Earlier quoted context omitted.
It matters because you don't just spend your earnings locally.
Actually, most people do.
Most people do, but most people wish they didn't. They wish they made more so they could travel the world...
Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
121–130 of 134 posts
Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#122Earlier quoted context omitted.
Congrats on having a profitable self funded company, and in Toronto, that is amazing. As an example situation, I'd like in this pseudononymous situation to ask what are the factors and principles that makes $120k/y a reasonable offer for a functional programmer in Toronto? A consultant earns about $1k+/day, or double the proposed salary, and companies typically pay $1600-2400/day for contractors through an agency, so…
The salary is partly imposed on me as a constraint but we are also offering an unreal equity package vs what I've seen (multiple % in voting shares.) My salary is the same. And it's not low for Toronto. With my experience I know I could make at least another 20k but the equity compensates. Our team is extremely small so the value of work contributed by each head (given the individual can successfully contribute in su…
That imposed constraint is the thing I keep circling around.
Somebody says "this is enough," and all the companies seem to agree, except a rare US company that isn't in the loop.
Toronto is universally anchored to that 120 number, and 200 seems taboo. Whatever your company is doing, that's fantastic you can do it in Toronto, as QoL for people is really good, and it has the kind of culture pretty much everyone wants to live in.
Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#123Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#124Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#125No, Toronto isn't a "Global tech leader" A lot of startups, but a significant amount seem very "gimmicky". (Probably less than SV, but it seems there are less companies that "started up" then grew to a significant size). That or you can work for the Megacorps, usually in the suburbs in their lifeless campuses. Not to mention the salaries. Also Canada tech companies in general seems to use less open source than USA or…
Ecobee, WealthSimple, Shopify,
I'd say Shopify is an exception (and it started in Ottawa)
I hadn't heard about the other two
Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#126Earlier quoted context omitted.
I do think it reflects more of a "not US" than a "not Silicon Valley/Seattle" problem these days. Anecdotally, I've discovered that most sufficiently large companies in the US now recognize and will credibly attempt to compete with the stratospheric Silicon Valley wages for the upper echelons of tech talent no matter where the company is located. For example, I've seen many cases of the Fortune 500, most of which are…
"offering the upper end of the six-figure range for an individual contributor" Really? Like 900,000 USD? Really?
I made the same assumption but I think maybe they meant higher end of typical six-figure salaries, as in ~$180-200k. 900k for an individual contributor who isnt a very very particular addition to a team seems a bit high...
Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#127Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm a Montreal, this is pure spin. The 'low unemployment' bit is funny considering how many underemployed, homeless and in betweens there are. I don't remotely buy it. The economy in Montreal is reasonable but soft. I guess compared to itself in 2001? The AI hub is correct for now, that might change.
I think if you can get a decent tech job and if you speak French. Montreal is definitely a better pick than Toronto.
You can easily get a job without French. I know 2 shops that can’t fill positions even with competitive (for Montreal) salaries. One is all English (Wordpress, magneto shop) and the other is large international org. The international org couldn’t even fill the secretary role for 6 month. They ended up getting a student fresh of the school without experience.
I’m constantly getting bombarded with recruiters with good offers.
Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#128Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think if you can get a decent tech job and if you speak French. Montreal is definitely a better pick than Toronto.
If by 'better pick' you mean almost 1/2 salary. I've lived here for quite some time and grew up in Toronto. I've lived in the Valley and around the world, I'm acquainted with most issues.
1/2 salary of Toronto? No way! Montréal salaries are lower, but by 15-20% max. Yet you can buy a condo with a parking spot, in a central location for $220. The cost of living is much lower than Toronto.
I’ve lived in Ottawa, Toronto and now Montreal. Montreal is by far more affordable than the other 2.
Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#129Earlier quoted context omitted.
As a Canadian-U.S. dual citizen who has spent my whole life in Canada, and most of it in Toronto, I honestly can't justify settling down in Ontario. The taxes are high and complicated, the services are subpar (and I don't use most of them), and Canada largely lacks the civil rights stability enjoyed in the U.S. under the Constitution (as currently amended and interpreted), particularly regarding freedom of speech and…
lolwat
Please don't do this here.
Re: Developments in tech in Toronto over the past seven years
#130Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can do without French but then again if you're living there make an effort Winter is worse than Toronto but not by much (and Ottawa winters seem worse than both, to the point a whole canal freezes)
Montreal winters are far worse than Ottawa, if only due to the laissez faire attitude taken towards infrastructure and maintenance of the city and buildings - not just government, but landlords as well.
Ah, well that sounds like something they've got in common with San Francisco.