Things we wish we knew before moving to Canada from Australia! Living abroad

[@Dreadlock1227]

Tip regarding phone plans- a lot of US cellular companies offer plans with coverage in both the US and Canada, so you can just have a US based phone plan and then use it in Canada. I have AT&T and I pay around $35 USD/ month for unlimited two text and data. The only drawback is that you’ll have a US area code which can cause some confusion sometimes when you’re trying to call people, but that’s pretty minor in my opinion. Also, as a side note regarding turning right on red lights- there doesn’t even have to be a sign saying you’re allowed to. As long as there’s not a sign saying you can’t, then you can assume that you’re allowed to go on red. It’s only intersections that have a sign specifically stating that you can’t turn on red, otherwise you’re good

[@wjdietrich]

Not quite Bec, most groceries are NOT taxable(essential foods) ,snacks and prepared foods(considered luxury items) are taxable and restaurant foods. Also children's clothing is not taxable.

[@outback7092]

how about that... same as AUS .

[@ingybarclay1201]

Moved to Canada from Egypt with my parents in 2008. Their credit history became non existent because it didn't transfer from another country. And that really affected us. And found it frustrating how much CC are required everywhere.

[@BecOutWest]

Absolutely! Cc are really big in Canada compared to Aus!

[@ingybarclay1201]

@@BecOutWest also in order to compare coffees you order an Americano in Canada. Which is comparable in taste to a long black. Filtered coffee is not a thing in Australia not fair to compare it to espresso drinks!!

[@westerlywinds5684]

When I lived in Australia between 1985 - 1990, coffee was virtually unheard of. Everyone drank tea or instant Nescafé I remember. I moved to Canada after my stint in Sydney and Bendigo. Been in British Columbia ever since.

[@joshuarego1]

Thanks for your video, it's a real eye opener for cost in Canada...oz is definitely better in cost of living

[@BecOutWest]

For our situation, Aus is def the better choice for Saving money. Obviously though, not everyone's situation is the same 😂🧡

[@yollandatdee6819]

Sorry for your loss 😢 hugs and God is in control be strong!!

[@westerlywinds5684]

I lived for 5 years in Australia and I can make a list of things I didn’t like. One of things I hated most were the flying Cockroaches at night and Huntsman spiders in my bedroom. Then there was the heat. Try to work and sleep in it. I just couldn’t. Give me the crisp fresh Canadian air over anything I have breathed in.

[@BecOutWest]

Yes I miss the crisp air. Did you live on the east coast of Aus? We don't seem to have the cockroaches badly over in WA.... snakes and flies on the other hand....we have loads in summer ☀️ 😂

[@westerlywinds5684]

@@BecOutWest I lived around Sydney in the 1980’s. No heat and no aircon. It was rough.

[@ouraussiehomestead]

Hey just found your channel and subscribed, we moved from Canada (Ontario) to Queensland last May and are now trying to get our homestead and our channel going too. Mel is also learning all the differences between Canada and Australia, just like you two! There are quite a few. Lol. She's managed to survived her first summer 😂 We look forward to watching through your videos!

[@BecOutWest]

Hey, just saw this comment! Fantastic! How you liking Aus? Will you try and stay long term? Many snake / spider encounters? 😂🕸️🐍

[@Holisticmel75]

@@BecOutWest We moved here permanently. Ross is from Brisbane and we have a grandson there now. We have seen 2 snakes so far on the homestead. One was a carpet python. Many spiders but all seem to be the non-lethal variety! Huntsmen, golden web spider, nothing crazy. We have been lucky with not coming across anything that is too harmful. 😊🦎🕷 How are you enjoying Canada? Skunks, moose, raccoons? Have you seen any? 😄

[@outback7092]

snake/spider ....are you for real ? @@BecOutWest

[@outback7092]

@@Holisticmel75 Sick of all these clowns that crap on about the DEADLY snakes n spiders. The MEDIA does a lovely job of creating fear. ALL THE TIME.

[@kathyrhode6252]

I am Canadian and yes you can use your debit card in most retail places

[@debuthunter5389]

@goranbencic3502 - Yes.

[@lady.a.7647]

The only time I had my debit card refused was at a diner in Richmond BC and they wanted cash. No record for the tax man.

[@vasilykulchenko8640]

considering moving to Australia from Canada )) your video is really helpful

[@BecOutWest]

We're considering moving back. Canada is gorgeous! Sooooo gorgeous. But the income and cost of living is better in Australia. We aren't certain yet, but glad we ventured to Canada and took the plunge!

[@candytoo3729]

I am in newfoundland and we can use our debit card everywhere. I guess it is different by province. Totally agree on the cell phone cost and bills. SUCKS! Hope everything is going well and so glad you made the leap.

