Calgary versus Edmonton

Calgary versus Edmonton

bandora

#1Oct 9th, 2006

Hi everyone,

I'm a 20 year old student from Windsor Ontario..planning to move to Alberta in January if all goes well hopefully. I've heard so much about Alberta and its high paying jobs so I hope I won't be disappointed. But there's a dilemma...

Which is better? Edmonton or Calgary? Keep in mind the following:

- I'm a full time student so I need to be close to a university (transferring to either UofA or UofC)
- I will most probably be living on my own or with my current roommate
- I need a good paying job, I'm not looking to get rich overnight..just enough to pay my living expenses and possibly save..is working at the mall for example good enough? What is the minimum/average pay in Edmonton vs. Calgary?
- How is car insurance over in Alberta? is truly cheaper than Ontario?
- What is the minimum age to rent a car?

I need an unbiased opinion...I've read alot of threads already and I'm far more than confused.

I'm also trying to visit Edmonton/Calgary around the end of this month but I don't know where to start..

Your feedback will be highly appreciated..thanks in advance

Thanks again,

- B

wallyj

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 9th, 2006

It may be more advantageous to pursue your education in Windsor. The cost of living out here is quite high.One bedroom apt. in Calgary will be approx.$750 a month,plus utilities,if you are lucky.I pay $800 a year car ins.,basic,no collision. I really don't know what retail pays,or car rental age,you do need a C.C. though. I lived in windsor for 25 years and do love Calgary,but it is quite pricey. Do some research.I don't know much about Edm. Good luck.

bandora

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 10th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by wallyj

It may be more advantageous to pursue your education in Windsor. The cost of living out here is quite high.One bedroom apt. in Calgary will be approx.$750 a month,plus utilities,if you are lucky.I pay $800 a year car ins.,basic,no collision. I really don't know what retail pays,or car rental age,you do need a C.C. though. I lived in windsor for 25 years and do love Calgary,but it is quite pricey. Do some research.I don't know much about Edm. Good luck.

I've been in Windsor for the past 4 years now and I'm losing interest in doing anything. There isn't really much to do anyway come to think of it besides clubbing and all that. Jobs-wise, it's slowing down now that at least one of the Big 3 plants is shutting down by '07-'08. So the general economic mood is depressed. Pay is not all that and 14% tax just makes it worse. If, for example, I'm working 20 hours a week at $8/hr, that's roughly $600/month after tax - bear in mind there aren't that many available jobs to begin with. I live in a medium sized 2-bedroom apartment with a roommate and I pay $350 for rent only. Add ~$80 for electricity and internet (I don't even have TV). Add another ~$80-100 for cellphone bill. We're talking $500-550 a month just for living expenses and I'm only making $600. Tell me that's fair!

If tim horton's pays $13/hr as I heard then I'm sure I can find a similar job in that wage rate if not higher. I really wouldn't mind working 30 hours/week doing anything if I'm getting paid at least $12/hr. As for car insurance, it's anal...literally! For example, If I was to drive a '96 chevy cavalier, I would have to pay ~$4,000/year for insurance (and this is the cheapest I found believe me). That means I can buy another 2 cavaliers with that much premium. Only because I'm "still young". Tell me that's fair!

But anyway enough ranting lol..I really need to get out of here and that's why I'm looking at Alberta.
I'd appreciate if anyone can give me websites to look at..I ran out of search keywords lol.

Sorry for the long post

Thanks wallyj.

bandora

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 10th, 2006

anybody?

