Hi All,

My husband and I are originally from the Midlands. We have lived in a suburb of Toronto for a couple of years and are considering relocating to Calgary.

Has anyone else relocated from Ontario to Alberta? If so, how would you compare it? Is it a good move? The cost of living is getting pretty high in the GTA and we'd like to move to somewhere a little quieter. We'd also need to be near a cricket club and British pubs for hubby!

All info greatly appreciated.
Thank You.

I moved from Ontario to Alberta. Calgary housing is lower cost than in the GTA, but Edmonton is significantly cheaper than Calgary.

Alberta has no PST, so that can help a lot when you purchase a major item - such as a car. Gasoline prices are lower.

Weather wise, Calgary is sunnier than the GTA and gets less rain. In the winter the temperature is much more variable - both colder (down to about -35 C) and warmer (up to about +20 C). Calgary gets significant snowfall, but it seldom stays around for very long due to warm Chinook winds that occasionally come out of the southwest over the Rocky Mountains.

In the summer, warm weather is rather unreliable. Unlike southern Ontario, it seldom gets hot and humid (or muggy). Calgary's air quality is much better than southern Ontario's especially in the summer.

The thing I didn't like about Alberta's weather was not the winters, but the summers. In the winter, it is often not all that cold, and it is often sunny. In summer, I often felt like I was getting gipped. Too often it would be rather cool for summer. At least in Ontario, you knew that it would get nice and warm for several months.

The economy of Alberta is pretty good - $40 oil won't hurt the provincial treasury.

I hate Toronto, because of its air pollution and the gridlock. Calgary has some traffic problems too, but not like Toronto.

One thing that Alberta lacks is all the beautiful lakes that Ontario has - especially north of Toronto. However, Calgary has the awesome Rockies.

Calgary is a little weak on the cultural side in comparison to Toronto. Toronto makes Calgary look like an overgrown hick town.

Calgary is quieter and has a lower cost of living than Toronto and environs.

Many thanks for the information

just one thing to add! I've spent about 3 summers here now and they have been lovely, much better than the UK. generally I would say that they last longer here, are hotter, and there's more sunshine. summer is great here, this winter was quite mild too.

Hello Ally

Have you asked on the Calgary yahoo group - there is bound to be someone who has made a similar move...

Clare

Nearly forgot - here's the link http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immigrationuktocalgary/

You've been very lucky! Alberta has had very dry and warm summers over the last few years. As long as the drought lasts, the summers will likely remain warmer than normal. When you get back to normal (or above normal) amounts of rain, then you will experience much cooler summers. I've seen it snow every month in central Alberta with the exception of July. One summer, I don't believe that we even achieved a high of 80 deg. F (27 deg. C.) ! One year, it snowed in August and the farmers couldn't get all the grain harvested until it melted in January - of all months!

Southern Alberta has the world's most variable winter temperatures.

I agree, I think we have been lucky. Just to clarify that by a good summer I don't mean that everyday is scorching, but compared to the many bad summers I have spent in the UK, I would take an Albertan one anyday. apart from the mosquitoes, they are a real nuisance although not as bad as elsewhere in Canada as I've heard.

Cabo can't be bad!

To see one of Cabo's beaches, go to the new movie "Troy" - it was filmed in Cabo San Lucas. I fish the waters right off the beach in the movie!