Hello everyone. So this is our first blog. There are no marks given for this blog but I just want to get you started to see how it works.
Remember that what you post can be seen by everyone. Please do not use any language that would not be considered acceptable for a post-secondary student. Try to think like an economist when you address the blog questions. That is, feel free to use economic terminology or relate your answer to a topic discussed in class. Use your imagination as well.
Please respond to the following questions:
1. Name a city or country that you have visited that you found to be very interesting.
2. Tell us what it is about that city or country that was the MOST interesting.
3. If you purchased anything in that city or country, how do prices compare for items between Calgary and the city or country you visited? Think about the price of gas, price of houses, food prices, restaurant prices, beer prices, whatever you like.
4. Do you think it would be more or less expensive to live in that city or country than in Calgary?
Keep your answer short - about 1 paragraph.
1. Sayulita, Mexico.
ReplyDelete2. Sayulita is a small town about an hour away from Puerto Vallarta Mexico. I though it was interesting because of all the culture and all the endless things that you could do for no cost or for a very affordable price.
3. Everything was really cheap there, a beer was about $1 and fish bowl margaritas were only $7. Any clothing or jewellery that you didn't agree with the price, you could haggle lower.
4. I think it would definitely be cheaper to live there but it would probably be hard to find a job there since it is a very small town.
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ReplyDelete1. Beijing, China
ReplyDelete2. I found everything interesting! The food, the culture - even the way people drove!
3. Everything is much cheaper. But this is taking the exchange rate into account. A 1 hour massage can cost about $25 American dollars, where here in Canada it can cost as much as $300! And as Bonnie.Hjorleifson stated above, almost any price can be negotiated.
4. I Think living in China would be cheaper if you came over with your own money, but if you were to live and work there I think it would be comparable depending on your occupation.
1. Turks and Caicos (I have neighbors that live there 90% of the year.)
ReplyDelete2. I like the thought of living in a warmer place, and it seems like it would be great to live on an island.
3. As far as I know from the couple that lives down there, it's slighty more expensive, but it's all American money.
4. It's cheaper to live in Calgary because you aren't in the middle of water so you don't have to rely on imports and exports to get food in, which raises the price of food and other items that are valuable and needed for a good life.
1) Maui, Hawaii
ReplyDelete2) I found almost everything interesting. The atmosphere there is very laid back with the ocean all the way around you. The people who live there are really nice and relaxed, and make you feel really welcome.
3)I think things there are a comparable price to what we pay here. I think the gas prices may be a bit more expensive because it takes a lot more effort to get things on to the island.
4)I think depending on the lifestyle in which you wish to live can depend on the expense. I think it would be comparable. If you are living there, then you won't do all the tourist attractions therefore you would save money.
1. New Orleans, United States
ReplyDelete2. After the flood, it went from a city, well over 800,000 residents, to just under 200,000. Every local I talked to says they are frustrated that Walmart, and other large companies moved in after the flood and forced small business's out of business. Even though the unemployment rate is so huge down there, everyone still has such a relaxed mood, and every night go out and drink, dance on the streets, play music on the streets, and just party.
3. Prices are really cheap compared to here, Smokes are around $2 a pack, very large drinks are $3, a four star meal will cost $40 a person while here it would cost around 80-100.
3. Housing is soo cheap, it ranges from $50,000-200,000. Only problem is that the unemployment rate is so high, and there really is no jobs down there. So if you have a high paying job, get a summer house down there.
4. As in previous statement, if you have a job then yes, if not then your going in debt real fast.
1. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
ReplyDelete2. The culture - from Melbourne Cup Day (horse races) to the cafes, theater and shopping.
3. Restaurant pricing is quite deceptive in Australia as a whole, because while it looks more expensive at the onset, with tipping not being a cultural norm, it actually ends up being a better deal.
4. It would be more expensive looking at the actual pricing on goods and services, although the actual quality of the products you receive is higher.
1. San Juan, Puerto Rico
ReplyDelete2. Visiting Old San Juan and learning about the history, seeing how many historical sites were still up and interacting with all the locals. Listening to the different music they listen to and also how everyone is bilingual with Spanish and English.
3. The prices were about the same, if not a little bit more expensive but they used American currency. Food was expensive same with the shopping but I did not see very many gas stations while being there.
4. I think it would be more expensive to live there than it would be to live in Calgary, after spending time there and talking to locals, they were saying the income is not that good and that living expenses were expensive.
1) Honolulu, Hawaii
ReplyDelete2)The thing I found most interesting in Hawaii was their culture. The food they had and parties they hosted were amazing. The local people there were very nice and welcoming, they showed us a lot of their great scenery and taught us traditions.
3)The pricing in Hawaii was a little bit higher than in Calgary. The food and clothing were more expensive than in Calgary. I wasn't too sure about the gas because everyone usually walk to where they want to go.
4)I think that Hawaii would be less expensive than in Calgary with living conditions because you wouldn't have to worry about the heater or too much on weather conditions unlike Calgary. Also in Hawaii many places are walkable knowing the weather will be warm you don't have to worry about staying warm outside. Not like Calgary where we get winter people tend to want to use their vehicle to stay warm.
