Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2012
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 14
Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Hi everyone,
My name is Beccy and I was told on Friday 30th June that I was successful in getting a job at West Edmonton Mall as a Marine Mammal Trainer. Over here in the UK I am a zoo keeper, so it's what I have always done.
My employer completed an LMO for me and I move out in mid August. Just hoping that someone can give me any tips about Edmonton, Canadian living, etc. I'm really excited/nervous at the moment so be good to hear from a few of you. Also, if there is anything that you wish you'd known when you first arrived, etc, would love to hear those tips! I'm moving out there on my own and would just appreciate a bit of support!
Thanks
My name is Beccy and I was told on Friday 30th June that I was successful in getting a job at West Edmonton Mall as a Marine Mammal Trainer. Over here in the UK I am a zoo keeper, so it's what I have always done.
My employer completed an LMO for me and I move out in mid August. Just hoping that someone can give me any tips about Edmonton, Canadian living, etc. I'm really excited/nervous at the moment so be good to hear from a few of you. Also, if there is anything that you wish you'd known when you first arrived, etc, would love to hear those tips! I'm moving out there on my own and would just appreciate a bit of support!
Thanks
#2
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Hi everyone,
My name is Beccy and I was told on Friday 30th June that I was successful in getting a job at West Edmonton Mall as a Marine Mammal Trainer. Over here in the UK I am a zoo keeper, so it's what I have always done.
My employer completed an LMO for me and I move out in mid August. Just hoping that someone can give me any tips about Edmonton, Canadian living, etc. I'm really excited/nervous at the moment so be good to hear from a few of you. Also, if there is anything that you wish you'd known when you first arrived, etc, would love to hear those tips! I'm moving out there on my own and would just appreciate a bit of support!
Thanks
My name is Beccy and I was told on Friday 30th June that I was successful in getting a job at West Edmonton Mall as a Marine Mammal Trainer. Over here in the UK I am a zoo keeper, so it's what I have always done.
My employer completed an LMO for me and I move out in mid August. Just hoping that someone can give me any tips about Edmonton, Canadian living, etc. I'm really excited/nervous at the moment so be good to hear from a few of you. Also, if there is anything that you wish you'd known when you first arrived, etc, would love to hear those tips! I'm moving out there on my own and would just appreciate a bit of support!
Thanks
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2012
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 14
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Thanks Alex, I've heard mixed reviews from a few people, more good than bad I'm happy to say. But I can make the best of situation and I'm just really excited to get out there now! But good to hear further "opnions"
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 46
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
I have been living in Calgary for the last 12 years, since i was 17, it is close to Edmonton. AB in general is the province you want to live at if you want to make killing money, so many job opportunities here, specially because of the oil we have. As for the fun part, I don't like Edmonton to be honest. Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and then Calgary are way better. Calgary is just by Rocky mountains that are just gorgeous! You are not too far away from Calgary (3 hours drive) so if you are into hiking, you always can visit Calgary and go for a hike and have amazing time. I found night life in Vancouver and Toronto way more fun, Calgary is not bad too, no experience with Esmonton though. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Last edited by OPPOP; Jul 2nd 2012 at 11:55 pm.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 173
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
There's a good local forum about life in Edmonton. Am I allowed to give the link? Anyway, it's called "Connect2edmonton". Worth a visit.
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Wow! what fantastic news, you must be ready to burst with excitement.
I've visited Edmonton a number of times and have always found it to be a pleasant place and close to Jasper as well as Calgary. Whilst it does get very cold there's plenty to do in the Winter and you'll be inside most of the time .
Anyway, best wishes with everything, i hope you love it!
I've visited Edmonton a number of times and have always found it to be a pleasant place and close to Jasper as well as Calgary. Whilst it does get very cold there's plenty to do in the Winter and you'll be inside most of the time .
Anyway, best wishes with everything, i hope you love it!
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 86
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Hi there,
Myself and now husband lived in Edmonton for a year from 2009 and we hope to go back there once our PR goes through. I have to say we really liked living there The winter we had was very harsh and dropped to -38 at one point although since we left the winters don't seem to have been as harsh! It was hard to cope with for a while but you kinda just get used to it, and the sun was always shining which helped!
On the plus side the summer was great, very seasonal There is quite a lot of homelessness and some crime but not any worse than anywhere else in Britain. Transport is good with plenty of buses and LRTs.
You will probably want to look around for a while to find an area that suits you to live in. We lived on Jasper Avenue which is a little more expensive but great for transport links into the centre.
Any other questions I'd be happy to try and answer
Myself and now husband lived in Edmonton for a year from 2009 and we hope to go back there once our PR goes through. I have to say we really liked living there The winter we had was very harsh and dropped to -38 at one point although since we left the winters don't seem to have been as harsh! It was hard to cope with for a while but you kinda just get used to it, and the sun was always shining which helped!
