Sell me on Calgary

[slcrocket]

Hi Everybody,

I'll try to keep this short; currently living in the states, have always been interested in living in Canada. Feeling like a change might be due in the next year or so and have a few business contacts here (currently in Seattle) that could open some occupational doors in Alberta. My background is in Sales and I'm currently a Sales Manager.

I've been up to Calgary a few times - many years ago when I was in my early 20s I dated a girl who lived there going to U of A, so I was up a few times then. Otherwise, I've only been up for Flames games (most recently for Iginla's retirement). I like what I've seen of the town, definitely a small town feel and one I'm seriously considering.

My wife, however, has never been up there and while we have a family trip tentatively planned there for February, I'm trying to warm her up to the idea as I've only mentioned it in passing to her before. What are the biggest selling points of Calgary as you see them? Conversely, if you think it's a bad idea, I'd be curious about that viewpoint as well.

Lastly, if any of you have done the moving to Canada from the US process, I would love any details/info about that process. Thanks in advance!!

[CaptainCrunch]

We have a chicken on the way.

[Travis Munroe]

- 1 to 2 hour drive to experience nature unlike most places in the world.
- One of, if not the sunniest place in Canada. Yes it can get cold I will take cold and sunny vs less cold and gloomy
- Chinooks are underrated and make the winters much easier to deal with. 2-3 day stretches to go from -20 weather to +4
- Housing affordability is better than most (all?) other major cities in Canada
- The Flames
- Potential to be a part of the market upswing and this city is a lot of fun when things are going well.

[Table 5]

If you’re trying to sell someone on Calgary, I’m not sure February is the month to do that.

[peter12]

Calgary is a great place, for the most part.

[TheIronMaiden]

Do you like seemingly endless suburbs?

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Do you like seemingly endless suburbs?

...then Airdrie is just 10 minutes from downtown.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Do you like seemingly endless suburbs?

Someone from Seattle isn’t going to think Calgary has endless suburbs. Two hour commutes are common in the Seattle metro area.

[gasman]

I don't know if I agree with small town feel...

Honestly if your connections are bringing you to work in oil and gas, or anything oil and gas related, stay away. Our country is doing its best to tank the oil industry in Alberta and things are going to be bleak for the foreseeable future.

Otherwise, Seattle >>>>Calgary except when it comes to craft beer.

[nik-]

Stay out of our city, parasite!

[OMG!WTF!]

We're leading the country in dope sales. Dopity dope dope.

[GGG]

Do you take advantage of the nature in the PNW?
Are you in an O+G related field?

The biggest advantage for Calgary is the ratio of Salary to Cost of Living is really good for those that remain employed. Taxes by Canadian standards are low for those with higher incomes.

From a livability standpoint it’s pretty good. Good airport, Good restaurants, Arts scene is good for City if it’s size. It has your basic metropolitan stuff at an okay level. A solid Tier 2 city.

Where it shines is nature. If you are an outdoors person it’s pretty awesome. The 2nd or 3rd best Mountain range in the world. If you like Summer and Winter outdoor activities Calgary is hard to beat.

It does lack lakes. Have to drive into BC or North for those.

[mikephoen]

If you’re trying to sell your wife on the move, Calgary is far safer than Seattle, the cost of living is much lower and traffic is way better. If you have kids, the safety factor alone should be huge.

[SportsJunky]

Are you a Canadian citizen? How are you going to work in Canada?

I’ve moved both ways across the border. It’s surprisingly easy as long as you have all the proper documentation.

[81MC]

You can’t do it in the winter, but highway 1A, to the 40 for the Highwood Pass into Longview, up through Turner Valley back into town. Can’t express how blessed one is to do that as a day trip.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by gasman

I don't know if I agree with small town feel...

Honestly if your connections are bringing you to work in oil and gas, or anything oil and gas related, stay away. Our country is doing its best to tank the oil industry in Alberta and things are going to be bleak for the foreseeable future.

Otherwise, Seattle >>>>Calgary except when it comes to craft beer.

Unlike the OP, you are clearly not in sales.

[Galakanokis]

Know anything about film, tv or post production? Have a sales opening in Vancouver. Not such a dramatic change as Calgary would be.

[slcrocket]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Someone from Seattle isn’t going to think Calgary has endless suburbs. Two hour commutes are common in the Seattle metro area.

If I didn't presently make my own schedule, my commute would regularly be 90-100 minutes. Even then, sometimes it can't be avoided. I'm not driving in snow, though.

Originally Posted by GGG

Do you take advantage of the nature in the PNW?
Are you in an O+G related field?

Not in O+G. I love the nature scene in the PNW (I used to take more advantage of it before kids - my three little ones are still relatively pretty little) but that will definitely be a factor.

Originally Posted by mikephoen

If you’re trying to sell your wife on the move, Calgary is far safer than Seattle, the cost of living is much lower and traffic is way better. If you have kids, the safety factor alone should be huge.

This is a HUGE factor in my consideration.

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Are you a Canadian citizen? How are you going to work in Canada?

I’ve moved both ways across the border. It’s surprisingly easy as long as you have all the proper documentation.

Not a Canadian citizen, though I would be interested in becoming one. If I understand from brief internet research, I'd want to establish gainful employment and establish permanent residency in order to apply. I realize it's a process and one I'll need to vet much further if we get to that point. Good to know you've been able to navigate it relatively easily.

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

Know anything about film, tv or post production? Have a sales opening in Vancouver. Not such a dramatic change as Calgary would be.

Not my area of experience, but I'll message you!

[Manhattanboy]

Really depends on what you do for a living.

I am from Calgary and have practised as a lawyer for years. I have experienced the booms and busts of the local economy.

But I have never been more pessimistic. This downturn is different. Long and severe.

If I had kids graduating from college with degrees in business, law, engineering, science, etc. I would strongly encourage them to look elsewhere.

[Jordan!]

-Westbrook food court
-Ginger beef
-Sate style Pho
-Donairs
-Chicago deep deep dish pizza
-2 week summers
-the mountains I guess