1) Varadero, Cuba
ReplyDelete2) Varadero is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen, and the most interest thing in there is the cave named Bellamar. This cave have a water in side and the sun never get to warm that water but in the middle of the hot sumer the water into the cave is not could, it is 23 degree Celsius.
3) This is a really cheap city especially for tourist as the all inclusive is the way people travel to there. Alcoholic beverage are almost a third party of the price here in Calgary and food is really cheap too.
4) To live, Calgary is much better than Varadero but just because the people who live there dont have higher salaries as here in Calgary they even cant afford some things at the price of varadero. So comparing salaries and prices Calgary is better to live but not cheaper.
1. Wistler BC
ReplyDelete2. Ski and Snowboarding town. Most of the city's revenue is generated from the ski hill and tourists.
3. I went just before the olympics. Every shop had olympic paraphynalia The prices in general;were a bit higher. I think due to the time of my travel when the city was expecting a large number of tourists.
4. Calgary is a fairly high priced city to live compared to many cities in Canada. That being said I think we, as Calgarians, have learned to expect a higher standard of living because of the prices we pay for living, food, entertainment and so on...
1. Fort McMurray, Alberta
ReplyDelete2. There are many things that are interesting about Fort McMurray that most people don’t know about. They have beautiful landscapes, many tourist destinations and tours, many museums for people of all ages which show how many companies in the area produce oil and the equipment used in doing so. One museum has a Cat 797 haul truck built right into the building (the 3 story trucks used in the oil sands). Also in the summer they have large outdoor pools and water parks for everyone at no cost.
3. Fort McMurray is an extremely expensive city to live in; whether you rent or own a home. Home prices there were much higher than Calgary when I visited and even gas there was more expensive than in southern Alberta. When came to consumer they were about the same as any other city in Alberta.
4. I do think it would cost a lot more money to live in Fort McMurray than it would in Calgary.
1. Pakistan
ReplyDelete2. Pakistan is definitely the complete opposite of what life is like in Canada. Its really interesting how the beliefs and the culture are so different, even within the country alone. The bigger cities have a very modern lifestyle, when towns and villages less than an hour away are so conservative. Everything is very lively.
3. Clothing there is cheaper if you convert the currency, however, residents find clothing quite expensive. Also, you have to bargain to get a good price, there's rarely any stores that have set prices. Necessities such as sugar and wheat are considered a luxury because they are very highly priced and people of lower class cannot afford them.
4. I think it would be less expensive to live in Pakistan depending on what your income would be.
1.) Vietnam
ReplyDelete2.)The most interesting thing about this Country is not one thing, but generally how different their culture is from Canada. The way they do everything is polar opposite from the way we do in North America.
3.)Everything is amazingly inexpensive for tourists: Big bottle of beer, $1. Guesthouse for the night $5/person.
4.)As previously mentioned, for a Tourist, it would be extremely cheap to live here. But for most Vietnamese, prices are relative to their income.
1. Paris, France
ReplyDelete2. Paris is a must see city. Their lifestyle and culture is classic, yet modern. They are able to keep historical landmarks such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, while still being ahead in Fashion. I'd have to say the most interesting about Paris would have to be the view from the Eiffel Tower. I know it may sound like a cliché, but it is simply breathtaking.
3. The prices of goods were definitely a lot higher, especially since they use Euros for currency. If you were to go shopping at high-end stores, you can expect even higher prices for clothing. A bottle of water was pretty expensive. Lastly, I do believe that Calgary is more affordable than Paris.
4. It would definitely be more expensive to live in Paris. It seems as if they live a more "luxurious" lifestyle.
I have travelled to Vietnam three years ago. It was an amazing experience since it has been 17 years and my first time there.
ReplyDeleteThe night life is beautiful and the neighbours are constantly visiting each other every day.
The prices in Vietnam are way cheaper than Calgary as the economy over there is not as developed as Canada. A bowl of Pho is about two dollars Canadian in Vietnam and clothes average around eight dollars.
Overall the average cost of living in Vietnam is cheaper but the daily wage is not sufficient enough to sustain living expenses. Many people in Vietnam want to move to Canada or the United States because the standard of living is much better over here.
I visited Atlanta, GA in the States last summer. Southern America is a wonderful and interesting place to live in, especially the beach time. However the most interesting thing that amazed me was the goods prices. Although we have an almost-equal currency with our southern neighbour, people in the States obviously are enjoying lower prices on almost everything, sometimes half of ours. I bought several bottles of best wines. Plus, can you find some red wines that are marked $2.99, $3.99, or $5.99 in Calgary? No, no way. Those kinds of wines are charged $9.99 roughly in Calgary. Cost more to cook beef with cheap wines in Canada, right? How about vehicles? Like everybody else, I certainly agree that living in the States would be much less expensive than in Canada, as everything is cheaper with an equal currency. How come? Hope ECON 250 will answer it.
ReplyDeleteI visted Lebanon two years ago and fell in love. I found this country very interesting because one, I am from there and 2 I never realized how beautiful the country was. Everywhere you turn there is gorgeous scenery. The prices are WAY cheaper in Lebanon, since everything and anything can grow in the gardens almost noone goes to the market. You don't have to spend $250 dollars on groceries when everything grows in your backyard. Also, almost everything can be negotiated in price. I think it is significantly cheaper to live in Lebanon, since everything can be grown at home and prices can be negotiated anywhere and everywhere.
