Opinions and advice needed - Moving for your career

[manwiches]

I guess I should clarify also, what are your pros and cons about Regina? Again, it's looking like we will be making the move, so any silver lining or expectations are greatly appreciated.

Pros and cons of moving to another city too that you might have experienced or know of. I know I'll be hitting the ground running with my job, but how did your significant other cope? Culture shock as well, etc. Coping mechanisms, etc...

[Rudee]

I've never been a fan of the cold. Then again, I'm not a fan of extended hot temperatures as well. I've worked in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), and I remember the first time my employer sent me there for 12 weeks I was thrilled. But the second time I went, not so thrilled. 3rd time, I was hating it. The per diems I was getting from the company were huge. Worked out to $1400/week, and that was on top of my regular salary. Didn't really use the per-diems because where I was staying I had food and drink, included. I just banked the per diem cash. But still, despite how lucrative it was going there, I couldn't handle the heat. The mid day heat was just too unbearable for me. It's almost how I felt when I go to places like Winnipeg or Sask in the dead of winter for a length of time. Lucrative or not, I just want to get out of there because of the cold. Sask summers are hot, but nothing like the crazy hot I experienced in Saudi.

[rd_aaron]

Pros:
- Less traffic. Can get anywhere in the city in 20 mins, generally.
- Economy in SK booming, might not be as hard to find your wife employment compared to other markets
- Friendly people. No different than Alberta, really.
- Housing/cost of living a bit cheaper, but the gap is closing.
- Lots of lakes/fishing in SK. Regina beach 45 mins away.

Cons:
- No mountains. Skiing/snowboarding doesn't even compare.
- Shopping/restaurants/entertainment is far superior in Calgary.
- Winter is cold and long.
- Travel from Regina less convenient and more expensive. LOTS of flights have to connect through Calgary.

[Cowboy89]

There was a time when I would have absolutely laughed off the idea of someone willingly moving from Calgary to Regina. But 600,000 more people later on the Calgary side of the equation and a significant reversal of fortune on the Regina side and I can now fully understand how. I find people love Calgary for two completely different and at times opposing reasons: 1) They love Calgary for what it is (was) and 2)They love Calgary because of it's potential of what it can turn into.

[DuffMan]

When I was about 14/15 my parents moved us from southern Ontario to Regina, as my father got a promotion to manage a branch there. I went from a kid my parents loved to a kid they wanted to ship to military school within a week or so. As a 14 year old growing up in a neighborhood with streams and forests and lots of hiking etc and life long friends to Regina, just took the life from me. It was like moving into a biodome and shoplifting, vandalism, pre marital sex, drugs etc, filled the void. I guess my point is ,,, Regina sucks.

But having said that 14/15 is a volatile age. I was back there a couple of years ago and saw some people I knew in highschool who still hang out, and it was interesting to know that you can get from one side of the city to the other in 20 minutes, so your friends are never far away.

The funny thing I find about Regina is anyone I knew in hs that have stayed, all were born there. Anyone that moved there from somewhere else, usually leave.

[manwiches]

Been a while, so thought I would bump this thread, and update those interested.

I took the offer from my company, and have been here since early November. Unfortunately by myself, as my wife and I are expecting and we figured the best care would be in Calgary with her parents and our doctors. I go back once every 4-5 weeks for a weekend/long weekend or she comes up here to visit. It sucks, but it's short term pain for long term gain. I wouldn't be able to care for here or give her the attention that she would need and deserve being pregnant, since I'm working so much. My wife has been phenomenal throughout the process and has been 110% supportive in this.

With regards to the job, I love my job here. I love the people, I love the office, and I love my work. I love that I'm so ridiculously busy I can barely keep up. It's a thrill for me. I thrive under pressure, and I'm happy that I feel like I'm contributing my worth to the company that I've grown to love.

With regards to Regina, I've found that life definitely has slowed down for me out here. I have more time, less commute, and am more relaxed. Don't get my wrong, I was born and raised in Calgary, and all my friends and family are there, and I'm used to the city. But Regina has a certain appeal to it for the reasons I just stated, and I look forward to when my wife and kid are out here come summer to really appreciate how much time I will have for both of them, even though I'm working so much. In Calgary, I have to account for at least 1.5 - 2 hours of commute everyday. Here I account for 15 minutes. It's amazing what kind of time that gives you.

We did find a house, and for anybody considering moving out here, the housing market is ridonkulous. It's 15-20% higher than Calgary. I would equate it to buying in Signal Hill or Aspen/Wentworth. That's not to say you can't find a place in a more quaint community, but in Regina, there are only 2 areas you want to live in (South, or East), and those are all expensive. The other areas like North Central and North of Victoria have alot of transients and Native Reserves, and don't have the greatest of reputations. We're lucky we built equity in our home the past 4 years in Calgary, so that when we sold, we made a bit of money and were able to put more down for a similar size home. All that being said, our patience paid off, because after 5 months of looking, we found the perfect house that is in the exact community we wanted and also feels like an upgrade.

The cold is bitter here, and it's dry as hell. But I'm happy being a home body and organizing the house and watching tv etc. I play hockey twice a week, once in Pilot butte, and another on a team in a league here. It's no different than Calgary, except my commutes to games are 5 or 10 min max. I've found the food selection not as good as Calgary, however there are a few gems I've found, and continue to find.

All in all, it's been a good decision thus far, with the exception of not having my wife around yet. I think Regina will be a great place to raise a family, and I will have so much more time here to spend with them than I ever would in Calgary. It's also given me an opportunity to provide for my family and give back to both our families in a way I never thought possible.

Thanks again to everybody who responded in this thread. This online community is very helpful and informative, and it is greatly appreciated.

[darklord700]

Just wondering what kinds of job you are doing that it's more demand in Regina than Calgary?

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by fotze

Addictions counselor
Dust management
Wheat grower
Nursing home worker

Parole Officer
Caelifera Exterminator
Hay Transporter
Fireworks Stand Owner/Operator

[puffnstuff]

My guess is Watermelon Grower/Carver

[Muta]

Gang Supression Unit

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by manwiches

This would more than likely transplant us for the rest of our lives

Good to hear you are over there and doing well. It's just this one line in your original post that made it feel like a death sentence.

There is no reasonable amount of money in the world that I would accept in salary to move to Regina for the rest of my life.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Good to hear you are over there and doing well. It's just this one line in your original post that made it feel like a death sentence.

Yeah, that's the thing. I don't know about the wages in Saskatchewan or Manitoba, but once you're working out there, it seems like it would be a struggle to buy a house, or plan for retirement out west (unless you really like SK or MN and want to retire there).

I am just happy knowing that making AB dollars that there is a reasonably good chance that my wife and I to pick where we want to retire, and not feel glued to a location we don't like.

Not that retiring out west is everybody's dream. But being from BC, I plan to return there eventually.

[lifetimefan]

Regina: the city that smells like it sounds. If it were me, I'd pass.

Keep in mind the difference in tax rates between Alberta and Saskatchewan when comparing income.