On the plus side the summer was great, very seasonal There is quite a lot of homelessness and some crime but not any worse than anywhere else in Britain. Transport is good with plenty of buses and LRTs.
You will probably want to look around for a while to find an area that suits you to live in. We lived on Jasper Avenue which is a little more expensive but great for transport links into the centre.
Any other questions I'd be happy to try and answer
#8
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Congrats Beccy. Thats great news!
When I moved to Alberta one of the things I did that made a huge difference(which I wished I did earlier) was to join different meetup groups and clubs. I met a variety of people and learned how the locals think and behave.
Good luck!
When I moved to Alberta one of the things I did that made a huge difference(which I wished I did earlier) was to join different meetup groups and clubs. I met a variety of people and learned how the locals think and behave.
Good luck!
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: London, UK
Posts: 34
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Hey congrats!
Was just scanning the forum as I need to sort out my insurance... but I digress.
I'm flying to Edmonton on 30th July, going to live with my Canadian boyfriend in his hometown. Needless to say I am over the moon about this - this guy is the love of my life. I spent most of this year sorting out my IEC Work Permit and can't believe it's all finally happening.
I've visited Edmonton twice this year, at the coldest (January, -30) and once at the hottest time (May, +30) so have seen both extremes. It really is a beautiful city, the river valley is stunning and it's so green. The people are extremely friendly, polite, and the customer service is outstanding (although I imagine it's like this all over the country).
Depending on where you've lived in the UK, I would say that you might want to use Edmonton as a transitional city before checking out other parts of Canada. There is a decent amount going on (especially when it's summer) but if you're used to somewhere like London then it might not offer enough variance for you (I'm slightly concerned about this myself after living in London for 4 years). You'll be delighted with how much space you can rent for your money in comparison to the UK.
Feel free to get in touch when you arrive!
- Bev
Was just scanning the forum as I need to sort out my insurance... but I digress.
I'm flying to Edmonton on 30th July, going to live with my Canadian boyfriend in his hometown. Needless to say I am over the moon about this - this guy is the love of my life. I spent most of this year sorting out my IEC Work Permit and can't believe it's all finally happening.
I've visited Edmonton twice this year, at the coldest (January, -30) and once at the hottest time (May, +30) so have seen both extremes. It really is a beautiful city, the river valley is stunning and it's so green. The people are extremely friendly, polite, and the customer service is outstanding (although I imagine it's like this all over the country).
Depending on where you've lived in the UK, I would say that you might want to use Edmonton as a transitional city before checking out other parts of Canada. There is a decent amount going on (especially when it's summer) but if you're used to somewhere like London then it might not offer enough variance for you (I'm slightly concerned about this myself after living in London for 4 years). You'll be delighted with how much space you can rent for your money in comparison to the UK.
Feel free to get in touch when you arrive!
- Bev
#10
Every day's a school day
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Was Calgary back in Edmonton again !!
Posts: 2,667
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Hi there,
Myself and now husband lived in Edmonton for a year from 2009 and we hope to go back there once our PR goes through. I have to say we really liked living there The winter we had was very harsh and dropped to -38 at one point although since we left the winters don't seem to have been as harsh!
Myself and now husband lived in Edmonton for a year from 2009 and we hope to go back there once our PR goes through. I have to say we really liked living there The winter we had was very harsh and dropped to -38 at one point although since we left the winters don't seem to have been as harsh!
#11
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Hi Beccy, good luck with your move. We work in Edmonton, and though there are negatives to the place, it has given us so many opportunities and we have made friends with some terrific Canadians. We found the majority of Canadians friendly and welcoming. WEM is well overrated - just a huge shopping mall, so we tend not to go there too often, but you should be good working there, it has everything you need.
The public transport to WEM is pretty good, though the LRT does not run out there yet.
Yes the winters can be extreme, but as previously mentioned, you get used to them and just carry on as normal as possible. There are plenty of winter attractions here, including the obvious skiing.
Good luck with the move over and i hope it all works out well for.
Cooperwoman.
The public transport to WEM is pretty good, though the LRT does not run out there yet.
Yes the winters can be extreme, but as previously mentioned, you get used to them and just carry on as normal as possible. There are plenty of winter attractions here, including the obvious skiing.
Good luck with the move over and i hope it all works out well for.
Cooperwoman.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: St Albert, Alberta
Posts: 193
Re: Moving to Edmonton VERY SOON!
Hey Beccy,
Congrats on the job! Sounds like a lot of fun.
Check out the facebook page/group British Expats in Edmonton.
We're in St Albert, just outside of Edmonton.
Anything you need-just ask.
Nikki
Congrats on the job! Sounds like a lot of fun.
Check out the facebook page/group British Expats in Edmonton.
We're in St Albert, just outside of Edmonton.
Anything you need-just ask.
Nikki