ReplyDelete1. Afghanistan Kabul
ReplyDelete2. I went back to Afghanistan after many years. i found it very interesting. i liked going out, eating different food there because it's completely different then Calgary.
3. the prices of the houses and food are very high, compare to what people are making on hourly base or during the whole month. its was incredible that they could still manage to live with that economy.
4. i think its more easier to live in Calgary then Kabul, because s student can make enough money to live on their own and manage everything as student.
1.Boston Massachusetts
ReplyDelete2.Being in Calgary all my life, large open bodies of water is a rare sight for me. As there is a large bay in Massachusetts, the experience was quite interesting; what surprised me the most was how warm the waters were during the day.
3.It’s been 5 years since I was there, so much has changed since then. However at that time, much of the products and services were relatively cheaper juxtaposed to Calgary, hence the currency.
4.In comparison to Calgary, living in certain parts of the states is relatively cheaper
1. Negril, Jamaica
ReplyDelete2. I found Jamaica to be a very beautiful country with some of the most friendliest people, and a different variety of food that we are not used to in Calgary.
3. The pricing for food and housing was very different compared to Calgary. In Jamaica all things were a lot cheaper, and for the food you got everything super fresh for your drinks, fruits, veggies, and seafood.
4. It would deffinitally be less to live in Jamaica but then you would have to take into consideration your whole lifestyle and career would probably have to change.
1. Mazatlan, Mexico
ReplyDelete2. I found Mazatlan to be very interesting as it is a very poor community. The climate is extremely hot and humid. The local people live in shacks mostly without doors and/or windows.
3. The price of food and housing is much cheaper than here in Canada because most of the locals are simply looking for enough money to survive and the homes are mostly handmade by the owner of that home.
4.It would be less expensive to live in Mazatlan then here but in Mazatlan you would not be able to make as much money as you would here.
1. I hadn't been anywhere outside my home country before I came here. My home country is China.
ReplyDelete2. I think China is famous as population and incredable GDP increacing. The most instresting is that, in my home town, people dare to eat all kinds of food such as snake, bugs, and mice.
3. With the inflation, I think thing there is more expensive than Calgary.
4. It would be more expensive and difficult to live in China than living in Calgary.
1.Beijing, China
ReplyDelete2.Beijing is an international metropolis and a centre of economics, politics and culture. The most interesting is so convenience that you can enjoy your life.
3.Focus on comparing the price of the house Between Beijing and Calgary, Beijing is really higher. Considering the house same location, condition, and size, Beijing is much higher but the average salary of people is lower than Calgary.
4. I think Beijing is more expensive than Calgary. Other sides in daily still are much expensive if we do not consider the currency exchange. However, if you use Canadian dollar to spend in Beijing, it is cheaper.
1. Phuket, Thailand
ReplyDelete2. Phuket is an amazing and fantastic island. While being there we took a day boat trip to some famous islands; also we enjoyed fresh seafood and Thai cuisine.
I think also I have to mention the people of Thailand. They seemed to us very open and friendly. They did everything with a smile. They always seemed curious about other people and countries.
3. Local food was really cheap, but especially seafood which cost only $50 for 2 people. Beer was not expensive too, around $2 dollars. All local flights, transportation, sightseeings and attractions were affordable.
4. I would love to live in Thailand which is one of the countries in my list. Life is much cheaper than in Canada, but there is no job. As an option I can work here in Canada, but live in Thailand, and I know that a lot of people do that. Real estate and household expenses are much cheaper than in Canada. The average price for a house/villa is $150-200K.
One of the most fascinating places I visited was Sweden. It was absolutely amazing, the architecture, the people, the landscapes, and the fashion I found very interesting. The buildings and parliament in old Stockholm are just some of the most architecurally designed I've seen before. In particular I visited Lund, Sweden, which was a university town just south of Stockholm. The buildings and the uni itself were absolutely stunning and surrounded by beautiful parks and rivers.
ReplyDeleteI definitely found the cost of living is more expensive in Sweden compared to Canada. Clothing, gifts, housing, and alcohol were higher in price, but if you work and live in Sweden regularly, your wages are higher to live there comfortably.
1. Las Vegas
ReplyDelete2. The first time that I visited Vegas I was impressed by the amount of unique shows and different activities that were offered.
3. The most noticible price differentiation that I noticed was the low price of clothing. Outlet malls contained cheap brand name clothes which would be sold in Calgary for a much higher price.
4.It would be cheaper to live in Las Vegas, many different items available there are also sold here but for a higher price
1. Whistler, B.C
ReplyDelete2. The isolation of the area was quite surprising for being a major tourist/vacation area. A four hour bus trip up last time I was there.
3. Everything was more expensive, from the hotels, and travel costs, to the little things like food and beer from the local stores.
4. It would definitely be a more expensive place to live. Higher costs of living in both the housing and rentals, plus add in the extra costs of day to day expenses compared to here in Calgary.
