Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Hi, I am moving to Calgary end of August and looking for some local contact who can give me some advise on what it is like living there and where would be a best location to live.
I have been to calgary briefly a few years back but dint spend much time in the city.
I am hoping that i could find someone there with whome i could establish a bit of contact to get information so i dont feel completly new when i land there.
Any help/advise would be much appreciated.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Hi there, happy to help. Let me know what you want to know.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Where are you going to be working? Coming alone or with family? What are your interests?

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Hi Both,

I am planning to move into calgary lsat week of August or first week of september. Right now i work within Finance/IT in the UK. I am moving there without a job so will have to look for one when i get there. I quite like the outdoor lifestyle hebce choose Calgary.
All i know about the city is what i read online and not a great deal more. I am single so i am moving there alone. Dont know anyone there as of now so trying to get some networking going before i get there :).
Information i would like to know,
- Where is the best place to live in the City.
- What is the rent like if i rent a room in a shared place.
- what are the job prospects like in general, is it straightforward to get a job. i got a MBA from here and have been employed/self employed for over 10 years now.
- What are people in Calgary like are they easy to get on with.
Thease are some questions to start with but i am sure will have a lot more to ask.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

For a young(?) single professional, I'd say the best area to live is Kensington/ Sunnyside. Lots of bars, restaurants, and a 20 minute walk to the downtown offices. It's not the cheapest area though, like everywhere you'd get better value the further away from the good bits you go.

Rent - probably looking at $800/month to rent a room in a share, I don't really know. Maybe someone else can give pointers on where to find classifieds etc.

Job prospects - I'd say Calgary is the best place in Canada to go to to find work. Lots of recruitment agencies, Google is your friend there.

Calgary people - very polite, friendly on the surface, decent folks. Mostly keen to help.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Thansk Jingsamichty sounds like the places you mentioned above may be better options for renting a room. Here i am very much used to living walking distance from city centre and would like to be in a simular positon there.
The work situation also sounds encouraginign from your post. Hopefully i should find something in a couple of months after moving.
do you know of any banks that offer any deals to new comers to canada.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

- Areas: for a young single professional, Kensington, Sunnyside, Beltline (Connaught, Mission etc), Bankview
- Rents: check www.rentfaster.ca
- Jobs: Jobs galore here, although most want some kind of O&G experience. If you interview well, you should be fine
- People: Mostly ok. A few rednecks, terrible drivers, but friendly overall. I find the Canadian people in general a little difficult to get to know. They're private and guarded.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Thansk Photoplex, appreciate the info.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Deals? All the banks will offer new accounts, debit cards etc. Access to credit will depend on your own circumstances, but I don't think there are anything specific like deals for newcomers. Happy to be corrected though.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

No worries - you'll be fine. Make some effort to get out there and meet people when you get here. There's all kinds of outdoor clubs; ski, mountain biking, rock climbing, pickup softball/slo-pitch leagues, etc.

You'll meet people through work too - there's always single people at work looking to socialize.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Thanks, guys. Sounds like there is lots going on there. I have already joined the Calgary outdoor club.

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Check these guys out too - they have all manner of recreational sport leagues, and there's usually a "singles" team in most leagues. Great way to meet people. Played in various leagues myself for the first 5 years or so when I moved here.

Calgary Sports & Social Club

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Thanks Photoplex

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

I did find ScotiaBank had a program : StartRight Program for Newcomers
Not sure how good it is, but it will get your credit rating up and running!

Good luck

Re: Moving to Calgary in August, need some insight.
 

Thansk jbj14