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| Subject: To wannabe: |
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Hi wannabe,
Sorry for the delay, as meaning to get back to you from last thread (which maxed out). Thanks for your thoughts and perspectives. We find them very valuable, especially as your and our situation are so similar. Would like to hear more about your observations and experiences. We hope to continue to hear from you guys.
We´re making tentative plans for the spring, targeting for now London and Toronto GTA. We were just on the phone today with a friend who lives in GTA. She´s saying housing prices have dropped 15-20% and unemployment has skyrocketed in GTA due to the economic downturn. GTA housing is still relatively expensive she thinks, but this may nevertheless be a good time.
London is appealing because of lower housing costs, and it´s not a bad drive from here. We´re skittish about selling right away because of the last experience that you know a bit about. And it´s only about an hour and a half from Toronto too.
Anyway, please stay in touch. (Also RTC)
[22-03-2009,20:30]
[**.53.226.146]
Richard |
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(in reply to: To wannabe:)
When I was in Toronto last week I heard from someone that he saw a TV reporting claiming 34% drop in the home price of Toronto. Not quite sure. I tried to look for a home for us and the market is looking as usual. 3 Craiglist adds I replied in the same/next day and not a single one replied. Rent looks normal to me.
Unemployment issue is 100% true, though still far better than the US. All of the major banks here are still making profits but still they are laying of, as they can´t achieve the target and fearing for the worse.
If given similar job, I wouldn´t hesitate a bit to move into London. Though my past experience tells me that Apt. rent is much lower there, but difference of home price is not that much. Definitely lower than Toronto, but not that much.
You may look for the Govt. jobs as well, at least the provincial govts hire the PRs. Govt. jobs are unbeatable in Canada.
[23-03-2009,13:40]
[**.100.197.177]
DC_RC |
(in reply to: To wannabe:)
the media quotes 2 different house sales numbers that make things very confusing. They say sales are down 34% - OK... that means instead of 100 houses selling in February there was only 66. That makes no reference to the selling price- it only suggests fewer people are buying. Does not give the reason. Snow storms, prices too high, employment uncertainty, the list goes on.
Second thing they regularly discuss is average home price. In most cases they compare it to the same period one - but one year prior.
In Vancouver, sales are down about 30-40%. Prices are down 12-20% I am more inclined to be interested in the prices than the volume of sales.
[23-03-2009,15:45]
[***.20.116.15]
Sharon |
(in reply to: To wannabe:)
Good to hear from you Richard. Glad to hear that your plans are moving forward--it sounds like you are concentrating on some good areas. I think it would be good to communicate via RTC too-I´ll make my way over there soon.
DC/RC: I wonder why you say that government jobs are unbeatable in Canada? From our experience, the pay is VERY low compared to anything comparable in the US.
[23-03-2009,15:53]
[**.252.115.196]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: To wannabe:)
Thanks Shron for the clarification. It makes sense now. I know for sue that in Toronto the home price didn´t drop dramatically like 30%.
Wannabe,
That may depending on what is your field. But in our field (Civil Engg.) the avg. salary in Govt. service is at least 15% higher than pvt. Not to mention lot of other great benefits. Few days back ON was hiring entry level engineers fresh out of school @ 62K min´m, whereas in Pvt. jobs they´ll get 48-52K.
I heard that it is more or less the general trend here, that´s why Govt. jobs are highly competive (unlike the US where none wants to go for the Govt. in normal time).
[23-03-2009,17:04]
[**.100.197.177]
DC_RC |
(in reply to: To wannabe:)
Whoa DC_RC. I have to disagree with you about U.S. govt. jobs, especially federal. Salary and benefits equal or exceed private industry.
An IT Specialist or IT Project Manager with a few years experience starts as GS-13, step 1 but more likely step 2. In the larger U.S. cities with locality adjustment for cost of living, that´s $88-92K to start. This includes pension benefits that few private companies offer anymore. And you can´t get laid off or terminated unless by gross negligence.
At a private company, the average PM salary is $84K in the same locality. So not quite right that no one wants to work for the U.S. govt., at least professionals. Every time there´s a vacancy, hundreds of qualified resumes and applications flow in. Believe me, I know this.
[23-03-2009,17:38]
[**.53.226.146]
Richard |
(in reply to: To wannabe:)
Yes, I agree about the Fed Jobs. I noticed also that their salary level is very high.
But still the local Govt. pay scales aren´t match for the pvt. sectors in the US.
One example, Our FDOT still pays 39,000 yearly for the fresh college grads, pvt. pays min;m 50K. With 6-8 years experience, they may pay max´m 70K, pvt. sector can pay upto 90K.
In our field, only California govt. pays matching with the pvt. sectors. In normal time there was a unofficial proverd that you have can´t find anything then go for the DOT jobs. One of my freind was laid of with 86K salary, now he joined the FDOT for 60K. Even after he had to compete for several months.
[23-03-2009,19:24]
[**.100.197.177]
DC_RC |
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