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ReplyDelete1. Taipei, Taiwan
ReplyDelete2. The food, the night market (night life), the population and time seems to fly by so fast.
3. The prices are a lot cheaper then Canada, the currency is $1 CDN to $30 TWN. If I were to get contact lens in Canada it can range from $188-288 for one year lenses, If I were to get it in Taiwan it will only cost about $40-70 for one year lenses.
4. If you are moving from Canada to Taiwan, it would be cheaper because of the currency, and because everything in Taiwan is just a lot cheaper then Canada. But overtime I believe the result of living in Calgary or Taiwan will be the same
1) St. Lucia
ReplyDelete2) I went to too St.Lucia on a Caribbean cruise and I was very shocked on the amount of poverty that was on a Caribbean island. On the outskirts of the city you saw beautiful houses, hotels, scenery etc, and the further we went into the island, we saw people living in houses made out of metal, people in dirty clothes etc.
3) The prices of anything you bought in St.Lucia was extremely inexpensive. Liquor especially compared to Canadian prices was shocking. You could buy a 750mL bottle of vodka, rum etc for less than $15, and a Mickey was $7 whereas here in Canada it’s double the price.
4) It would definitely be a lot cheaper to live in St.Lucia than in Canada. Their way of life is completely different than it is in Canada, I personally wouldn’t want to live there unless I was retired or had a vacation house there.
1. Tokyo, Japan
ReplyDelete2. I found the city very interesting, there is a lot of strange foods and products. The people were are very friendly to everyone. the most interesting experience was how busy the subway stations get it is like a zoo and the train pushers were fun to see.
3. Most of the things i bought were little useless trinkets and souvenirs, other than that I found most things in Tokyo very inexpensive.
4. It is definately more expensive to live in Japan and is harder get citizenship.
- Derrick C. ECON250 Section J
1)Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
ReplyDelete2)Vigan is a small city in the province of Ilocos Sur. The thing that interested me the most were the old buildings and houses that remained from the history of the Philippines.
3)I found that everything in the Philippines were cheap. Coming from Canada, and converting dollars to pesos, I can get a lot more things there. For example, a shirt in Calgary at a regular price is equivalent to 2 to 3 shirts in the Philippines.
4)I think that it would be less expensive to live in Vigan than Calgary. Since Vigan is a small city, transportation won’t be as costly, because I can just walk or bike to the store. Also, food, clothes, and houses aren’t as expensive as Calgary.
1) I havent had the luxory to be able to travel out side of the country yet, but I have travel to every province minus B.C, the most interesting town I have been to would probally be Port Blandford, NFLD.
ReplyDelete2) The town in question is a very very remote area of NFLD, most newfies them selvs can hardly understand the accent the people from this town have, its that deep. It is extremly unique, because it is like going back in time, a lot of hunting for food, and less modern ways of life.
3) Becuase it is such a remote area, all food and goods have to be imported in, and this has raised the price DRAMATICALLY, and prices are nearly matched for most things with Fort Mcmurray. (Minus housing)
4) Living in this town, is definitely more expensive, but the way of life is worth it as far as im concerned, you sacrifice money, goods, for simplicity and happiness.
1. Italy
ReplyDelete2. People don't work as much do to a work to live mentality not live to work.
3. Prices were very consistent with North America excluding slightly cheaper gas and slightly more expensive diesel fuel.
4. It would be very similar on living costs however you would work less giving a feel of cheaper living.
1)I spent about 8 months on the east coast of australia. One of the most interesting places where i spent significant time was called Byron Bay NSW.
ReplyDelete2) The thing i found most interesting about byron bay is the pace of life and layed back attitude which is the exact opposite attitude of calgary. I also found it interesting how the locals and tourist mix and interact
3)Goods in australia are more expensive is dollar value but since the canadian dollar is significantly higher prices work out to be similar.
4)I think to live in byron bay accomodation and food would be expensive. But australia is alot less of a material place and people live alot simpler. Day to day spending would costs alot less. I think alot of this has to do with the warm weather and so most activities can be done outside
1) Vietnam
ReplyDelete2) The thing that is interesting to me the most is the Buddhist temple in Vietnam, seeing how beautifully it is built for the gods in Vietnam and how a lot of people come to pray to have blessing for the family.
3) The price for the products in Vietnam is substantially lower than prices in Canada for example, a price for a drink in Vietnam would be a dollar in Canadian if we convert the currency. Reason why it would be is the Government in Vietnam is a Communist, and many people in Vietnam are poor and it is very hard to make make income and to have a home as well.
4) It would be less expensive living in that country, because of the low economy and how everything would be cheap but the disadvantage of that would be a low standard of living and that a reason why many citizens in Vietnam would want to move to United States or Canada.
Please respond to the following questions:
ReplyDelete1. Venice, Italy
2. The thing that made Venice the most interesting was the experience of a city with no roads or cars. There is no other city in the world like it. Seeing a police boat speeding down a canal with it's sirens blaring was the most bizarre yet unique experience!
3. Being a tourist attraction, there were items in the city that were very expensive to buy - such as hand painted Venetian Masks. Since I was backpacking through several countries with some friends, we had a very limited budget...but we found items to be priced on a similar level as Calgary. Beer and wine were definitely cheaper, and the fresh produce we purchased were from street markets and farmers markets, which were a little cheaper.
