Hi all

Having just had a telephone job offer with a LMO already and waiting I am heading out to Edmonton on Dec 29th to meet face to face with my prospective new employer and to undertake a quick fact finding mission. I have been told my OH will get an open work visa so he will be coming out with me to network so he can hopefully get some insight as to how easy it will be for him to get a job offer, he is classed as semi skilled and works with in the manufacturing industry as a Chemical processing operator.

I have a choice of working in Edmonton or Red Deer any help on which area to choice will be very welcome also how easy it will be for my OH to get employment within manufacturing in the 2 areas?

Any tips or advice will be very gratefully received, this has happened so quickly I would really appreciate some pointers from the expat community.

This is so exciting but at the same time extremely daunting. Please help what should our priorities be????

I haven't lived in Red deer but have visited several times and it doesn't appeal to me at all for some reason, no idea why just didn't like it lol. (Sorry probably not much help)

Lived in Edmonton for just over 2 years and loved it, was sad to leave it. I would think that Edmonton and Leduc would probably provide more manufacturing options than Red deer would.

I think I read the position you are looking at is in the North west? We lived in the west end and liked it alot. I would avoid the north east areas of the city.

Its not too far from Edmonton to Red Deer so you could drive down and stay there for 2/3 days of the 10 day trip and see what you think before you make a firm decision?

I will say the exact opposite of the above poster. Red Deer is s a lovely little city with all the everyday amenities you need. Also as it's MUCH smaller than Edmonton it is easier to get around, your not always stuck in traffic. We rarely go to Edmonton as nothing really appeals to us, we prefer to drive to Calgary (same commute).

Have no idea about manufacturing in Red Deer, do as biddyk8 says and try to visit both before deciding.

Edmonton is a big small town..you never get stuck in traffic that is one good thing about the city it is easy to get around and the infrastructure of the city is far superior to say Calgary for example..having said that if you prefer living in small city Red Deer is ideal. It is exactly half way between Edmonton and Calgary So going to either City is no big effort.

Red Deer is a small city and growing.
I lived in Red Deer for a short while and preferred it to Edmonton and Calgary. You have all the ameneties required for daily life, for work and leisure. There are some pretty trails and parks. There is always the option of visiting, shopping in Edmonton. We very rarely go to Edmonton or Calgary.
Driving around Red Deer in rush hour is equivelent to driving around Glasgow on a Saturday afternoon. From one end of the city to the other in rush hour it takes 40 mins approx.
I personally would not want to live in Edmonton, I can't comment on that from personal experience, just my preference for the small city.

What ever you decide, best of luck.

MJ

In Regards Chemical processing operator, Edmonton area has far more plants that process chemicals, that being said, Red Deer also has quite a few fracking companies as well. Trican, Baker Hughes, schlumberger to name a few. Also Nova Chemicals at Joffe 30 min from Red Deer.

Hmm, hadn't thought of those places as Chemicals lol. Joffre is apparently going to undergo a major expansion in the next year or so and is a major employer for the Red Deer area.

40 mins? As long as that, were you taking the scenic route

Actually it took me 25 minutes to get from the hospital to South Pointe Common this afternoon On a normal day it would take about 5 - 10 minutes depending on catching the traffic lights and the time of day.

That's me amused for the rest of the day "you never get stuck in traffic"

F'ing priceless , how long have you lived there ?

Seeing as it's always referred to as oil, it's not that F'ing priceless is it? I just thought chemicals like bleach etc.

I don't think any trip within Red Deer has ever taken me more than 20 minutes, in 2.5 years of living here...

It was the last Friday before Christmas for my trip from work to South Pointe Common

40 mins is the most it has taken, like I said depending on the traffic and of course time of day.

Hi Guys

We are currently in Red Deer for a recce following a job interview today we just now need to wait for the LMO process and way we go. Any advice with regards making the most of our time here ie. Best places to live, my OH works in Manufacturing as a Machine Operator do any of you know of any possible openings that he could follow up.

Thanks for all your input so far