Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Canada
Reload this Page >

Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Old Feb 13th 2005, 10:35 am
  #1  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
George-Ang's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Doncaster
Posts: 195
George-Ang has a brilliant futureGeorge-Ang has a brilliant futureGeorge-Ang has a brilliant futureGeorge-Ang has a brilliant futureGeorge-Ang has a brilliant futureGeorge-Ang has a brilliant futureGeorge-Ang has a brilliant future
Default Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Those that have read some of my posts will know that me and Family are hopefully off to Canada. Me as a Trucker, we are torn between Saskatoon and Winnipeg, i have exhuasted all the threads by searching this Forum for info on both, is there anyone out there who has been to? worked in? or lived in BOTH areas that can offer any pro's and con's, we love the look of both locations, BUT we cannot decide which one we shall choose. Absolutely any input could sway us. We know that properties are near enough on parr in Value, and the climate is similar, WHAT are we missing that could sway us from one to the other??.
Thanx
George.
George-Ang is offline  
Old Feb 13th 2005, 1:56 pm
  #2  
Glaswegian
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

I'm not a trucker and this is purely a personal opinion, but I wouldn't go anywhere near either
 
Old Feb 13th 2005, 3:02 pm
  #3  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,015
Purley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

As I have said before, if you can get a job that you enjoy, then you will probably like it anywhere. Lake Winnipeg has some really gorgeous beaches. I like Saskatoon. The university has some old buildings that are really attractive. They both have a river which makes from some pretty walks. They both have problems between the police and the natives.

Of course, Winnipeg is much bigger than Saskatoon. There is a lot to be said for living in a small city. If you have friends living on the other side of the city it will only take you 20 minutes to go visit them. If you are talking western Canada, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton - it could take you hours to drive from one side to the other.

One thing I do miss, living in Regina is diversity of restaurants. Regina, and probably Saskatoon, are not very cosmopolitan with respect to restaurants. Saskatoon may very well be better in that regard than Regina.

But I would still rate a good job and friends much higher on my scale than different restaurants.

Like I said, if you have a job to go to, hopefully you will buy a house, get to know the people you work with and your neighbours and they will be friendly and you will enjoy it wherever you are.

If you don't - truckers are needed everywhere and you can always move.

Last edited by Purley; Feb 13th 2005 at 3:05 pm.
Purley is offline  
Old Feb 13th 2005, 3:23 pm
  #4  
Glaswegian
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Originally Posted by lizwil98
Calgary - it could take you hours to drive from one side to the other.
Not true ... I live in the deep SW of Calgary (it was the edge of the city when we moved here) ... my new job is in the NE near the airport ... taking Deerfoot Trail, it's around 25 minutes from door to door.

My old job was in the downtown core, most days it took 30 minutes door to door.

I had a client in Edmonton that was out near Sherwood Park ... driving back to my hotel on Calgary Trail along the Whitemud took about 20 minutes tops during rush hour.

Don't assume big Canadian cities are like big UK cities ... stay out of Calgary's downtown core and it doesn't take long to get anywhere.
 
Old Feb 13th 2005, 3:34 pm
  #5  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
willmore's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Victoria, BC Canada
Posts: 61,698
willmore has disabled reputation
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Originally Posted by George-Ang
Those that have read some of my posts will know that me and Family are hopefully off to Canada. Me as a Trucker, we are torn between Saskatoon and Winnipeg, i have exhuasted all the threads by searching this Forum for info on both, is there anyone out there who has been to? worked in? or lived in BOTH areas that can offer any pro's and con's, we love the look of both locations, BUT we cannot decide which one we shall choose. Absolutely any input could sway us. We know that properties are near enough on parr in Value, and the climate is similar, WHAT are we missing that could sway us from one to the other??.
Thanx
George.

Winnipeg has some of the most beautiful lakes/rivers in Canada. It is also close to the border of Ontario, which also has beautiful lakes and rivers, espsecially Lake of the Woods....where I spent a number of years as a kid.