4. I think it would be more expensive overall to live in Italy than Canada. I am originally from England and I know firsthand that Europe is more expensive!
A country that I have visited that I found very interesting was Mexico. The thing that I found most interesting about Mexico was the different language the Mexicans spoke, which is spanish, and the difference in level of income the majority of residents in Mexico have compared to Canada. The prices in Mexico are much lower, and less expensive. Say a shirt in Canada was 30 dollars, in Mexico the price of the shirt would be about 5 dollars canadian. Prices for everything are much lower, i assume it is this way because of the lower income they receive there. I think it would be less expensive to live in Mexico than it would be to live in Canada because the price of goods and price of houses and rent are much lower.
ReplyDeleteI visited Miami, and I think it is a fantastic city.
ReplyDeleteThe weather, the people and the beaches were just awesome! My favorite place there was South Beach. The environment is so lively and busy, there are lots of nice restaurants to choose from, and right across there is a beautiful beach filled with gorgeous people.
I would say Calgary is more expensive for everything in overall. Food is more expensive here unless you shop at Super Store, Wal-Mart or Costco. Taxes and gas are higher, cars and houses cost more here, and even when going to a mall everything is more expensive here. One thing I did find more expensive in Miami was the cover charge and the alcohol in nightclubs. Most places charge $20 to $25 for cover, and drinks are usually $12 and up, but the party is way better there and most nightclubs are open until 5:00 in the morning.
But in terms of cost of living, I don't think it would be cheaper to live in Miami though because salaries and wages are lower there, so it is propably about the same.
I found Baguio City an interesting place to visit because of the fact that it is on the mountains. The city is the Summer Capital of the Phillipines. Since Baguio is on the highland, Pine Trees grow there and the trees make the city quite cold (not as freezing cold as Calgary but cold enough for the citizens who reside in a tropical country). Also, there are lots of activities that could be done like, horseback riding, biking, boating (on the man-made lake in the middle of the city proper) and more. The prices of most goods are far cheaper (for us who live here in Calgary but expensive for those people who live in Baguio)compared here in Calgary except for tech-gadgets like cellphones, ipods and laptops that are really expensive as well. The price of gas converting from Philippine peso to CAD is just about the same or even higher than what we pay here in Calgary. Based on what I know about Baguio City, I think that it would be more expensive to live in Baguio if you would be getting the average income of the citizens who lived there.
ReplyDelete1. The last place I have been to is Islamabad, Pakistan. It also happens to be my home town.
ReplyDelete2. The city is the capital of the country. The most interesting thing about this city is its beautiful location and greenery. Islamabad is located on the foot hills of Margalla hills, an off shoot of the Himalayas Mountains. It is known for its natural scenery, clean environment and pleasant climate. The life of the city truly depicts the typical South Asian culture.
3. Consumer items are less expensive in Islamabad in comparison to Calgary. For example, a Combo Meal at McDonalds costs $7.56 in Calgary and $4.85 in Islamabad. 1 Liter Milk can be bought for $2.01 in Calgary and for $0.65 in Islamabad. One way transport ticket costs $2.70 in Calgary but only $0.28 in Islamabad. The Regular Gas Price per liter is $0.98 in Calgary and $ 0.84 in Islamabad. The average monthly expense for Utilities (electricity, gas, water and garbage) cost $231.99 in Calgary and $111.25 in Islamabad. In Calgary the rent for 1-3 bedroom apartments varies from $850-1500 depending on location and distance from city center, in Islamabad the same would cost in a range of $150-450. Calgary’s cost of living index based on the prices for food, clothing, housing, fuel, education, transport, and entertainment puts it on 66 number and Islamabad on 286 ranking among 300 most expensive places in the world for expatriates to live. Please see http://www.xpatulator.com/outside.cfm?page=Locations
4. In order to decide which city is less expensive to live in, it’s essential to look at economic indicators. Calgary is the second largest economic center of Canada with a market oriented economic system. The city is affluent in terms of standard of living and citizens spend a considerable amount of their income to pay for higher consumer prices, interest rates, taxes and insurance. Calgary’s inflation rate is lower while its average per capita income and purchasing power of people is way higher in comparison to Islamabad. The cost of living is lower in Islamabad but so is the per capita income and purchasing power of the people. At the same time people have to pay less for taxes and insurance in Islamabad as compared to Calgary. Due to cheap labor, local availability of raw material, large population and currency conversion rates, prices of goods and services are less expensive in Islamabad. The standard of living is lower in comparison to Calgary, due to higher inflation rate in Islamabad. The country is, currently, struggling with political, economic and security challenges, but Islamabad is still a less expensive city then Calgary.
beijing china
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the most crowded cities in the world which have more than 26 million’s population now, but 15 years ago it only have population of 11millions.
the housing price has increased triple times in recent 10 years. The basic selling price of a three bedrooms apartment in downtown area is over half million Canadian dollars.
i think for most consumer product biejing is cheaper than calgary because the lower avearge income.