[@BecOutWest]

Oh wow! We couldnt use a credit card to do Walmart online order, hire a vehicle, pay bills online etc

[@omalleysmith9100]

I live in Alberta and can use my debit card everywhere also. Including for fuel.

[@keithpalmer4547]

I'm American living in Alberta I use my debit card everywhere. No clue what your talking about not being able to use a debit card anywhere. Get a new bank?

[@keithpalmer4547]

And.... no one uses checks here.... maybe business checks but no personal checks.

[@lakeofbays1622]

Interesting observations. I came across your channel for the first time. From my experience: I never use debit cards. Always CC. It is cheaper. 99.999% of my banking is done online. I have written only 1 check last year. Rest were online transfers or e-transfers. About rent or owning a house: Canada is accepting per capita more immigrants than Australia. Infrastructure cannot expand that fast. naturally that will cause shortages and price increases. Cellular phones are expensive. However I never had a dropped call even 300 KM north of Toronto (you know population 250) Car insurance is expensive. Do you have any idea of the law suits insurance companies to endure after an accident. Sometimes they end up paying for the accident victims damage for whole life span. About wild life. You are in a remote part of Alberta. Here in in Ontario I have to look for it. 🤣🤣

[@kathyrhode6252]

Different parts of Canada is by far so different. Down east in the Atlantic Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and New Foundland are way different then Ontario and Quebec and the the western provinces are more expensive areas to live

[@crystalcave8451]

I agree about the cost of having a cell phone, we pay $185 for two phones with 70G of shared data. We are with Rogers because it was cheaper then Telus and we actually get service with Rogers at our place near Red Deer. As for renting a place it all depends on location, but it’s still not cheap be any means. One good thing about living in Alberta vs BC is that there are multiple insurance companies to find the best rates for you. BC still only has 1 far as I know, and it was more expensive to insure my vehicle when I lived there. Alberta only charges GST on somethings, where as some other provinces charge both GST and PST on somethings.

[@BecOutWest]

Agree! 👌🖤

[@CrystalTheAnimalLover]

Lots of dogs shed in winter it's normal but it's ok to be worry when you didn't know 🙂

[@shanekopacka2945]

Are you guys living in Australia now chicken salt is a big thing in Australia beatroot is amazing on hamburger it makes the burger Vegemite you lightly spread. It on toast lightly on top off butter true blue Aussie children love it.

[@joeyt.]

Hi and welcome I have lived in 5 different provinces in my younger years fit jobs and B.C. for education. Each region is so different almost like being in a new country including cost of living, Just thought you should know.

[@Andre_XX]

Four way stops are the pits, and adding on tax is a pain in the butt. Australian banks are just plain incompetent though.

[@MandyRobinson-em2bd]

I have recently moved from Adelaide to BC. You are spot on with everything. Loving it atm but I will return back home in a few years

[@BecOutWest]

Thank you! As we said, Canada is absolutely stunning. Love the weather too! But Aus is home for us now. We needed to go try it though and never regret it. Have a great time in BC!

[@torimcgurgan7924]

The cold things like warming the car up first is sometimes common in Canberra in Winter :)

[@westerlywinds5684]

Probably the opposite there, starting it up with full aircon to cool it down before getting in.

[@Channel8eight]

The traffic light right turn is a standard thing in almost all right hand drive countries. It’s pretty much normal.

[@westerlywinds5684]

Not in Europe.

[@adudeczka]

Public Mobile now offers 15G for $40. Still not great but better than the other plans. I used to live in Oz and agree about the better banking omg! Some banks here in CAN like Tangerine/Simplii offer Visa/Debit just like Oz and don't charge monthly fees. And yes, car insurance here is shocking. I found that for a person on a lower/medium salary, Australia offers a more comfortable quality of life. I think Canada offers a better variety of chocolates/pastries/snacks, but it's a matter of taste. Cadbury's in Oz to me was overly sweet and waxy. I found that Coles/Woolies carried the same old selection of cakes, had poor variety. There is also a superior selection of ethnic foods here (except maybe South East Asian, which Oz does better).As far as rentals go, I think they are just as expensive in Australia. Prices and availability really vary depending on city and province. BC is the worst! I also found access to healthcare better in Australia. Sometimes I wonder why I left! lol

[@dallasj22266]

Connor is really getting into the videos lately!

[@chicklewidget7586]

Excited about Cougars! Lol

[@matkins3484]

The island of Montreal is the only place in Canada that you can't turn right at a red light. There used to be some places in the US where you couldn't but I'm not sure if that's still the case.

