Best Area to move to in Calgary
 

Hi Guys,

I am still in the planning phase of moving over to Canada. I say moving, because fortunately my father was Canadian and my sister and I both applied for citizenship years ago - and got it. My sister has never even been there!!

Anyway, I want to move to Alberta, or BC, but not far from the Mountains as I am a retired Skiing pro and just must continue ....!!! I thought Calgary, Banff, Canmore or maybe the other side in BC, although I think Calgary will be a bit cheaper. Please could you advise me on the best areas in Calgary or maybe on these other places.

I also don't want to get into a long immigration debate (coz it's quite complicated) but what do I have to do (in layman's terms because I'm thick!) about my German wife. My 2 children have just been granted citizenship but do I have to sponsor my wife ?

Many thanks in anticipation,
Jim

Re: Best Area to move to in Calgary
 

Welcome to the forum, Jim.

I don't know what you mean by "cheaper." If you arrive with a substantial nest egg in British pounds or euros, you may find Calgary cheap. But it is not cheap by Canadian standards. Because of the oil boom Alberta is experiencing, real estate prices in cities like Fort Mcmurray, Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and Lethbridge have gone through the roof. I've heard anecdotal accounts that Camore is even more expensive than Calgary.

Although I don't follow real estate prices there, you may find that houses are cheaper across the mountains, in places like Golden. Speaking of Golden, you'll probably love Kicking Horse Resort.

If you don't need to work in Calgary, I see no reason to live here. But, for what it's worth, the best areas in which to live in this city are the northwest, southwest and far southeast quadrants. The less desirable areas are the northeast quadrant and the close-in part of the southeast quadrant.

The satellite towns around Calgary -- Cochrane, Okotoks, Airdrie, etc. -- are growing too. Of those towns, Cochrane probably would suit you best, in that it's to the northwest of Calgary, and so closer to the mountains. But, if you were to stay on the Alberta side of the Rockies, Canmore would be better still.

You can get an idea of real estate prices in different parts of Canada if you look at the Multiple Listing Service website.

Yes, you do have to sponsor your wife as a family class immigrant. I have no experience with family class immigration myself but, after reading many posts on this forum, I gather it's a doddle compared with the skilled worker application process.

If, after reading Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website, you still have questions about sponsoring your wife, it would be better for you to ask them on the Canadian Immigration forum at British Expats.

All the best in your quest to move to Canada.