Moving to Edmonton

[V]

To virtually everyone in the city the proximity to mountains isn't a big deal. So few people ever make it out to the mountains, it's such a waste.

However, for me, it was a huge thing to get used to. I went to the mountains at least once a month when I lived in Calgary. 45 minutes from my door to climbing Mount Baldy. Now that I live in Edmonton I just don't go. It was honestly the only thing about moving to Edmonton that was difficult. I don't miss Calgary at all, but I do miss the mountains.

[krynski]

I didn't realize all you guys live in Edmonton.

Been here since '07 and love it. Calgary will always have my heart, but Edmonton is my home.

[Johnny199r]

I lived in Edmonton for two years. I liked it. But I really wished I was closer to the mountains or some decent lakes. I'd even like to try Lethbridge someday, Waterton Lakes National Park is the best kept secret in Alberta. It's spectacular, and so different than Banff and Jasper. Close to great Montana spots too.

[Regulator75]

Edmonton is no good.

[Northendzone]

Congrats, I have heard somebody mention the oilers are building something special, so you will have a front row seat to watch the build become complete.

[Ozy_Flame]

CP meet up in Edmonton sometime! We can go to Black Dog on Whyte, watch the Flames kill the Oilers and get all U WOT M8 on everybody after Johnny gets a hat trick and exposes the Tenderness with his pants down.

[wired]

So, move is done. I am back in Calgary for a bit to get the house ready to sell. The area we moved into is not too bad. Easy to get around.
The worst part of any move is getting all of your #### set up again. And the dogs are so screwed up right now.

[pseudoreality]

Originally Posted by Hatter

If you're in Inglewood, just try to avoid going too far north to 118th, or too far south to 107th.

I had a good time in Edmonton for the 4 years I lived there. As much heat as the city gets around here, it's certainly far superior to living in Red Deer or Medicine Hat.

What's wrong with Medicine Hat? I got a really good job offer there a couple years ago and was tempted.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Hatter

If you're in Inglewood, just try to avoid going too far north to 118th, or too far south to 107th.

I had a good time in Edmonton for the 4 years I lived there. As much heat as the city gets around here, it's certainly far superior to living in Red Deer or Medicine Hat.

Too right Red Deer sucks.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

There's honestly no difference between Calgary & Edmonton.. Yeah I said it.

Enjoy your time in a City, living life and doing things really no different than what you'd be doing in Calgary.

Congrats to your wife!

Speaking as someone who moved to Alberta from another Province, and have no pre-conceived hatred of Edmonton, there is a very large difference between the two cities. I've spent quite a lot of time in Edmonton due to work. Edmonton is industrial, blue-collar, seems more remote, and outside of concerts, seems to have a lot less going for it (no mountains, not much in respect of dining options, significantly worse climate, and lack of destinations from airport). Being from the Maritimes, a lot of my high school class moved out west. Those with university degrees/trades moved to Calgary, those who didn't, moved to Edmonton.

Not to say there's anything wrong from Edmonton, but in my eyes it's not even close to being on the level of Calgary. My wife and I often say that if we'd moved to Edmonton instead of Calgary we likely would have went back East or to Vancouver once I was done articling at my firm (which was the original plan). I do a lot of travelling and it's not very often I go to a city and think it's nicer than Calgary. When I do, it's generally solely to do with the proximity to the ocean.

[Lubicon]

Late to the party but will throw my two cents in as well. Anyplace you live is only as good as you make it but in all honesty Edmonton is a great City to live in as others have mentioned. I spent a lot of time there growing up, went to University there, and worked out of Edmonton for a few years and all in all it was a good place. If you are in the suburbs you cant tell the difference from Calgary - they all look the same, have the same stores etc. Inner city is redeveloping too muck like Calgary is. I'm not too familiar with Inglewood, I've always been south of the river, but anywhere close in is good, and close to the University is fantastic.

A couple of personal observations, maybe it's just me:

1. summers are way nicer in Edmonton than Calgary. It doesn't seem to cool off nearly as much in the evening so patio season rocks, and daytime tends to be warmer if you like that kind of thing. Downside is no chinooks in the winter so once November rolls around it's a long time until spring.

2. maybe it's due to the proximity to the mountains but I find many Calgarians flee the city on weekends whereas Edmontonians stay put. As a result there seems to be more to do in the city itself than I found in Calgary.

Make the most of what there is to do there. Golf seems more affordable and there are a ton of courses if that is your thing. Commonwealth is hard to beat for a football stadium so go to some Esk games. The Arts scene is fantastic and puts Calgary to shame (although it is improving here). And if the mountains are a must have, the drive west is longer but not impossible for day trips (or make it an overnight). Check out Jasper and area for something different than Banff / K Country, and the drive has way less traffic.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Hatter

If you're in Inglewood, just try to avoid going too far north to 118th, or too far south to 107th.

