Hello All

I have accepted a job offer and will be moving at the end of March. My new employer is relocating me and my family. They are giving upto 30 days accommodation. Then we need to find a place to rent.

Can i get by without a car for the first 90 days ? I don't mind public transport.
Which areas should i avoid ?

I'll be working on 5ave SW. I've heard Scarboro is a nice area and not too far from my office.

Kids are 4 & 2 years old. OH wants to be a lady of leisure , so we might need childcare nearby.

We are very excited.

Hmac

Living in Calgary, with a young family, without any car at all would be nigh-on impossible. Just getting the groceries alone would give me palpatations. Then start thinking about all those trips to buy "stuff" that you need for your new home. Public transit won't cut it. I wouldn't want to carry a toaster and new kettle and a mop on the C-train.

You might be OK with using transit for getting to and from work, depending on where you live - but otherwise, the city is built to workship at the altar of the vehicle, like most North American cities.

You will likely be able to travel to that work location using the C-Train from most locations in Calgary (depending upon where on 5 Avenue you are working).

What will suit you is a judgement call only you and your family can make. You need to come looksy

Congrats Think I'd go with ann m on this.
Good luck with the move

Thanks for your replies. A car it is then.

I have been looking, but i've no idea what to choose when using the Autotrader web site. Guess we'd be better off looking around once we are in Calgary.

I you do see somebody on the C-train with a mop, please say hi

Hmac

Have a look at Kijiji for classifieds/car buying etc. Quite often more selection that the more expensive autotrader. Good luck with your move

We arrive in Calgary on 17th March - have a hire car for 2 weeks, so will be handing it back around when u arrive :P
Hopefully will have a car sorted so will let you know how we fare

Oh, and if I see you on the C-train with a mop then we are both made of fail... :O

I'd echo what the others have said: You need a car in my opinion.

Bring: proof of NCB from the UK & DVLA driver's abstract.

Be prepared for used cars to be more expensive than they are in the UK as well as insurance!

Good luck!

If you are working downtown, I would recommend using calgary transit to get to work - a monthly pass costs $95 and is far cheaper than paying for parking. Calgary has one of the most expensive parking rates in North America.

If you go to the Calgary transit website, you can see where the Ctrain stations are (there are also BRT commuter busses that go from various communities too). Work out the most convenient place to live and look for a house there.

Beyond that, I would say you NEED a car. esp if you are going to be ferrying 2 younglings around. Even if it is just a cheap runabout from Kijiji, I would recommend you get one.

I see a mini van in your future

Good luck with the move,and yes I agree a car is a must!
We hired one for the first ten days, before we bought our Jeep.
x

Hello Chookie

I down loaded the map the other day.

Dont know if i can get a cheap runabout past the OH

Thanks

There's just some much choice, i just want something reliable.

Is there such a thing as a V8 minivan

Hi All
Great to see all the comments, My Family and I are moving over in July to Calgary and was interested in knowing how everyone got all the bits in place, I'm moving with work so they are dealing with Immigration and I plan a pre-move visit to secure a home and school for my 6 year old Daughter.
How long do you think we need to hire a car for 2 or 4 weeks.
I want to look for a home in the NW or SW areas.