Episkopi, Cyprus
ReplyDeleteMy dad served 23 years with the British Army, and of all the many countries he was posted, Cyprus is the one I miss the most. It had such a layed back atmosphere with jobs and schools finishing early (around 1 o'clock), so people could nap away the 40 degrees afternoons. Our backyard was pretty much the beach, and those beaches were full until 12 o'clock at night. Whole families with small children were at these beaches late because it was to hot to sleep.
Prices were a lot cheaper. The economy is a lot poorer. It's a different way of life. People seemed to live in the moment and enjoy themselves more. It isn't work work work. Shops are all local. You buy your fruit and vegetables at a stand on the side of the road. Meat is the same the same. There was one "megastore", Orphaneodes, but it's nothing like what we have here in Calgary. I lived there when the Cyprus Pound was the currency, it's now the Euro and I would expect living costs would have increased since being introduced.
I think Vietnam is a beautiful place for visiting, and I would love to come back again. People are very friendly in Vietnam, and it is pretty safe place if you are going out late at night. Vietnam has lot of amazing places which you can come to visit such as Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang beach resort, Ha Noi, Sai Gon and lots of old temples which are memorable. The food is really cheap to compare with Calgary, it's always fresh and you can buy it everywhere you go from 5am until mid-night, and they can deliver right to your door at anytime you want with no extra charge. There are many of nice restaurants and bars with reasonable prices too, if a bottle of beer in Calgary is $ 4.50, in Vietnam is only $1.00. Clothes and living expense is 10 times cheaper.If you interest in buying a house or condo for investment or for your vacation, you can find one depend on which location you are looking for. You can get it about $ 80,000 without any taxes for a really nice house, you also can rent it out for $3000 to $4000 per month. And you can pay $150 per month for a person who takes a good care of your house from A to Z while you are away until you come back for your next vacation. The main vehicle is motorcycle and it's really cool to ride on it. There are many cars too, but it's not good idea to buy a car because of the government's taxes. The weather in North Vietnam likes Calgary but it doesnt have any snow for winter. The healthcare system is still low; I think we have the best healthcare system in Calgary and over Canada. Over all,Vietnam is developing and improving itself, I think it is a lovely place to visit and live there if you are interest in.
ReplyDeleteFeng
ReplyDeleteShanghai, China
The most interesting city I have visited is Shanghai. It is a global city.The city is a tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as the Bund and City God Temple, and its modern and ever-expanding Pudong skyline including the Oriental Pearl Tower. Today, Shanghai is the largest centre of commerce and finance in mainland China, and has been described as the "showpiece" of the world's fastest-growing major economy.
Meanwhile, Shanghai is more expensive city in the world. Compare to Calgary, Everything is so expensive. For example, one apartment around 100 square meter cost 3 million chinese yuan. It is more than one person's 100 years salary.
In daily life, people spend more money in clothes, food, utilities, transportation than in Calgary. Even if you use Canadian dollar to spend in Shanghai, you still feel everything is so expensive.
I haven't really done much traveling, so the place I found interesting was Orlando, Fl. I thought it was interesting because it is a very touristy spot, and very close to the beach. It also has the Kennedy Space Center, which was very interesting. Some things there were more expensive, such as gas, and food prices. But being a tourist hot spot the prices on most things were lower than I expected them to be. The price on housing is generally cheaper in Orlando compared to Calgary. I think living there would be maybe a little bit cheaper, but a lot less bearable than Calgary.
ReplyDelete1. Phoenix, Arizona
ReplyDelete2. Phoenix is a notoriously hot city. It gets hot enough there that the asphalt will become soft and when you are walking across a parking lot, you will actually feel it deforming under your feet. Because it is so warm there all the time, they have things like outdoor shopping malls. These malls have no roof over the main hallways and only the shops are covered up.
3. Consumer products are generally cheaper anywhere you go in the United States, and Phoenix is no exception. I have family there who bought a 3000 square foot house for less than $250,000.
4. Life in Phoenix would be much cheaper than living in Calgary. Calgary is a very expensive city to live in, due to high housing costs etc.
1.Cartagena, Colombia.
ReplyDelete2. Its culture shock, People there live healthy lifestyles without everything we "need" to survive here. ie- your crackberry. Besides what people say the people were extremely friendly and always willing to help out.
3. Everything is cheaper and depending where you go it isn't brand central.Most things are hand made, everything is less expensive there than it is here at home, but you know everything you get there is a quality product.
4. Yes, Calgary is one of the most expensive places in Canada to live. Its not as bad as Vancouver or Toronto but still extremely expensive. Columbia would defiantly be a less expensive place to live.
I haven't really done much traveling during times that I can remember so I'll pick Calgary as my interesting place, since I've only been here for a couple months. The most interesting thing about this place to me is the driving, I've seen people on several occasions weaving through traffic while texting on their cellphones which I found pretty crazy. Prices for games and such are slightly more expensive here than where I'm from (B.C.) but it evens out a bit due lack of two taxes here.
