Job Discussion Forums

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

If we relocate to the USA or Canada, how much do you think we'd need to start up? realistically speaking. Also, how much can you save a month?

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

That's kind of a tough question to answer, as it depends a heck of a lot on where you're going and what you're doing. My suggestion would be to pick whatever area you plan to return to, and then start looking on the internet at the newspaper apartment ads and employment sites.

I'm moving back to Canada in July. I'll be in the BC interior, and I've been checking out costs (such as apartments) via the internet. A typical rent for a small apartment in that area starts at $600/month. Factor in utilities, food, transportation, and other basic needs, and that can easily double, so I'm assuming I'll have basic living expenses of $1200/month.

When I look at the wanted ads and various employment sites, it looks like there's a fair bit of work - but most of it I'm unqualified for, or worse, simply uninterested in doing. Maybe it's snobbish of me, but after teaching English at a university for three years I'm not really interested in working at Walmart or driving a delivery truck for $10/hour.

Maybe I'll luck out and find a job I want right away, or maybe I won't. I'm guessing I'll need at least two months, maybe four. That means I'd better have at least $5000 set aside, simply as start-up money for when I arrive back 'home'.

As for saving up, I decided to return to Canada quite some time ago and started pinching my pesos just after Christmas. I haven't travelled or had much of an exciting social life for the last six months, but I have saved up that I can afford to go back and support myself for a few months while I search for work. If I don't find a decent job after four or five months, my backup plan is to buy a plane ticket to Korea or Taiwan, and go teach EFL there for a year.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

So what's the English teaching work like there? All 10 dollars an hour? Keep us posted on what it's like to go back.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

advice · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 39 Location: USA

Completely agree:))) The rates are different a little bit.

Government requirements never reflect anything. People can sometimes borrow from the relatives, show the statement and return the borrowed money.

When they have them they are not going to spend them on living, they are coming to Canada to earn, to get free health care and Western education for their children, usually using western scholarships or grants.

The question does not make sense in the reality. Every area is different. Even in the same area. I have the experience of renting the half of a family home in the expensive neighborhood in Washington, DC for $600 per month. I was lucky. I could still rent it, but without a car my husband will not get to the job, now I am renting a really big one-bedroom for $1,120 in the neighborhood where it is at least $200 more expensive and I do not have a deposit which is completely impossible in the apartment buildings around.

Government requirements are created for the purpose you do not ask money from them for the first 6 months of being in Canada. They will show you the copy of your statement:)))

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: Start up costs vs. saving

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

So if we were to stay for three or four years, would we be in debt when we left or would we be able to save?

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

You would be in debt.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

EMH1969 · Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 38

I'll be a bit of a contrarian and say it depends. For example, if you look at the Chronicle of Higher Education there are openings for ESL instructors at Universities in Indiana, Florida and Ohio that pay between $30-40,000. They require a MA in TESOL and several years experience. Cost of living in those states is very modest. I know that I could live on that salary and easily save money.

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

In order to save money you need to have a full time job. For starters.

Sherri · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:08 am Post subject:

I returned to the US after more than 20 years abroad. I came back with a husband and 2 kids! We had saved a lot and had done a lot of planning. Neither of us had a job lined up just a lot of determination plus both of us are pretty well qualified in our fields with plenty of experience. It does not have to be doom and gloom. In fact it has been a wonderful move for our whole family. Our quality of life shot up (after living in Tokyo) and Hawaii is a great place to raise kids.

The main difference is, we did not come here to save money, but to take it easy and get out of the stresses of living in a big city and a pressurized society.
Sherri

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Sherri,
That's great to hear that you were able to move back. So it can be done.

Sherri · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject:

Hi naturegirl
Of course it is possible to move back and start up costs can be just as expensive as starting up in any of the more developed countries like Japan or western Europe, Oz, NZ. In the end we chose the US because I am a citizen (and so are my kids) here and visa-wise it was easier.

One thing, have you already got a visa for your husband to come to the US--does he already have PR status, or do you have to jump through those hoops too? To sponsor him for a PR visa in the US, you will need to show that you have enough savings to live on, or a job with adequate income lined up, or that you have relatives who would be willing to sponsor you.

Best
Sherri