Port Moody vs Bolton

Port Moody is a pricey but safe bet for expats who value nature over nightlife, with a 1-bedroom downtown rent at $1,239/mo and a mid-range monthly budget of $3,100. The safety index of 82 and excellent healthcare justify the cost, but the average net salary of $3,949/mo leaves little room for aggressive saving, reflected in a FIRE score of 57. Digital nomads get decent internet at 120 Mbps and a medium expat community, though the $114/mo transit pass is a necessary evil since the airport is 16 km away. If you can stomach the rain and the rent, it's a solid, unglamorous base; otherwise, look elsewhere.

Canada taxes hard: expect 33% federal plus up to 21.8% provincial, a real drag on FIRE math. A retirement visa exists, so retirees do have a potential entry path, though it's not always straightforward. But remote workers and digital nomads should look past this, given a 9/10 expat friendliness score and 379.96 Mbps average internet. A 1BR apartment averaging $1,304.56/mo confirms the tax hit is the real cost center here, not rent.