G'morn, i've been mulling over where to go for a long time now and think i've totally overanalysed it at this stage so just looking for other peoples opinions..me, my husband and 1 year old are planning to move in summer to canada under international experience program and then get permanent residency under cec after 12 months. i'll be getting job first (as accountant) and that will mean he could get a work permit to work in sports /fitness related field, my thoughts at moment..........
calgary
better job prospects, higher salaries, less taxes, cheaper airfares,

halifax
supposedly friendlier people and easier integration into the community,
closer to Europe (expensive flights though!)
salaries according to surveys quite high for accountants but recruitment agent i contacted gave me a really low range so not sure which is more correct
cheaper housing (although in negative equity at home so in no rush to go there again!)

any opinions would be appreciated

Hi. I've not been to Halifax so can't comment on that all. However, I do live very close to Calgary (my husband works in Calgary). We really like it and have found it to be a very family friendly environment. We have found people very friendly and welcoming and have not experienced problems in integrating into our local community. Location wise I like its proximity to the mountains too.

Have you visited either city? Might be worth it if you can before deciding too to get a feel for each place.

Are you hoping to have a job lined up before making the move over? Again, if so, that may be the deciding factor at the end of the day.

I wish you well with whatever you decide.

thanks for reply :-) am hoping to do a holiday in March /April to compare both. I won't have a job before we go i reckon but if i can meet up with agencies in march time to go through my experience perhaps they'll be more likely to put me forward then for roles when we set final date for move.

Top o da mornin' to ya.

They're both great choices, but very different. Calgary is a more corporate town (city) bigger in every way. Great recreational opportunities with the Rockies at your doorstep, reasonably cosmopolitan, prosperous, and expansive. In terms of career, Calgary is the way to go.

Halifax is a small city and not nearly as prosperous or go-ahead as Calgary. But it is on the Atlantic, has more affordable property prices, beautiful accessible countryside and a less materialistic bent (IMO). It's also closer to Ireland - as you will know

Hard to generalise on people, Halifax is more "local" and Calgary has more newcomers, but both will be equally friendly. TBH there's not that much difference in "friendliness" of people in any province, shades of difference, but not that much. I wouldn't factor that into your decision.

It depends on your priorities and values I suppose. It would be easier to start in Halifax and move to Calgary (if you dislike it) than vice versa. Personally, I'd choose Calgary.

I live just outside of Halifax and I have also visited Calgary. I would pick Calgary.

Is NS giving you a bad vibe now?

Not particularly, I just think that if I had my decision making moment over again and it was between Cal and Hal - I would pick Cal. Better prospects, mucho lower taxes, more to do and COWBOYS.

Nuff said.

And Cowgirls too !! Yeehaa.

Cowboys and Cowgirlsall the more reason to chose Halifax

There are only Cowboys and Cowgirls here for 10 days in July. The rest of the time people are pretty normal

Thats why we usually leave town for about 10 days in July. But try it once.

I am making the move in 7 weeks Calgary how are ya going to be sad leaving the green of Ireland but Calgary is calling

I'd pick Calgary any day over Halifax. Unless you're close to retirement. Then Hal would be better cos it's cheaper for housing. I wouldn't have said that a few years ago, but I have a few friends living in that area and all of them want to get out.

Do you know why the wish to leave?

lack of opportunity, day to day cost of living is high, hard to get decent well paying jobs to pay for cost of living, general NS attitude (to a degree). They are all struggling financially. Seeing the kind of jobs they are forced to go for (as there isn't a lot going on over there) I can understand why they are struggling - retail jobs, part time admin, etc. Makes me realise how much more opportunity there is in the West.

Yes that's so true about the opportunity. Does NS have a negative attitude toward degrees then?