Anyone from Calgary??

[zookeeper]

My DH and I talk about moving every now and again. We're happy where we are (Ontario), but a change would be good and an adventure at the same time. Lately, he's been hearing a lot about the building boom in Calgary and has heard reports of plenty of job opportunities (he's an electrician). I'm just wondering if there are any DISers out there from Calgary who can tell me what the situation is there? Also, if you can give me any opinions about the city of Calgary in general. Thanks for your help.

 

[SeanK]

I am from Calgary, drop me a pm if you have questions

 

[almacdonald]

Another Calgarian here!

There is a TON of demand for any kind of tradespeople, electricians, plumbers, carpenters etc. It's taking over a year in many cases to build a new home! The unemployment rate is like 2% or something rediculous like that.

I love Calgary.
-It's got a decent climate for a landlocked city.
-There are plenty of festivals and events to attend.
-We just broke the 1 million mark for population.
-Decent view of the mountains, 1 hour drive!
-Semi-arid climate so it's not overly rainy, one of the sunniest cities in Canada!

If you have any more questions, let me know!

 

[Jax]

I am another Calgarian.

I love living in Calgary, but since I have lived her all my life I have nothing to compare it.

There is definately a boom here in Alberta and Trades are always in demand. Another possibility to consider is moving to Calgary but having your husband do shift work in the Oil Sands (Fort McMurray area). There is definately a need for people out there.

Please PM me if there is any specific information that you are looking for, or if I can help out in any way.

 

[zookeeper]

Thanks for your responses! That's pretty much what the talk has been around his work, but I wasn't sure if it was a bit of an exageration (sounds like it wasn't). I think we are going to look into it more seriously and if I have any specific questions I'll be in touch. We just started talking about it so we haven't made any decisions yet. Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be hitting you up for more info soon!

 

[almacdonald]

There's ample demand for workers here in Calgary. As a former Fort McMurrayite I wouldn't wish that lifestyle upon anyone! It's very isolated (500km from Edmonton,the nearest major city and about 775km from Calgary) and it is full of transient workers. There is no longer any sense of pride in the town and it's grown unmanagably in the past few years. The population is large enough to support a bunch of new retail stores but they can't even staff the current ones. The small town, everyone knows your name feel is definitely gone. Housing prices are really high and vacancy rates are minimal (this is now happening in Calgary too though.) Everyone I know is either counting down the days until retirement so they can leave (my parents and their friends) or stuck in Fort McMurray with golden handcuffs. They have become accustomed to the anomalously high pay check that can't be matched anywhere else. They're also stuck paying higher prices for lots of items because there is no competition or places to "shop around". As a geologist I could have lived in Calgary and commuted back and forth to McMurray but it just wasn't worth it for me.... not that lots of people don't do this, it's just not for me.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

OBVIOUSLY from Calgary Love it here. Just a smidgen too far from WDW to go as often as we would like. Tad expensive to relocate here at the moment unless the company has an ample relocation allowance Again PM or ask directly - I'm always happy to help out

 

[Louise-Montreal]

Is there a need for teachers??

 

[drag n' fly]

Another Calgarian. Lots of jobs.... no place to live. Be prepared to pay 400,000 for a standard 3 bedroom 1600 square foot house or 1000-12000 a month rental for a dump 1800 for a decent place if you can even find one as the rental space available is less than 1%. Love it here...was born here...own a house so I am house rich but I sure feel for the people who move out here for a better life or a better job and end up living in a campground. You will have better luck finding teaching positions in smaller centres. My biggest fear is we are going to have a repeat bust of the 80's. People will walk away from their houses because they owe more on them than what they are worth. Sorry to sound negative but their is no sugar coated answer to this situation here.

 

[chellebelle]

I'm a calgarian as well and I happen to work for an electrical contractor, what year is your husband how mny years experience does he have, if your husband wants to send me his resume, let me know,

I love Calgary I amd born and raised and so is my hubby there are a ton of joibs out here and the housing is crazy

If you have any more questions, PM me!!

 

[Belle2002]

Hello!
Another Calgarian here....my views are a little different though! I can't wait to get out of here!!! I will trade you places as I am planning a move to TO. Yes, there are lots of jobs out here, but it really is an oil and gas city. There is money to be made for some (especially those in oil and gas), but for others like myself, wages can't match the cost of living. If you are coming from TO, you probably won't see much difference. The average cost of a bungalow matched Toronto a few months ago. Rentals are rediculous, if you can even find one and there is no rent control either. The situation in Calgary right now makes me think of how things must have been during the California gold rush. Everyone thought California had it all, so everyone packed up and moved, but it wasn't good for everyone. Calgary is like that. It's always been a very transient city, and even more so now. Tons of people are coming here, but many decide to go back to where they came from. My biggest problem with Calgary (besides the crummy weather!!) is that it is a very new modern city with lots of new money and people who really want to flaunt there money. Its all about the fancy new house the fancy new car and who can out do who. My suggestion would be to take a trip out here and really check it out. Make sure you or your husband can secure a good job and that you can find a place to live before you move. A lot of people love it here, but I just think it's highly over rated!