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Great Job Canada! Australia having the same Problem!

My daughter is nearing the end of 2 great years in Canada on an IEC (backpacker) visa from Australia. She’s loved the people, the landscape (mostly lived in BC and Alberta) , and working there…. She picked up interesting jobs, worked very hard, just about made ends meet, has been great. \n\nShe was even offered a permanent job by a major Canadian co last year (she was working for them on a one year role at the time) that would’ve paved the way for her to apply for PR…but she turned it down without a second thought….. for all the reasons you would know about \n\n- Wages aren’t great (maybe 20% less than australia), \n\n- taxes are high (incl having to pay CPP…in australia the employer pays all pension contributions, on top of wages), \n\n- groceries prices out of kilter, \n\n- rents consume most of what’s left…. \n\n- AND, even if you could save a deposit for a house, or shoebox apartment….what’s the point, could never afford it. \n\nShe’s seen nearly all her Canadian friends resigned to their fate of being perennial renters, of being perpetually skint. It’s no life. She’s sad to see it - coming from a country of perpetual optimism and opportunity, to learn over time how such a (on many levels) similar country isn’t like that, that has somehow got it all so wrong. \n\nIf you are thinking of “australia” as your answer, it’d be a fair call\n\n- Avoid Sydney if you can (a less expensive Vancouver) but rest of the place is “workable”. \n\n- Average wage in Perth is $100k (C$90k) and average house (full size…not an apt or townhouse) price is about $700k (C$630k) …so do-able, if tight to start with, for youngsters (like you..!) \n\n- I’ve been to Vancouver’s East Hastings St, and so can confirm is nowhere close to that in Oz. Are sketchy parts of all cities, but it’s definitely not community wide\n\n- are small pockets of homelessness (esp but not only indigenous community) but the governments are mostly (sort of…) “on it” \n\n- sun, sea, sand… and the sharks rarely come close to shore!

When I think about my time in Canada, it's bittersweet. I moved there for my undergraduate studies and spent 5 great years soaking up the Canadian culture. After graduating from McGill University, I had a tough time finding a job. Fortunately, I had the support of my boyfriend and didn't struggle with housing, especially in more affordable Montreal.\n\nWe moved to Australia a few months ago, and wow, what a change! I do miss my Canadian friends, but I can't complain about not having to tip for a take-out coffee here! As well as not paying an astronomical amount for asking for alternative milk!