Ariadne

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 12th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by bandora

I've been in Windsor for the past 4 years now and I'm losing interest in doing anything. There isn't really much to do anyway come to think of it besides clubbing and all that. Jobs-wise, it's slowing down now that at least one of the Big 3 plants is shutting down by '07-'08. So the general economic mood is depressed. Pay is not all that and 14% tax just makes it worse. If, for example, I'm working 20 hours a week at $8/hr, that's roughly $600/month after tax - bear in mind there aren't that many available jobs to begin with. I live in a medium sized 2-bedroom apartment with a roommate and I pay $350 for rent only. Add ~$80 for electricity and internet (I don't even have TV). Add another ~$80-100 for cellphone bill. We're talking $500-550 a month just for living expenses and I'm only making $600. Tell me that's fair!
If tim horton's pays $13/hr as I heard then I'm sure I can find a similar job in that wage rate if not higher. I really wouldn't mind working 30 hours/week doing anything if I'm getting paid at least $12/hr. As for car insurance, it's anal...literally! For example, If I was to drive a '96 chevy cavalier, I would have to pay ~$4,000/year for insurance (and this is the cheapest I found believe me). That means I can buy another 2 cavaliers with that much premium. Only because I'm "still young". Tell me that's fair!
But anyway enough ranting lol..I really need to get out of here and that's why I'm looking at Alberta.
I'd...
Quote has been trimmed, See full post:

Renting a car is the same pretty much everywhere ... you have to be 21 and you need a visa. Car insurance is privatized so depending on your car and driving history, you can expect to pay about $2000 annually if you've been driving for a few years and have an older car - check with the Alberta Motor Association Website to get an idea about your insurance rates. A lot of jobs are starting at $11 per hour with a 3 month probation and then a bit more; you can negotiate salary because of staff shortages. Every place has a sign "help wanted". The mall near the University of Calgary really wants help at the Safeway and they pay reasonably well (with signing bonus payable after 6 months) with time and a half during Christmas. Most shops are worried about Christmas staff shortages. Rent, depending on where you live, can range from $700 for a 2 bedroom and up. You should check the Calgary Herald rental listings to get a better idea about what is available. There were huge shortages for a while but the market is loosening up a bit. If you are a student, the U of C housing board has a listing for off campus housing. The boom in Calgary is not happening all over Alberta.

Calgary Herald: http://homes.canada.com/calgary/brow...y.aspx?id=3092

Alberta Motor Association: --

Calgary Safeway Employment: --=

U Calgary Off Campus Housing: --

Ariadne

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 13th, 2006

So I wrote this long reply including links to all sorts of useful websites in Calgary but when I hit send, there was a message about needing approval before it could be viewed. That was yesterday. I don't know why that happened, but hopefully the message will appear soon.

bandora

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 13th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Ariadne

So I wrote this long reply including links to all sorts of useful websites in Calgary but when I hit send, there was a message about needing approval before it could be viewed. That was yesterday. I don't know why that happened, but hopefully the message will appear soon.

thanks

do u mind writing it again coz i dont think its going to appear..posting should be instantaneous

Kreskin

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 13th, 2006

Message has been approved. Being new on the board with a post having multiple links our auto spam checker kicks in.

Carmoral

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 14th, 2006

I was speaking to my dad in law in Edmonton the other day and he was saying that the rental prices in Edmonton have gone up, but it coincides with the job situations there, he said that there is a big shortage of workers.
I am posting the link to the Edmonton journal; it has some good links there.
Good luck!
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/index.html

bandora

#10

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 14th, 2006

thanks everyone I really appreciate ur feedback...

I'm still confused, however, as to where I should be headed; Edmonton or Calgary?

Carmoral

#11

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 14th, 2006

I think only you can decide that bandora, personally I would choose the capital, it is expanding according to all sources, but calgary has some good stuff also.
Think a visit and lots of homework is the order of the day.

bandora

#12

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 14th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Carmoral

I think only you can decide that bandora, personally I would choose the capital, it is expanding according to all sources, but calgary has some good stuff also.
Think a visit and lots of homework is the order of the day.

I am planning a visit in the first of November now but I don't have enough time to visit both cities, so I guess it's going to be Ed for now..thanks for your input

anything else that you'd like to share?

