Its time I weigh in on this one....
The problem with Saskatchewan is that we are competing with Alberta for the skilled workers. The wages in Alberta are way better and the number of opportunites higher. This results in kids going to universtiy here, then after graduating moving to Alberta. So, lets see, if Saskatchewan's population hasn't changed much in the past 10 years, and all the skilled workers are leaving, who's staying? Unforntunately the inner cities of Regina and Saskatoon are the ones who keep our population up. If this trend continues, Saskatchewan will be in deep deep trouble!!
Personally, I like living in Saskatchewan and would NEVER move to Calgary. Here are the things I enjoy.... being able to drive across town in 15 minutes tops, my 20 minute drive from the outskirts of the city to downtown, not having to buy a house that would require me to make six figures annually, low utilities, free health care, the 7% PST (I work in the PST department), light traffic, tons of parks, numerous lakes within an hour from Regina.
Things I don't enjoy.... Not living in the same city as the Flames play in, high property taxes, high prov income taxes, people leaving here all the time, high crime rates (although alot of it stays in the core areas), the old school mentality of our residents and government.
I think Regina and Saskatoon get an unfair rep. I can't speak for Saskatoon as I've never lived there, but Regina is a nice place to live in and I'm sure Saskatoon would be just as nice if not nicer.
Winnipeg is basically Regina and Saskatoon combined....
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