Hi there,

My husband has been offered work in Red Deer and we will be relocating there in the next 5-6 with our 2 year old son. I am just looking for some advice and information on Red Deer and the best areas to live. Even infact if Red Deer is a safe and good place to move our family as I can say no to it if anyone would reccommend against it. We currently live in Victoria and have just emigrated from the UK so its another move due to good work but Im slightly nervous about moving somewhere where I will know no one soo any advice would be greatly appreciated

Lesley

There have been several threads on Red Deer, so doing a search may answer some questions you have. http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=red+deer

Red Deer is baby boom city. People (Canadians) move to Red Deer and have babies, it's a young population, so Canadians must deem it to be family friendly.

It's a lovely little city that has everyday amenities, Edmonton and Calgary are just an hour and a half away. Lots of green spaces and foot paths. As for areas to live, it will depend on whether you like new or old houses. Rule of thumb used to be south of the river is more desirable but with all the new builds that's not quite as true anymore. We've been here 7 years now so if you have any specific questions I will be happy to try and answer them. We do think we're lucky that Red Deer ended up being the place where the job was

Just a thought but have you ever experience minus 30 and not seeing green grass for about four to five months of the year. Red Deer is very very different from Victoria. I would highly recommend visiting it first, it's a shame it's not winter so you could see what it's really like during the cold months of the year. Nevertheless, on saying that you might love the wide open space and access to two major cities. I lived in Calgary and Edmonton for five years, so I know all about Alberta winters but now living on the Island. Although I find the island a little claustrophobic at times which I didn't find with Alberta.

If the job is better with more money I suppose why not give it a go as you will experience a totally different part of Canada, to which I am thankful for.

I'm sure you will make friends very easily with other mothers in Red Deer with young kids.

No it isn't.

Thank You for posting back to me with advice

Thanks for the link as well, Ive had a little read through of what others have had to say. Are the any specific areas you would reccommend and also any rental agents? Hope you dont mind all the questions

House wise we'd be looking for something that had some space around it preferably. If you know what I mean...wouldnt really want to be really close to other houses and feel fenced in I know..especially in the UK when they build new houses now theres hardly any space between you and your neighbour.

Weather wise....that is a worry for me. I was born in Saskatchewan but we left when I was young so I have no real first hand experience of how cold the climate gets but my mum says shed never go back to living in those kind of cold conditions. Is it a nightmare?

Im excited at the prospect but also quite nervous at the unknown.

Lesley

Have you explored Red Deer virtually with Google Street View?

http://goo.gl/maps/GxM1

Sounds like you would prefer some of the older areas then if you want a garden and a sense of privacy? Have a look at Deer Park, Morrisroe, Bower, Mountview and Sunnybrook and Anders are all nice areas, some parts of Waskasoo (downtown) are lovely but it can be hit and miss. When yuor looking on mls.ca to get an idea of houses then the street names give away the subdivisions for example anything beginning with a D will be Deer Park, B would be Bower etc.
You might find more rentals available in Eastview, Normandeau, Oriole Park and Clearview, there are some rougher parts in some of these places the only one I would be wary of is Highland Green.

I have no experience from rental agencies so wouldn't want to comment.

As for the weather, it gets cold, you dress for it and you look at the blue skies whilst your shovelling snow and you get on with life, you wouldn't choose to spend time outside in pouring rain and howling winds, it's the same when it's -40 windchill, you do it if you have too.

Hi I lived in Red Deer only for 7 months, but travel there everyday to work.

I lived in Johnstone Park, I was told it was a rough and not nice area, but to be honest I didn't see that, there are a lot of new houses being built, and it is the North of the city which is a little more industrial than the south. I found that from anywhere in Red Deer, you are a max of 20 - 25 mins from the centre. It has all the amenities you would probably use and for shopping.

There is the Collicut centre which houses a pool, gym, sports field. I believe they do things for wee ones, not 100% sure as I don't have wee children. Lovely walks and trails.

If you didn't want to live in Red Deer there are a few places around, we lived in Sylvan Lake, on the outskirts of the Town, but only a 5 minute drive or 15 minute cycle to the lake, yes, in the summer and bank holidays it is busy. In the winter the main street is almost deserted, but there are activiteis on the lake - skating, ice fishing (for those inclined). It took me at most 30 minutes to drive to Red Deer.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

MJ

Thank You so much for all your advice. Ive looked at a few areas and I did really like Deer Park. Its a pain renting but we want to rent and make sure we settle in the area before we buy Had a look at Sylvan Park as well and there are some lovely houses there.

Just spent over an hour doing a walk through of Red Deer on google maps..lol

I like what you said about the weather pif poff. Thats exactly what we said to our family members here in Victoria but theyre very negative about the winter months in Red Deer so I showed them your messgae to keep them quiet lol

Thank You Again

Hi there,

I moved to Red Deer about 2 years ago, and my wife has been here about 5. We both still like it at the moment, and are looking at getting a bigger house, if that's any indication about whether we intend to stay here.

Guessing by your login, we're the same age. Feel free to give me a shout with any questions, or if you need a guide around town!

Andy