Alberta or bc
#1
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Joined: Aug 2013
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Alberta or bc
Hi. I am planning on moving to canada within next couple of years once I pass my Canadian pharmacy exams for foreign graduates. I was wondering which province people think is best for a young family in terms of quality of life, tax, lifestyle etc. I did a moose tour last year of west and east canada and have seen a lot. I visited vancouver which is beautiful, but was thinking of maybe somewhere like mission, Squamish or abbotsford if I was to settle in bc, as these offer better value for money it seems. Could anyone tell me a little more about these places? I stopped briefly at Squamish on way to whistler, and although small it offers value for money. Kelowna is beautiful but a little isolated for me, in terms of proximity to big urban areas. There seem to be more jobs available in Alberta in small towns, I suppose as some are pretty isolated. I've been told spruce grove is a nice area near Edmonton and St. Albert was voted one of best places to live. I'd be looking to spend around $500000 on a property.
#2
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Alberta or bc
Hi. I am planning on moving to canada within next couple of years once I pass my Canadian pharmacy exams for foreign graduates. I was wondering which province people think is best for a young family in terms of quality of life, tax, lifestyle etc. I did a moose tour last year of west and east canada and have seen a lot. I visited vancouver which is beautiful, but was thinking of maybe somewhere like mission, Squamish or abbotsford if I was to settle in bc, as these offer better value for money it seems. Could anyone tell me a little more about these places? I stopped briefly at Squamish on way to whistler, and although small it offers value for money. Kelowna is beautiful but a little isolated for me, in terms of proximity to big urban areas. There seem to be more jobs available in Alberta in small towns, I suppose as some are pretty isolated. I've been told spruce grove is a nice area near Edmonton and St. Albert was voted one of best places to live. I'd be looking to spend around $500000 on a property.
Property prices reflect opportunities at the time, but this can change and Squamish might be worth the gamble as the area is developing. Canmore was the back of nowhere and cheap when I originally moved to AB, should have bought then.
Edmonton is not somewhere that appealed to me to live, but it all depends on what one is looking for. Quality of life is subjective, what it means to one can be different to another.
#3
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Joined: Aug 2013
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Re: Alberta or bc
What's wrong with mission ? It looks a pretty town and is only an hour from vancouver? I read a lot of people from van are moving to ab and ont. I'd like to live in north van really, have to wait for a lottery win I think.
#4
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Alberta or bc
Hi. I am planning on moving to canada within next couple of years once I pass my Canadian pharmacy exams for foreign graduates. I was wondering which province people think is best for a young family in terms of quality of life, tax, lifestyle etc. I did a moose tour last year of west and east canada and have seen a lot. I visited vancouver which is beautiful, but was thinking of maybe somewhere like mission, Squamish or abbotsford if I was to settle in bc, as these offer better value for money it seems. Could anyone tell me a little more about these places? I stopped briefly at Squamish on way to whistler, and although small it offers value for money. Kelowna is beautiful but a little isolated for me, in terms of proximity to big urban areas. There seem to be more jobs available in Alberta in small towns, I suppose as some are pretty isolated. I've been told spruce grove is a nice area near Edmonton and St. Albert was voted one of best places to live. I'd be looking to spend around $500000 on a property.
Based on you Kelowna comment, for Alberta you likely should look at St. Albert, Spruce Grove, maybe Leduc for around Edmonton. However most think Edmonton itself is pretty isolated.
Around Calgary there's Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks. High River is not too far out from Calgary but given the recent floods in High River it's best to avoid there for at least a little while. I wouldn't discount Calgary either.
Personally I would choose the locations around Calgary before choosing those around Edmonton. I lived in Edmonton for nine years and there's really not a lot wrong with the place I just prefer Calgary as does my wife who was born and raised in Edmonton.
Aviator has already answered for the lower mainland of B.C.
#5
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Re: Alberta or bc
Driving in rush hour though, you wont get to Vancouver in an hour from Mission. There is no direct freeway access from Mission so its not as direct as it seems.
The train is an alternative to the city from Mission, takes about an hour and some change, but only runs M-F and only works for the 8-4 and 9-5 type jobs.
I for one would pick Alberta, I lived in Edmonton for a bit and really liked it, felt more like a city then anywhere in BC does, but I dislike BC with a passion and not the best person to ask since its a biased opinion.
#10
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Alberta or bc
Come an take a look for yourself. if you plant to move there, rent, you can then move out easily and cheaply.
If Kelowna seems isolated, Edmonton and calgary could be considered isolated, just bigger than Kelowna.
If Kelowna seems isolated, Edmonton and calgary could be considered isolated, just bigger than Kelowna.
Last edited by Aviator; Aug 9th 2013 at 12:00 am.
#11
Re: Alberta or bc
If Edmonton and Calgary seem isolated, Vancouver could be considered isolated, just bigger than Edmonton or Calgary.............
#12
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Re: Alberta or bc
City of Vancouver only has 600,000 people or so.
#14
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 1,371
Re: Alberta or bc
What lifestyle exactly are you seeking? Vancouver offers an urban lifestyle next to nature. Mission is a bit of a rural, conservative cultural backwater. The scenery might be pretty, but it's night and day from Vancouver. Abbotsford, etc. would be very surburban/drive everywhere/shop at big box stores lifestyle.
#15
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 232
Re: Alberta or bc
For us Kelowna was the winner for a young family. It is a city but has a smaller town feel to it. Compared to Vancouver it's cheaper housing, car insurance and less crime than Vancouver, but it's only a 4hr drive away, although it has a decent airport too. Better weather than Vancouver, we've been at the beach all summer and we have skiing on our doorstep. Interior Health is a massive employer and the hospital is expanding plus your also commutable to Vernon hospital if needs be and there are drugstores a plenty here. Best of luck with your search.