$22/hr is average wage needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Canada: report

[Ryan Strome]

1 hour ago, kingofsurrey said:

Many people are taking care of grand kids, relatives and/or elderly parents.  Moving out of province  is not an option for many

Admittedly I hadn't considered these people. Good point Kos.

1 hour ago, D-Money said:

Alberta, BC, and Ontario have the highest rated public school systems in the country.

I believe he meant six figures is very achievable here without any education.

1 hour ago, JoeyJoeJoeJr. Shabadoo said:

A quick look at craigslist will show that you are way out to lunch on that price. 

I thought that seemed awfully cheap. 

41 minutes ago, bishopshodan said:

Wife and I lived in a bachelor apartment for 5 years to save up for our first apartment. 

 

A Bachelor.

 

One room.

 

5 Years.

 

 

That just ain't right. 

6 minutes ago, Baer. said:

Abolish minimum wage, reward high output labour.

Reward high output seems great but scrapping minimum wage would cause so many more to live on welfare and would cost taxpayers money.

29 minutes ago, RUPERTKBD said:

But aren't the extra wages offset by the need to by snowblowers, block heaters, truck nuts, chewing tobacco and banjos?

Great point. 

I guess Manitoba it is.

 

 

[bishopshodan]

6 minutes ago, Ryan Strome said:

That just ain't right. 

We had a dream!

 

Kinda living it right now. We have upgraded throughout the years, benefited a lot from real estate investments. 

 

I believe where there is a will, there is a way. Nothing was going to deter us.

Edited November 20, 2019 by bishopshodan

[Nuxfanabroad]

1 hour ago, 112 said:

when I was in the psych ward a couple of years ago (was homeless at the time) some really old guy and I hit it off a bit and he unironically suggested I do this  

 

he advised me to get into amateur radio stuff as well, which was actually good advice I should have taken.

The whole planet is a freeken psych ward these days, my friend..& you likely see things a far sight clearer than I ever will. Just never wanna' bow down to the inmates who run this asylum.

[Nuxfanabroad]

1 hour ago, nucklehead said:

I'll tell you what else is different from them past days (being a bit older). We didn't have smart phones and data overages, cable bills, internet bills, utilities were a pittance, high insurance costs, tuition and book extortion, municipal  and provincial fees for everything, extended warranties, online club memberships for everything...on an on. There are a lot of extras these days that are designed to keep you poor. 

I know..that's partly why I ran away in late '94..it was already getting $h!tty then

[Warhippy]

Meanwhile business friendly politicians at the provincial level repeal wage increases or make amendments to current wage laws that allow for tiered wage structures.  They also give corporations tax incentives and breaks for "training" purposes without actually demanding or forcing a hiring to take place, allowing corporations to rake in millions if not hundreds of millions in savings without actually doing anything or increasing their labour forces.

 

Places like Prince Rupert and Kitimat who are seeing building booms due to the pipeline and refinery facilities have seen a quadrupling of housing costs/prices in the last 2 or 3 years, which has lead to an almost 5 fold increase in property taxes which are forcing people who have lived there for generations to sell.  Fort St John is approaching almost $1500+ rent for a 3 bedroom trailer.

 

Meanwhile places like Ft Mac are seeing the opposite in which 20 years ago a home was selling for $200,000, 7 years ago that same home was approaching $750,000 and now is selling for $250,000 and people are losing money hand over fist for buying in at the wrong time expecting the good times to continue.

 

Wages have not kept up to the cost of living period.  Speculatory home building based on the promise of ever increasing profits has made it impossible for the average person to own in a city, let alone a suburb, trickle down promises have fallen flat and consecutive governments at the federal level for almost 15 years have continued to trend of subsidies to the wealthy with no real change on the horizon.  And even IF by the numbers the current government is making life more affordable for the average family, it is ONLY by the numbers because the day to day reality is that most people living in mid sized to large cities are one large power bill away from bankruptcy or homelessness.

 

Something will give and soon.  It has too.

[PhillipBlunt]

3 hours ago, Bure_Pavel said:

There was another option there (or make your wife get a job too.) as for some people that number is not achievable. 

So, don’t answer the initial question. Cool. 

[kingofsurrey]

2 hours ago, 112 said:

that game was DOPE

 

+1

Yup back in the day with 'SIMS...

 

If your people were misbehaving...   you dropped them  into the bottom of an empty swimming pool and burn't the buildings down.......  thats how we as kids rolled.

Edited November 20, 2019 by kingofsurrey

[Ralph.]

