How are my prospects?

[letmein]

Hi there,
I've been playing with the notion of moving out to Alberta, im in Ontario now - 30 years old, have a electronics technician: computer diploma, no kids, no attachments whatsoever. Looking to make some money, the oil rigs that everyone seems to have jumped all over seem to be shifting down (if you ask me), but regardless i would still like to get some insight in to the job prospects for someone in my situation. Im flexible in terms of where i would live, what i would do (dont mind getting my hands dirty - its chopped off that worries me), i like the idea of Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton in that order. How do my prospects look?

 

[Outta here]

Hi letmein, and welcome. Your question has come up a few times of late, so I thought I'd direct you to our subforum: Alberta

I think if your browse around in some of those threads, you'll find a few answers to the many questions I'm sure you have.

 

[letmein]

um...yes, i did browse the forum before posting and didn't see any prospect for "Electronics Technicians: Computers" noted anywhere...perhaps im mistaken?

 

[Jsan]

The honest answer is you will not make any more money than in most areas of the country unless you are in construction or an oil related field (primarily from overtime) and most of the lucrative oil field jobs are lucrative for a reason, the jobs are hard, dirty, and you have to live in a remote camp. Most Albertans will admit that the Boom has not had any benefit on their lives with the exception of their house values have SOARED! This will not last forever in my opinion because one of these years the Boom will wear off and house values will deflate. If you still feel like moving here bring a tent because the vacancy rate is extremely low, rental and housing costs are off the charts and going higher with every month. The bottom line in my opinion is Alberta is the last place in Canada I would want to live while a boom is happening and I'm not alone in this thinking.

 

[temperance]

So back to plan A
learn how to live on less

stuff the money under the matress ,stop buying lattes,make dinner at home invite friends over instead of out ,take more upgrade courses ,combo two fields to make your own work ,moon light anything but --dont not do nothing --Invent your own work --
and start reseaching your own company --

 

[temperance]

Here Ill start this is my lasest brain storm

Get A ware house, offer to change tires from winter to summer twice a years store the tires in a little cubby for each customer ,

you need the room, the tire changer, hoist and air compresses
No ones want to store the tires and its cost to change them twice a year

1000 customers x 50 bucks a change x 2 a year to start

Any body I just thought this up ???

 

[SVMc]

You need to be licensed, the hoist costs a spectacular amount of money, it needs to be inspected by health and safety twice a year and you need insurance to cover the liability in case someone sues you claiming you installed the tires improperly.

 

[temperance]

licensed to change tires really

what kind of license ??

 

[abmom]

I wouldn't move

given your field of work. Not everyone here is making a ton of money in AB, it's mainly those in the oil and gas industry, construction-trade jobs. And, housing is insane pretty much everywhere. You have guys sleeping in their cars because they can't find a rental place not because they can't afford it. So, unless you're willing to switch careers, I wouldn't move to AB. Personally, I can't wait until we move out of this province. The weather alone is enough reason for me to move. LOL.

 

[hermanntrude]

guys sleeping in cars cos they cant find a place: every day i walk past at least ten "apartments available" signs. They get snapped up fast but there's a fast moving market and that means openings show up all the time.

 

[abmom]

In Grande Prairie

It was in the local newspaper here how difficult it is to find a place to rent. Most places have no vacancy and there was a story about a lady who keeps turning guys away because she just doesn't have the space. It's not that uncommon for guys to end up sleeping in their cars. Lots of work here but very little accomodation. Housing prices has skyrocketed recently, it's extremely expensive now.

 

[Jsan]

guys sleeping in cars cos they cant find a place: every day i walk past at least ten "apartments available" signs. They get snapped up fast but there's a fast moving market and that means openings show up all the time.

My rent has gone up 3 times in just over the last year. I also saw a news clip yesterday about landlords that are kicking their tenants out so they can convert their apartments to condos to cash in. It is going from bad to worse if you are a renter. If you are looking to buy, forget it, it is cheaper to live in any part of Canada outside of Alberta. We used to shake our heads at how expensive it is to rent in Vancouver, well, it is now more expensive to rent in Alberta. Yeah, and this is what we call the Alberta advantage???

 

[Jsan]

Here Ill start this is my lasest brain storm

Get A ware house, offer to change tires from winter to summer twice a years store the tires in a little cubby for each customer ,

you need the room, the tire changer, hoist and air compresses
No ones want to store the tires and its cost to change them twice a year

1000 customers x 50 bucks a change x 2 a year to start

Any body I just thought this up ???

If you are lucky enough to find some warehouse space to rent, after paying the monthly rent plus utilities, advertising, etc. you would be lucky to even make any profit. This is assuming that you could even get that many customers each year which is highly unlikely considering there are hundreds of garages and tire shops all around the city and considering that the majority of people stick with all seasons and don't bother to switch to different tires. Besides, the people who I know who do use winter/summer tires all have them mounted on their own sets of rims.

 

[letmein]

wow!...definetly sounds like the "Boom" has really turned into more of a "BOOM!" in terms of the rental/housing situation in Alberta - but it seems like there is hope, as the new attention on the enviroment and gas house gases, is said to heavily reduce the influx and profitability of the big oil giants - some say 30% reduction ;-)

 

[vice]

wow!...definetly sounds like the "Boom" has really turned into more of a "BOOM!" in terms of the rental/housing situation in Alberta - but it seems like there is hope, as the new attention on the enviroment and gas house gases, is said to heavily reduce the influx and profitability of the big oil giants - some say 30% reduction ;-)

Maybe that's why they're gouging us at the pump right now - to make up for later.

 

[snfu73]

It's rough here for housing...and very rough in places like Fort MacMurray or Grand Prairie. You may make a lot of money, but alot of money is also chewed up in living expenses...just the simple act of putting a roof over your head sucks back a ton of cash. I think it would have been better to move to Alberta maybe 5 or 6 years ago...but now....wellll. There are still jobs....but, things are just a little too nuts.

 

[James02]

The honest answer is you will not make any more money than in most areas of the country unless you are in construction or an oil related field (primarily from overtime) and most of the lucrative oil field jobs are lucrative for a reason, the jobs are hard, dirty, and you have to live in a remote camp. Most Albertans will admit that the Boom has not had any benefit on their lives with the exception of their house values have SOARED! This will not last forever in my opinion because one of these years the Boom will wear off and house values will deflate. If you still feel like moving here bring a tent because the vacancy rate is extremely low, rental and housing costs are off the charts and going higher with every month. The bottom line in my opinion is Alberta is the last place in Canada I would want to live while a boom is happening and I'm not alone in this thinking.

A very negative approach
So you don’t think the employment boom is as great as everyone ells is saying