[@aheat3036]

Same in New York City. You cannot turn right on red unless posted otherwise.

[@marloubastian8375]

Great video, thank you for sharing all your experiences. I love to read your stories and watch your pictures and video's. Hope all goes well for your beautiful family!! Take care!👋😊

[@BecOutWest]

Thank you 🖤🧡

[@akshayangra7793]

Can you guys please make a video on in what sense canada is better than australia and what sense australia is better ?

[@donnagarsee8944]

Great vlog with great info..Appreciate your hard work. Best wishes

[@shanekopacka2945]

Coffee depends where you go Australia is rated the best in the world specialy in Melbourne.

[@Liam25025]

What made you want to leave Australia for Alberta?

[@lkspor5626]

boredom

[@thickboi7570]

I fell like Canada and Australia are quite is similar, except the weather lol. You got used to the weather yet in Canada?

[@patriciabates9071]

Not to sure if there is in the rest of Alberta, But if you are able to get up to Banff , they have vegemite , milo and tam tams there If this helps :) . Just found you channel today .

[@BecOutWest]

Thank you, but we have already moved back to Australia... So we have all the goodies now!

[@charlenemackenzie8573]

Thanks

[@BecOutWest]

Awww you are so special, thank you 💗

[@lkspor5626]

a coffee money yayyyyy

[@CrystalTheAnimalLover]

I have to agree with the cell phone plan are terrible and have to agree the coast of living is expensive and yes rentals are hard to find. Great video

[@lakeofbays1622]

Rapid and huge immigration dear, more than the current infrastructure can support.

[@Solitario9475]

Y’all got Sasquatch’s and Dogman up there also apparently. At least that’s what my friends commonly enjoy talkin about.

[@elmaribotha615]

Thanks for sharing

[@asiyaashraff5494]

When v go to Canada from Australia as iam getting benefits from Australia do i get the same benefits from canada too

[@rozwebster9868]

Just wondering what happens with your Australian Superannuation when moving to Canada, we are moving from QLD to BC close to Rockies this year

[@BecOutWest]

Hey, we are yet to find out! We lodge taxes each financial year in Canada... Yet Australia is still asking for us to lodge taxes for the years we were in Canada! I've uploaded our Canadian ones and not good enough apparently. I'll be hiring an accountant in June and asking this question too!

[@owen8681]

Are mozzies bad where you are ? My team leader went to northern canada and alaska and was startled by the insects

[@BecOutWest]

Where living back in Aus now... But in AB they usually get bad for a week or so (depending on where you live).

[@lindaostrom570]

it seems the further north you go the bigger the insects . mosquitoes are a pest but the black flies bite and leave a lump..yay.

[@RebeccaLouiseOfficial]

Did your dogs have to quarantine when you got there

[@BecOutWest]

Hey, no they didn't! There's a video on my KZbin channel showing their whole process from leaving Aus to landing in Vancouver and settling into ranch life 🖤

[@BroadviewConsultancy]

I'm paying just $45+tax for the cell connection in Ontario where I have 45Gb data. Curious why people pay crazy money for just 2.5Gb as mentioned in the video. Maybe you guys should look for better deals with other operators. I'm with Bell btw.

[@lindaostrom570]

ont and que get special treatment the rest of the country does not enjoy.

[@heatherundershute2040]

Born and raised Calgary girl ( but 20 years in Airdire.). never had a CC card to use anything except hotel in Banff not sure why why your having troubles??? I hope you aren't being ripped off. Its getting troubling, My 27 year twins pay 2000 plus utilities for a 2 bedroom apt. But the bank wont look at them for a mortgage for 12 plus Troubling and it is wrong, That is 3 times my mortgage. The government stress test is...... you fill in the blanks

[@mattyanderson1938]

Me and my partner are looking to move to Canada with our 3 kids from the UK as we close to London and the knife crime is out of control. My only concern is guns out in Canada is there a lot of gun crime?

[@privatename8228]

@mattyanderson1938 Canada has very strict gun laws. People carrying guns are usually hunters in the woods or someone at a shooting range for sport or some ranchers on rural properties protecting themselves from wild animals or trespassers. The average citizen in Canada does not carry a gun. Of course there are criminals who do carry illegal guns, especially in bigger cities. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia and I definitely do not worry about gun crime. There are shootings sometimes but it is always between young men who know each other or a drug deal gone wrong. I have lived in 4-5 different areas of Canada and gun violence was never on my mind. Hope that helps. But please be aware that the cost of living in Canada is very high and salaries lower than many countries.

[@Khang-wz2vl]

Hello ! How much would it cost to bringing my dog from AU to Canada and how does it work?

