Will you live in Calgary for the rest of your life?

[Boo Radley]

I grew up in Calgary. Have lived in San Diego for the last nine years and absolutely love it and would be happy to stay.

But I have always missed Calgary and would move back if a position opens.
Either way sure glad that WestJet has direct Calgary-San Diego flights.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Married a woman from Vietnam, so that's where retirement is going to take me in all likely hood. Though will how much I hate Calgary weather I have entertained the thought of working over there too

Could you really live on Asia? Ive thought about it and the society there just seems erratic for lack of a better term. Like how Panama was mentioned. I need structure in my life

[skudr248]

Definitely not, and doing my study abroad back in Europe (I was born there) during uni solidified that. The French Riviera has my heart now, just need to get better at french lol.

[bossy22]

No, won't be staying. I'd love to move to BC.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Could you really live on Asia? Ive thought about it and the society there just seems erratic for lack of a better term. Like how Panama was mentioned. I need structure in my life

Would do Tokyo in a heartbeat myself if the stars aligned that way! I could live in Asia until my dying day. Love it there, and I'm a Canadian raised Caucasian male!

[Table 5]

Honestly, it depends on money.

If I won the lottery, I'd probably move to Zurich. Or maybe Vancouver. Or back to NYC.

If I don't (which I've started to realize may be more realistic), we'll probably stay in Calgary and/or Canada till the kids are at least in Uni. After that, I'd love to move somewhere a bit warmer or cosmopolitan again.

The safety-net in Canada is something you really learn to appreciate once you've lived in the US. The biggest costs of living in the US are health care and education related...something that is much more reasonable in Canada, especially when you have kids. People who think of moving to the US don't realize that you can spend $1500 per month for your family for health insurance, $10-20K+ a year for property taxes, and $10k a year for K-12 in places where public school is crap. The places where people want to be in the US (ie California, New York etc) can be pretty crazy expensive.

[FlamingHomer]

I could write a thesis on the good points and another one on the bad points and both would be true.
I guess the biggest adjustment is tolerating the culture/mentality. People are not friendly. Customer service is non-existent. Most people are inconsiderate. Tradespeople doing a job wrong and fully expecting to return and then do it correctly. Driving here, especially the city is an adventure. Almost every car has a dent in it. Again, I could go on but I knew what I signed up for when we chose Panama.
The weather certainly makes up for a lot of the warts. And the medical system is pretty good. You deal directly with the specialists. No referrals are needed. My wife contacted a dermatologist and was getting treatment within 3 hours. Cost was $150. Check up and cleaning at the dentist is about $40. These are usually US trained medical people and very qualified.
Having gone to a few other neighbouring countries, Panama has some of the best infrastructure. Medellin Colombia was maybe the best.
There are a lot of ex-pats here who have unconditional love for Panama and some return home shortly after moving.
Panama tried to build their tourism but this is still not a great place to visit. There isn't much to do or see, it's heavily littered and people aren't welcoming. It has been a good choice to live however.
I expect we will stay another year or two then try somewhere else.

[East Coast Flame]

Been here for almost 10 years now and I have absolutely loved it.

However, I'm pretty sure I'll be heading back to Halifax probably sometime in the next 5 years or so. Once kids are in the picture, my partner and I will be heading back - both of our families are back there.

[Frequitude]

I plan to live in Alberta for the rest of my life. Not opposed to a <5 year stint in Fort Mac or Edmonton if the right opportunity came up.

[habernac]

Grew up in Sherwood Park, then Fort McMurray, moved here at age 25. If I do leave, it will only be part time snow bird type stuff.

[TorqueDog]

Hard to say. I moved here from Winnipeg in 2006 at age 21, and this city has completely transformed everything about my life from what it was back then. I have a lot of love for this place.

However, if I was going to move, it would probably be to one of the following, for work reasons:
a) Bellevue, Washington - To work at our corporate campus, and Bellevue is a gorgeous place.
b) Toronto - I'd probably not be very happy about this, but our Canadian corporate headquarters is in Mississauga, so it would be a good career move. Downtown Toronto would at least sate my need for being where all the action is.
c) Vancouver - The Microsoft Excellence Centre is here, so again, good career move.

