I know you didn't write it, but you're using it to illustrate how wretched WA is.

I'm just replying, as I said, that Alberta could be seen as equally so, for the exact same reasons the others used for Australia: climate, lack of culture and history, lower class yokels, dismal educational system (ha, that one didn't make it), terrible wildlife, you get the idea.

Glad to hear that you're willing to look at the whole thing as realistically as possible.

As for Alberta being that "bad," well, obviously some on BE love it there and are thriving. I've spent most of my life there, and will return again (although the tough job will be convincing my husband who never wants to deal with -30C temps again). Having lived there so long, I am acutely aware of every aspect of the place, the good, the bad, and everything in between.

I should ask my mother what her gas bill is now. Ours was $180 a month back in 2008, and about $200 a month for power and water. I wonder if natural gas is over $200 a month now. Even our a/c bills in summer in WA don't come close to what we were spending in Edmonton during the winter.

The post i copied and pasted was not from WA it was a guy in QLD I think, and as I said, that is not my opinion (well some of it anyway!)... and I didnt say WA was a wretched place either!!! I personally feel too far away from everything here and would like to be nearer family etc..... if we dont go to Canada we will possibly consider moving elsewhere in Australia, so the kids have more opportunities as they grow up and we will be closer to more activities etc..... but saying that we will always live on acreage in the country.

hey where abouts in Alberta are you from, i would be interested to know more about it, if you dont mind

I'm not 100% but I think a poster called quoll wrote that post - apologies to all if that is not correct. If I'm right I think the poster was in Canberra. Not sure though.

We have considered an acreage in the hills here - it's very beautiful - but metro suburbs seem to win us over when we look at properties.

haha yes zen i think it was who you said!!!

My OH spent some time up in the hills of SA on a farrier course, said it was very pretty..... we live on 9 acres and its lovely really peaceful, and only a couple of k's to town. Love it the kids can make as much noise as they want and no one moans!! they also have heaps of space to run around in. I grew up in the country in the UK and then moved when I was 15 to the town and hated it, but got used to it. I lived in the town here for the first 3 years and was a bit nervous about our first country home as i am terrified of snakes!!! But love it now and love all the space around us.

Me? Edmonton and area, over 23 years. Rellies in SK, so lived there a bit as well.

There's quite a few similar ones, all about Canada's lack of...everything. My last fave was one in the updates forum about how even the ovens were terrible. I don't have an opinion either way. My Canadian one was finicky but could at least fit a large turkey. My Aussie one is smaller but is fan-forced. Oh, wait, I had self cleaning back in Canada. Maybe that wins.

i read the one about canadian electricals yesterday! I dont know about perth, but down here in bunbury i couldnt buy a big turkey haha, but know what you mean the ovens can be small. the one in our last house was huge and i loved it, this house its tiny, good if you like cooking pidgeons lol...

i was looking at property etc in Edmonton last week. But think we would rather be closer to calgary... cant wait to go to the stampede! We like the outdoors and my OH and son are into motorbikes and mountain bike riding, I have read that there is lots of places for mountain bikes...I must admit though i am nervous of the wildlife, like the bears!!! mind you i am a nervous wreck here in the summer as terrified of snakes, i wouldnt go collect the chicken eggs for all the money in the world haha so yes i am a bit of a wooos!!! dont do the swimming in the sea either after all the people who have been eaten lately!

Yeah, no turkeys up here either. They did get some in the shops at Christmas last year. They were the size of chooks.

Some of the southern Alberta folks can post about bears. Honestly, the only time I ever gave it any thought was when in the mountain parks.

I can really see the appeal of Canada from an Australian perspective - traditional Christmases, bears & lakes and forests (Euro style). I have loved all my trips to Canada but I doubt I shall ever live there.

I would go, the experience, the chance to travel etc live in another Country....it will also look good on your resume as well and if its only 120 well after earning 160 as you have been doing then surely the money is important but not a deal breaker unless ofcourse Canada is much more expensive the Perth (blow me over with a feather if anywhere is more expensive than Perth lol)...my OH is currently working in Africa and the difference work related and experience is a huge, he is off to Egypt next. You can always go back to the Mines in Australia. Good luck