Hi All

Have been going through the longest interview process ever and having now met pretty much everyone I have an offer in hand although they changed the location from Vancouver to Edmonton as the base.

Having never been to Edmonton really looking for open views on the area for a large family (4 kids) with the oldest 17 and youngest 3. Opinions such as:

Weather - more towards the Summer than winter
Schooling -
Activities in the area-

After researching and looking as much as we can do over the internet we would welcome feedback from people whom are there having made the move.

I will be working all over Western Canada but based in Downtown Edmonton.

We are in a different situation I think to a lot of people as we are living in France having a great life and this move is purely for work.

Have to make a decision by Tuesday Night

Edmonton is a blue-collar city with a brutally long winter. It's a long way from anywhere interesting. (min 3hrs drive).

Like most North American cities, it's designed around the car, but then every 100 yards there's a stop sign. Architecturally it's horrific.

Was the switch from Vancouver to Edmonton a late surprise? If you're going to be travelling a lot, your wife might prefer to be in Van rather than Edm.

I was considering being located in Edmonton when I first came to Canada... I work in the oil industry and that's where a lot of the projects are based. However, I was actually based in Calgary for nearly 4 years and now on site way up past Fort McMurray.

If you don't NEED to be based in Edmonton, I am really struggling to think of positives why you might choose to do so. To me, it's like a Canadian going to the UK and then basing themselves in Middlesbrough.

Jingsamichty covered some of the bases quite succinctly, imho. While there are lots of people with non-blue collar jobs in Edmonton, it seems there are at least as many people who buy/rent in Edmonton and spend most of their working time in Fort Mac & beyond.

If one is accustomed to the transportation available in a large, well-developed city, the limited availability in Edmonton is shocking. Otoh, if one is accustomed to living in a rural area, the vast availability of public transportation and the road system can be quite pleasing.

Schools, like most schools in Canada, depend on the specific area. As I don't have school-age children, I can't give direct experience. The children in my neighbourhood and those of my co-workers seem to have no problems with various schools.

Summers are hot, festival-laden and mostly dry. Winters are cold, longer than summer, and mostly dry. Unless you've lived here for only the last couple of years, in which case you might believe this is monsoon territory. For those who love winter activities and have the money, I understand there are many places to enjoy them in and close to Edmonton.

As to activities, are you interested in outdoors? Continuing education? Arts & crafts, like pottery? Dancing? Eating out? Alcohol consumption? Visiting with neighbours? All of these are available in Edmonton and for most of them, I would recommend having a vehicle. With winter tires (outside of summer). For more specifics, it might help if you could identify some of your areas of interest. (Not that I do much other than work, but others may be able to point you to specifics)

search through the Canniversary part of the forum, I think Bsmith started a good thread (i'm sure it was entitled three years in Edmonton) and there were a lot of opinions (pages and pages) that should answer a lot of your questions!

Edited to add here it is http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625272 and I stand corrected, it was called one year in Edmonton!

Well mate, they've just changed the goal posts from Premier League to 2nd Division!

It's like saying you're going to be working/living in London, then telling you - oops - nope you'll be in Manchester.

Edmonton is a pleasant city - about as pleasant as you can get that far north. Most things are indoors - unlike Vancouver - with its Stanley Park, north shore mountains,etc.

But prepare for very cold winters in Edmonton - as low as - 35 or -40 for a week or two on end (-20 to -40 for around 4 months each year). Nice people though.. Alberta is good.

By the way - on the schools - forget the English obsession with private schools - Canadian state schools are very good - no comparison with the UK. Very few people attend private schools. Ensure you live in a good area though. Don't go cheap on rent - live in the best area of the city - hence the schools "should" be good too. Of course if you're class conscious and want your kids to 'sound' different which seems to be the reason many people send their children to private (public) schools in England - then moving to Canada in general is going to set you back. Still they'll be better off (IMO) in Canada.

My 2c: If you are living a great life in France and not taking this job won't affect you too much financially then don't do it.

Why is that people will give a reasonable response to a most aspects of a place then make wildly outrageous statements about the weather.

