Its very early days but we are looking at coming over to Alberta. I am an OT and have been in touch with Calgary Healthcare who seem keen to take me on as a Provincial Nominee.
If we were to move to Calgary which Districts would be best to be looking for accomodation? we would be wanting to buy, have 2 children (age 8 and 11 and would want excellent schools nearby) we are not inner city people and would want to be as far out of the city as is practical considering travelling to work (although as yet not sure which hospital that would be)
Thanks for your help

That would depend on your budget. Prices vary alot depending on where you want to live. Check out www.mls.ca for an idea.

The hills are nice family neighbourhoods on the edge of the city (Country Hills, Coventry hills, etc) - that's where we're hoping to buy, assuming we stay in Calgary.

Simonhouse is correct - it will depend on your budget - or more likely the size of your deposit if you need a mortgage.

We live in the deep south of the city - the commute to the city centre is good in comparison to the UK.

Be aware that some of the newer communities do not have schools (and may not get one for some time). This would mean the school bus each day - depends how you would feel about that.

School league tables here are deceptive as you need to understand the schools objective - some schools are inclusive and therefore allow more children to sit the tests - results are depressed; some schools exclude the children likely to pull the test results down - results are more impressive; some schools have the GATE program - should impact positively on the results - just to name a few! Just as in the UK, the results can be manipulated!

You should also be aware that certain schools are capped - living in the catchment zone does not guarantee a place at the school!

Are you aware that a new hospital is proposed for Calgary?

Thanks guys. We have a house here in England and have enough equity to buy in the region of $200,000 - $230,000 without getting a mortgage. Thanks for the tip about the new hospital.

Hi Kazbaz,
Let me know how you get on because my husband has just been offered a job under the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (in Edmonton), and we have 3 school age kids (4,6,12). My main concern is the distruption to their lives/education. At present they are all in v.good schools in Hornchurch Essex and I would like their education to continue on a similar vein.
Regards and good luck Sam

Does that allow you to keep money for all those things you need to buy when you first arrive or for emergencies? Or trips back to the UK? Getting equity released is harder than getting a small mortgage. Just make sure you plan for the rough patches too - they are easier if you have some cash to fall back on.

I am an OT living in Calgary - worked for the Calgary Health Region for about 2.5 yrs before just moving over to a non-profit organization. What client groups do you want to work with? I may be able to put you in contact with some people. You should be OK living in any part of the city as far as work goes as there is a hospital in the NE (Peter Lougheed Centre), NW (Foothills Medical Centre), SW (Rockyview General Hospital) and the proposed new hospital in the deep South. It's fairly easy to commute to any of these from around the city. If you want more info. just PM me.