Living Alberta - small towns, Calgary neighbourhoods and commuting
#46
Re: Living Alberta - small towns, Calgary neighbourhoods and commuting
I suspect the Rockies are a barrier to outdoor entertainment rather than an asset. They're outside cities so one needs a car to get to them. Even from Calgary a trip up the Rockies takes all day so you need a day when you're not working; that's great if you're a student or retired but not so probable if you've recently started a job. For example, my informant in Vancouver, which is quite close to some mountains, skied every (winter) Friday while in university but hasn't since due to working all the time and not being able to afford the bus without the student discount. By contrast, someone living in, say, Wrexham could take a coach and walk up Snowdon both days of every weekend if they so chose. They could do so in a flat cap while working as a cobbler or car mechanic or some other ordinary type of job.
I accept that the Rockies are pretty to look at but question the idea that they contribute to an "outdoors lifestyle" unless you live in a ski resort. Four hours in a car going to and from is not being outside.
I accept that the Rockies are pretty to look at but question the idea that they contribute to an "outdoors lifestyle" unless you live in a ski resort. Four hours in a car going to and from is not being outside.
#47
Re: Living Alberta - small towns, Calgary neighbourhoods and commuting
Well sure, but one can trudge along in the Pennines or on Dartmoor and some people enjoy that. It does rather get on my tits when people suppose that moving to Canada will cause them to be constantly dressed in spandex whizzing up and down mountains on various appliances. Most people will be sat in an office all day and then go home to the TV same as they would in the UK. Not me, of course, I go outside every day to feed me chickens, I'm as outdoorsy as a pigeon fancier.
#48
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 22
Re: Living Alberta - small towns, Calgary neighbourhoods and commuting
In addition to that, people with a low paid job in UK who plan on coming to an equally low paid job in Canada should not expect much of a change in lifestyle, unless they are after something niche that Canada somehow offers in spades over UK. Anything else is "grass is greener" thinking.
#49
Re: Living Alberta - small towns, Calgary neighbourhoods and commuting
I'd say that _enjoying_ any kind of lifestyle by definition excludes people on a budget. It's all about the options available to people that have discretionary income in relation to their hobbies. Don't underestimate the 'availability of opportunity' effect (I'm sure there is some terminology for it). Knowing that you can do something should you wish to - even if you don't - can create a much sunnier disposition towards life, as opposed to not being able to regardless. Some times it's more about having the option that makes you enjoy life rather than any material difference.
#50
Re: Living Alberta - small towns, Calgary neighbourhoods and commuting
I'd say that _enjoying_ any kind of lifestyle by definition excludes people on a budget. It's all about the options available to people that have discretionary income in relation to their hobbies. Don't underestimate the 'availability of opportunity' effect (I'm sure there is some terminology for it). Knowing that you can do something should you wish to - even if you don't - can create a much sunnier disposition towards life, as opposed to not being able to regardless. Some times it's more about having the option that makes you enjoy life rather than any material difference.
In addition to that, people with a low paid job in UK who plan on coming to an equally low paid job in Canada should not expect much of a change in lifestyle, unless they are after something niche that Canada somehow offers in spades over UK. Anything else is "grass is greener" thinking.
In addition to that, people with a low paid job in UK who plan on coming to an equally low paid job in Canada should not expect much of a change in lifestyle, unless they are after something niche that Canada somehow offers in spades over UK. Anything else is "grass is greener" thinking.
#51
Re: Living Alberta - small towns, Calgary neighbourhoods and commuting
I don't know, I would think that having skiing, for example, on the doorstep but not being able to ski for want of funds/time might be worse for a skier than not having the proximity. So near and yet so far. I do think there's something gained in sense of opportunity though. I suspect that, had I stayed in the UK, I would not have thought myself able to take up sailing, and especially not horse riding, because those were not the sort of things people like me did. Here I don't perceive any such barriers.
Not a red trousers man then...?
#52
Re: Living Alberta - small towns, Calgary neighbourhoods and commuting
http://lookatmy****ingredtrousers.blogspot.com/
You will, of course, have to fill in the missing letters.
You will, of course, have to fill in the missing letters.