If that doesn't sway you....how about being able to go to Churchill, Manitoba to watch the polar bears each year as they venture into the town looking for food......
willmore is offline  
Old Feb 13th 2005, 3:50 pm
  #6  
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,715
hot wasabi peas is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Originally Posted by George-Ang
Those that have read some of my posts will know that me and Family are hopefully off to Canada. Me as a Trucker, we are torn between Saskatoon and Winnipeg, i have exhuasted all the threads by searching this Forum for info on both, is there anyone out there who has been to? worked in? or lived in BOTH areas that can offer any pro's and con's, we love the look of both locations, BUT we cannot decide which one we shall choose. Absolutely any input could sway us. We know that properties are near enough on parr in Value, and the climate is similar, WHAT are we missing that could sway us from one to the other??.
Thanx
George.
I've been to both places twice. My memories are that Saskatoon is pretty friendly and hokey in a very nice sort of way that is quite appealing to me. Though it's the big city in the area, there is still a small town feel about the place (well at least when I was there - 15 years ago). Winnipeg, it's bigger, more of a city (with the pluses and minuses of that). I remember a lot of funny people there -- well you have to have a sense of humour living in a province where your provincial bird is a mosquito and there is a large art, music, film scene as well.

Not sure if that helps.
hot wasabi peas is offline  
Old Feb 13th 2005, 6:44 pm
  #7  
Forum Regular
 
dawnwynne's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 214
dawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant future
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Originally Posted by George-Ang
Those that have read some of my posts will know that me and Family are hopefully off to Canada. Me as a Trucker, we are torn between Saskatoon and Winnipeg, i have exhuasted all the threads by searching this Forum for info on both, is there anyone out there who has been to? worked in? or lived in BOTH areas that can offer any pro's and con's, we love the look of both locations, BUT we cannot decide which one we shall choose. Absolutely any input could sway us. We know that properties are near enough on parr in Value, and the climate is similar, WHAT are we missing that could sway us from one to the other??.
Thanx
George.
George,
I'm sorry the only comment I have about Winnipeg is that is known as one of the windiest cities in the west. Other than that, I have not been there so can not give a valid opinion about the people etc.

However I was born just south of Saskatoon and can tell you a bit about it. Saskatchewan as a whole is, compared to other provinces, one of the poorest. This is not necessarily a bad thing but I think you should be aware of it. I have not lived in Saskatchewan for a number of years simply because provincial taxes were always steep in that province, hence why it is so poorly. You could do a search on google for provincial taxes on both Saskatchewan and Manitoba to ensure that they are comparable. This applies not simply with sales tax, but also income tax.

Vehicle insurance in Saskatchewan is provincial only. Therefore you pay what you are told and can not shop around for better rates.

Oh something that might be a major issue for some is that...the legal age for drinking is 19 not 18 like other western provinces.

But a BIG bonus to Saskatchewan...it is I believe, the only province in the country that it is mandatory 3 weeks holiday!!

Saskatoon does have nice rolling hills around it...so it is not in the depths of the prairies. The people of Saskatchewan in general are very friendly and it definetly has a small town feel with all the big city benefits.

Probably not much help...but that's my 2 cents worth

Last edited by dawnwynne; Feb 13th 2005 at 6:47 pm.
dawnwynne is offline  
Old Feb 13th 2005, 10:34 pm
  #8  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,015
Purley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond reputePurley has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

You are correct in that we do have to buy government insurance on our cars, but from what I understand from a show I saw on TV - its way, way lower than other places. It depends on the car you drive. I have heard horrendous stories from people in Ontario and down east about car insurance that costs thousands and thousands. Especially for newcomers - I don't know anything about that but I do know some people who emigrated last year and they pay exactly the same for car insurance as a person who has lived here for 40 years - it depends on the make and year of the vehicle.

The story about it taking ages to cross Calgary was not from experence. A friend of mine was staying with her son and had to go to the Purolator office - one was in the SW and one in the NE and she told me it took - I thought - 2 hours to get there. Maybe she was talking about the time it took to load the kids in the car etc. etc. added to the journey. I don't know.

Last edited by Purley; Feb 13th 2005 at 10:36 pm.
Purley is offline  
Old Feb 14th 2005, 12:04 am
  #9  
Glaswegian
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Originally Posted by lizwil98
The story about it taking ages to cross Calgary was not from experence. A friend of mine was staying with her son and had to go to the Purolator office - one was in the SW and one in the NE and she told me it took - I thought - 2 hours to get there. Maybe she was talking about the time it took to load the kids in the car etc. etc. added to the journey. I don't know.
Depends what route she took.