[@BecOutWest]

If you go to my KZbin channel, there's a whole video on how we lived our dogs to Canada. I think it was roughly $10K for two dogs to fly over.

[@touchstar68]

My son stuck in Ontario Married a Canadian He’s from Noosa in Queensland,really can’t understand why he’s still over there.

[@westerlywinds5684]

Because he married a Canadian of course. Ontario is a very nice province. People worldwide stand in line to live here in Canada.

[@shanekopacka2945]

I am Australia. I don’t use cards for paying thing.s. You information will get stolen I only use cash. You gotta be smart when you use cards you will get scammed it happens a lot in Australia every I guess.

[@mandyowen6491]

Dont know how i missed this video, but i can totally agree with the phone contracts and car insurance. My kids are able to drive now, but getting them put on our insurance is insane, round abouts im from the uk so very familiar with them and dont see many here haha, i have to think before saying things because here in Canada are different from uk haah we say a lot of things same as you aussies 😂 but great video

[@dnoordink]

I haven't even seen a cheque since 2000! They are still a thing? :O

[@dallasj22266]

In Australia, got an espresso machine and make flat whitttte!

[@BecOutWest]

☕ ENJOY!

[@Spreadinglove22]

I recently moved to Australia but still figuring out how to ship my belongings from Canada to here in Australia any tips ?

[@BecOutWest]

Hey, we came to Canada with just the suitcases we flew over with. We bought everything we needed when we landed in Canada... I know there's companies like 'send my bag' etc... Go join a FB page called 'Aussies in Canada'... Then search it on there! Lots of helpful suggestions! Good luck!

[@RingsOfSolace]

People still use checks in Canada? I am from the US, and the place I have to go to get my passport required that I pay by check. So here I am, at nearly 30 years old, ordering checks for the first time in my adult life. It's so stupid.

[@BecOutWest]

Ridiculous isn't it. I'm 36 and it was the first time I had to write a cheque 📝😂

[@jasonbraida3223]

Chicken Salt?????

[@paulrichardson5892]

do you get much surfing there bec, ??

[@BecOutWest]

In Alberta? We have no coast line 👌 in Australia, yep! I use to live near the beach from. Age 5 to 22! I lived at the beach and surfed most days!

[@robertmurray8763]

That's funny !..

[@MrDilldock]

Why do all Australians move to BC or AB?

[@BecOutWest]

For the mountains

[@RyanLye1975]

Climate. The cold. Cold climate. ...

[@westerlywinds5684]

Love it! Nothing worse than working in the Aussie heat. The paint dries on the brush.

[@mand359]

Why can't you order coffee from Australia?

[@BecOutWest]

I'm not sure I know what you mean?

[@lakeofbays1622]

You can order better coffee from Costa Rica why bother with Australia.

[@shanekopacka2945]

Australia has bad car crashes dosent matter if you are good driver that dosent mean shit people for a sleep or on drugs. Be alert on the road please. There’s idots on the road. Not long ago. A 6 year old wasn’t strap. In her seat her family slammed on the breaks the 6 year old flew through the windscreen on to the road and died that’s what happens when kids are not strap in I didn’t want to say this but be very smart

[@torimcgurgan7924]

There's no chicken salt?!?!?!

[@westerlywinds5684]

What is chicken salt? 🧐

[@shanekopacka2945]

Why did you leave Canada I been to Canada London Germany. Sweden they all have something in common it’s not safe dirty shit weather. And a lot. More I couldnt wait to come home to surface paradise also know as the Gold Coast it’s heaven for me my front door is the beach. Again it’s not cheap the life style is better for children

[@Jatav79602]

Australia is way better than Canada😊❤

[@BecOutWest]

We do live Australia... But we sure miss the canadian scenery and wildlife! Both countries have our heart, but Aus is home!

[@Jatav79602]

@@BecOutWest Everyone misses their home at some point, hope Australia will be your new forever loving home😊😊

[@Jatav79602]

@@BecOutWest Australia is known for its greatwildlife and beaches☺️☺️

[@Jatav79602]

@@BecOutWest and guys dont forget to enjoy game of Cricket in Australia its awesome☺️

[@rickandersen2284]

What has happened to the way Aussies say here? The end of it hooks onto a hot air balloon.

[@BecOutWest]

Not sure we understand what you're talking about?

[@rickandersen2284]

Here used to be pronounced here...slowly the he uh pronounciation is creeping in with an upward inflection at the end. Once you hear it you can't unhear it. And it is infectious. Even I am starting to say it! Much to my dismay.

[@esparda07]

Most of your problems are because you're in Alberta :)

[@BecOutWest]

Oh, we loved AB!

[@debuthunter5389]

Alberta is a great province.