Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

MarchHare · 06-09-2007, 11:31 AM

I was born and raised in the Maritimes (Saint John area) and moved to Calgary after graduating from university when I was 22.

Every year or so, I do a mental calculation of how much of a salary increase I would have to be offered before I would consider moving back. I'm making about $50k currently, and I would not move back to Atlantic Canada for anything less than $150k. Career opportunities are only a small reason, though. Quite simply, for a young person, the Maritimes really don't have that much to offer. Halifax is a very cool, young, hip city, but Calgary beats it 10 times over. Last night my parents arrived from Saint John to visit my wife and I for a few days, and we took them for dinner at Muse. Both of them remarked that there's nowhere in Saint John where they could get a meal so excellent, yet I can think of at least 10 other restaurants in Calgary that are just as good or better.

Given that you're posting on a Flames' discussion board, obviously you're a sports fan, and the Maritimes can't compete in that category either. The highest level of athletics you would be able to see is Major Junior hockey and university varsity sports. While the CFL has been talking for years about bringing an expansion team to Halifax, I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon, and you'll never have the chance to see professional hockey.

The local music scene is kind of a toss-up. Obviously Calgary is more capable of attracting "big name" acts because we have a larger population and a higher-capacity venue (you won't see U2 making a stop in Halifax when they go on a world tour, for example), and we also attract a wider variety of smaller, independent artists, but Halifax has a very vibrant music scene as well. On any given weekend night, you can see some great live acts playing at pubs all over Halifax, especially if you enjoy Maritime/Celtic music (e.g. Stan Rogers, Great Big Sea, Ashley MacIsaac, etc.). For my money, though, the Calgary Folk Music Festival is more enjoyable than Halifax's biggest event, the Atlantic Jazz Festival (which is certainly excellent as well).

Also, taxes are much higher. In addition to the 14% HST (compared to the 6% GST in Alberta), you will also pay a higher percentage of provincial income taxes. This is partially offset by the cheaper housing market, however. Mass transit is pretty poor as well; I've been happily living vehicle-free since moving to Calgary (and saving big big bucks by not having to pay car payments, gas, insurance, parking, maintenance, etc.), but owning a vehicle in Atlantic Canada is pretty much mandatory if you want to get around.

Finally, Calgary weather is vastly superior. Our winters are warmer (thank you chinooks!), and our summers are much more comfortable because of the low humidity. Maritime winters consist of large blizzards followed by freezing rain a day or two later.

06-09-2007, 11:31 AM	#12
MarchHare Franchise Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: YSJ (1979-2002) -> YYC (2002-2022) -> YVR (2022-present) Exp:	I was born and raised in the Maritimes (Saint John area) and moved to Calgary after graduating from university when I was 22. Every year or so, I do a mental calculation of how much of a salary increase I would have to be offered before I would consider moving back. I'm making about $50k currently, and I would not move back to Atlantic Canada for anything less than $150k. Career opportunities are only a small reason, though. Quite simply, for a young person, the Maritimes really don't have that much to offer. Halifax is a very cool, young, hip city, but Calgary beats it 10 times over. Last night my parents arrived from Saint John to visit my wife and I for a few days, and we took them for dinner at Muse. Both of them remarked that there's nowhere in Saint John where they could get a meal so excellent, yet I can think of at least 10 other restaurants in Calgary that are just as good or better. Given that you're posting on a Flames' discussion board, obviously you're a sports fan, and the Maritimes can't compete in that category either. The highest level of athletics you would be able to see is Major Junior hockey and university varsity sports. While the CFL has been talking for years about bringing an expansion team to Halifax, I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon, and you'll never have the chance to see professional hockey. The local music scene is kind of a toss-up. Obviously Calgary is more capable of attracting "big name" acts because we have a larger population and a higher-capacity venue (you won't see U2 making a stop in Halifax when they go on a world tour, for example), and we also attract a wider variety of smaller, independent artists, but Halifax has a very vibrant music scene as well. On any given weekend night, you can see some great live acts playing at pubs all over Halifax, especially if you enjoy Maritime/Celtic music (e.g. Stan Rogers, Great Big Sea, Ashley MacIsaac, etc.). For my money, though, the Calgary Folk Music Festival is more enjoyable than Halifax's biggest event, the Atlantic Jazz Festival (which is certainly excellent as well). Also, taxes are much higher. In addition to the 14% HST (compared to the 6% GST in Alberta), you will also pay a higher percentage of provincial income taxes. This is partially offset by the cheaper housing market, however. Mass transit is pretty poor as well; I've been happily living vehicle-free since moving to Calgary (and saving big big bucks by not having to pay car payments, gas, insurance, parking, maintenance, etc.), but owning a vehicle in Atlantic Canada is pretty much mandatory if you want to get around. Finally, Calgary weather is vastly superior. Our winters are warmer (thank you chinooks!), and our summers are much more comfortable because of the low humidity. Maritime winters consist of large blizzards followed by freezing rain a day or two later.