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A comment on Canada plans brain drain of H-1B visa holders, with no-job, no-worries permits. Parent comment

Re:Canada plans brain drain of H-1B visa holders, with no-jo... by amrocha on Wednesday June 28, 2023 @09:28PM (#36515182)
Are you actually from Vancouver? Nobody uses that site to look for a place, people use craigslist, and even then there's a bunch of sub 2K places. And heating is electric in 99% of Vancouver homes.

I had almost all those things you mention, internet and cell phone and gym membership, left the heater on 24/7 during winter, did plenty of shitting at home, and still never spent more than $1000 per month.

The only thing I didn't have is a car. A car is literally the worst financial decision you'll ever make. You're free to make it, but you can't come here and complain that cost of living is expensive.

Sucks about the transit tax credit though :/ I used to use that when my commute was by transit

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Re:Canada plans brain drain of H-1B visa holders, with no-jo... by dleslie on Thursday June 29, 2023 @07:06AM (#36518875)
I lived in New Westminster for 20y, and left in 2021.

Free heat and hot water is standard in older buildings with central boilers and radiated heating. Otherwise, you're taking on the utilities payment. If there's a separate service or dedicated service, then there's a bill.

If you don't have a car you're still renting a ride share to go hiking or skiing. Transit isn't taking you to Golden Ears or Cypress.

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Re:Canada plans brain drain of H-1B visa holders, with no-jo... by amrocha on Thursday June 29, 2023 @09:11AM (#36519889)
Makes sense, you haven't had to look for a place in 20 years. Yes, you have to pay for it, it doesn't matter, electricity is cheap.

And clearly you've never rented a car with your mates or taken one of the shuttle buses to the mountains.

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Re:Canada plans brain drain of H-1B visa holders, with no-jo... by dleslie on Thursday June 29, 2023 @12:55PM (#36523188)
What makes you think I didn't move during those 20y? I certainly did, I just stayed in New West.

Renting a car and taking shuttle buses isn't free.

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Re:Canada plans brain drain of H-1B visa holders, with no-jo... by amrocha on Thursday June 29, 2023 @08:33PM (#36528878)
Nobody says it's free, why are you moving the goalposts?
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Re:Canada plans brain drain of H-1B visa holders, with no-jo... by dleslie on Friday June 30, 2023 @02:40PM (#36540089)
No goalposts moved. It's the little things we take for granted that add up.

The total cost of living isn't just room and board, it's the expenditures one makes to be happy living and working where they are.

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