not heaven
In his first software engineering role, a Russian professional named Alexander Pavlov earned 3000 Canadian dollars after taxes each month. He paid about 7000 dollars for a rental and commuted for roughly an hour to work. With expenses, about 300 dollars remained. Pavlov moved to Canada two and a half years ago seeking a Canadian dream and found Vancouver to be expensive. He later held positions at SiteMax Systems, an online platform for managing construction sites, and changed jobs a couple of times. Even now, the salary could not cover a mortgage comfortably.
Pavlov observed that salary figures widely shared in articles and videos about IT work in Canada do not always match reality. He noted that while some claim programmers can earn 300000 or even 400000 dollars yearly, in his experience most colleagues earn around 150000, with the average near 118000. He has received offers for higher roles, yet the compensation rarely exceeds six figures in the near term. He believes the top salary he can realistically envision over the next five years sits around 150000.
pay your taxes
Pavlov argues that the challenge lies not only with employers but also with Canada’s migrant income distribution system. Wage pressure rises as skilled immigrants are welcomed by employers who may underestimate the true cost of living. New arrivals, thinking hardships are temporary, are often paid less and can be replaced by other skilled workers from around the world. The programmer emphasizes that the real cost of living becomes evident only after years of residence and observation.
He once assumed immigration policies here were more successful than those in the United States. Now he sees immigration rules as designed to protect company and property interests more than individual newcomers. His example shows how a salary of 100000 dollars a year translates to taxes and living costs that eat deeply into net income. Around 2100 dollars monthly goes to taxes, and another 3000 dollars covers rental costs in a suburb of Vancouver rather than the city center. A competitive rental market means multiple applicants often vie for the same unit.
Housing costs also include utilities and communications. About 500 dollars a month go toward electricity, heating, internet, and mobile services. Food expenses run around 350 dollars weekly, with Costco commonly used for ordinary groceries like vegetables, chicken, eggs, milk, and bread. Monthly groceries total roughly 1400 dollars, with little room for premium items.
Car ownership is sometimes necessary for commuting. A lease runs about 330 dollars, plus 150 dollars for car insurance, and another 400 dollars covers fuel and maintenance. After these essentials, the remaining free funds from a typical eight thousand dollar monthly income are minimal. The overall message Pavlov shares is that a six-figure salary may not translate into financial comfort in Vancouver if other basic costs are taken into account.
Is it time to fall?
According to Pavlov, family size matters for budgeting. A household with two adults and two children, plus a dog, faces a different financial picture than a single professional. Two working adults can increase take-home pay but also raise expenses such as childcare, schooling, and a potential second vehicle. The couple may still struggle to save enough for major purchases, despite higher combined earnings.
The conversation often turns to relocation within Canada. Some suggest moving from Vancouver to cities like Calgary, where costs can be lower. However, Pavlov notes that salary offers there tend to be lower by comparison. Real estate agents sometimes discuss moves to cheaper areas, yet the affordability gap can persist. Housing remains expensive across much of the country, and even in other cities there may not be a dramatic difference in the cost of living when taking into account salaries and taxes.
Recruiters from Calgary-based IT companies sometimes contact Pavlov, but the offers he receives may still fall short of his current compensation. When considering the possibility of buying a home, especially a detached house near Vancouver, he remains skeptical that relocation would resolve the core financial challenge. The surrounding geography, with ocean, mountains, and proximity to the U.S. border, makes widespread housing affordability elusive.
He questions the overall effectiveness of the immigration program focusing on skilled workers, suggesting a mismatch between policy goals and lived experiences. He believes the program emphasizes the interests of corporate employers and property owners over the long-term financial stability of newcomers. The idea of a Canadian dream given to immigrants, where hard work equals success, does not always align with day-to-day realities for many recent arrivals, according to his observations from 2023 onward.
Despite these concerns, Pavlov does not regret moving to Canada. He expects that attaining permanent residency will come with more opportunities. The path requires meeting residency requirements, language and history examinations, and an immigration interview. He anticipates a potential move to Calgary but intends to gather more current information about the situation before committing to a new strategy. He believes that even for professionals like programmers and doctors, life in Canada can be challenging for new arrivals, with growth and development not guaranteed in the near term.
In summary, Pavlov’s experience illustrates a broader conversation about wages, living costs, and the immigrant experience in Canada. While a high salary exists in certain IT roles, it may not fully offset housing, taxes, and everyday expenses. The story reflects an ongoing tension between aspirations for a prosperous life and the practicalities of budgeting in a high-cost region.