Following this thread with interest as we plan to look at both Cities on our recce.
Hadn't considered MH, having had a quick look following happy hatter's post, have to say it looks worth a visit.

Hey, hatter, we're coming back in Aug!

For work in lethbridge look at - http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/
also another good site that i was given was http://www.sajobline.com/ ..this site is for all alberta
our local paper in the area is http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/

There is also alovely rental that we stopped on, about 5mins outside of town, the lady is lovely and i did put the link in the wiki as we stuggled to find a rental house for recci, if you need info on the area just ask.....

Hope that info helps

Brilliant- thanks moondevil,

We have rented a house in SW Calgary as a base and plan to make several day trips. Give us a chance to get to grips with the geography and OH loves ' taking a drive '.
As per Wiki advice, we now both have a resume. Will keep an eye on the sites you mentioned, would be nice to have a couple of interviews secured for our trip, if not we are prepared to knock on doors / call when we arrive.

So excited...Soo long to wait...

Cheers

D.x

Deeny

What jobs are you looking for ??
i will keep an eye out for you locally, plus im sure with the expats and the mums that i know then we could give you some info..

Also i got up this morning and it was clear and real nice, now 1hr later it looks like someone has put a white blacket infront of my house, awesome

SNOWBALL fights

Thanks everybody. I think I am going to remove Red Deer from my list and add Medicine Hat. Red Deer does not sound like a place I want to live.

Somebody asked why I did not choose Calgary or Edmonton for IT jobs. The reason is that I am not a big fan of big cities. I like to live in a small city/town. At the same time, I do not want to live in a very small town where there are no IT jobs at all. I am also ready to change my profession if it is necessary.

One of the CIC forms asked what city and province I wanted to live. I put Lethbridge, Alberta. I know I can move wherever I want within Alberta once I get my PR.

moondevil, you are a star

I am looking for work with pre-school children, 5+ yrs experience and UK level 4 qualifications. Debating whether to start own Daycare or not.

OH taking early retirement from British Transport Police, he's a detective 20+ yrs. Essentially he is an Office Manager,he has management qualifications to degree level. Willing to to anything to start.

Wish I could see the snow, grey and miserable here. My kids can't wait for some proper snow. We had one day here last year- dragged Emily to school on a sledge, was melting by the time I walked back with it, couldn't even pull it along!

My mum lives in Devon, they never get snow where she is, she wants to come and visit in the winter to experience snow for the 1st time in 25 yrs.

Thanks again

D.x

You really need to come to Alberta and take a look around before you make a decision.

I am not trying to sell you on any one city but numerous people have stated in the past that Canadian cities are not like UK big cities they have a much smaller feel to them.

This has specifically said about Calgary, so if you have the time and the means get yourself over here and have a look at all three cities and perhaps you could add Edmonton and Medicine Hat too.

The Hat, Red Deer and Lethbridge definately have that small town feel. They are essentially towns in the traditional sense.

The Hat is more of a mid-west prairie town (and near to Suffield where the biritsh tanks practice, so myou'll meet lots of British lads in the bars!!!)

Lethbridge (LA) feels like it has more of an agricultural background, but being a university town it has a more avant garde arts scene.

Red Deer is more oil focussed, though still caters to the agric-com.

LA and RD are nearer the ski hills.

All feel open and un-crowded.

RD is between two major cities.

the suburbs of each will be pretty much the same as the suburbs of Edmonton and Calgary.

FWIW my two cents are :


Been to Red Deer (but not lived there ) I find that it has a higher cost of living which I would assume is due to it' closeness to the oil fields and the like. Felt that it lacked a soul too - but there again have only been for a couple of soccer tournaments.

Medicine Hat - have been here loads and it was on my short list as hubby was offered a job there as well as the one is he is doing now.

Having been coming to Lethbridge for a number of years (think we are up to 19 now) I didnt get the warm community feel that I got in the Bridge. I was also put off the Hat by a few people saying that it was like a UK town when the squaddies get let out for the beer - but having said that we do get a lot of squadies come into the BRidge to drink at the weekend too.

I chose Lethrbidge mainly because :

the options for higher education for my kids - both the college and uni have great reputations.
closeness and distance from Calgary - far enough away but near enough if you have to go.
Closeness to Waterton Park - much more unspoilt than Banff and I prefer it.
Closeness to the US border for any flag poling or trips into the states.
Good schools, amentities for families, 90% nice areas I would say on the whole for town - obviously with anywhere there are a few areas which are a no go in respect of the residents.


I also love the fact that within a few hours I can be in another country or province having an adventure.

Ok with a smaller town like the Hat, Bridge or Red Deer I think that you do lose the choice with some of the stuff you buy in the shops and we definitely dont have the choice of shops down here - but we make a day of it and go to Calgary and moochy around some of their malls.

All in all I would tell anyone to choose a smaller sized town than a big metropolis.

Good Luck with your research into the area.

Gaynor
x

Not a problem, but don't tell everyone about our little area, i seem to be seeing more english around in the last few days, one of my friends have just introduced me to an expat family as they have just arrived...ahhhhh
The childcare side you will have to sort out as you cant do that on an open work permit, i too have 6yrs with children,elderly and diabled, but as i am on open permit they would have to apply for police records, medicals etc etc and then there is the $450 to transfer your qualifications and challenge the exam, alot to go through before you are PR, but after PR yep you can just do it or get the licence.
As for hubby he needs to aiming for what will bring him in on LMO
I am sure if you want to meet up with any of us here in the bridge when you are here there is not a problem, just email us and im sure we can help in some way.

good luck and dont worry the snow is going now....boohoo
snowman is melting quick :curse:

Hiya

I know that some of our day care people in this country are extremely well qualified but also on the other hand they are paid quite bad - have heard this comment from a few different people.

I do know that as a city Lethbridge is crying out for child care places - there s a waiting list for places. I think if you went into busines yourself you could expect for 1 month mon to fri 8.30 to 4.30 $550 per child.

Just thought that you might need this information.

Gaynor

Once again, thank you moondevil.

I will do some more research.
Have applied for PR as Early Childhood Educator is on current NOC list. Along with everyone else we are holding our breath to wait and see what is on THE LIST.

Burton bunch- thanks to you too. Again I will have to do some more research, but that is good to know.
Pay is pretty pants here too but I enjoy the job and it allows me to work around school hours, I also get the school hols off. Can't have it all.


I'm sure there's room for one more Brit lot, you can squeeze us in somewhere!

Cheers

Another place particularly in Lethbridge where you could enquire about Day Care and the job available would be a place called "Hemel House" - they hold alot of information about day care in town and quite possibly the need for staff.

Who knows you could end up with someone offering you a job here

Good Luck - anything else dont be shy please ask.

gaynor

Gaynor

Have you noticed with the one that our little one goes to and raineys goto that they are totally different to the uk
That there is no pressure on the children to grow up, they are more relaxed, they go out more, i know that my little one has had some time to adjust and finds it way different to the uk system, maybe worth talking to some or you could nip in with me when i take my little one in

the pay is $10hr and the girls told me they are fully qualified, but like my other thread i couldnt do it, but if you own your own house you can convert your own basement as a daycare for kids, some have in town and one of the groups we know is real cool, wow id love there basement, not sure my kids would though