Carmoral

#13

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 14th, 2006

I have a cadbury's dairy chocolate and a half eaten packet of crips if you want to share them with me , other than that...not really, I'll be over in Edmonton after xmas ( fingers crossed) that might account to why I am a little biased. hehe

bandora

#14

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 14th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Carmoral

I have a cadbury's dairy chocolate and a half eaten packet of crips if you want to share them with me , other than that...not really, I'll be over in Edmonton after xmas ( fingers crossed) that might account to why I am a little biased. hehe

haha that's sweet! Maybe when I'm done my fasting..

I'm kinda excited about all of this

Dixie Cup

#15

Moving to Alberta

Oct 15th, 2006

Most likely like Calgary, in Edmonton there is a BIGGGGG housing crunch. I would suggest that you make sure that you have a place to live before moving here. Rent is quite high because, of course, the demand is high. I don't know that you can get a 1 bdrm for much less than $700/mo plus some utilities (power for sure is extra), and $700 might be a little low. You'll also need a deposit to go along with the first months rent. Do like a previous poster said, do your homework. Jobs are plenty so you won't have a problem there. It's finding a place to live where you'll encounter problems. (Check with Grant MacEwan College - they have new living quarters for students and are offering the same to U of A students - just remembered hearing something about it).

Also, what are you taking in University?? By checking which U has the programs/courses you want, that may help with deciding where you want to go.

bandora

#16

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 15th, 2006

I'm in Business - marketing 2nd year. So I will be attending the Augustana faculty of business at UofA if all goes well. My work experience consists mainly of customer service...so I need to be able to find a job in a similar field..

Dixie Cup

#17

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 15th, 2006

If you're going to the U of A then you'll be coming to Edmonton. And, with your choice of career, you shouldn't have a problem getting a job!! Good Luck!!

Ariadne

#18

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 16th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by bandora

thanks everyone I really appreciate ur feedback...

I'm still confused, however, as to where I should be headed; Edmonton or Calgary?

You should be moving to Calgary if you want the guarenteed job and employee market. On the other hand, it should depend a little on what you are studying as all universities have different strengths. If you were studying agriculture, you should attend the UA but if you're studying medicine or business you should probably attend UC.

I just finished reading the thread and I see you're in business. The Haskayne Business school at the UC has an excellent reputation. Calgary is not the capital of Alberta, but it is where all the head offices are for oil and gas. Edmonton is a feeder city to the north whereas Calgary is the feeder city to the business end of everything related to oil.

-- (check out the news releases)

bandora

#19

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 16th, 2006

Very interesting...thanks for sharing....to clarify things, for the time being I'm not as concerned with post-graduation career as much as a good job to get me thru university and pay my living expenses..do you see what I mean? Ofcourse, it does matter but that's another 2 years from now..
So you would recommend Haskayne over Augustana eh?

Kylus

#20

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 16th, 2006

I live in Red Deer a town pretty well directly between EDmonton and Calgary and both have their good and bad points. but if you don't have any post secondary I suggest moving here first theres RDC here the rent is lower but the wages are roughly the same. After a year or what not or general studies you'll have a better idea of what Calgary and Edmonton are like.

Calgary is a larger city and is growing faster then Edmonton is. Edmonton has a larger gang problem. Calgary is slightly more expensive. jobs galor in both cities, and Tims does pay $13 an hour. also during the summer if you want to make some quick cassh you can sign on with one of the oilfeild companies. there are some that pay crap, but most pay $20 or higher from my experiance.

Calgary has basicaly the main airport in Alberta, a lot of flights leaving Edmonton travel through Calgary before going to their destinatins. when allis said and done I would probably go with Calgary if I were you, but you might want to consider Red Deer first. its less then a 10th of the size of eaither edmonton or Calgary with 80 000 people.

Good luck

Ariadne

#21

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 16th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by bandora

Very interesting...thanks for sharing....to clarify things, for the time being I'm not as concerned with post-graduation career as much as a good job to get me thru university and pay my living expenses..do you see what I mean? Ofcourse, it does matter but that's another 2 years from now..
So you would recommend Haskayne over Augustana eh?

I've heard of the Haskayne school but I haven't heard of Augustana ... but that doesn't mean much. You can get a basic job in either city so you need to consider other criteria for making your decision. The university you graduate from is fairly important in the big picture.