Door to door, I can be in Red Deer in 2 hours or Edmonton in 4 hours
 
Old Feb 14th 2005, 12:18 am
  #10  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Grand Forks
Posts: 32
thomas elliott is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Hi. I live in Grand Forks in British Columbia. You know they are looking for British truckers here? Anyway, Winnipeg or Saskatoon. Canadians return to these two cities call the Winterpeg and Saskatabush. Winnipeg is more cosmopolitan but in a very relative sense. Saskatoon is closer to the west coast, also closer to Edmonton and Calgary. Between these cities, I don't think it matters. You do know that there is snow on the ground seven months of the year. Why would you want to leave civilization for the wild west? Anyway, good luck. It's good to have you Brits in Canada. But hey, it's going to be different for you. But just depends what you like.


Originally Posted by George-Ang
Those that have read some of my posts will know that me and Family are hopefully off to Canada. Me as a Trucker, we are torn between Saskatoon and Winnipeg, i have exhuasted all the threads by searching this Forum for info on both, is there anyone out there who has been to? worked in? or lived in BOTH areas that can offer any pro's and con's, we love the look of both locations, BUT we cannot decide which one we shall choose. Absolutely any input could sway us. We know that properties are near enough on parr in Value, and the climate is similar, WHAT are we missing that could sway us from one to the other??.
Thanx
George.
thomas elliott is offline  
Old Feb 14th 2005, 2:01 pm
  #11  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 409
AnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really niceAnyaT is just really nice
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Originally Posted by dawnwynne
However I was born just south of Saskatoon and can tell you a bit about it. Saskatchewan as a whole is, compared to other provinces, one of the poorest. This is not necessarily a bad thing but I think you should be aware of it. I have not lived in Saskatchewan for a number of years simply because provincial taxes were always steep in that province, hence why it is so poorly. You could do a search on google for provincial taxes on both Saskatchewan and Manitoba to ensure that they are comparable. This applies not simply with sales tax, but also income tax.
Sask. has actually just become the third "have" province, so it is doing pretty well economically. It is true the provincnial taxes are higher, especially compared to neighbouring Alberta which has none (!), but Sask. is the most socialist province in that it has a lot of goverment-funded programs and social safety nets.

Originally Posted by dawnwynne
Vehicle insurance in Saskatchewan is provincial only. Therefore you pay what you are told and can not shop around for better rates.
Sask. probably has the best car insurance in the country. Insurance rates have been skyrocketing for the past couple years and the insurance companies have basically formed a cartel in that no one will give you better rates. They have instituted all sorts of "reasons" for why your insurance should go up, but the real reason is they are losing a lot of money since the stock markets have taken a turn for the worse and see gouging their customers as the best way to make up the shortfall. So having government controls on insurance rates is a much preferable option.

I've never been to either Winnipeg or Saskatoon, however Winnipeg is known for having floods, hoardes of mosquitos, and harsh winters.
AnyaT is offline  
Old Feb 14th 2005, 2:12 pm
  #12  
Glaswegian
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Originally Posted by AnyaT
Insurance rates have been skyrocketing for the past couple years.
Not mine ... it's been going down steadilly since I got here
 
Old Feb 14th 2005, 4:24 pm
  #13  
Happy in Canada.
 
Grah's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Winnipeg, manitoba
Posts: 1,440
Grah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond reputeGrah has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Hi George-Ang,

Well I live in Winnipeg and have done for 7 years. Have a few friends that have been or are Truckers.

Question is how long do you want to be away on the road? 1 week, 2 weeks
1 overnight or none?

Do you haul hazardous? Semis? Logs? Livestock.... Well you know the trade and I don't so first identify more specfic what trucker you want to be.

Saw a program on a Bison ( company name) husband and wife team. Both truckers who have a home in Winnipeg but spend 3-4 weeks going from Winnipeg to the east then taking a loads across to BC then back to Winnipeg.
Taking turns driving, sleeping, she does the paperwork he does the loading etc, she said her living room window is the windshield and the CB, pitstops are where she stops to talk to all her friends and keeps in touch.

