Related discussion on an unrelated thread about a week ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23329537
Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
41–50 of 119 posts
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
> My top earning friends in Canada of the same experience level earn 2 - 4 times less than me and my peers here 2 is possible, 4 seems like a big stretch. Are you really comparing apples to apples? Or are you working for Google and comparing against someone working for a random consultancy firm in Victoria? In Montréal, top software developers salaries are around 200K CAD, a bit more if you go at Google, and Montreal…
They said it was the beginning of their career. Particularly on the island, in Victoria, it's quite possible for an entry level position to earn only around 33,000 to 45,000 CDN.
The best jobs? Granted I don't know what "the best jobs" are in Victoria, but that seems surprising. Are there big tech offices in Victoria?
If there aren't good jobs there then it's a different story.
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#43I work in Victoria, BC earning $200k+ CAD working remote for a big US tech company. It's the best of both, live in a wonderful place and get paid well.
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#44Compensation is lower, but if you have a family it's probably worth it. It's education, health care, and access to parks and such are generally easy to come by, cheap/free and good; particularly in Metro Vancouver. Those things make a world of difference when raising kids.
Vancouver real estate is ridiculously high, especially given how low the salaries are
Metro Vancouver isn't just the CoV; I know folks who live in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Mission who commute into the CoV to work. The West Coast Express makes this a pleasant, painless and relatively swift commute.
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#45As many others said salary is about 1.5x-2x lower. Taxes are about 7-10% higher. Cost of living in metro Toronto or Vancouver is pretty high, around the same as Seattle or DC. Housing prices are outrageous in both the metro areas. Vancouver over 1.5M for detached and Toronto around 1M.
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#46Tons of opportunities in Vancouver and Toronto at both small companies and large multinationals. But salaries are low (compared to the US) and cost of living is high.
The quality of life in Canada is wonderful if you can make the numbers work. Vancouver and Toronto offer different things so I'd research which one suits you better. They're both amazing in their own way.
I can't speak for Montreal which has its own unique culture unfamiliar to me, but I believe it's comparable to Vancouver and Toronto, and cost of living is better. It's a very distinct place.
Smaller, more affordable cities you could consider are Ottawa, Waterloo, and Victoria. They each come with their own trade-offs but have decent tech industries. Victoria is only really affordable compared to Vancouver/Toronto but it's a very idyllic small city if that's what you're after.
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
They said it was the beginning of their career. Particularly on the island, in Victoria, it's quite possible for an entry level position to earn only around 33,000 to 45,000 CDN.
The best jobs? Granted I don't know what "the best jobs" are in Victoria, but that seems surprising. Are there big tech offices in Victoria? If there aren't good jobs there then it's a different story.
There's hardly anything in Victoria. It's a Government and Retirement town.
Edit: apparently my perspective is dated; see the replies.
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#48Can someone knowledgeable about this issue comment about legal / tax feasibility of getting a remote job with a US company and living in Canada or elsewhere abroad?
I used to work for a US company as a remote employee (contractor). I'm a canadian citizen, so it will be different if you dont have the right to work here, but for me its pretty easy. You're basically considered self-employeed and have to declare your income. You also have to register for a GST number (you don't have to charge gst, but you do have to report charging $0. Its weird). The tax forms are easy enough you can definitely just print them out and fill out yourself, or hire a tax person to do them for you. (Disclaimer: not an accountant, hire a real one if you want real tax advice).
I have no idea how it works if your not a citizen. In general i think work visas are fairly easy to get if you are a skilled worker like a software engineer, especially coming from a NAFTA country.
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
> a mostly car-based society. I haven't commuted by car in ... 17 years. I work in the Metro Vancouver area.
Yeah I think Vancouver is an exception to the parent's comment. It's certainly true in Calgary, Toronto, Montreal etc (IMHO).
Honest, if you're willing to live and work in Calgary or Toronto then I don't see why you shouldn't move south and get paid more to live in similar cities.
Re: Ask HN: Canada for tech jobs?
#50Earlier quoted context omitted.
> a mostly car-based society. I haven't commuted by car in ... 17 years. I work in the Metro Vancouver area.
Yeah I think Vancouver is an exception to the parent's comment. It's certainly true in Calgary, Toronto, Montreal etc (IMHO).
Its certainly an exception on the winter front.
How walkable cities are are going to vary by city. Vancouver is very walkable. Also if you live somewhere up north, its not going to be that walkable even with a great bus system, because waiting for the bus in -30 sucks.