ReplyDeleteI had spent a month of my summer in Moncton New Brunswick visiting with my family attending our annual family reunion. The area reminded me a lot like British Columbia with all of the trees and somewhat deeper forests, but the landscape was much more flat in New Brunswick then British Columbia. We had driven down to an interesting famous spot in Moncton called magnetic hill. Magnetic hill is a spot where if you put your car in neutral there is an optical illusion that takes effect and makes it look like your car is rolling up hill. It was pretty cool. Another thing I found interesting about the area is the pricing on homes in the area. We had stayed at my uncle’s house which was a beautiful home with an indoor pool witch got used often. If I were to estimate the price for it in Calgary I think it would probably go around $2,000,000 but down in Moncton a house that appears to be about $2,000,000 from Calgary is actually only $900,000 in Moncton.
ReplyDelete1. Manizales, Colombia
ReplyDelete2. Manizales is a small city located in the central Colombian mountains; it is also part of the region of Colombian coffee-growers axis. Colombian coffee is very well known around the world as being one of the softest and full of rich flavors. As the city is located in the mountains, its geography is a little bit rough.
3. If we take a look at the prices between the two cities, Manizales is a cheaper place to buy products. However, due to the fact that Colombia is a developing economy people do not have the same purchasing power than Canadians. In addition to that, the lower wages make more difficult the purchasing of goods.
4. In my opinion, it depends of the salary of every individual. Calgary is an expensive city; however, people get paid according to the price of the products. On the other hand, Manizales has cheaper products, but the average salary is not enough for people to have high living standards.
1) Las Vegas, Nevada
ReplyDelete2)I was just recently in las vegas during the new years celebration and i have family down there so being on the strip during new years was really exciting! see all the hotels and such and so many people plus the fireworks was definitely amazing.
3)Everything in las vegas was pretty much cheaper than canada even though the canadian dollar is pretty much the same now. Like for example a pair of basketball shoes here would be around 150 while in the us is $100!
4)I think it would most likely be pretty much the same only because the reason why the price is lower because of the salary is much lower as well as the state of the economy. But it would be less expensive if you had a career already prior to living in Las Vegas.
1. Mayo, Yukon Territory
ReplyDelete2. This was a little town, far from Whitehorse, I found that everyone knew one another and they were like a family!
3. The prices in this toown was high because transportation into the town was limited. The grocery store there had high prices than Calgary, a pint of raspberries were sold at $4.00 where in Calgary, they would be sold for $2.00 Do you think it would be more or less expensive to live in that city or country than in Calgary?
4. I think it would be cheaper to live in Mayo, because if you had a job, the only place you can spend your money is at one restaurant, one small convenience store, a liquor store and a gas station. Where in Calgary you are able to spend money anywhere.
I have done quite a bit of travelling - a few of the places I have been were commented on in other blogs. One of my favourite places was Italy. I visited Venice, Rome, and Florence and was amazed at all of the beautiful architecture, culture and of course amazing food! I found all 3 cities to be quite expensive. I was happy to find that wine was quite cheap...but most meals ended up being expensive. The cost of clothing seemed to be comparable to Calgary although there was a great selection of specialty products such as leather and jewellery.
ReplyDeleteI think that cost of living would be comparable to Calgary. We forget when travelling abroad that we are most likely stuck in the "tourist trap" areas with higher prices and that the locals would know where to find more affordable groceries and restaurants etc. I think that European standards are a bit lower for accomodation as well, so perhaps they pay less when renting.
Dalian, China. I visited that city six years ago and fell in love with it. So in 2005, my husband and I decided to moved to that city to live. Dalian is a coastal city which was known by other countries as Port Arthur a century ago. The most beautiful place is BinHai Road. It is not a typical road, actually, it is a tourist spot. The road, about 30-kilometers long, is built on the mountain facing the sea. Jogging on that road is my favorite sport when i lived in Dalian. All types of plants, flowers and trees were planted along the road. Walking, chatting, breathing the fresh air while enjoying the blue and vast sea at the same time is a great relaxation for me. Because Dalian is a tourist city, the prices are averagely higher than other cities of China. The house price is especially unaffordable. Eating at restaurants is also very expensive. In a word, comparing with the average salary, the living expenses in that city is pretty high, it is higher than living in Calgary. But the same situation occured in most of Chinese cities due to inflation. The prices go up while the income doesn't.
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ReplyDeleteCabo San Lucas, Mexico
ReplyDeleteCabo is located on the Baja Penninsula, its absolutely gorgeous there. I stayed at the Riu Sante Fe and the food was delicious. Everyone was courteous and one of the most unqiue things I noticed was the pride that all employees took in their work, regardless if their profession was a Chef or a Housekepper. The views are amazing and their are a large variety of activites and sights to experience for much cheaper prices.
3. Consumer shopping is very affordable, most prices are able to be bardered down at all shops and average groceries or cost of goods are much lower compared to those in Canada.
4. As being a Canadian going to another country the average living costs would be a lot lower, however actuallly maintaing residence and trying to make a living would be a culture shock. Basic average incomes are much lower than what we are used, and can be as low as $ 20 for a whole day which most people are used to making in one hour in Calgary.a In most parts the towns are not as modernized as Canada and have a completely different lifestyle than that of what might be consideredthe norm to someone living in in this country.
