Moving to Calgary
 

Hi, im new to this site and hope im putting this in the right bit!!

Me and hubby and 2 kids should be moving to Calgary Jan/Feb time. Just wondering, is it better to buy winter stuff when we are in Calgary or get it before we come out there? Dont want to freeze when we get of the plane , :lol:

Thanks, Jenny

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

With regard to outerwear, In general its much cheaper to get Canada proof clothing in Canada, the danger is that in Jan/ Feb the choice may be limited... Perhaps someone local to Calgary can comment on availability at that time, but in Ontario many stores are stocked up with spring fashions (such as there is fashion in Canada) by that time, so it can be slim pickings for winter stuff.

Places like Walmart or Zellers will have cheap and cheerful winter stuff still I expect, and Marks Work Wearhouse, despite its utilitarian name, will have some good value winter boots and outerwear... Id say bring a minimum to get you past the first few days and then kit up here, What you already have will probably get you by, if its cold then layer up more. Having said that I bought an expensive fleece and goretex shell in the UK, and Im still using them 13 years later, so I dont regret the fact I could have got something cheaper here when I arrived. However, Winter boots and such are a lot cheaper (and warmer) here in Canada.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

You'd be fine with decent stuff brought from home.

It really all depends on how much time you think you'll be spending outside.

My wife walks the kids to school and back every day, come rain, hail, shine or -30C, so they need good gear.

Then there are other kids who get driven to school every day, where the mum is still in her pyjamas.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

We arrived in Calgary in the middle of January and were able to source clothes without an issue. I agree with Jings, unless you are looking to scale peaks, regular warm clothing from England will be fine - fleece, windproof etc. There are loads of technical clothes here and the day to day winter stuff is likely to be cheaper in Calgary than where you are now, but, day to day, what you have in your wardrobe at home is likely to suffice, unless you will be walking everywhere in minus 30.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Buy the gear in Canada. The kind of clothes you'll need to survive the low temperatures will only really be found here in abundance. In the UK you'd have to go to a specialty mountaineering or outdoor survival shop. When you get off the plane just try and stay inside until you get your equipment sorted.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

The secret for comfort is layering, they probably have some stuff they can wear here for a few days, they will perhaps have to wear an extra layer and avoid doing anything like this 'till they are properly equipped...

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ad..._climbing1.jpg

For mundane day to day life though nothing special is needed as others have said, most of the indoors has heat:)

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

IainK, im still laughing at the picture, dont think we will be doing any of that :lol:. Thanks everyone for your quick replies.

Any of you know any areas that are family friendly and not too far from downtown? Husband will be working downtown and dont want his commute to be too long. We will be renting initially, also company are giving us £3000 canadian towards rent, will that get us a decent place??

Jenny

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

$3,000 per month should rent you a nice place and cover the utilities.

I agree with Jingsamichty and Almost Canadian when it comes the the clothing issue.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

A fleece inner jacket with a windproof outershell would be ample for short periods outside at -20°C

That all my most often worn winter gear is along with a decent pair of gloves.;)

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Yup, good gloves/mitts, decent boots and the occasional hat. Footwear is probably what most UK folks wont be equipped with I suspect.

As you say, Windproof is important. Cold on its own is not so bad, but cold and windy and you know all about it if you are not dressed appropriately.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Thermal undies all round though. Longjohns and long-sleeved vests - you'll be amazed at the difference that makes.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Haven't owned a pair of thermeal underwear since I was in my teens.

If you are only spending short periods outdoors thermals are overkill IMHO.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Just curious, Oink: are you from anywhere near Barnsley, originally? I see you are using the picture from the film Kes as your avatar - some of it was filmed at my old junior school.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

We live in the NW (Hawkwood) which is a 30-40 minute commute down-town if driving, a little less if taking the C-Train. All I would say is try to avoid the deep SW and SE as the 2 major routes into down-town are a nightmare (Macleod Trail and Deerfoot Trail). You might want to try somewhere like Kensington first - it can be walkable to down-town and has a trendy and almost British village feel to it. But a lot may depend on schooling for your kid(s) and if you would want to change schools in a few months' time. What age(s) do you have (I can give you some ideas on things to do)? Also take a look at www.calgaryschild.com

Finally, you may (or may not!) be happy to know that you will not have a problem finding people from Aberdeen here - all our best friends are from there originally (we are not) - Oil & Gas industry transfers, of course.

All the best with your move.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Thanks CalgaryTyke! We have 2 boys, ones was four in August and the other will be 2 next week. Totally confused about which area we should stay in, i think we will just wait till we get there to check them out.

