Moving to Edmonton

[V]

Yeah, just TAO looks like just another Albertan that doesn't realize there's a world other than O&G in this province.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by V

Yeah, just TAO looks like just another Albertan that doesn't realize there's a world other than O&G in this province.

And what world with that be? In Alberta there's government jobs (including health and education), agricultural, and Oil & Gas (be it E&P or Service companies). That's basically it. The rest are by-products of those industries (retail, real estate, logistics, etc.). Even the innovation projects in Alberta are mostly tailored towards energy. To the only thing stopping Edmonton right now from being the same boat as Calgary is a larger concentration of government jobs/services which ironically enough are funded essentially by the oil and gas industry.

[GP_Matt]

I am kind of shocked to hear a complaint that the Edmonton restaurant scene is no good. There a ton of great restaurants in Edmonton and a constantly evolving scene.
I just got back from a late dinner downtown Edmonton. There were far more people downtown Edmonton then I ever see downtown Calgary at night. The place we were at was full. We had to wait for a seat at the bar at 8:30 on a Thursday night downtown.

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by wired

Got a rental place in Inglewood. Wow are the rental properties that will let you have pets are really bad. Move on the 2nd.

I am just south of 111 in Westmount. Once you get settled send me a note and I will buy you a beer. Daravara is a great spot or Arcadia, if you don't mind the vegan menu the beer selection is quite good.

[wired]

Have a few job interviews on Monday. Then back to Calgary. Cant wait till I have all the things finished in the house so it can go on the market.
Getting old living out of a laundry hamper and sleeping on a couch.

[wired]

After reading these posts, it got me to thinking. The wife and I have used the hell out of the trails in Kananaskis and Banff. I will truly miss them.
Will have to find some nice trails in and around Edmonton. Jasper is only 3 hrs or so away, so it is not the end of the world.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by wired

After reading these posts, it got me to thinking. The wife and I have used the hell out of the trails in Kananaskis and Banff. I will truly miss them.
Will have to find some nice trails in and around Edmonton. Jasper is only 3 hrs or so away, so it is not the end of the world.

The river valley has great trails, really, really great.

Jasper is great, but it's 4 hours, not 3, as much as anyone in Edmonton tries to convince themselves (I know I did when I lived there). Hinton (which is actually 3 hours away) has good mountain biking trails too if you're into that.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by wired

After reading these posts, it got me to thinking. The wife and I have used the hell out of the trails in Kananaskis and Banff. I will truly miss them.
Will have to find some nice trails in and around Edmonton. Jasper is only 3 hrs or so away, so it is not the end of the world.

It's not the end of the world, no, but that's the tough thing about Edmonton when you try to treat it like Calgary in regards to getting out of the city for a day.

In Calgary "getting out" is as simple as driving 45mins to 1.5 hours for the close stuff and longer if you have a couple days. Edmonton, you're looking at minimum 3.5 hours (I don't think Jasper is 3 hours, I could be wrong though), which means getting up super early, and getting home super late, exhausted from all the driving.

To me, seven hours of driving would never be considered a day trip drive. That's just too much for too little. Let's say you want to spend 4 hours to make the drive worth while. That means getting up at 6am, leaving at 8am, getting there at 11:30. Then leaving at 4:30, and getting home at 8....if everything goes as planned.

Not something I'd never do, but not something I'd do with any sort of regularity.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

I am kind of shocked to hear a complaint that the Edmonton restaurant scene is no good. There a ton of great restaurants in Edmonton and a constantly evolving scene.
I just got back from a late dinner downtown Edmonton. There were far more people downtown Edmonton then I ever see downtown Calgary at night. The place we were at was full. We had to wait for a seat at the bar at 8:30 on a Thursday night downtown.

Edmonton has a downtown?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Yeah, Jasper is four hours from Edmonton. To compare Calgary is about 5, and scenic all the way.

Sometimes the four hours there and back to Lake Louise is a grind.

[JD]

As a guy who used to drive to Prince George regularly, I can say Jasper is the halfway point on that trip, 4 hours from Calgary. I've done it in 3.5.

And yeah, it's a freakin gorgeous drive!

[T@T]

Originally Posted by wired

It pains me greatly, but my wife landed a cherry job in Edmonton. She couldn't find work in Calgary for the past 4 months, so off we go.
It will be so painful to be in greaser country, but I will proudly show the Flames jersey on game days.

Fairly certain you will win CP"s "house-husband" of the year award.

Congrats man, wish I could be so lucky!

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by wired

After reading these posts, it got me to thinking. The wife and I have used the hell out of the trails in Kananaskis and Banff. I will truly miss them.
Will have to find some nice trails in and around Edmonton. Jasper is only 3 hrs or so away, so it is not the end of the world.

The river valley is world class.

[GP_Matt]

I haven't spent much time biking them yet but I love to run single track and there are some amazing trails and loops. I can leave my house and go for 20 km runs crossing only the single traffic light to get out of my community.

[wired]

Am I ever a happy camper. Just got the call tonight for a job offer. Start Monday.
I will miss Calgary, and will proudly wear the Flames sticker on my hard hat.

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

The river valley is world class.

Depends where you've been in the world I guess...

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

Depends where you've been in the world I guess...

I've been to Europe, continental North America, the Caribbean and just about every country in the Asian Pacific, including all the huge cities in each of those areas for both business and vacations. Edmonton's river valley, for an urban outdoor activities area, is world class.

[troutman]

The North Saskatchewan River is a gross muddy stagnant waterway, with inferior fish like Burbot, Whitefish, Goldeye, Pike and Sauger.

No trout = FAIL.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by troutman

Pike

Gross.

[shane_c]

Thought I would bump this instead of making another thread...

Considering a move from the east coast. Our first choice would be Whitehorse but housing is expensive and limited. We lived in Calgary from 2004-07 so may consider going back again. Would also consider a move to Edmonton. Both are closer to the Yukon than NS so that's a positive for both

I only visited Edmonton once and it was to go see the mall. I don't really care too much about entertainment, restaurants or hockey , but here are what I see as the pros and cons of each.

Edmonton - pros - houses are cheaper, River Valley looks nice, a bit smaller so maybe not as much traffic (?)

Edmonton - cons - we don't really know anything about the place so would be starting new again, further from the mountains

Calgary - pros - familiar with the city, closer to the mountains

Calgary - cons - housing more expensive, traffic

A few questions about Edmonton...

1) The easiest jobs for us to get would likely be gov't for her and at UofA for me since that's the field where most of experience is. What would be some good communities to look at that would provide good access to downtown and the university?
2) How is traffic?
3) How is transit?
4) Are there good bike lanes to both DT and Univ?
5) It seems that Spruce Grove, St Albert and Stoney Plain are popular. How easy to get DT and to the Univ from there?
6) What areas should be avoided for housing? I see some houses fairly close to DT are very cheap so I'm guessing sketchy as well.