Is Whistler an expensive city? The ski town is known to attract a lot of the world's elite. Just like how the rich and famous retreat to the French Riviera and the Greek Islands for their summer vacations, many of them go to Whistler for their winter holidays. Some would even go here multiple times a year, and it's because of them that this town has become pretty prestigious as a top tourist destination. But the question remains, how high are the living costs here? The truth of the matter is yes, they're pretty high. But expensive? Let's see.
Costs of Renting in Whistler
Let's start with the common rental fees in Whistler. Since most who are in Whistler are likely just living in a
luxury rental, seeing the common rental fees in a place is a good way to gauge just how expensive it is. For the most part, rent in Whistler ranges from around a minimum of C$2,000.00 to a maximum of C$8,000.00, depending on how many bedrooms and the
neighborhood. These are particularly pricey, especially since this is the sort of price range you'd expect in a major city. The fact that Whistler is a ski town and not a bustling metropolis speaks volumes of how expensive it is to rent a space here.
Utilities Costs
Now, let's talk about your utilities. Fortunately, these are often pretty low, especially when compared to your other expenses. For instance, all your monthly bills only amount to around C$40.00 to C$400.00 per month. Of course, this depends on how much energy and power you take up, but for the most part, they're not that bad. Remember that these costs already take into account your electricity, water, heating, garbage disposal, and the like. Moreover, if you want to get wifi from a
reputable telecommunications company, you'll only have to pay around C$50.00to C$120.00 for it. Not bad, right?
Food Costs
Is food expensive in Whistler? Well, it depends on where you shop for it! If you go to the more upscale grocery stores, you can expect higher prices. But if you go to mid-range places for your food shopping, you'll only have to spend approximately C$144.34. This is the total common median price for a trip to the grocery store. It includes a dozen eggs, a loaf of bread, 1.5 liters of water, a liter of milk, a kilogram each of all sorts of fruits, vegetables, and meats, various snacks, and even an inexpensive bottle of wine too! What's not to love?
Dining Costs
Whistler isn't a food capital so you don't have to worry about spending a lot when you eat out. For example, eating at a cheap place will only cost you around C$12.50 to C$140.00 per meal. And if you decide to take your date out to a mid-range restaurant for a three-course dinner? Expect to pay around C$75.00 to C$120.00 for both of you. Not bad, right? Considering that there are many expensive but delicious foodie hotspots in Whistler, finding the right one that you can afford is a lot easier than you think!
Transportation Costs
Public transport is also pretty affordable in Whistler. If you take the bus, a single ride only costs around C$2.50 per adult. Double that for a round-trip ride and you'll only have to spend C$5.00 to go to your destination and back! Fortunately, kids aged five and under get to ride free, so you won't have to worry about paying for their tickets as well. But what if you want to ride a taxi? Well, the meter starts at C$3.20. It may not seem all that much at first, but depending on where you need to go, it can get pretty pricey before you know it!
Clothing Costs
You could say that Whistler is a fairly stylish and fashionable city but it's in no way a fashion capital. Many luxury brands may have set up shop here, especially inside the five-star hotels and luxury ski resorts, but overall, shopping for clothes isn't expensive. If you want to buy a pair of jeans, for instance, you'll only have to spend around C$45.00 to C$150.00 on them. Shopping at a high-street store is also a good idea if you're on a budget. A piece would only cost around C$25.00 to C$100.00 each.
Leisure Costs
If you went to Whistler, you're probably into sports, aren't you? Winter sports, to be exact since this ski town is known for them. However, if you're into other sports or going to the gym, you can find those in Whistler too! And they're not as expensive as doing the winter-related activities too! As a fitness junkie, you'll only have to spend around C$58.00 to C$180.00 a month to get a membership in a mid-range gym in Whistler. But if you go to the more upscale fitness centers, that'll cost you a lot more.
Childcare & Education Costs
And finally, there's childcare and your kid's education in Whistler. Both are very important so it's no surprise that they'd cost a lot. Especially if you go to the more exclusive and prestigious institutions. Want to enroll your baby in a private daycare center? That will cost you around C$1,200.00 to C$3,500.00 per month! And when they grow up, you'll want them to go to a
prominent school in Whistler, right? If that's the case, prepare to shell out around C$16,000.00 or more per year for their annual tuition fee. Your little ones only deserve the best in education, after all!
Truthfully speaking, the living costs in Whistler are pretty high. Some are high enough that you can easily consider this place an expensive destination. However, just remember that every single cent you spend here will be worth it!
