Hi everyone
I have been reading your posts for over 12 months now ,we are moving over from Ireland as my partner has finally secured a job after many let downs .He is an electrician and we are hoping to move over in January .I am 27 and he is 34 and we have two young girls aged 10 weeks and 2 years so we would appreciate any advise on a good community to rent as my partner will be away for 7 days and home for 3 days ,so I would like to feel safe but yet be able to meet other people my age or other young familys .I dont want to be housebound and would like to be near shops and lively for kids activities with a good chance of meeting new friends,Also we are wondering about credit history when getting Gas and Electricity connected do we have to pay extra upfront??.
Is there a family plan for having two cars for insurance policies and finally we have looked at Cochrane and Auburn Bay to rent ,do these areas have a good community vibe as we dont know much about anywhere else.
Hope to hear good things Pebbles

There are very few bad areas in Calgary. I would go as far as to say there aren't any. You need to visit to get a feel for what you like.

Hi Pebbles I can only offer general advice as I don't live in or around Calgary.

The suburbs are pretty huge and all will have the feel that you want. They all have malls and parks etc so IMO you should be able to get what you want in most places.

You don't really ever have to go into Calgary centre if you don't want to

The newer housing areas in Calgary tend to have the families with the younger kids - we live in a 1970's inner suburb and the majority of people on the streets around us are nearing retirement with grown up kids - just something I noticed round here that the age of the housing can often relate to a certain age of people (this is in general terms).

Will you have a car? If so, pretty much anywhere will be open to you - if not, then perhaps try and get yourself close to a CTrain station or an express bus route.

A couple of examples of Calgary neighbourhoods that are full of families and kids are Tuscany in the NW, Panorama Hills in the N and Mackenzie Towne in the SE - these aren't recommendations as such but just throwing out a few names to get you going! Cochrane is a nice little community too - there's lots of people on here who live there who will be along later.

Good luck!

Hi Pebbles. Firstly congratulations on your husband finally securing a job.

I don't think there's any bad areas as such in Calgary, it just comes down to personal preference and what "feels" right. I see you also mention Cochrane which is where we live. My kids are 6 and 10 now but there's plenty of families here with younger kids too. We love it here and it certainly has a good community vibe as you call it. There's certainly no shortage of activities here for kids of all ages and there's a large and varied selection of housing; lots of new housing developments which seem popular with young families too. If there's anything particular you want to know about Cochrane then please don't hesitate to send me a PM.

When we first moved over I seem to remember the utility companies taking a couple of hundred dollars from us initially which they held on to for the first year. After that year, once they knew we were good payers as it were, this sum was then refunded to us.

We found that insurance companies tend to offer discounts for multiple polices. We use the same company for insuring several vehicles, RV and house so they give us a reasonable discount.

Anyway, like I said, please feel free to contact me if there's anything I can help with.

Regards.

Hi Pebbles,
Another Cochrane resident here, and there are some fab places in Calgary for sure, but I absolutely love our town.
There is so much to do for families, we have our xmas light up in a couple of weeks, and its one of many great events put on by the town throughout the year. The main street is shut off to traffic, and firepits are set up along the street, offering hot dogs, hot choc etc....all for free!
Lots of kids activities, and Santa arrives on a fire truck!
We are coming up on our 6th Canniversary, and having had my two girls here (2.5 and4.5) I have been lucky enough to benefit from the great facilities we have!
The Parent link centre is a great resource we have, with free programs throughout the week, depending on age.
We are heading there tomorrow morning, whilst my older daughter is at preschool, and its an hour and a half of free program, where they can play, do crafts etc, and theres even free tea and coffee! (You can tell whos had a rough night, they head straight to the coffee in the morning!)
Its a great place to meet other families, and whether you guys choose Cochrane or Calgary, you are welcome to pm me, and I can send you my phone number! Its nice to have a friendly face to help settle in, and I have met so many wonderful mums here.

My husband works away, and I know what its like to be on your own with small people! Other adult company is essential!!!LOL
Feel free to pm me, and if I can help answer any questions I would be happy to do so! And definately look us up for a playdate when you come over! Theres usually some kind of chocolate baking in the house, and the kettles always on!!!
x