The big move
Jun 24th 2017 | 3:40 am
#16
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,233
From: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Jun 24th 2017 | 3:41 am
#17
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 12
Re: The big move
We're just north of Calgary. Kids start school here later than in the UK, my son turned 5 in March, and will only start kindergarten this coming September, that's half a day of free school every day. Until then you're looking after them or paying for childcare of some kind.
They do have lockdown drills in schools, including the elementary schools, and tornado drills.
We've been here 4 years almost and haven't encountered any snakes, even out in the badlands to the east, where the chances are greater.
Guns are here but are well controlled, and definitely more of a hobby thing than a self defense thing.
The children's hospital in Calgary is excellent, we've not had to make use of any adult hospitals yet, though the urgent care unit (think Casualty Dept in the UK) we've been to is good. We're PR so visits to it are free on our Alberta Health card.
They do have lockdown drills in schools, including the elementary schools, and tornado drills.
We've been here 4 years almost and haven't encountered any snakes, even out in the badlands to the east, where the chances are greater.
Guns are here but are well controlled, and definitely more of a hobby thing than a self defense thing.
The children's hospital in Calgary is excellent, we've not had to make use of any adult hospitals yet, though the urgent care unit (think Casualty Dept in the UK) we've been to is good. We're PR so visits to it are free on our Alberta Health card.
Jun 24th 2017 | 4:10 am
#19
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 30,259
From: Europe (to be specified).
Jun 24th 2017 | 4:22 am
#20
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: The big move
Education is free, yes. Kindergarten would be like reception in England (not sure if you have that stage in Scotland).
Full time school would start the following school year, i.e. when they turn 7 during the school year.
Jun 24th 2017 | 4:57 am
#21
I need a walk
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,899
From: Okanagan
Re: The big move
Alberta has resident rattlesnakes just as BC/SK and Southern Ontario do. The Praerie Rattlesnake is the species in Ab- they are very shy and avoid human contact where they can- don't worry about them. In Alberta, their habitat is in Alberta’s Grassland Natural Region, south of the Red Deer River and east of Lethbridge- well to the East of Calgary. They are borderline endangered. You will not encounter them!
To counter that, I found this
Rattlesnakes not the only danger in Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park - Calgary - CBC News
Seriously though, have you seen an adder in the UK? Way less likely to see a rattlesnake unless you live slap bang in the middle of their habitat... like us
To counter that, I found this
Rattlesnakes not the only danger in Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park - Calgary - CBC News
Seriously though, have you seen an adder in the UK? Way less likely to see a rattlesnake unless you live slap bang in the middle of their habitat... like us
Jun 24th 2017 | 5:28 am
#23
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 30,259
From: Europe (to be specified).
Jun 24th 2017 | 5:34 am
#24
I need a walk
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,899
From: Okanagan
Re: The big move
https://www.ontario.ca/page/massasauga-rattlesnake
Jun 24th 2017 | 5:37 am
#25
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 30,259
From: Europe (to be specified).
Re: The big move
Apparently, I never knew either - it's own species as well- again as you suggest, very rarely seen
https://www.ontario.ca/page/massasauga-rattlesnake
https://www.ontario.ca/page/massasauga-rattlesnake
I'd heard of Mississauga rattle and shakes of course. Standard housing quality there.
Jun 24th 2017 | 6:03 am
#26
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 55,309
From: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Re: The big move
I still can't get over the lack of house spiders and when you do encounter one, the 'massive' ones are not as big as the tip of my little finger.
Jun 24th 2017 | 6:49 am
#27
I need a walk
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,899
From: Okanagan
Re: The big move
This is our local species- Western Rattlesnake -Stinky once bounded down the hill and bounced straight over the top of it.
Last edited by Stinkypup; Jun 24th 2017 at 7:59 am.
Jun 24th 2017 | 8:38 am
#28
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,878
From: SW Ontario
Re: The big move
None of those huge bodied long legged beasties that run across the room!
Most of the ones I see in the house (and that's very few) are those tiny greenish glass looking ones... I just ignore them.
Jun 24th 2017 | 10:20 am
#30
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 55,309
From: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Re: The big move
Just the odd big as a pinhead ones and about 3 or 4 in the 12 years here that you might consider a baby back in the UK.
Now those 7 inch ants, that's another matter.