For pleasure / experience reasons:
a) Los Angeles - Because I love that friggin' place, probably the West Hollywood area.
b) New York City - Just to experience that lifestyle.

Foreseeable future, it really is an 85/15 split between Calgary and Bellevue. But one thing I keep having to tell family in Winnipeg: I am never moving back to Winnipeg. Neeeeeevvvvvveeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[troutman]

I'd always want to be in Calgary from June to September (fishing and music festivals).

Eventually, I'd like a place in Crowsnest Pass, close to fishing and skiing.

If I win the lottery - homes in Naramata, San Francisco and France.

[Nufy]

I was hoping to retire back to NL in 10 - 15 years or less.

The last 10 years or so of govt's have been a crap show and now its cheaper for me to stay here in AB.

I will probably die at my desk of some stress related illness so it won't really matter.

[wookster]

Lived in Alberta my entire life, and Calgary since 2000, and I really have no desire to leave.

Been to a number of other great places inside and outside of Canada and I have to see that they have almost all been great places to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. Except maybe in January/February when Phoenix calls...I do love Phoenix in the winter months.

[AcGold]

Lived in Calgary my whole life, out of here as soon as possible. Had a real rough few years and I'm weeks away from finally achieving complete financial freedom and control over my life. Going to rent a studio for my software company somewhere; Vancouver, California or Colorado.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Lived in Calgary my whole life, out of here as soon as possible. Had a real rough few years and I'm weeks away from finally achieving complete financial freedom and control over my life. Going to rent a studio for my software company somewhere; Vancouver, California or Colorado.

I hope that works out for you.

Of the three I would pick Colorado.


I recently had a job opportunity which would have involved a move back to Calgary. The job didn't materialize, due to the economy, but I was really split on moving back to Calgary.

[shermanator]

Born and raised Calgarian. I would love to try a new city if I could somehow transplant my family and friends. But, since I can't, I feel like I would struggle to rebuild a social life that I've spent a long time crafting. That would offset any excitement of a new city for me.

Rather than outright moving, I just plan to travel more as I get older and can afford it. I have a pipe dream of owning a condo in Nice for the winter months when I get older, but I doubt it will come to fruition.

[GoinAllTheWay]

I sure as hell hope not. Been in Calgary my whole life. Don't see any way out before retirement but things change. Ultimately I'd like to wind up on Van Island. Parents and brother are already there. Amazing lifestyle. You can boat, fish & golf year round. Yes please. I just love the feel of the island, it's right in my wheelhouse. I wish I could think of a way to get there sooner.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by FlamingHomer

I could write a thesis on the good points and another one on the bad points and both would be true.
I guess the biggest adjustment is tolerating the culture/mentality. People are not friendly. Customer service is non-existent. Most people are inconsiderate. Tradespeople doing a job wrong and fully expecting to return and then do it correctly. Driving here, especially the city is an adventure. Almost every car has a dent in it. Again, I could go on but I knew what I signed up for when we chose Panama.
The weather certainly makes up for a lot of the warts. And the medical system is pretty good. You deal directly with the specialists. No referrals are needed. My wife contacted a dermatologist and was getting treatment within 3 hours. Cost was $150. Check up and cleaning at the dentist is about $40. These are usually US trained medical people and very qualified.
Having gone to a few other neighbouring countries, Panama has some of the best infrastructure. Medellin Colombia was maybe the best.
There are a lot of ex-pats here who have unconditional love for Panama and some return home shortly after moving.
Panama tried to build their tourism but this is still not a great place to visit. There isn't much to do or see, it's heavily littered and people aren't welcoming. It has been a good choice to live however.
I expect we will stay another year or two then try somewhere else.

So what are the bad points again? The driving sucks and so does the customer service. Same thing you get in Calgary? Warm weather and a more efficient medical system seems pretty good. The wait in Calgary to see a specialist is 10 weeks.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

So what are the bad points again? The driving sucks and so does the customer service. Same thing you get in Calgary? Warm weather and a more efficient medical system seems pretty good. The wait in Calgary to see a specialist is 10 weeks.

Dont forget about copious amounts of affordable cocaine, efficient tax shelters and general lawlessness! Huge positive points there!