LittleRunningGag

#22

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Oct 20th, 2006

I would make sure you can get into the UofC before deciding on Calgary. I know, from my firends experience, that they are raising their requirements yearly. You need a 3.7 to get into Psych, for instance. And thats only because they have so many applying. It has little to do with the quality of the school.

Colie3

#23

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Nov 7th, 2006

I would do thorough research on both universities but U of A is a world renowned University and is recognized before U of C. Oh, and just to clarify .. U of C doesn't have a better medical school.

chound

#24

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Nov 16th, 2006

You shouldn't move anywhere in Alberta without money in the bank. I have lived in both cities and both Edmonton and Calgary are OK places to live. The debate goes on forever and depends on personal preference. You can't make sweeping statements saying that job ops, etc. are better in one place over the other. The fact of the matter is that the hot economy in Alberta creates as many problems as it solves. Real estate prices have doubled in the last couple of years and, without rent controls, rental rates will follow suit. Affordable housing is a hot political topic and it will likely get worse before it gets better. Although wages are higher here, it's unlikely that your income/expenses ratio will be any better than it is now.

I am not saying that you shouldn't make the move, but be prepared for uncertainty and have the bank account to feed off of until you get settled. In terms of Edmonton or Calgary - pick your spot and do your research.

cclbrules

#25

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Jul 8th, 2009

well, im gonna give you my biased oppinion. Edmonton is better...
there really isn't much of a difference aside from the shorter commute time in Edmonton. Calgary is warmer, but if you really want to make money, go to Edmonton and work with an Oil Company as a laborer. you can get paid upwards of $20 an hour starting. the job market is about the same in both cities, there are jobs EVERYWHERE.
good luck

In Between Man

#26

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Jul 8th, 2009

I've been to Calgary once, never again.

I've never been to Edmonton, but I've heard others say that as you pull into Edmonton the signs display murals of Wayne Gretzky and the glory days. Edmonton being apparently so plain they have to hold dearly to the memories of one team.

Is this true? I know Edmonton's got its mall, but there must be other things. Tim Horton's?

Last edited by In Between Man; Jul 8th, 2009 at 10:00 PM..Reason: d

JLM

#27

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Jul 8th, 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by alleywayzalwayz

I've been to Calgary once, never again.

I've never been to Edmonton, but I've heard others say that as you pull into Edmonton the signs display murals of Wayne Gretzky and the glory days. Edmonton being apparently so plain they have to hold dearly to the memories of one team.

Is this true? I know Edmonton's got its mall, but there must be other things. Tim Horton's?

I'm quite familar with Calgary, not so with Edmonton. As far as big cities go, about the worst thing I could complain about Calgary is the weather and it's not bad most of the time. I'd say 300 days of the year are good. Second worst thing about Calgary would be the drivers- just don't plan on trying to change lanes. If you don't like Calgary I doubt if you'll like any big city. I hate big cities but can tolerate Calgary.

In Between Man

#28

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Jul 8th, 2009

I have no idea if this is true, but someone told me that as you pull into Edmonton, the welcome signage displays murals of Wayne Gretzky and the glory days. Edmonton being so plain apparently that the only thing people can do is cling dearly to memories of a single team.

Is this true? Its got a mall, but what else?

I'm not sure about Calgary. I don't like watching animals harassed to death.

Last edited by In Between Man; Jul 8th, 2009 at 10:17 PM..Reason: d

bobnoorduyn

#29

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Jul 8th, 2009

I left Edmonton when they closed the Muni and moved everything to YEG, the International Airport, (Edmonton's Mirabel). It was purely political and equally stupid. I loved the place, hated the politics, Redmonton, friggin' commies.

Dexter Sinister

#30

Re: Calgary versus Edmonton

Jul 8th, 2009

Well, considering that the thread starter last posted here in October of 2006, has only 10 posts and it looks like all of them were in this thread, it's probably too late to offer any advice.

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