Should I move back to Calgary?

[PepsiFree]

I think you're more suited to Winnipeg, to be honest.

[nik-]

Shouldn't you be talking to someone who cares what you do with your life?!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by troutman

I like living here the most, but would consider having a recreational or retirement property in BC.

I'm out in Cranbrook for work this week, and part of me could retire here.

Good climate, hospital, lots of nature for summer/winter enjoyment & airport for travel.

I could think of worse place to live out my old years.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think you're more suited to Winnipeg, to be honest.

Winnipeg lost all appeal once The Grant closed down.

[bizaro86]

Would your careers transfer? I probably wouldn't move here unless you both could either transfer with existing employers or had jobs lined up in advance. The job market here isn't exactly booming. That said, I have a 2 bedroom condo downtown that's probably worth like $230k or so. So you could probably sell a parking spot at your Vancouver condo and make the jump to a downtown 2 Br here. Or sell your whole condo and pay cash for an inner city bungalow.

Although the detached housing market here has started to heat up recently, it's still nothing like Vancouver, imo. I think in some ways how much equity you have is a big factor as well. If you could sell your condo in Vancouver and move here and be mortgage free that would be a pretty nice boost. Lifestyle improvement/stress reduction wise.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Would your careers transfer? I probably wouldn't move here unless you both could either transfer with existing employers or had jobs lined up in advance. The job market here isn't exactly booming. That said, I have a 2 bedroom condo downtown that's probably worth like $230k or so. So you could probably sell a parking spot at your Vancouver condo and make the jump to a downtown 2 Br here. Or sell your whole condo and pay cash for an inner city bungalow.

Although the detached housing market here has started to heat up recently, it's still nothing like Vancouver, imo. I think in some ways how much equity you have is a big factor as well. If you could sell your condo in Vancouver and move here and be mortgage free that would be a pretty nice boost. Lifestyle improvement/stress reduction wise.

Yeah, I could transfer within my current firm and make the same salary.

There are advantages to Vancouver, but almost entirely revolving around the mild weather and greenery. That said, the winters are dark as hell. There is an inky blackness to a rainy Vancouver night that I haven't encountered anywhere in the world.

My partner has been looking to start her own business for awhile and that is basically impossible in Vancouver where we just couldn't afford the loss of her salary for very long (this is why I mention income). Calgary would probably be a good place to do that.

Your last point rings the clearest to me. Life is so expensive here. It is a constant drain and even more so as we start to think about having kids (something which we have delayed due to Vancouver's living costs)!

[CroFlames]

Congrats on making like a lot of money.

For my lifestyle, I decided the suburbs work. You can get a lot of house on a small lot, and since it's Calgary and we spend lots of time indoors, that works for me.

I lived in Vancouver. It's a culturally great place, and the landscapes are beautiful. After two years, the greyness and rain started to weigh on me and I left. At least in Calgary, when there is snow it's sunny and you can go do winter activities.

EDIT: Just saw you want kids. Calgary suburbs are tailor made for kids.

[TSXCman]

Unemployed Engineer here. Looking for a butler in Calgary?

[metallicat]

I'd leave Edmonton and move to Vancouver if you move to Calgary. I don't want to be within three hours of you.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by metallicat

I'd leave Edmonton and move to Vancouver if you move to Calgary. I don't want to be within three hours of you.

You can use the salt from your tears to melt the odd speckling of snow we get here in Vancouver. It's a win-win for you!

[Misterpants]

Calgary would eat you alive.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by peter12

In the tradition of me having my own personal meltdowns on CP, well, here's another one.

I hate Vancouver, I've always hated Vancouver. It's too expensive, too dark, too rainy here. The people suck. The sports teams sucks. The usual attractions are too full of people. Nobody wants to spend money on anything except for housing.

My partner and I make a lot of money together. Like a lot. Like if I told my 21 year old self my household income now, but also said that I couldn't afford a townhouse in Vancouver, he would punch me in the face.

So we've talked moving. We've both moved around before. We know how hard it is, how stressful it is, and what a risk it is, but the thing is, we just can't see ourselves staying in this grey dump of a town.

So Calgary? How's it doing these days

EDIT: CANNOT AFFORD A TOWNHOUSE

No - how can you hate Vancouver though?? Sports teams sure but it's one of the best cities on earth.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

For my lifestyle, I decided the suburbs work. You can get a lot of house on a small lot, and since it's Calgary and we spend lots of time indoors, that works for me.
.

In Calgary not all suburbs are created equal.

For me suburbs work. And our Suburb really works.

Within walking distance to me house:

4 pubs
3 grocery stores/liquor stores
1 movie theatre
1 hospital
numerous shops/restaurants/services

It really is a perfect little corner of the city.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

No - how can you hate Vancouver though?? Sports teams sure but it's one of the best cities on earth.

cuz different people like different things.............

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

In Calgary not all suburbs are created equal.

For me suburbs work. And our Suburb really works.

Within walking distance to me house:

4 pubs
3 grocery stores/liquor stores
1 movie theatre
1 hospital
numerous shops/restaurants/services

It really is a perfect little corner of the city.

What is Auburn Bay?

[btimbit]

You've lived here before I'm guessing.

What are your concerns about moving back/why did you leave

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

What is Auburn Bay?

and I didn't even mention our lake Bro!

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by metallicat

I'd leave Edmonton and move to Vancouver if you move to Calgary. I don't want to be within three hours of you.

I haven't lived in Calgary for years, but the original post was very Calgary-esque - it even aligns with things you'd hear before the economy hit the skids. All about keeping up with the Joneses.

I get the sense when I visit that it's a little less like that now.

[Coach]

Why Calgary? Just familiarity? If you're going to move why not try something new?

Assuming your jobs are mobile since you didn't mention having to give them up in a move.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by btimbit

You've lived here before I'm guessing.

What are your concerns about moving back/why did you leave

Mainly the economy. General feel of the city. I know things have been hard.