Hello there,

We have a recce to Calgary booked for next year, during which we plan to take a drive out to Lethbridge.
Have looked on here at various threads, read the Wiki guide and watched the video (bit cheesy but informative).
So far Lethbridge seems to have a lot going for it but I would appreciate any comments, good or bad ,from anyone who actually lives/ has lived there.
From my research I can see that we would be ok for entertainment, shopping, recreation etc but wonder about the schools ( 11 & 15 yrs )
and job situation.
I am an Early Years Educator, OH will be retired detective. OH also has management qualifications but willing to work anywhere to start, Timmies, Home Depot etc.
I know it's a personal choice but with the benefit of hindsight would you still choose Lethbridge?
Thanks for your time.
Deeny

Hi, I know that Moondevil recently moved to Lethbridge. I'm sure she she will be along soon but if not you could always PM her!

YES i would still choose here, although part of me still loves kingston in ontario

But we have settled, i love the area and apart from some of the windy days, life is good.
There is others that live here inc burton bunch, mrs miggins, minihaha and loz, plus a few others that there names escape me

Also many more expats that dont use these boards
I think that you will need to look into the job side as i am not sure what you will need to do regarding the teacher side, although get ready for the schools to be totally different than the uk

any questions about the area feel free, schools your kids are older than mine, so maybe gaynor could advise on the middle and high schools for you

Thank you moondevil

We will come and look for ourselves but it is difficult to assess in a day trip so any info gratefully received.
Out of interest, what was so good about Kingston? We had that on our list of possibles for Ontario but read mixed reviews. Also heard that it was difficult to get a job there.
Regards
Deeny

Thanks bluemoon1

I would say it will depend on your jobs etc, industry is not there, we was relocating there with the company that my OH was working for, but sadly due to the markets there, we couldnt get near and the companys around not willing to do the paperwork.

Lethbridge is good, friendly, peaceful and i enjoy the canadian people that we meet, i do not feel strange here, in fact i feel totally settled, i have some expats friends and also canadian.

It doesnt bother me if im in the north or south of the area, i feel safe and so do my kids.
the kids are really settled, enjoy having the freedom and now things are settling down after the move, we have all said that we are glad we did the move over.
i am sure that you may have to re-train or sort out paperwork for the school side, i know that you will need police checks and maybe medicals for the work permits, also you will need to check to see if it also gives your OH a permit or not.

if you fancy meeting us on the day, let us know
i suppose if you are only coming here for 1day i think you may struggle to get to know the place, but just advise what info you are looking for

good luck

Thanks again moondevil

I know 1 day is not ideal but we are in the Calgary area for a couple of weeks so if we like what we see we can return.

Thanks for the offer of a meet up, that would be great. I will PM you nearer the time if that's ok, happy to bring any sorely missed goods from the uk if required. Bringing Minstrels for the very helpful E&J.

There are so many things to think about and there's only so much you can find out on the internet.We don't have the time or money to do endless trips, sooner or later we will have to make a decision. I guess ultimately it will be where we can get jobs, but sometimes I think it will be easier to just stick a pin in the map & go there!

Regards
Deeny

E&J!

E&J

Building a stock

For what it maybe worth Lethbridge is fab and we as a family are hoping to move back there as soon as we can. We are currently in Okotoks which is nice.
We moved to Calgary because of the employment opportunities in our respective fields but it was a huge mistake and as soon as we can sell our house we will be moving back to Lethbridge. The atmosphere there is good, very relaxed and no traffic issues.
The schools are excellent along with the post secondary opportunities and there is plenty of work albeit slightly less diverse in fields than Calgary.The expat community is great and very friendly with a vast array of knowledge to assist you along your chosen path.
Lethbridge every time for us and hopefully we will see you there soon?

The Townsends

Then we will be your friends for life!

E&J.

Hey --- it will be good to see you again and this time with your OH
We was the large family at ali's that night when it decided to snow and i got the job of driving back to the rental and u got the lift with gaynor

Let us know when you make it down and if you want me to keep my eyes open for a rental

Great little city, we love it, in fact we have recommended it to others a fair few times now, and like Sheffspurs, can see it's many advantages:rofl

Be careful of the Expats....funny old lot

Mrs M x

Oi you cheeky mare - I see that the Fing tonsilitis hasnt stopped you today

Seriously to the original poster - i have been visiting Lethbridge since 1989 and been hear around 16 months and for us it is the perfect little city.

As others have said the schooling and stuff to do in town is amazing (I have kids at 12 and 14 would be nice to have someone go through the transition like mine did).

There are very few areas of town that are "not nice" but it is just like any city area in the UK - a few streets that are not the nicest looking and you wonder what is going on on them but they are few and far between.

I know when Moondevil was here last April she used a farm house rental just outside of town so maybe you could spend some time there and then you would get a really good feel for the town and then make a certain decision.

No one can make this decision for you and your family - you can listen to people - you just have to go with your gut instinct about a place.

Good Luck and as others have said PM if you need any indepth info.

Gay
x

Thank you all for your helpful replies.

It is encouraging to hear so many positives.

Now all I have to do is perfect that time warp machine and get us out there

quick smart!

I will take you up on the offers of PM's nearer the time.

Cheers all
Deeny