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Newbie
May 21, 2008
49 posts
10 upvotes
Be aware that it's very difficult to find a place to rent in Calgary right now. Even though you're planning to buy you'll probably end up renting when you first arrive, so for that reason alone I'd recommend Edmonton at the moment.
Deal Addict
Jan 21, 2009
2507 posts
551 upvotes
TO
M-e-X-x wrote: Diversity in general is one thing different in Toronto and Vancouver. Other things, more Toronto-centric since I live here:

-Every major sports team is here, regardless if they do well or not (NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, etc.). You can watch visiting teams.
-Every concert will usually stop here
-New 'things' happen here first usually (stores, trends, etc.)
-More Cultural/Ethnic neighbourhoods
-Arguably more cultural things to do (festivals, etc.)
-Easy to travel to neighbouring US cities (NYC, Chicago, Boston, etc.)

At the end of the day, a lifestyle thing. I've lived half my life in Calgary, half my life in Toronto. Prefer the bigger city life.
Same as me - I prefer Toronto over Calgary. While Calgary is growing, it doesn't feel as up-to-date or as fresh as Toronto.
Sr. Member
Aug 29, 2004
952 posts
271 upvotes
tcharged wrote: Same as me - I prefer Toronto over Calgary. While Calgary is growing, it doesn't feel as up-to-date or as fresh as Toronto.
That's because no matter what anyone says, it is nowhere near the city toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal are.

It's certainly livable if you have a group of friends, but in terms of culture not much going on. Calgary has a way of seeming more appealing to people who visit for a short period of time than those who actually live here.

Case in point are the resteraunts - the "hot" places are a joke.
Member
Dec 6, 2010
296 posts
71 upvotes
scarface wrote: That's because no matter what anyone says, it is nowhere near the city toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal are.

It's certainly livable if you have a group of friends, but in terms of culture not much going on. Calgary has a way of seeming more appealing to people who visit for a short period of time than those who actually live here.

Case in point are the resteraunts - the "hot" places are a joke.
There are exceptions of course, but I always wonder who these young people are in those hip/cool Toronto restaurants/coffee bars? :confused: How much money are these people really making as 'admin assistants' and "senior coordinators" at some non-profit or as "part-time researchers" or as a "Yoga instructor" at a funky studio? It feels sometimes like everyone's raking in the money and living large but me.

Who cares about the 'culture' of this over-priced city if you have a low-wage / dead-end job and are barely scrapping by? What good is having 4 Chinatowns in that case?

I'd like to come back to the thread and ask people in the know about their opinions of Lethbridge vs. Medicine Hat.

Thanks
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Nov 2, 2013
5697 posts
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Edmonton, AB
This_is_your_Captain wrote: There are exceptions of course, but I always wonder who these young people are in those hip/cool Toronto restaurants/coffee bars? :confused: How much money are these people really making as 'admin assistants' and "senior coordinators" at some non-profit or as "part-time researchers" or as a "Yoga instructor" at a funky studio? It feels sometimes like everyone's raking in the money and living large but me.

Who cares about the 'culture' of this over-priced city if you have a low-wage / dead-end job and are barely scrapping by? What good is having 4 Chinatowns in that case?

Thanks
You have a really good point - this is what i hear when I worked up in Fort Mac too. If you make good money you can always enjoy it elsewhere. Take a trip somewhere with it or go buy toys. When I lived in Vancouver people there liked to rave about how nice it was, but the young people just lived off their parents working their $15/hour post-uni-grad jobs.
Accountant (Public Practice)
Sr. Member
Feb 5, 2009
664 posts
150 upvotes
FirstGear wrote: You have a really good point - this is what i hear when I worked up in Fort Mac too. If you make good money you can always enjoy it elsewhere. Take a trip somewhere with it or go buy toys. When I lived in Vancouver people there liked to rave about how nice it was, but the young people just lived off their parents working their $15/hour post-uni-grad jobs.
Make 2x in Fort Mac or 1.5x in Calgary/Edmonton over Vancouver, have affordable housing, and still have extra money to travel. Sounds like the smart decision to me.
Member
Jan 21, 2012
362 posts
61 upvotes
SCARBOROUGH
b166er1337 wrote: Cheaper and better Japanese food. Cheaper and better Chinese food. Cheaper and better Korean food. Etc.

