British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
Aug 15th 2017, 8:56 am
#16
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Posts: 103
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
It sounds like you're living my dream!
I'm also aiming for Calgary. From the Alberta Labour report it seemed there were a lot of unfilled jobs in the service sector.
Myself and my girlfriend are planning on starting downtown, this way we won't need a car straight away when we're trying to find work and will have access to the C-Train for wherever we end up working. The downtown part of the C-train is free too and we found the C-train pretty good when we visited. Eventually we hope to live the same life as AlmostCanadian by the sounds of things!
But anyway, I've been looking at rentals and they're more expensive than some Canadian cities but less than Vancouver and Toronto (on like for like comparison). For 1200+ you can get a reasonable apartment/condo/duplex downtown area with all bills included. $1200 seems to be the minimum you'll pay for something you want, the further away from downtown the more square meters you'll get. There seems to be more utilities not included when away from downtown too. Houses seem to be $1900+ for something I consider nice but I also consider $1900 pretty expensive by UK standards.
It may be worth checking out Cochrane and Okotoks too, Cochrane seems to have a bit more going on though and is closer to the mountains. Both are more suburban family type places so a bit more expensive.
I'm also aiming for Calgary. From the Alberta Labour report it seemed there were a lot of unfilled jobs in the service sector.
Myself and my girlfriend are planning on starting downtown, this way we won't need a car straight away when we're trying to find work and will have access to the C-Train for wherever we end up working. The downtown part of the C-train is free too and we found the C-train pretty good when we visited. Eventually we hope to live the same life as AlmostCanadian by the sounds of things!
But anyway, I've been looking at rentals and they're more expensive than some Canadian cities but less than Vancouver and Toronto (on like for like comparison). For 1200+ you can get a reasonable apartment/condo/duplex downtown area with all bills included. $1200 seems to be the minimum you'll pay for something you want, the further away from downtown the more square meters you'll get. There seems to be more utilities not included when away from downtown too. Houses seem to be $1900+ for something I consider nice but I also consider $1900 pretty expensive by UK standards.
It may be worth checking out Cochrane and Okotoks too, Cochrane seems to have a bit more going on though and is closer to the mountains. Both are more suburban family type places so a bit more expensive.
Aug 15th 2017, 1:53 pm
#17
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Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 141
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
https://ca.indeed.com/cmp/Animal-Car...y+Receptionist
Front Desk Receptionist
Animal Care Centre - Okotoks, AB
$32,000 - $37,000 a year
Full-time receptionist wanted in a small animal veterinary clinic in Okotoks. For the right individual, a potential to move into clinic manager is also a possibility. Must have at least one year experience in a veterinary clinic or veterinary office manager or veterinary office assistant education. Must be self-motivated, believe in team work and good client relations and want to better themselves with continuing education. Will included uniform, continuing education allowance, and benefits. No after hours but the job will require Saturdays.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $32,000.00 to $37,000.00 /year
Required education:
1 day ago - save job
Front Desk Receptionist
Animal Care Centre - Okotoks, AB
$32,000 - $37,000 a year
Full-time receptionist wanted in a small animal veterinary clinic in Okotoks. For the right individual, a potential to move into clinic manager is also a possibility. Must have at least one year experience in a veterinary clinic or veterinary office manager or veterinary office assistant education. Must be self-motivated, believe in team work and good client relations and want to better themselves with continuing education. Will included uniform, continuing education allowance, and benefits. No after hours but the job will require Saturdays.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $32,000.00 to $37,000.00 /year
Required education:
- High school or equivalent
- veterinary clinic: 1 year
- English
1 day ago - save job
Aug 15th 2017, 4:38 pm
#18
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,810
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
Animal-Care-Centre/jobs/Front-Desk-Receptionist....Will included uniform
Aug 15th 2017, 5:37 pm
#19
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 103
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
https://ca.indeed.com/cmp/Animal-Car...y+Receptionist
Front Desk Receptionist
Animal Care Centre - Okotoks, AB
$32,000 - $37,000 a year
Full-time receptionist wanted in a small animal veterinary clinic in Okotoks. For the right individual, a potential to move into clinic manager is also a possibility. Must have at least one year experience in a veterinary clinic or veterinary office manager or veterinary office assistant education. Must be self-motivated, believe in team work and good client relations and want to better themselves with continuing education. Will included uniform, continuing education allowance, and benefits. No after hours but the job will require Saturdays.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $32,000.00 to $37,000.00 /year
Required education:
1 day ago - save job
Front Desk Receptionist
Animal Care Centre - Okotoks, AB
$32,000 - $37,000 a year
Full-time receptionist wanted in a small animal veterinary clinic in Okotoks. For the right individual, a potential to move into clinic manager is also a possibility. Must have at least one year experience in a veterinary clinic or veterinary office manager or veterinary office assistant education. Must be self-motivated, believe in team work and good client relations and want to better themselves with continuing education. Will included uniform, continuing education allowance, and benefits. No after hours but the job will require Saturdays.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $32,000.00 to $37,000.00 /year
Required education:
- High school or equivalent
- veterinary clinic: 1 year
- English
1 day ago - save job
Aug 15th 2017, 10:34 pm
#20
Formerly known as Hangman
Joined: Jun 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 519
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
Calgary is a city of approximately 1,240,000. We're not quite as wild west as some would have you believe.
