Contemplating on settling in Alberta from Vancouver

[Potats]

Hi everyone, I joined this forum while searching for the exact same issue I'm writing about. The reason why I am posting one yet again is because although many were good, I had a feeling that it needed to be personalized to me. I'm a 22 year old Vancouverite graduating from UBC very soon, aspiring to get a career in investment/asset managing.

I'd like to continue living in Vancity. I love the air, humidity just right, mountains and oceans a mere drive away, 'better' public transportation, cultural diversity, feeling of a busy city but laid back lifestyle combined, downtown, Richmond, Metrotown and just so much more.

So why am I even contemplating. Here's why:
-Housing prices, wow housing prices. A millionaire will have a hard time finding a decent neighborhood that doesn't involve stabbings.
-Not a lot of jobs compared to Alberta with less average salary.
-Gas prices
-Sales tax

I am having trouble deciding whether Calgary or Edmonton is right for me. In my honest opinion both cities are not my style, but the jobs and stable economy attracts me. I've been to Edmonton quite a few times for about a week's stay per visit. Very dry, cold (the least I mind) or sunrays that penetrate you during the summer (I mind this), really dirty cars, not much of vibes and entertainment venues, but huge development potential, and relatively cheaper housing prices. I've never been to Calgary but I have a feeling that it's quite developed already.

So, with everything in mind, what city in Alberta would you recommend?

 

[gerryh]

Calgary. only an hour and a half from the mountains. Skiing, hiking, camping, hunting. Lots of entertainment venues, including the Greatest outdoor show on earth, the Calgary Stampede. Neighborhoods for every taste and income including lake communities. Not too much of a downside. Been here since 2001 when I moved from the lowermainland. Best move of my life.

 

[taxslave]

Long way from the ocean.

 

[talloola]

Long way from the ocean.

yes, that is what prevented us, over the years from moving away from the lower mainland,
hence, we ended up on vancouver island, and will never leave.

we like parts of alberta, very nice to visit, and many many parts of b.c., as we have
travelled to umpteen places, and there are a few places we visited with the idea that
maybe we would move there, BUT, born by the ocean, and although many lakes are really nice,
the ocean is our first love, and we can't and won't leave it, we spend many hours on the
ocean, and many hours by the ocean, as well as the many lakes in this area.
so, one has to search their own priorities, and decide from that.

if we had to move because of work, that would have been different, we would have accepted
that, but the move to the island, meant a transfer of work places, so that was great.

if i had to move to alberta, it would be calgary over edmonton, then we could see and go
to the mountains quicker.

 

[damngrumpy]

BC is a good place to live if you are established if not its expensive
What are you pastimes other than work. It is the time off that counts
If you like to ski etc and there is nowhere to do activities personal
life is at a disadvantage. I have lived in the north and south of Alberta
and both are alright different but alright. I didn't care much for small
town Alberta though

 

[Cannuck]

Calgary is a much better city. Being closer to the mountains is nice if you ski. I don't and as for outdoor activities, I like northern Alberta better for fishing and camping except that I'm a golfer. Winters in the north are too long for my liking

 

[captain morgan]

@ the OP

If you move up in the investment management world, you will be spending exorbitant amounts of time flying throughout Canada to meet with groups/individuals where that capital is located.

The importance of where you live at this point relates to where you will have the best chance of building your book... Ab, Sask and Ont are high deal-flow locations. In building your career, those are the places that will best suit your long term objectives

 

[Goober]

@ the OP

If you move up in the investment management world, you will be spending exorbitant amounts of time flying throughout Canada to meet with groups/individuals where that capital is located.

The importance of where you live at this point relates to where you will have the best chance of building your book... Ab, Sask and Ont are high deal-flow locations. In building your career, those are the places that will best suit your long term objectives

A ton of wealth in Calgary, head offices as well.

 

[bill barilko]

A millionaire will have a hard time finding a decent neighborhood that doesn't involve stabbings.

Bullsh!t-you have some growing up to do.

 

[Goober]

Bullsh!t-you have some growing up to do.

Great welcome there Bill.
We all at times have some growing up to do.

 

[gerryh]

Bullsh!t-you have some growing up to do.

Really, lived in the Lowermainland from 1969 through to 2001. I agree completely with him. Wouldn't live in Vancouver no matter how much I was paid and DEFINITELY wouldn't bring kids up there.

 

[captain morgan]

A ton of wealth in Calgary, head offices as well.

Edmonton too, hell a ton of cash in the small outlying communities where you'd never expect.

Sask is also starting to see a lot of capital flocking there

 

[Goober]

Edmonton too, hell a ton of cash in the small outlying communities where you'd never expect.

Sask is also starting to see a lot of capital flocking there

Agreed, a ton of money in Edmonton. Lots of new businesses opened providing one of a kind materials, etc to the oil / gas fields. Specialized fittings has been a high growth area, from what I understand, and shorter time lag as they are close.

 

[bill barilko]

If OP wants some life experience he should forget about a backwater place like Canada and move somewhere that's really going places-Mexico, Brazil and Colombia have economies that are rapidly expanding and countless opportunities.

Spanish & Portuguese are easy languages to learn-people are friendly, women are beautiful, the food excellent and the weather fabulous.

 

[petros]

And that's why you're in Vancouver? Backwater central and the world's only hole above the ground?

 

[L Gilbert]

If OP wants some life experience he should forget about a backwater place like Canada and move somewhere that's really going places-Mexico, Brazil and Colombia have economies that are rapidly expanding and countless opportunities.

Spanish & Portuguese are easy languages to learn-people are friendly, women are beautiful, the food excellent and the weather fabulous.

First thing that pops into my head when those 3 are mentioned is "crime rates".

 

[JLM]

If OP wants some life experience he should forget about a backwater place like Canada and move somewhere that's really going places-Mexico, Brazil and Colombia have economies that are rapidly expanding and countless opportunities.

Spanish & Portuguese are easy languages to learn-people are friendly, women are beautiful, the food excellent and the weather fabulous.

Those places have a few downsides too, Bill.

And that's why you're in Vancouver? Backwater central and the world's only hole above the ground?

Vancouver is a good place if you don't have to work and you're not connected to a young family and you don't have to go anywhere in the City. If you have lots of money and enjoying playing cards 24/7 you can sit in your fancy high rise and enjoy the scenery. The weather is generally not conducive to going outside for any reason. -