Here is a link for the actual daily highs and lows for Edmonton starting January 2011 you can look at next or previous months by clicking the appropriate links at the top and bottom of the table.

http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/c...&Month=1&Day=1

If you want you can go back as far as November 1960.

I'd fully agree with that.(and to make Steve happy - that's go for Vancouver too, not just Edmonton).

Having lived in both cities, I'd have to say you have that one the wrong way round. Edmonton is very much an outdoor city. I've never seen a more forested city. If you like walk/run/cycle trails it's hard to beat, especially in the downtown/river valley area. From wikipedia:

"Edmonton's river valley constitutes the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America, and Edmonton has the highest per capita area of parkland of any Canadian city; the river valley is 22 times larger than New York City's Central Park."

I don't mean to sing Edmontons praises. There are negatives about the place, and some are major, but it's positives are very redeeming.

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate the feedback so now for some hard decision making.

We have agreed a compromise with the my potential employer in that I will come across for 3 months on my own during which time I will look at the different areas of Edmonton but if we choose another city then I can be based there. (Calgary/Edmonton/Vancouver)

There seem to be pro's/cons for each location but then I suppose that is the same for everywhere.

As long as the family settle and the kids find other kids to play with then we should be okay.

France where we live is great for an outdoor lifestyle and culture but not so good on the work front, I work remotely for a business in the UK and miss the daily interaction as we are so rural.

We have decided to give it a go as if it does not work out we can always move back and put it down to experience.

Thanks again for the replies and I am sure I will be calling on the combined wisdom as we get nearer to the moving date

As someone who lives in Edmonton, (though not for much longer) I think the guys above pretty much hit the nail on the head.

If you have the option of the West coast why would you even be considering coming here?

I was born in Vancouver and my fianceé is from Edmonton, so know a lot about both places. Her family lives there and we'll be moving there in 2013. She says the West end of the city is best for families.

Positives:
- No provincial sales tax (really makes a difference on bigger stuff)
- Biggest urban parkland in North America (and looks beautiful when the snow is waist-deep, not that you'll be able to walk in it!)
- The people are nice (but as with all cities there are some nasty people, but if you don't like them, avoid them)
- TONS of festivals (food, arts, music etc) - not experienced them yet but sound awesome
- West Edmonton Mall (was biggest in the world, maybe still is?)
- Loads of drive-ins, great in -30 winters
- Beaches on lakes not too far away
- 2,500 hours of sun a year. In context, the Uk gets 1,400 or thereabouts. I love sun.
- Defined seasons - summer is summer, and boy oh boy winter is winter.

Negatives:
- looks quite industrial until you're driving about, quite a shock for the European eye I found. But a nice change nonetheless.
- STRAIGHT roads for hours on end
- Prairies....that go on forever. Literally.
- Seems to be a spate of murders at the moment...but every city has its problems, as long as you're not a gangsta and/or shoot your mouth off at people (too much), you'll be fine
- COLD for 8 months of the year. But I prefer cold weather and I love snow! Wrap up warm and get GOOD boots.
- Truckers & country music. If you can't stand country, this isn't the province for you.

At the end of the day, its all about personal choice and how open your mind is. YouTube search for Snow in Edmonton, it'll be an eye opener.

Personally I can't wait to get over there.

I certainly prefer Edmonton to my home town of Port Talbot, but do miss a British pub, the sea and being able to watch the Swans.

As any place though, its what you make of it.

If it was me i would stay in France if you could. However Edmonton isnt as bad as some people on here would have you believe..in fact i had an offer of the same Job in Vancouver but chose Edmonton instead.

The one thing that is off putting about the city as mentioned here..is the length of winter..by the time you get to mid January you get entirely fed up of cold and the sight of snow..thats probably why many Edmontonians fly south for a cpl weeks come February.

It certainly does not lack facilities and the population is well catered for with respect of things to do year round.

Schools are OK no better no worse than in the UK, school mums are worse for their sheer annoyance value but im sure that is a Canadian thing.

There are a few expats that i know who really like the City so its not all doom and gloom

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