The restaurant scene is getting better in Calgary but TO and Van are world class when it comes to exotic food.
I love you like a brother...but Tor/Van food sucks.....
Poutine, Poutine and burgers....disgusting and yucky....
Montreal is different, but still Canada in general lacks culinary art
Deal Expert
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Oct 16, 2001
76501 posts
1583 upvotes
If you are looking at Lethbridge, Medicine Hat may be an option too. We arent as windy as them either. Population is about 20K less, but closer to the SK border
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Apr 22, 2005
1400 posts
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My older brother lived north of Calgary (Three Hills) for about 5 years or so after living in Toronto all his life. While he did like the folks in Alberta, the one thing he really missed was Toronto's shorter and milder winters. Wintertime in the prairies is LONG.

He was happy to move back to Toronto in part because the winter here is much less harsh than what you'll get in Alberta.
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Oct 26, 2003
39339 posts
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Winnipeg
FirstGear wrote: You have a really good point - this is what i hear when I worked up in Fort Mac too. If you make good money you can always enjoy it elsewhere. Take a trip somewhere with it or go buy toys. When I lived in Vancouver people there liked to rave about how nice it was, but the young people just lived off their parents working their $15/hour post-uni-grad jobs.
blai4754 wrote: Make 2x in Fort Mac or 1.5x in Calgary/Edmonton over Vancouver, have affordable housing, and still have extra money to travel. Sounds like the smart decision to me.
double confirmed, make your money in the miserable pit then go tour Philippines with ilovejaneandfench
Deal Fanatic
Aug 29, 2006
7750 posts
1635 upvotes
1+. And some days you wouldn't want or be able to drive on the highway due to extreme weather. If Red Deer, you should be sure you have a job there, otherwise pick either Calgary / Edm.

Market for pharmacist is unfortunately no where as hot as it was due to changes in the system. I would make sure she has something lined up before moving.

better
Firebot wrote: Main issue with Red Deer is that you are an hour and a half away from either city. Add rush hour and you could be commuting 4 to 5 hours each day. I would suggest to pick one of the two cities and go with it. You will find it quite bad to deal with, especially in the winter.

I do think that due to both your jobs being in demand fields, that even Red Deer as a work place could work. If you can make it work, all the best to you.
The Devil made me buy it - RFD. :twisted:
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User avatar
Sep 21, 2004
11413 posts
7185 upvotes
Calgary
Appak02 wrote: I love you like a brother...but Tor/Van food sucks.....
Poutine, Poutine and burgers....disgusting and yucky....
Montreal is different, but still Canada in general lacks culinary art
But poutine and burgers are delicious too!
Penalty Box
User avatar
Jan 7, 2011
1458 posts
171 upvotes
KW
Spidey wrote: If you are looking at Lethbridge, Medicine Hat may be an option too. We arent as windy as them either. Population is about 20K less, but closer to the SK border
Spent the summer working there and really liked the place, just hiking around Police point park and such after work was really nice. Wasn't the town I expected, only the bad news stuff makes it this far east which kind of distorts perceptions - in truth it seemed very well kept, friendly and safe.
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Oct 16, 2001
76501 posts
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joe_greps wrote: Spent the summer working there and really liked the place, just hiking around Police point park and such after work was really nice. Wasn't the town I expected, only the bad news stuff makes it this far east which kind of distorts perceptions - in truth it seemed very well kept, friendly and safe.
We have lived here for over 12 years, and enjoy all it has to offer. Big enough to have all the conviences we want, and small enough to be able to get anywhere in a decent time
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Mar 24, 2004
8683 posts
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Toronto
Appak02 wrote: I love you like a brother...but Tor/Van food sucks.....
Poutine, Poutine and burgers....disgusting and yucky....
Montreal is different, but still Canada in general lacks culinary art
I dunno about Vancouver, but you can't possibly say Toronto sucks if you're a foodie. Khao San Road, Enoteca Sociale, Marben, Woodlot, Splendido, Buca, Harbord Room, Black Hoof, Parts & Labour, Patria, Edulis ... the list goes on and on, and every year there are new restaurants popping up.
Sr. Member
Dec 8, 2009
678 posts
441 upvotes
Edmonton
I've lived in central Alberta my whole life and my father is an electrician currently living in Red Deer. It's a very nice city with a nice small town feel to it although it still has some amenities. As said before there are several lakes near the city, and there are some really nice walking trails in the city like Kerry wood.