I had a good time in Edmonton for the 4 years I lived there. As much heat as the city gets around here, it's certainly far superior to living in Red Deer or Medicine Hat.

Lol, what's wrong with Medicine Hat? It's actually a pretty nice city if you like small town living. As a guy who was born in Redcliff, I'll always have fond memories of that city. I still go down there once a year to visit family.

[DuffMan]

I've lived close to edmonton for the last 10 years after living in Calgary most of my life and those are 2 very good points. Golf is way more affordable and you can stay out all night in a tshirt and shorts.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by V

To virtually everyone in the city the proximity to mountains isn't a big deal. So few people ever make it out to the mountains, it's such a waste.

Granted I'm in the minority, but I'm out in the mountains on average 10 times a month. I'd rather be closer than I am, and would go squirrely anywhere further away.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Speaking as someone who moved to Alberta from another Province, and have no pre-conceived hatred of Edmonton, there is a very large difference between the two cities. I've spent quite a lot of time in Edmonton due to work. Edmonton is industrial, blue-collar, seems more remote, and outside of concerts, seems to have a lot less going for it (no mountains, not much in respect of dining options, significantly worse climate, and lack of destinations from airport). Being from the Maritimes, a lot of my high school class moved out west. Those with university degrees/trades moved to Calgary, those who didn't, moved to Edmonton.

Not to say there's anything wrong from Edmonton, but in my eyes it's not even close to being on the level of Calgary. My wife and I often say that if we'd moved to Edmonton instead of Calgary we likely would have went back East or to Vancouver once I was done articling at my firm (which was the original plan). I do a lot of travelling and it's not very often I go to a city and think it's nicer than Calgary. When I do, it's generally solely to do with the proximity to the ocean.

This sounds like someone with very little to no experience living in both cities. And traveling in general for that matter.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

I've lived close to edmonton for the last 10 years after living in Calgary most of my life and those are 2 very good points. Golf is way more affordable and you can stay out all night in a wife beater and sweatpants with dress shoes.

#truth

[darklord700]

Edmonton's geographic location is too remote. It's closer to Fort McMurray but nothing else. If you were to drive, you pretty much have to hit Calgary first. From Calgary, Montana is relatively close and you can go to Kelowna or Vancouver 3 hours faster than from Edmonton. Flying anywhere from Edmonton is generally more expensive than Calgary with less frequent flights.

I like the fact that Calgary is at the Rockies foothills so you can see far and wide from almost anywhere here. Edmonton is relatively flat and almost feel claustrophobic. Other parries cities, Winnipeg, Regina and Saskatoon, are all like that.

Calgary is generally warmer with less snow and has the Chinook help cleaning up the snow once a while.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Edmonton's geographic location is too remote. It's closer to Fort McMurray but nothing else. If you were to drive, you pretty much have to hit Calgary first. From Calgary, Montana is relatively close and you can go to Kelowna or Vancouver 3 hours faster than from Edmonton. Flying anywhere from Edmonton is generally more expensive than Calgary with less frequent flights.

I like the fact that Calgary is at the Rockies foothills so you can see far and wide from almost anywhere here. Edmonton is relatively flat and almost feel claustrophobic. Other parries cities, Winnipeg, Regina and Saskatoon, are all like that.

Calgary is generally warmer with less snow and has the Chinook help cleaning up the snow once a while.

Edmonton has a lot more in common with the other prairie cities than it does Calgary in my opinion. Some cities I've visited that I feel are a lot closer in similarity to Calgary are Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Charlotte (minus the snow), and Dallas (to a lesser extent).

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Edmonton has a lot more in common with the other prairie cities than it does Calgary in my opinion. Some cities I've visited that I feel are a lot closer in similarity to Calgary are Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Charlotte (minus the snow), and Dallas (to a lesser extent).

I have been to Denver a bunch, and other than mountains on the outskirts of town, don't think they are a like.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by V

To virtually everyone in the city the proximity to mountains isn't a big deal. So few people ever make it out to the mountains, it's such a waste.

However, for me, it was a huge thing to get used to. I went to the mountains at least once a month when I lived in Calgary. 45 minutes from my door to climbing Mount Baldy. Now that I live in Edmonton I just don't go. It was honestly the only thing about moving to Edmonton that was difficult. I don't miss Calgary at all, but I do miss the mountains.

I'm a frequent mountain tripper but even when if I can't make it out just waking up and seeing them on a crystal clear morning from my home it's just relaxing for me.

I won't complain about hot weather but didn't like those hot stretches last summer where the sunny haze just blocked everything out.

Even if I thought Calgary and Edmonton were similar, the mountains just tip it so far in yyc's favour.