Comparing places to live

[Fobulous]

My wife and I moved away from Calgary a few years ago and I am really putting some thought into moving back. I don't want this to become a Calgary vs. some other city discussion, but I am looking for some feedback. If you were to create a pros vs cons list, what other factors would you add to the following list when it comes to ranking where you live vs another city.

Family
Friends
Salary
Healthcare
Weather
Stuff to do
Cost of living

Also, to those of you that moved away from Calgary and decided to move back several years later, why did you move back? What have you found now that you have moved back? Was it all nostalgia that brought you back only to realize it wasn't that great when you got back? Or are you very satisfied with your decision to move back?

[Wormius]

If salary and cost of living were equal in other cities as in Calgary - I would consider Vancouver or Victoria for weather, family & friends, and stuff to do.

My wife however, has fairly non-transferable engineering skill set, so we're staying put in Alberta. Aside from that, I am not keen on moving anywhere else in Canada unless it is more west. I would consider another country just for the experience.

I moved to Kelowna for an opportunity with a startup company a few years ago, and the one thing that I definitely appreciated was the commute time, and also the ease of biking to work (the roads nicely accommodate the bike lanes). I came back because we bought a house in Calgary and wanted kids.

[undercoverbrother]

Are you in Texas now?

[nfotiu]

It crosses my mind sometimes. But I'm divorced with shared custody now, so it is not really anything to realistically consider.

It seems that salaries are probably better in Calgary these days, but I figure to have the same lifestyle I have now in Virginia, I'd have to make 3 times what I make here. How much would a fairly upscale 4000 sq ft house on a half acre lot in a great school district and nice neighborhood go for in Calgary. Factor in a mortgage locked in at a 3.25% for 30 years that is tax deductible. The last time I walked through a grocery store in Canada, I couldn't believe the prices, and had a hard time putting anything in my cart because of how outrageous they seemed.

I miss my old group of friends, and it would be nice to be close to them again. But at the same time, it is probably not the same now that they've dispersed across the city and have kids and all that.

As for the actual city, I miss going to the hockey games. I miss the mountains, but I did mountain stuff for 20 years, and like the beach too. Everytime I go back to Calgary, I realize how few trees they have, and that drives me a little batty. The long winters would be the deal breaker for me though. Summer heat has its own issues, but I've acclimated and enjoy being out in it.

Family would be nice to have close, now that I have little kids, but they are scattered.

[Fobulous]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Are you in Texas now?

Yes we are. In Houston and we love it. However, we are contemplating a move back to be closer to our family (and close friends).

[troutman]

Male/Female ratio

[Bill Bumface]

The only things I don't like about Calgary are the insane cost of living and poor service in many sectors because of labour issues, and the weather.

I don't even mind cold. -10 and sunny? No problem. I hate the wind. -20 and windy is miserable, and Spring and Fall are sooo short most years.

I always thought I'd leave Calgary, but basically everything else about the city is fantastic.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

The only things I don't like about Calgary are the insane cost of living and poor service in many sectors because of labour issues, and the weather.

Insane cost of living? Not sure where you are comparing to, as Calgary was much cheaper than the GTA, and I'm sure the Vancouver area

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by calculoso

Insane cost of living? Not sure where you are comparing to, as Calgary was much cheaper than the GTA, and I'm sure the Vancouver area

You just compared it to two other insanely expensive places.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

You just compared it to two other insanely expensive places.

So, you're comparing it to what? Saskatoon? Regina? Winnipeg? Edmonton? Red Deer?

[Fobulous]

Originally Posted by calculoso

So, you're comparing it to what? Saskatoon? Regina? Winnipeg? Edmonton? Red Deer?

A lot of cities in Canada have insanely high cost of living. Doesn't make it right.

Compared to where I currently live, Calgary's cost of living is insanely high.

[Fobulous]

Originally Posted by fotze

How big's your house?

4,010 square feet and on a man made lake! Smallest house on the block!

[Wormius]

I don't know if not being able to buy a massive house in Calgary on the lake / river for cheap means that Calgary has a high cost of living.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Fobulous

4,010 square feet and on a man made lake! Smallest house on the block!

Funny, about the same as me. No lake, but nice neighbourhood, great schools, 1/2 acre lot, and was $450,000. Mortgage is $1500/month and the interest is tax deductible.

[Fobulous]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I don't know if not being able to buy a massive house in Calgary on the lake / river for cheap means that Calgary has a high cost of living.

Cost of living in Calgary is insanely high compared to where I currently live.

Cost of gasoline in Calgary? $1.16/litre
Cost of gasoline in Houston? $3.05/gallon = $0.81/litre

Cost of milk in Calgary? $4?
Cost of milk in Houston? $2.30

I just picked these items randomly as I have been to buy these on my way home today after work, but I am sure they translate to a lot of things.

[undercoverbrother]

I read some of you posts in this thread......why are you moving back??? I mean seriously, why?

[Fobulous]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I read some of you posts in this thread......why are you moving back??? I mean seriously, why?

Family and friends.

I have a young kid and am at the point where a decrease in pay, and a higher cost in pay would be worth it to be closer to family.

Not to mention, overall Canada kicks ass.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I don't know if not being able to buy a massive house in Calgary on the lake / river for cheap means that Calgary has a high cost of living.

Maybe no, but it is an aspect. I think if you are leaving a 4000 sq foot house, you may at least one a biggish house in Calgary. How much does a 2500 sq foot house in a nicish neighborhood in Calgary go for $700,000? If you are leaving a $1500 mortgage behind for a $3000 mortgage while accepting a downsize, I think you are going to be thinking cost of living is high. Especially as your reflecting over your beer that is costing as much, and paying 40-50% more for groceries.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by fotze

Houston is ridiculous (or it was last time I looked years ago). Palaces can be had for $350k.

He misses drinking beer with me.

That will grow old, and he'll soon miss drive-thru margaritas and daquiris.

[Calgary14]

I would add the commuting time to/from work and access to decent neighbourhood schools as important factors as well