British Expats - Calgary

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- - Calgary (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/calgary-570705/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotteW (Post 6936701)

That is pretty much how I feel - we have been in Calgary 2 1/2 years and it doesn't have the feel of a huge city.

We started off in Varsity (renting), but then bought a house in Country Hills... both are pretty convenient for transport downtown - My DH works in the downtown core and uses public transport (a monthly transit pass is cheaper than paying the extortionate parking costs!).

While Calgary transit is not fantastic in the areas it serves, if you choose your area carefully it is possible to use it for the daily commute. If you live close enough to one of the LRT stations you can use that, otherwise there are bus routes that are not too bad (he gets the 301 rapid bus that goes down Center street - gets him downtown in less than half an hour and they are fairly frequent)

We're in Edgemont - great if you have a family - good schools, nice housing with plenty that are affordable if you've sold in the UK. PLenty of amenities within a very short distance & nice views from many of the houses. There are also plenty of green (or should I now more rightly say brown) spaces. It's also a low crime area, according to the latest stats.

The bonus is that you're still within an easy distance from the city, whether you're choosing park & ride with the transit or battling the traffic!

Ultimately you have to come & see what you want for yourself - each of us has a different opinion based on our wishes/needs - yours are going to be different again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarylady (Post 6933841)

Can someone pls tell me a bit about Kinkora( NW) am heading there in a few weeks.

Kincora is on the flight path for Westjet airlines heading to Calgary Airport. I knew some friends who lived there but decided to move due to the noise of the aircraft!! Nice new houses though and they are currently building a shoppping mall nearby.:rofl:

Quote:

Originally Posted by scousemartin (Post 6935411)

I agree with the relplies above. We visited Calgary in June thinking about living in Cochrane or Okotoks. while we liked both places the commute for me in to down town Calgary would be as bad as my current UK commute. On the bright side we liked Calgary as a city. It didn't feel like a million pepole lived there. We have family who live in Shawnessy (SW Calgary) and like that general area, so that's where we are looking now. If at all possible visit Calgary.

best of luck

SM

I spoke too soon!:ohmy:
My wife and kids just got back from a Calgary visit and now she's in love with Okotoks! If we go ahead with a move there I'll be looking at commuting in to down town Calgary. I see my chioces as

Using the limited commuter bus service
Car trip to S Calgary and pick up C-Train
Drive all the way
Car share

My preference is for the bus but it seems to be a very limited service, one bus in the afternoon back to Okotoks. Driving all the way would be my least favourite, with car/train being the middle chioce. Any views from someone with knowledge of this trip would be appreciated.

SM

Thankyou so much for your advice and views on Calgary, they have really helped...we have decided that a recce is a must!
I have enjoyed reading everyones views so keep them coming....!
A friend of mine has recommended canilink relocations has anyone used their facilities? If so, how was your experiences with them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scousemartin (Post 6949200)

Using the limited commuter bus service
Car trip to S Calgary and pick up C-Train
Drive all the way
Car share

Hi SM,

PM or email me the office address and the time you expect to have to be at your desk by and I will get you some very accurate timings.

Eamonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyNic08 (Post 6949236)

Canilink (Ian and Jayne Wisdom) are good. There are also several other Realtors (the relocation bit is all the freebie niceties around helping to get you settled as quickly and smoothly as possible - in the hope that you will go on to use their real estate services) on this website who operate in and around Calgary, Okotoks, Cochrane, etc. I'm sure they wont mind me mentioning them by name but there is also Julie Parry, Helen Parnell and Sam-In-Okotoks. There are also others that do not spend much time on these boards but serve the immigrant market, eg: Warren & Sara Green and Chloe Cartwright. Oh...and there's me too!:D You've lots of choice of good people that have been through the myriad real estate licensing course in Alberta. All have clients that are satisfied with them.

Best wishes with making your choice.

Eamonn.