Making new friends
 

Hi

My name's Beckie. I have a wonderful husband and 2 children. A daughter called Connie, aged 5 and a son called Spencer, aged 2.

My husband has just taken a job In Edmonton. We will be flying out late August/ early September.

My family and I are very excited!:thumbsup: my only concern is that I won't know anybody.

Is there anyone, mum's or not, that would be able to talk to me so I know a few people before I land?:fingerscrossed:

Sorry, I know it's a bit of a random question. :o

Thanks.

Re: Making new friends
 

Hi Beckie,

We,me, hubby and 10 year old and 6 year old move to Calgary in Aug/Sept also. I have the same concerns.. feel free to PM me.

We are excited too..

Mrs A and co

Re: Making new friends
 

There are groups on facebook called "British Expats in Edmonton" and the same for Calgary. I definitely recommend joining those, as everyone is pretty much in the same boat.

Good luck

Re: Making new friends
 

Thanks. Im glad to see I'm not the only one feeling this way! Are you all ready to go?
I feel slightly lost between all the jobs I have left to do!

Re: Making new friends
 

:goodpost:

Thank you for pointing this out to me, I'd have never found out about it otherwise!

Re: Making new friends
 

We've recently arrived in Calgary, and have a 7 & 8 year old.
August/September should give you enough time to get settled before the winter arrives :)
Good luck!

Re: Making new friends
 

When does the winter arrive?

I hope you've settled in well.

Re: Making new friends
 

Realistically, it'll start snowing anytime from October onwards. You'll probably have snow on the ground from November/December through to May.

Re: Making new friends
 

:rofl: I suggest you do a little more research if you are asking that :rofl:

Re: Making new friends
 

Thanks for your opinion however I have done plenty of research but I have been in September when there has been heavy snow so was just suprised by the comment stating i'd arrive and settle before winter. Therefore I thought I'd double check.

Re: Making new friends
 

I was in the same boat around this time last year.

Sorry about the short reply: For a big city, I have found Edmonton to be no problem to settle into in general. It's easy-going and friendly for the most part. And it feels safe compared to other places I've lived in.

You'll have no trouble making friends quickly I'm sure - the snow and ice is a great conversation starter:). And half the city wasn't born here either so it's fairly cosmopolitan. Good luck!

Re: Making new friends
 

Oh and feel free to pm for any info!

Re: Making new friends
 

Good luck with the move, we are flying out there at the same time but will be be heading to Regina

Re: Making new friends
 

hi we are looking to move to edmonton, I have made contact with a salon who are trying to get me an LMO so we can aim to get out there by end of year beginning of next. We have a nearly 3yr old daughter so I will also be looking for friends and mums.
Thanks for the facebook page I will check it out.

Re: Making new friends
 

From my experience the best way is to join a group. Such as a theatre group where you can help out or some other volunteer activities.

Re: Making new friends
 

:goodpost:

I was looking into some mother & toddler groups. Never thought about a theatre group though.

Re: Making new friends
 

Try and find a "Newcomer's Club" that way you will meet not just British Expats but Canadians and other nationals who are reasonably new to the area and obviously looking for friends. I love the one I joined in Ontario. Ours is very relaxed and good range of ages and nationalities.

Re: Making new friends
 

:goodpost: thank you!

Re: Making new friends
 

I don't have kids but in the year I lived in Edmonton, I made more friends there in that year then I have in 9 years in BC (Vancouver region). I really found most in Alberta far friendlier and open to new people, and personally I think Alberta is underrated because of the long winters, but I have always enjoyed the province and had no issues with Edmonton, offered everything one needs within a reasonable commute, decent roadway system.

Re: Making new friends
 

We have 2 seasons in Alberta - Winter and construction (road works) :rofl:

For another way to meet people try looking at meetup.com for groups in Edmonton and area. Alberta seems to be quite a transient Province with people coming in to make their money from the oil & gas industry then going back to wherever they came from to begin with. In general I have found it to be a friendly place, although I much prefer Calgary / South of Red Deer to being up in that part of the Province. There's nothing wrong with it, just I find it "feels" nicer down here.

Good luck with the move.