So your whole lifestyle is what you need to think about.

As for difference between the two well depends on what you are all looking for.

What are your non-work activities?
What does your family like to do? or Want to try?

If you can list these then I'll try and answer if you can do it here in Winnipeg. If you like you can PM or in a board. just quote this if you do I'll find your reply easy.

Talk to you later and hope I can be of some help.


PS Manitoba has one insurance company Manitoba Public Insurance.
http://www.mpi.mb.ca/english/english.html

And its the Car that is insuranced not the driver. ie My wife has her name on the insurance, anyone else drives the car. If they have an accident they claim on her insurance. Just had my second fender bender with a snow bank $2300 dollars, MPI charged me nothing but the government slapped a $400 dollar surcharge on my license???? I think they are in cahoots myself.
Grah is offline  
Old Feb 14th 2005, 4:55 pm
  #14  
Forum Regular
 
dawnwynne's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 214
dawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant futuredawnwynne has a brilliant future
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Originally Posted by AnyaT
Sask. has actually just become the third "have" province, so it is doing pretty well economically. It is true the provincnial taxes are higher, especially compared to neighbouring Alberta which has none (!), but Sask. is the most socialist province in that it has a lot of goverment-funded programs and social safety nets.



Sask. probably has the best car insurance in the country. Insurance rates have been skyrocketing for the past couple years and the insurance companies have basically formed a cartel in that no one will give you better rates. They have instituted all sorts of "reasons" for why your insurance should go up, but the real reason is they are losing a lot of money since the stock markets have taken a turn for the worse and see gouging their customers as the best way to make up the shortfall. So having government controls on insurance rates is a much preferable option.

I've never been to either Winnipeg or Saskatoon, however Winnipeg is known for having floods, hoardes of mosquitos, and harsh winters.
Anya...I am so pleased to hear that Saskatchewan is doing so much better economically...it's about time!! Love that province.
dawnwynne is offline  
Old Feb 25th 2005, 4:19 am
  #15  
BE Enthusiast
 
crazydaisy's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: UK-Switz-US-Canada-Ireland
Posts: 625
crazydaisy has a brilliant futurecrazydaisy has a brilliant futurecrazydaisy has a brilliant futurecrazydaisy has a brilliant futurecrazydaisy has a brilliant futurecrazydaisy has a brilliant future
Default Re: Saskatoon or Winnipeg

Never been to Saskatoon but I can say that Winnipeg also has some great University buildings (Shall we Dance was filmed in one of the buildings with Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere!). It is a pretty small city - if you fly in by plane you will see nothing but farms and prairie land, oh and lakes of course. I was really glad to get back to Winnipeg after spending the weekend in Toronto as it is much smaller and more contained. (Just my own opinion - not meaning to put down any Toronto residents out there!). Mosquitoes can be bothersome but this idea that all the floods, mosquitoes and bad weather come here and nowhere else is just crazy. Newfoundland is having really nasty weather this year and the diseased mosquitoes carrying West Nile orginally came from the East and are travelling slowly West - seeing as we're mid Canada we're certainly not the first to suffer from the blighters (and don't worry, West Nile is extremely rare and only dangerous to those with low immune systems). What I'm saying is that people can build up a bleak picture of Winnipeg sometimes and I personally love it here. I suppose it takes all sorts! I've lived in England, Switzerland and the U.S. and feel far more at home here than anywhere else! I suppose one big drawback is that you are nowhere near mountains and the scenery is very flat indeed. But hey, just think that the polar bears live in this Province (might take you 2 days by train to get there but still!) and you can see Beluga Whales too if you're lucky in Churhcill. Another drawback is that it is very much farming community outside the city so job prospects are few and far between outside the city. (This would be the case in both Saskatoon and Winnipeg.) However, this can be a good thing if you fancy some peace and quiet in the country. It may be a good idea to remain close to the perimeter road though as roads outside the perimeter are less likely to be snow cleared so quickly. It probably only takes 30 minutes from one side of the perimeter to the other so I wouldn't say that Winnipeg was a particularly large city. Car insurance is only a provincial insurance here too - sounds like a tough decision. Good luck!


Last edited by crazydaisy; Feb 25th 2005 at 4:23 am.
crazydaisy is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.