Traffic or trees? I like nature!
Bonjour!
So I just watched Andrea’s amazing video from VFest in Montreal and I must admit that I got a little teary-eyed! Everyone is probably having so much fun and I’m chillin’ here in Antigonish where my little brother and I have had to kill bee nests. But on the plus side, my girlfriend Shawna and her best friend Jenny got to check it out instead, I’ve gotten to see my family and friends back here and I was reminded of how much cheaper life can be out East…
When I moved to Toronto, I was shocked, SHOCKED at some of the prices of certain items. For example, giving a bartender $10 for a drink and only getting pennies in change was a rude awakening. That much money for one drink was crazy to me! And coming back home I realized why people out East drink so much more than anywhere else in Canada. It’s because drinks are so much cheaper (and boredom probably makes a difference as well.)
As a quick note, I said above that people out East drink more than anywhere else in Canada and that’s the truth. The top 3 drinkers from Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver against the top 3 drinkers from Newfoundland, Cape Breton and a wildcard from somewhere else in the Maritimes wouldn’t stand a chance.
Back to the point of this article. For all you college graduates, the Maritimes–especially Nova Scotia– are desperate for grads to come out here and work. You can start your career with a good job, in places like Newfoundland where it’s booming, and not have to start off in a dog eat dog world of the big city. This is extra appealing to people who are carrying around student debts because living expenses are so much cheaper.
Here are some minor examples of cheaper life out East.
Drinks: $10 will get you one drink definitely at a bar in the city, but out here you’re looking at least 2, maybe 3 depending on where you are.
Ice Cream: Okay this is huge. A small ice cream in Toronto is let’s say 3 to 4 bucks and it’s nothing. An ice cream here, especially if it’s Scottsburn, for 3 bucks is a large and they pile that cone. You got to see it to believe it.
Rent: This one is easy. A place for $450 a month in the city is considered a really good deal. But out East, that’s considered expensive. During my years at X, I stayed in a 5-bedroom house, washer and dryer, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living and dining room for $250. That’s right…$250.
Now obviously cities are much more appealing to you young graduates, but before you jump into living in a cockroach-infested apartment in the big city, you should at least think about life in a more rural community. I’m not talking about a one-horse town, but university towns are definitely worth thinking about. Just a suggestion.
So once again, hope everyone had a sick time at VFest, recupe well and get ready…September is near.
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