Originally Posted by scottabraham13

I'm moving to YYT next week to start my new life with my Canadian wife. I have visited St. John's 3 times before. It is a truly beautiful island and I love it there. The people are amazing as well, possibly more amazing than the scenery.

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

And the weather is great!

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat

NL is a great place. (Despite the weather). It is beautiful, often in a harsh way, has unlimited ocean views if thats your thing. (I'd struggle I think to live far away from the ocean), friendly people, a climate that doesn't have the highs and lows of mainland Canada and more fiddle music than is healthy. It's also 3.5hrs time difference from the UK which becomes surprisingly useful in staying in touch - and in my case working with primarily London based colleagues. Access to the outdoors is easy - hiking, walking, ATV, Skidoo etc - 1000's of kms of trails and paths. St John's is a vibrant social city with surprisingly good restaurants and a legendary bar scene.

But....It's going to be more expensive to live here than YYC. Groceries cost more - they have to be shipped further & it's very noticeable when weather stops the ferries running that shelves empty quickly. Travel, anywhere is more expensive and involved than in YYC I'm sure. Getting to Halifax, for example is likely a $600 airfare r/t or a 12 hour drive, an 8 hour ferry ride and another 6hr drive. On the flip side, getting to London is a cinch with regular 4.5hr flights. Taxation is higher than AB & electricity rates are predicted to double in a few years when Muskrat Fails comes on line.

The economy is in a bit of a decline. It's very much Oil and Gas driven (like AB) so you know the impact that lower price of oil can have. Megaprojects (Hebron, Long Harbour, Muskrat Falls) are winding up which will release a ton of labour back into the market. The fishery is going down the crapper (again but probably more seriously this time) and the public sector is being cut back. (a necessary thing).

Property might be cheaper than YYC though - and prices have softened over the past year (2% decline). Can't speak for rents but suspect the same.

IMHO Success / Happiness is intrinsically linked to having adequate/good employment. So whether you want to move to NL, NS, NB or PEI, it's likely all around a job first. What do you do for a living?

Originally Posted by YoshiPal2010

We moved to NS last year, and I can honestly say that it was the biggest mistake we have ever made! Stay in Calgary; even in a recession it has more going for it than any of the maritime cities. Plus, there is the much-reported doctor shortage, appalling state of the roads, and an older demographic (I am at the "older end" and all the grey-hairs put me in a funk!). If AB is getting you down, then I feel that the best move for you would be back to the UK, since almost everywhere else in Canada seems to be going into the crapper!

Originally Posted by Howefamily

The roads are indeed appalling although I have seen equally bad ones in Dorval.
Yes, what do you do for a living. If you have a career and can get a decent job here (they do exist) AND can find a doctor its a great place to live

Originally Posted by Kooksty

I work for Alberta Health Services in a clerk type position but it makes me miserable. The dream job is to start my own photography business, luckily something that can move anywhere but is also extremely difficult to start.
I half eye roll when people from AB tell me there aren't any good jobs out there because if it were truly as bad as people from here make it out to be, literally no-one would live there.

Originally Posted by Kooksty

Just wondering if anyone has any advice or personal experiences on the East Coast? I'd rather not move to another big city but I'd like to be near one, particularly one with an airport.

Originally Posted by Stinkypup

I Really hope you prove me wrong but earning money in photography to keep adequate food on the table is incredibly difficult these days

Originally Posted by MarylandNed

There are no big cities on the east coast of Canada.

Originally Posted by MillieF

I really like the sound of Halifax and wish to heaven I had moved to.a city with more than a handful of people. I am in NB and don't detest it, but dislike it, quite strongly on occasion and will leave when my son has finished his education.

The winter here is abominable. When I tell people in Europe that I can't see my neighbour's house over the snow banks....they laugh politely as they think I'm exagerating...but I'm not. The weather doesn't do anything half heartedly here...if it rains it buckets or it's boiling hot or freezing...the snow generally hangs about until the end of April.

If you are having mental health issues in Alberta, for heaven's sake don't bring them to NB...half of this Province seems to be permanently depressed and the other half is not far behind.

Very best of luck

Originally Posted by Kooksty

What don't you like about it if you don't mind my asking?

Oh wow, that weather sounds insane!

Thankfully, I'm getting better. Sounds like that place needs some life thrust back into it.

Originally Posted by Kooksty

Lately I've been feeling the East Coast of Canada calling me.

Originally Posted by Kooksty

I work for Alberta Health Services in a clerk type position but it makes me miserable. The dream job is to start my own photography business, luckily something that can move anywhere but is also extremely difficult to start.
I half eye roll when people from AB tell me there aren't any good jobs out there because if it were truly as bad as people from here make it out to be, literally no-one would live there.

Originally Posted by YoshiPal2010

...there is the much-reported doctor shortage...