Masawa, Eritrea. Not only the place was culturally very interesting, but diving there was spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThings there were very cheap for tourists. Although the average cost of living for a local person was similar to the one we have here. I mean for a local, with the income they make, their expenses over there are similar to the expenses we have here with the income we receive here.
Honolulu, Hawaii
ReplyDeleteHaving travelled to Hawaii a number of times over Christmas it has become a special place I enjoy travelling. The most interesting part of being in Hawaii is the laid-back feel and attitude locals have. It has the ability to make you totally relaxed and as if you belong there somehow.
The prices of goods in Hawaii are generally more expensive than other tourist hot spots. Groceries are more expensive because most things are shipped onto the island. You would assume with a climate like Hawaii they would grow more produce but in fact a large majority is shipped in from other countries. Restaurant prices are pretty comparable to here in Calgary with the exception of alchohlic beverages being about 25% more than what you would pay here. This is most likely due to tourism being one of the major industries in Honolulu. There is a chance to get some good deals though, when I was there I got a great deal on a snowboard, paying less than 50% of what it would cost to buy it here even on sale! (Maybe it has something to do with the fact that not a ton of Hawaiians snowboard...)
Overall the cost of living would be higher than in Calgary especially when you factor in the cost of real estate and how much more you would have to spend on a place comparable to what you have here.
Huatulco, Mexicoto
ReplyDeleteSince I went in their off season there were not that many other tourists around, therefor making it a very quiet and laid back place to be. The people were very friendly and always willing to help if you needec it.
When I was down there all I really bought was clothes and jewellery, but they were usually cheaper then what you would be able to find here. Also the fact that most prices are negotiable over there it is easy to get a lower price. For instance I bought a sterling silver fire opal bracellet for $60 CDN, which i bardered down from $120 CDN, so not bad for half price.
Since I dont really know the house market over I dont know whether it would be cheaper in that respect. But from I think that the overall cost of living would be lower because you would not be spending your money on miscellaneous things like you would here.
Taipei,Taiwan
ReplyDeleteManufacturing/Industrial are most dominant in the workforce. They employ mostly foreign workers are their mean of workforce. Lifestyle is lay back in the countryside, and just in any city, it is very hectic. It is more practical to rent than owning a house. They're housing are mostly in high rise buildings, and countryside is better for price, but it is really far for your workplace. All in all, it is cheaper and convenient, wherever you are in the country.
Colombia, It's the first country in South America, and also it's the only country in the world that has seven different kind of environment. Moreover; when people think about Colombia they just think about the drug problem that they have right know, but once you are there it's a tottaly different world because of its environmental wealth. the prices are really different compare with prices in Canada. Firs of all, their money is the Colombian Peso, and the value is half of a Canadian Dollar which makes everything cheaper. However, not everything is cheaper there, for example; Cars are more expensive compare with prices in Canada even though the Colombian Peso is half of a Canadian Dollar because USA which is the main exporter has not singed the FTA with Colombia.
ReplyDelete1)Miami, USA
ReplyDelete2)Honestly, the most interesting about Miami are beaches and malls: I just love it.
3)Miami is a lot cheaper than Calary. Since the house market to clothing market, everything is cheaper than Calagary. However, as prices are lower, salaries are much lower, so if you analize the life standar is lower than in Calgary.
4)At the end living in Miami would be more expensive, because salaries are lower than in Calgary.
When I was six-teen I had the chance to go to Cancun, Mexico. The trip was for a wedding, but my family decided to extend it by a week so we could have a vacation. One of the factors that most intrested me was the culture. The culture is rich within Mexico. We visited the Mian Villages, the Mians were great believers in the Gods and it was amazing to here the stores of there past. We purchased many different types of goods when we were there, mainly from the flea markets through-out the city. Prices seem high but the exchange rate for a payso is unbelievably for our benefit. This inturn acctually makes the price very low. You can also barter with the people. The pay recieved by the workers is very low and the standard of living is way below ours. I believe it would benefit you greatly to live within Calgary because of these reason.
ReplyDelete1. Yunnan Province, China
ReplyDelete2. There are many places of historic interest and they remain in good shape. And the scenery is very beautiful--mountains, water and plants and so on.
3. I will say that everything there in the market is cheap as the province just develops into modern society for a short time and tribal culture still exists.
4. As it is mentioned above, everything in the market is cheaper than in Calgary, living will cost less.
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ReplyDelete1. Jeju Island, Korea
ReplyDelete2. I like beach, especailly walk along the beach is so nice. And food is also very good, I like pork foods
3. In gas, Calgary is cheaper than there, however housing is much expensive. Others, I think Calgary is little bit expensive
4. Almost is expensive to live in here, except gas.
1. I've done most of my travelling when I was young so I don't recall most of it. I remember going to Miami Florida which was very nice.
ReplyDelete2. It was interesting because I was there during hurricane season. It was my first time seeing so much destruction.
3. When I went, we exchanged currency to US dollars from CAD dollars so everything I bought, it was mainly junk food, it was much cheaper. Thinking back on it now, we paid less for the product essentially, but most likely more to buy US dollar funds.
4. I think it would be cheaper to live in Miami but the quality of life would go down. Plus, I like Calgary. =)