you working on a fellowship award? If so - are they allowing you time to write and publish your work?
That money sounds more like a post graduate salary - not post doc.... especially in flourishing Alberta where the wages should be on a more affluent level.
Sorry I am being too nosy.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 6,651
Videos: 5
Location: Newfoundland!
Videos: 5
Location: Newfoundland!
March 15th, 2007, 09:23 AM
Quoting Curiosity
postdocs are notoriously badly paid in this country. When I left england i was on the equivalent of about $54000, when i got here i was offered $40,000 i asked if it was negotiable and they said it would be except they're not allowed to give me any more. I'm on pretty much the maximum for a postdoc. Although there is unsunstantiated talk of getting a tax break this year.
Driekas
Welcome - I am appalled at $33K for POST doc???? I hope it's for one year only and you can negotiate a better deal when you put in some time.... it doesn't seem right and I hope they are not taking advantage of their "outsourcing" trying to undercut a higher salary they would have to pay Canadians.
Perhaps you can look around once you arrive and sort things out for something more lucrative.
Maybe they base it on a shorter work week/annual hours....still ....dunno...
That money sounds more like a post graduate salary - not post doc.... especially in flourishing Alberta where the wages should be on a more affluent level.
Welcome - I am appalled at $33K for POST doc???? I hope it's for one year only and you can negotiate a better deal when you put in some time.... it doesn't seem right and I hope they are not taking advantage of their "outsourcing" trying to undercut a higher salary they would have to pay Canadians.
Perhaps you can look around once you arrive and sort things out for something more lucrative.
Maybe they base it on a shorter work week/annual hours....still ....dunno...
That money sounds more like a post graduate salary - not post doc.... especially in flourishing Alberta where the wages should be on a more affluent level.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 6,651
Videos: 5
Location: Newfoundland!
Videos: 5
Location: Newfoundland!
March 15th, 2007, 09:25 AM
the no sales tax thing isnt that good... the prices are that much higher here than in the other provinces that it all evens out in the end.
Quoting peruvian_girl
welcome peruvian girl (and les too). You can probably get cheaper than what les is suggesting as well if u stay in residences, but i dont know. I do know that one-bedroom apartments can be down to about $600 if you're not too choosy and don't mind living away from the uni.
Hi I read you said you have friends attending the university of Alberta. Well Im not sure Im going to that university but I would like to find out how expensive it would be to be a student and you know things like that.
Does anybody know what I can not send private messages? (Im new in this forum)
thanks
Does anybody know what I can not send private messages? (Im new in this forum)
thanks
the no sales tax thing isnt that good... the prices are that much higher here than in the other provinces that it all evens out in the end.