Aug 16th 2017, 12:06 am
#21
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Posts: 103
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
Aug 16th 2017, 12:08 am
#22
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Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
I think I was thinking septic for some reason!! Haha clearly I wasn't thinking straight when I asked that!! Oops! Sorry, but thanks for clarifying!!
Aug 22nd 2017, 3:04 pm
#23
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Location: Merida Mexico and Calgary Canada
Posts: 1,050
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
I moved to Calgary from Winnipeg a couple of yrs ago and what a difference so much nicer city.My wife and I rent a small apt 10mins walk to downtown (17 ave) and we pay $750 a month rent ,heating and water included ,only need to pay for electricity about $30 a month and $50 a month for internet we dont have cable too much junk tv waste of money.We dont want a mortgage as we have a property in Mexico our retirement plan so there are some cheap rental apts out there only thing alot of them no pet policy .I lived in Okotoks for a month its a nice little town very family orientated but Calgary and the Rockies with hiking ,biking camping fishing etc definately a good move.
Aug 22nd 2017, 5:37 pm
#24
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Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
Hey everyone,
I'm originally from England, moved to Brantford, ON 6 years ago, and it's not for me...I've tried to settle but it's too 'city' for me I think! I lived in NZ for 2 years before moving here, and being surrounded by the mountains and ocean was amazing!
I'm now thinking (and just doing a lot of research first) of moving out west to Calgary or somewhere similar.
I'm 35, single, own a house and a dog so I'd be going alone, so it won't be a quick easy decision, I've been out west a couple of times (not recently) and loved it, but I need to know more before making a move!!
House prices seem low out there, what about jobs? Are they easy to come by? I work as reception in a vet clinic right now, and I've worked/lived on min wage for a long time, but is it more expensive to live out there?
I guess I just want to know what people think of life in Calgary?
I love the outdoors and hiking so that side of Calgary is a huge attraction!!
Thanks in advance
I'm originally from England, moved to Brantford, ON 6 years ago, and it's not for me...I've tried to settle but it's too 'city' for me I think! I lived in NZ for 2 years before moving here, and being surrounded by the mountains and ocean was amazing!
I'm now thinking (and just doing a lot of research first) of moving out west to Calgary or somewhere similar.
I'm 35, single, own a house and a dog so I'd be going alone, so it won't be a quick easy decision, I've been out west a couple of times (not recently) and loved it, but I need to know more before making a move!!
House prices seem low out there, what about jobs? Are they easy to come by? I work as reception in a vet clinic right now, and I've worked/lived on min wage for a long time, but is it more expensive to live out there?
I guess I just want to know what people think of life in Calgary?
I love the outdoors and hiking so that side of Calgary is a huge attraction!!
Thanks in advance
Have you considered other places in Ontario? To move out west is quite a big move, I can see its appeal, but you maybe able to save yourself money by relocating to somewhere in Ontario that would more fulfill your needs...Brantford is very built up and as you say surrounded by further built up areas.
I live in Peterborough, which is around 70 miles north east of Toronto, if you like outdoor activities its a good place to live. It hasn't got mountains and is not near to the ocean, however it does have lots of potential for hiking, trails for biking and snowmobiling and more lakes and rivers than you can shake a stick at, set in some really beautiful wilderness.
Thats just one example, as you know, Ontario is a huge province. of course if you want the mountains then west is the only option.
Aug 22nd 2017, 10:36 pm
#25
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Location: Ontario, Canada by Lake Huron and on the border with the USA
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Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
You should move to Sarnia. It is next to the St. Clair river and Lake Huron. It has cheaper housing. It is a small, quiet city and I love it here. Come for a visit and see....
Aug 23rd 2017, 4:59 am
#26
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Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
I lived in the GTA briefly before moving here. The GTA struck me as being like England during the 1970s as there's always someone on strike and the traffic is appalling.
Calgary is a generally nicer place to live but bear in mind it's significantly colder and people aren't as sophisticated generally speaking, i.e. they're a bit dull.
Calgary is a generally nicer place to live but bear in mind it's significantly colder and people aren't as sophisticated generally speaking, i.e. they're a bit dull.
Aug 23rd 2017, 5:01 pm
#27
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Aug 25th 2017, 7:31 am
#28
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Posts: 962
Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
I moved to Calgary from Winnipeg a couple of yrs ago and what a difference so much nicer city.My wife and I rent a small apt 10mins walk to downtown (17 ave) and we pay $750 a month rent ,heating and water included ,only need to pay for electricity about $30 a month and $50 a month for internet we dont have cable too much junk tv waste of money.We dont want a mortgage as we have a property in Mexico our retirement plan so there are some cheap rental apts out there only thing alot of them no pet policy .I lived in Okotoks for a month its a nice little town very family orientated but Calgary and the Rockies with hiking ,biking camping fishing etc definately a good move.
That sounds like a good deal on the apartment, good to know for when we move out there
Aug 25th 2017, 12:06 pm
#29
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Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
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Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
Looks an ideal place to live, unless you want a big garden. Is there a bus to downtown when the weather isn't so nice?
...we pay $750 a month rent ,heating and water included ,only need to pay for electricity about $30 a month and $50 a month for internet...
Are you lucky or is that typical?
Oct 4th 2017, 10:32 pm
#30
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Location: Merida Mexico and Calgary Canada
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Re: British living in Ontario...thinking of moving out west
