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| RVing in Canada and Alaska Related Tips |
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fishinrgv
Beach City, Texas
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Joined: 08/31/2008
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I am looking at taking a job in Saint John, New Brunswick. The job offers much better pay, a chance to see Canada and a chance to see parts of New England that I've never seen. I am 28, single, a college graduate and just lost my best friend (dog) so I have nothing holding me back. I've always wanted to travel for work and I'm afraid that if I don't take this oppurtunity, I may never get the courage/desire to go again.
That said if I do take to job,I am planning on living in my 5th wheel. I have a Montana with the "Artic Package." Know I know "Artic Package" doesn't mean artic in the literal sense as I've found out already with snow that we received here in the Houston area this past winter. I am not worried about keeping the inside of the 5er warm, simply keeping critical parts of the 5er from breaking. The 5er does have an enclosed belly and heated tanks.
So my questions would be:
#1 Would I be able to live in my 5er during the winter months i.e. pipes, main water line, sewer hose, etc...freezing/breaking?
I read that it rarely gets colder that -2F in this area.
#2 Are there RV parks in this area that allow people to live on a monthly basis and are the parks open year around or do they close for the winter?
#3 What are the avaerage basic living costs compared to that of the U.S. i.e. diesel, food, electricity, etc...?
If no to #2, are there nice apartments in this and what is the average cost for a 1/1 in this area?
Any more info that you can provide about this area would be greatly appreciated! I am going to make a trip up there before I make any real decisions but I figured I could use this great resource as a guide to help me in my decision.
Thanks for any info,
Jon
Geaux Tigers...1958,2003,2007 football National Champs
91 93 96 97 00 09 CWS Champs
09 Chevy Crew Cab Duramax Dually 4x4
08 Montana 3400RL 10th Anniversary Edition.
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Center Pin
Fort Langley, BC
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Joined: 04/15/2009
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I seriously considered taking a job in the US about 7 years ago. At that time the same salary in the US had twice the buying power as on in Canada. This took into consideration taxes, food, fuel, clothing, housing etc.
I live 20 miles from the border and a significant amount of my money is spent in the USA, I couldn't afford to feed and cloth my family of five on one income if I didn't.
My advice ... do it for the adventure, not for the money.
As for the trailer, can't answer as I live on the other coast.
Trailer: 07 Tango 299BHS
TV: 2004.5 Dodge 610 CTD 3500 QC 48RE 2wd Laramie SRW, FP Gauge, FASS 95/95, Rhino Lining, Hensley Arrow, Reese Signature Series 5er Hitch, Air Bags & Compressor, Canopy, AL Boat Rack.
Been running B100 home brew June 2008!
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nbking
Ottawa Ontario Canada
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Joined: 08/20/2004
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I have lived in Fredericton(about an hour away), and I can assure you it does get very cold in the winter. Saint John may be slightly less cold, but I know I would be miserable staying in an RV in the winter.
I also believe that ALL campgrounds are closed for the winter. There may be a mobile home park that might let you stay there if they have space.
Go for the chance to see our beautiful country up close. I would suggesthowever,that you get some other type of accomodation.
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nbking
Ottawa Ontario Canada
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Joined: 08/20/2004
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I have lived in Fredericton(about an hour away), and I can assure you it does get very cold in the winter. Saint John may be slightly less cold, but I know I would be miserable staying in an RV in the winter.
I also believe that ALL campgrounds are closed for the winter. There may be a mobile home park that might let you stay there if they have space.
Go for the chance to see our beautiful country up close. I would suggesthowever,that you get some other type of accomodation.
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lighthouse12
nova scotia-canada
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Joined: 07/05/2008
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n.b gets a good blast of winter -they were calling for a few centimetres (2.5 cm = 1 inch) of snow today south part of province not as bad as north -but i presonally wouldn"t want to camp anywhere in the atlantic provinces in febuary- here, a link to enviroment canada for saint johnhttp://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/nb-23_metric_e.html
guess it will depend how you like the snow and cold and hail and freezing rain
but we are known here in the maritimes for our hospitality so I,m sure someone would take you in and feed you very well on the cold stormy days 
good luck -I,m sure you will enjoy your stay.
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lighthouse12
nova scotia-canada
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Joined: 07/05/2008
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campgrounds are closed for winter from oct to may
fuel prices will scare you -average $ 1.00 per litre- yeah I said per litre the food depends what and where you buy -here in nova scotia milk is about $ 7.00 per 4litre jug then there the sales tax of 13% in nova scotia I think its about the same in N.B and the price of beer is high 
you should be able to find decent apartment reasonable
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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Cost of living is very steep in Canada and it gets very cold. Unless they are offering a salary many times over and above your US salary, it is not what it appears to be. Your sewer and water would freeze up when you want them to work the most. Bad plan! IMHO
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Sea Dog
Ontario Can.
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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Harvard wrote:Cost of living is very steep in Canada and it gets very cold. Unless they are offering a salary many times over and above your US salary, it is not what it appears to be. Your sewer and water would freeze up when you want them to work the most. Bad plan! IMHO
And yet, after all you have said, it seems to me that the average middle class Canadsian lives every bit as well as his American counterpart.
I have many American friends, have been in many of their homes.
I cannot see where they live any better than I , if one listens to them talk, I think that in many ways I am better off than they!
Life is short,Death is long,
Take a vacation.
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StanleyandIris
Louisiana
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Joined: 06/17/2007
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We spend 5 months a year in Canada but come home for the winter. Food prices are high but you only have to feed yourself, so you should be okay. For instance, a 12 pack of canned soda may be $4.50, but you then add $1.20 deposit and $.60 for the environmental impact and another 13% GST until the price is roughly $7.00. A can of evaporated milk here costs $1.09 but is $2.49 in SK, Hellman's mayo here is $3.49, in Canada $6.75 and these are pre-tax costs. Get used to Canadian brand foods as there isn't as much cost in shipping. "President's Choice" and "Compliments" are both great and you will find others.
Most campgrounds close on October 15th and when it freezes all public fresh water sources are shut down. Therefore you will need to find a place that caters to people living in their RV's fulltime. We started for home on the 14th and could find no fresh water anywhere - until South Dakota. Drinking water can be an issue.
You will have to run your heaters and heat strips to keep things from freezing and don't leave your water hose outside. But that's another story.
When the winter is over, travel, travel, travel. Canada is breathtakingly beautiful.
Iris
PS: get an electric blanket and if your bed is on a slide, make sure you have insulated bedcovers under you as well as over. We always keep a window open for the fresh cold air - outstanding!
Apply for citizenship. You are going to love Canada and the Canadian people.
LOL J/K - sorta.
* This post was
edited 10/22/09 04:26pm by StanleyandIris *
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WilleyB
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Joined: 12/02/2005
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I agree with the sea Dog, and he's right on. My son lives in the St.John area and his only lament is the amount of snow they get. It's a bit warmer than Fredericton because of being closer to the sea. I can recall when job hunting mid Winter in 76, North of Moncton, being tired I pulled over on the side of the hwy and went to sleep (75 E150)on a bench in the back. Used a sleeping bag and was warm as toast so the bag would work. On the West side of St John there is a truck stop where you could dump the tanks, probably get water there too. So all you have to do is find a place to park it.
"LANCASTER IRVING
783 FAIRVILLE BLVD
SAINT JOHN, NB E2M 5T9
(506) 672-9228
Hours: 24Hr"
Give them a call they may be able to answer some of your concerns.
Cheers
Willey
Vanguard VXL2000
2000 Ford V10 Triton, E350 Super Duty
Just for me,the Mrs and the mutt
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