Prob ought to introduce myself!

I have only just found this site, but have been in Calgary with my husband and 4 children for over 2 years (moved here April 2006)

So far we are loving it, and have no intention to go back to the UK.

I don't work (youngest child is a pre-schooler and it is easier that way), Hubby has a good job in the IT industry.

Welome

Hi LotteW,

Welcome to BE from down the road in Okotoks. Would welcome an opportunity to PM or chat with your husband about his work in the IT field. I know at least two good BE folk trying to get into IT in Calgary and any top tips from someone who has made it in would be great.

Kind regards,

Eamonn

Hi and welcome to BE

Hi

I'm in Calgary too and arrived with my husband in May 08. We are enjoying the city so far - just beginning to settle down - we've both got jobs so that helps -my husband also works in the IT industry. We were staying with family for nearly 3 months and have recenlty moved to near 17th Ave SW to explore a bit more. Looking to hopefully settle properly towards the end of the year. What was your first winter like ? Was it a shock?

Pippa.

It was a little bit of a shock, but I was expecting it so it wasn't too bad. The kids charged outside to play in the snow the first day it fell, incredibly excited. They came back after half an hour saying they were cold, and refused to play out after that

We rented a house straight away (in Varsity) and had some great neighbours who took us under their wings. We have recently bought a house (well 6 months ago) in Country Hills - really miss our old neighbours though!

Hi and welcome to BE. What is Calgary like as a place to live. I am considering moving over in the new year, and need to choose between Calgary, Winnipeg or Lethbridge

Hi HoopHoop, (Trying to figure what that name might be based on but it's not coming to us yet!)

Just to welcome YOU to BE...here you are welcoming others and you're a newbie yourself.

As for your question re Calgary, have a look at our blog if you like (you'll see a link to it in the signature line below). We've been here 11 months now and we're enjoying it very much. It'll give you some sense of life in Calgary, surrounding areas and the Rockies.

We've only been to Lethbridge once, for a day. It seemed a decent enough place - certainly everything you need for day to day living. There are other BE folk who live there (and in Winnipeg - never been there) who will hopefully see your post and respond with more meaningful views than we are able to give based on such limited experience.

Is it a potential employer or employers that is presenting this choice for you?

Kind regards,

Eamonn & Janet.

Thanks E & J for the little bit of an introduction.

I am one of the Lethbridge Ladies - a lovely group of off our head British Expats living amongst around 84,000 other peeps here in town.

Just ask away with any questions and will help with anything you want to know

Gaynor
x

HI,

We are just starting the ball rolling, sounds like you are happy! Any advise?

Nikki

Hi Getting There, and Burton Bunch, Thanks for the info
All very interesting, also viewed your blog, great photos.
Well I'm a truck driver, so the Company have bases in all 3 places.
They said Winnipeg could be quicker for getting residency although
a good bit colder I believe. Anyway I dont have to make any quick decisions
and am a single guy so I can suit myself really just cant decide now between
Lethbridge and Winnipeg, as would prefer to live outside a big city and think
Calgary may be a bit big

Hi HoopHoop,

Best wishes with whicever one you decide to go for and good to know you have an excellent contact in Burton Bunch who can fill you in on the ins and outs of Lethbridge.

Kind regards,

Eamonn & Janet.

hello all!
i have recently been accepted for the Calgary Police Service and will be moving over around June 09.
my other half is very concerned about moving over, leaving her friends and family behind, and initially having no job to make friends. i was wondering if anyone here has been in the same boat and how you found it?!

Well we moved 2 1/2 years ago to Calgary, and tbh I haven't found it too bad. We had no friends or family here before we came either. We were lucky enough to have wonderful neighbours who we became good friends with, but also I got a part time job in The Bay for a couple of hours a week, I did hope that that might make some friends, and it did one, but most of the people working there were students or young girls who I had nothing in common with. I also joined a couple of clubs (I am a knitter, so I went to some of the knitting meetups that take place around the city), and then there are the mums that you meet at the school gate who are also collecting children.

You have to put yourself out there and be freindly. And not expect to have a huge bunch of friends right away. Like moving to any new area, it does take time to build up a group of friends, but now I have a small group of very good friends that I can call on in an emergency or go on a night out with.

My take on this is that no one knows you here so you have a whole opportunity to create whoever you want to be. No one knows if you were shy or loud you be exactly who you want to be.

If people don't like you then they are not worth having.

Gaynor