5 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

Wages have not kept up to the cost of living period.  Speculatory home building based on the promise of ever increasing profits has made it impossible for the average person to own in a city, let alone a suburb, trickle down promises have fallen flat and consecutive governments at the federal level for almost 15 years have continued to trend of subsidies to the wealthy with no real change on the horizon.  And even IF by the numbers the current government is making life more affordable for the average family, it is ONLY by the numbers because the day to day reality is that most people living in mid sized to large cities are one large power bill away from bankruptcy or homelessness.

 

Something will give and soon.  It has too.

Yep. I live in a 1-BR apartment in Van with the lady. We want to move to Ontario, get away from the major cities. Unfortunately I had the crazy notion that I wanted to get a modest post-secondary education before doing so — I had to change jobs to be able to accommodate the time for class, so I jumped on the first one I could get about a year ago (barely minimum wage, raises do not exist within the company, and have been looking for a better situation off and on since). Luckily the lady's got a nice gig now (around that median wage) so we manage alright, but last year we really had to watch things like our heating (were cold many nights) because we can't afford a $300 winter hydro bill, on top of whatever else might pop up. Luckily I'm close enough to finishing my schooling that I've started looking for a job in my field (should get to around $22-25/hr). Gonna save up, and we're going to bolt as soon as it's feasible.

 

But it's a real problem: one major expense comes by and it could put us back months. Moving ain't cheap.

 

Not that I'm blaming anyone for these hindrances, but it just illustrates that it's not quite as simple as "get a better job," or "move somewhere you can afford to." 

[kingofsurrey]

1 hour ago, RUPERTKBD said:

But aren't the extra wages offset by the need to by snowblowers, block heaters, truck nuts, chewing tobacco and banjos?

And mental health counselling due to depression....

 

Its called BEAUTIFUL BC for a reason....

[kingofsurrey]

4 minutes ago, Gäz said:

Yep. I live in a 1-BR apartment in Van with the lady. We want to move to Ontario, get away from the major cities. Unfortunately I had the crazy notion that I wanted to get a modest post-secondary education before doing so — I had to change jobs to be able to accommodate the time for class, so I jumped on the first one I could get about a year ago (barely minimum wage, raises do not exist within the company, and have been looking for a better situation off and on since). Luckily the lady's got a nice gig now (around that median wage) so we manage alright, but last year we really had to watch things like our heating (were cold many nights) because we can't afford a $300 winter hydro bill, on top of whatever else might pop up. Luckily I'm close enough to finishing my schooling that I've started looking for a job in my field (should get to around $22-25/hr). Gonna save up, and we're going to bolt as soon as it's feasible.

 

But it's a real problem: one major expense comes by and it could put us back months. Moving ain't cheap.

 

Not that I'm blaming anyone for these hindrances, but it just illustrates that it's not quite as simple as "get a better job," or "move somewhere you can afford to." 

Good on you buddy.  Definately easier when there is 2 of you saving together and working as a team.   Sounds like you are on your  way.

PIcking the right  person  to partner up with is the most important decision you can make.....   Well done. 

Edited November 20, 2019 by kingofsurrey

[Warhippy]

22 minutes ago, Gäz said:

Yep. I live in a 1-BR apartment in Van with the lady. We want to move to Ontario, get away from the major cities. Unfortunately I had the crazy notion that I wanted to get a modest post-secondary education before doing so — I had to change jobs to be able to accommodate the time for class, so I jumped on the first one I could get about a year ago (barely minimum wage, raises do not exist within the company, and have been looking for a better situation off and on since). Luckily the lady's got a nice gig now (around that median wage) so we manage alright, but last year we really had to watch things like our heating (were cold many nights) because we can't afford a $300 winter hydro bill, on top of whatever else might pop up. Luckily I'm close enough to finishing my schooling that I've started looking for a job in my field (should get to around $22-25/hr). Gonna save up, and we're going to bolt as soon as it's feasible.

 

But it's a real problem: one major expense comes by and it could put us back months. Moving ain't cheap.

 

Not that I'm blaming anyone for these hindrances, but it just illustrates that it's not quite as simple as "get a better job," or "move somewhere you can afford to." 

We are in the midst of the sale of my wife mother's property.  It's only a double wide trailer built in 76.  We didn't want to be greedy and put it on the market for $112,999.

 

it literally sold 3 hours later the listing was up.  In a 55+ park in Penticton.  $112,000 total.  Buyer even waived a number of traditional conditions to get in immediately.

 

With that and what we have saved we have a cash downpayment of $300,000.  But, even with that level of downpayment, almost no family debt (household total is $16,000) we cannot afford a home the size we need in Penticton or the Okanagan based on current wage levels for my wife and my shooting season only being 6 months long. 

 

We could buy outright in Alberta, or do well in the horseshoe in Ontario's nickel belt area.  But a family with a yearly income of over $100,000 a year with roughly $300,000 cash downpayment being forced to move to find affordable housing.  It's kind of crazy.  We do well, we have a lot of cash but a family of 4 being forced to move even with that level of income/downpayment is a stark highlight to where this country is right now.

