Originally Posted by _Q_
Don't listen to the naysayers. Calgary is awesome. The economy might not be as hot as it once was, but if you have a job lined up, then there's nothing to worry about. There's also still tons of opportunity out there, just not in Oil and Gas.
I spent three years in the states and moved back exactly a year ago. I don't regret the decision at all. It sounds like you are in the same stage of life as I (late thirties with young family). In Calgary, someone like you can realistically aim to one day buy a house in one of the best neighborhoods, put their kids in a great school and have money left over for a nice car, and a few vacations every year. Your dollar goes really far here.
I've seen the healthcare thing mentioned in here a few times, but I can't stress how much of a game changer for your finances and well-being this is. You never think twice about going to the doctor or emergency room. On top of that, because basic healthcare is covered, your company will likely offer you extended health benefits. Which usually means for no or very low monthly cost from your end ($20 or so per month), you'll have dental, prescription drugs, and paramedical (chiropractor, massage therapy, podiatrist, acupuncture, etc. ) covered with no deductable. When I moved back a year ago, I think I booked 5 massage and chiropractor visits in the first month just for the hell of it.
In terms of weather, I think out of all the big cities in Canada, Calgary has the best weather. Vancouver is gloomy for 8 months of the year, Ontario and Quebec have some really depressing winters, maybe not as cold, but definitely more cloudy and cold feeling, then incredibly humid summers. In Calgary, you'll get consistently nice days even in the winter. Today, for example, it was about 10 degrees, sunny and not even a hint of a breeze. I was outside wearing a sweater and light jacket and was feeling overdressed. Then the summer is pretty glorious here. I think the worst part of the weather here is just how early it gets dark in the middle of winter. But seeing you're from Seattle, you should be fairly accustomed to that.
My one question is, what attracts you to make the move out here? Why not move somewhere cheaper than Seattle but in the States?
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