However all the jobs my dad got there either ended within within a couple months or required you to travel 1-2 hours to a gas plant out west or near Calgary and some of them didn't even give travel pay. He's now working at fort mac making 1.5x the money and working plenty of shutdowns making 1k+/day. Personally I'd recommend either living in Calgary/Edmonton unless you don't mind doing long commutes especially during winter storms.

My personal pick would be Edmonton (it's where I'm living now and the southwest of Edmonton is very nice) and there appears to be construction jobs every where you look here. Plus I just like how Edmonton looks and the atmosphere it has, and the public transportation seems better. One thing to bear in mind about living in Edmonton though is that it is colder than Calgary. And during the winter the days are up to half an hour shorter then in Calgary, just some food for thought.
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Nov 2, 2013
5697 posts
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Edmonton, AB
Killmassacre wrote:


My personal pick would be Edmonton (it's where I'm living now and the southwest of Edmonton is very nice) and there appears to be construction jobs every where you look here. Plus I just like how Edmonton looks and the atmosphere it has, and the public transportation seems better. One thing to bear in mind about living in Edmonton though is that it is colder than Calgary. And during the winter the days are up to half an hour shorter then in Calgary, just some food for thought.
I lived by the Windermere area most of my time in Edmonton. The west and southwest area is nice here. It does get a little cold here (-30C) but it's a dry cold; you can dress for it and you'll be fine. It does get dark quick.

There is also tons of construction work floating around here, it's very easy to find a job. It took me 3 days to get one when I first moved here. Construction also commonly has the 'work until the job is done' attitude so your OT will make you good money. I don't run around with a shovel so I do get a little more, but typical day of work is $350. Up to around 600 working out of town with very long days. As a labourer I usually got 200-300 a day back then. Only thing that sucks is if your equipment breaks or it rains you don't work until it stops raining or until your machine(s) get fixed if you're relying on them.
Accountant (Public Practice)
Sr. Member
Feb 5, 2009
664 posts
150 upvotes
jeremyhalifax88 wrote: So it seems Edmonton or Calgary would be our best bet? Damn condos and houses are crazy expensive there! Not sure how we will survive.
If u think it's expensive here, what do u think people in vancouver and toronto think?!
If dual income, don't think you'll have a problem.
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Oct 16, 2001
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jeremyhalifax88 wrote: So it seems Edmonton or Calgary would be our best bet? Damn condos and houses are crazy expensive there! Not sure how we will survive.
Thanks for the advice all,
To the person with thefathet who works as a electrician.. Do you think I'd be able to find a normal 9-5 job as a electrician?
It all depends, do you like living in big cities or prefer a slower pace. With both of you having an education, you can get jobs in smaller cities to. But many think that smaller cities have nothing to do in them or lack restaurants as one example. Myself Ive never revolved my life around if the city has good places to eat, way down on my list of priorities.

Calgarys weather is better with the Chinooks rolling in and close to the mountains. Ive never lived in either Calgary or Edmonton, but I visit Calgary way more being closer to it
Deal Addict
Aug 17, 2008
4128 posts
946 upvotes
Sask.
About it being expensive to live in Edmonton - consider somewhere on the outskirts like St. Albert. My nephew and his wife live there and both work in Edmonton. Very quick 20 minute commute, city of over 60K, great restaurants - and still so close to Edmonton.

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