Any info would be great :)

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Hi jenny,
My name is calum and me and the family(oh and four kids) are moving to calgary also around febuary:fingerscrossed:.My wife also has a job near downtown,we are looking around east sw or south east areas to stay we like the look of mckenzie town or around lake bonavista up to oakridge.But the previous comment on the deerfoot has me wondering?.School is a big issue for us bur i think most schools are good it,s the access i was wondering about?.
Ps Don,t worry to much about the clothing as a howling blizzard in aberdeen or -15 in calgary and sunny is about the same, and you will have ok gear at the moment fot both!!!. Good luck and you never know we may fly together. Cheers, calum and family.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Very few people travel downtown in a car. The parking downtown is very expensive. I wouldn't worry too much about having to travel on the Deerfoot. What I suggest you look at is: how easy is access to a LRT station or a bus that travels to where I need to be downtown. Those that travel downtown try to avoid McLeod and Deerfoot Trails like the plague. There are various other less direct routes that people use. Like any city, travelling during rush hour is problematic. Outside of rush hour, the commute is relatively straightforward.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Exactly. Good answer! :thumbup:

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Another answer on the clothing issue, I think you'll be fine with the stuff you already have. End of Jan to middle of Feb is when the best deals are to be had on winter wear as the stores need to get rid so they can start with the shorts:eek:

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Piff Poff, good to hear we will be able to pick up some bargains :thumbsup:
Jenny

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Hi Calum,

Have you bene to Calgary before? We find out on the 15th if my husband has the job or not, so a bit to wait. If he gets it we will go Jan or Feb, hopefully find out exact date as well in a couple of weeks. Heard so much about different areas, just going to look when we get there, think it will be South West or North West though, as long as we are near a school. How old are your kids? Do you know when you are going?
Jenny

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Never pay full price for anything in Alberta unless you absolutely love and must have it. Everything goes on sale soon enough.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Don`t discount the NE or the SE. In reality, there are no bad areas of Calgary by quadrant.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

One great place I can recommend for kids your age is Coffee and Scream - there's one in the NW and I think another in the SW of the city. If you would like to contact me directly, you can do so <snip>.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Hi jenny i have some family there(aunt & cousins) and have been over twice although the first time i was only 5. I went over in 2001 for two weeks to sample the stampede.(wow!)
My wife goes over on the 8th of dec to meet her new work team and check out some areas to stay, we are looking to rent first, i will let you know how she gets on it will be her first time over there.
We have four kids 3 boys 3-5&7 and one girl 13 they are all very excited!! our bellys are churning:blink:. Keep in touch.
And if you are near dundee give us a shout.
Calum and gang.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Lake Bonavista up to and across to Oakridge is generally okay. Some very pleasant residential areas and some more average but all with reasonable access to the C-train via bus. I drove into mckenzie town for the first time at the weekend and was suprised to see some of the buildings in quite an attractive traditional style all in brick and around a square open area with a little bandstand type structure in the middle. I was dropping off one of the children at a friends house - the friend goes to school where we are just south of Glenmore reservoir as the parents didnt like the mckenzie town school for some reason - its a fair drive to be doing every day so they must have their reasons. On the other hand, a friend of one of the other children wont be going to our local school next year but will instead be sent to calgary school for girls because the parents believe it is more academic than the regular programme. At work I've heard of a few people who either want to move due to their concern about the local schools or take their children to a school other than the designated school. Its a regularly made statement here that all schools in Calgary are good and people dont pick areas due to schools but in my experience its not quite so clear cut. Fraser Institute is worth a look as well as old postings here by JudyinCalgary which are very credible in my opinion.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Will do Calum, I am originally from Kinross so not far from Dundee at all. Let me know how your wife gets on, and i will let you know if hubby gets job and if he does when we are going.
Jenny :D

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Thanks, will keep that place in mind :), do you have kids the same age? Jenny

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

We wont, just need to get out there and have a looky! :) Jenny

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

My kids are 8, 6 and 2. The place I mentioned is great for U5s, I would say. Considering how cold the winters are here, there really aren't that many indoor places to take kids apart from a couple of great leisure centres (one in NE, and a couple in the West and SW that I know of). If you want to get your eldest on skis, try Canada Olmpic Park (COP) before you head to the mountains, as you can go for just an hour or so, which is great for beginners and way, way cheaper than an all-day lift pass. Also outdoor skating can be found for free in many communities, (albeit you need to buy or rent skates).

As I mentioned before, Calgary's Child magazine is a great source of info for families.

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Thanxs tyke,
Good info for us kid laden familys on our way over:thumbup:

Keep up the hints & tips. Calum...

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

My o my,
I,am from perth so we may just about know each other!! The eldest lad and i go to see the sainties up in perth still.(waste of money)
Infact i,am going up there this weekend to meet up with some old pals and break the news we are off to pastures new!
Cheers, cal......

Re: Moving to Calgary
 

Send me a private message as and when you get here and I'll see how else I can help you out.

Cat.