[kingofsurrey]

2 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

We are in the midst of the sale of my wife mother's property.  It's only a double wide trailer built in 76.  We didn't want to be greedy and put it on the market for $112,999.

 

it literally sold 3 hours later the listing was up.  In a 55+ park in Penticton.  $112,000 total.  Buyer even waived a number of traditional conditions to get in immediately.

 

With that and what we have saved we have a cash downpayment of $300,000.  But, even with that level of downpayment, almost no family debt (household total is $16,000) we cannot afford a home the size we need in Penticton or the Okanagan based on current wage levels for my wife and my shooting season only being 6 months long. 

 

We could buy outright in Alberta, or do well in the horseshoe in Ontario's nickel belt area.  But a family with a yearly income of over $100,000 a year with roughly $300,000 cash downpayment being forced to move to find affordable housing.  It's kind of crazy.  We do well, we have a lot of cash but a family of 4 being forced to move even with that level of income/downpayment is a stark highlight to where this country is right now.

#BrokenBC

#BrokenCanada

 

 

[mpt]

That’s the price you pay to live in the nicest city in Canada.  If you don’t like it, move further away or get a better job.  Prices are set because people are willing to pay it

[Warhippy]

9 minutes ago, mpt said:

That’s the price you pay to live in the nicest city in Canada.  If you don’t like it, move further away or get a better job.  Prices are set because people are willing to pay it

Sorry, which city is that?

 

Edit*  people are not willing to pay it, they are forced too.  That's the price of ownership vs renting for life

Edited November 20, 2019 by Warhippy

[kingofsurrey]

1 minute ago, Warhippy said:

Sorry, which city is that?

 

Edit*  people are not willing to pay it, they are forced too.  That's the price of ownership vs renting for life

You know what p...... s . me off about BC.

 

As soon as cops , nurses, teachers , city trades guys ask for any kind of a raise... the whole province turns against them and calls them lazy POS.

Everyone in BC is so against anyone else earning a living wage.  P...s me off to see how we all continue the low wage mentality of BC. 

[Warhippy]

11 minutes ago, kingofsurrey said:

You know what p...... s . me off about BC.

 

As soon as cops , nurses, teachers , city trades guys ask for any kind of a raise... the whole province turns against them and calls them lazy POS.

Everyone in BC is so against anyone else earning a living wage.  P...s me off to see how we all continue the low wage mentality of BC. 

You know what p****s me off about it?

 

That the moment a government is in charge that tries to change it, the people who need it the most are conditioned to scream at them for trying to fix it

[ForsbergTheGreat]

5 hours ago, Jimmy McGill said:

 

 

this has been the argument against every raise in the min wage, and even for the idea of a min wage. $20 works fine for the Aussies. 

 

But - IF we could get our governments to get off their hineys and build the co-op style housing needed to fix this crisis, we woudn't need a $20 min wage. 

Funny you praise the Aussies.  They have an age tiered min wage where you don't make $20 until you reach 21 years old. 17 and under only makes 11.27 per hour. 

 

When Kenney proposed this exact same strategy in Alberta you and few others on here lost your minds on him.....Strange how the exact same strategy is praised and labeled good in one thread but terrible the next....

[kingofsurrey]

10 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

You know what p****s me off about it?

 

That the moment a government is in charge that tries to change it, the people who need it the most are conditioned to scream at them for trying to fix it

Our crappy BC media just jumps on board on cue to slam any time workers in BC look to get any kind of raise or living wage....

Can't wait till every newspaper in BC shuts down. Utter garbage media we have here in BC. 

[Warhippy]

2 minutes ago, kingofsurrey said:

Our crappy BC media just jumps on board on cue to slam any time workers in BC look to get any kind of raise or living wage....

Can't wait till every newspaper in BC shuts down. Utter garbage media we have here in BC. 

It's not just here.

 

Alberta

Ontario

Saskatchewan

 

America.

 

People are literally conditioned to think that giving subsidies and huge breaks to businesses are good.  That eventually it will make its way to people.  But giving breaks and subsidies to people is socialism, or welfare.  The people that literally need the help the most will scream about it the loudest if you try to help them.

[Ralph.]

10 minutes ago, ForsbergTheGreat said:

Funny you praise the Aussies.  They have an age tiered min wage where you don't make $20 until you reach 21 years old. 17 and under only makes 11.27 per hour. 

 

When Kenney proposed this exact same strategy in Alberta you and few others on here lost your minds on him.....Strange how the exact same strategy is praised and labeled good in one thread but terrible the next....

Interesting. I hadn't seen that.