History? Ok, it may not be all Tudors and Stuarts, and the other malarky we learned about in the UK, but there is history, alright! The Native peoples, the early settlers (the ones that came for keeps, whether they liked it or not -- no 2-year IEC for them), Canada's part in the history of the 20th Century. And as for the "Irish" pubs: isn't that akin to the Englishman in Spain for looking for Courage Bitter, full-English and tea like mother makes?

not much construction work in london mate

Hey salmonfella,

Calgary born & bred here, just wanted to say average lows in April are still below zero, with highs in the low tens on average. The story that doesn't tell, is that there's bound to be one giant snow-fall and some cold weather, and then some gorgeous clear sunny hot days as a Chinook runs through.

I'd bring your thermals (long johns) if you're planning on working outside, and yeah mitts/gloves & sunglasses, but all of that stuff is easy to find. Not to plug, but I'd recommend MEC, a Canadian outdoor equipment co-op for outdoor gear, as being pretty decent: http://www.mec.ca/

Army & Navy for Dickies workwear and steal-toes pretty much can't be beat.
http://www.armyandnavy.ca/
1107 33 St NE, Calgary

Locals tend to be stiff upper lip about the weather yeah? It's all jeans and regular jackets (as opposed to what, parkas I guess). Impractical shoes unless you're going to the mountains.

Things that are hard to find? My girl misses vegetable suet, finds marmite scarce, and every once and a while goes to this fairly wretched "British Shop" with locations downtown at Eau Claire and out at Market Mall for strange alien provender that they have to tape French ingredient labels on.

Cheers

Why are all the plumbers and electricians booked up for 9 months in advance then? Can't find one for love nor money at the mo.

Cant answer that one mate i applied for a few jobs in London not much feedback for electrician applied for some in Calgary loads of feedback was at a jobs expo in Dublin at the weekend and company's were offering to pay for flights etc only drawback have to sign contract and tied to that company.

Cheers mate great advice will stock up on longjons

They are all moving to Canada and Alberta
You can get everything you need over here. Look for a good sale on winter clothing when you arrive. If you want to pay shed loads of money then buy a goose filled down parka something like this brand
http://www.canada-goose.com/men/ or companies like North Face.
If you are budget minded and not fashionable then WalMart and a host of others sell lesser brands and are much cheaper.

Wallmart it is so for work clothes guys any of ye with fido or mobilecity? which of the 2 seem to have the better reception?

You could always pop across the border to Montana and take advantage of the no sales tax ' clothing and the like is very expensive in Canada the states has a much better selection and way cheaper especially for winter wear. I'm not sure if there is a cabelas in Alberta many stores in north west USA

Cabelas in Edmonton (more expensive than the states), Bass pro in Calgary. Theres no need to go to these stores for the basics until you know what you really need.

Go to the Chinook Mall or even the outlet mall (can't remember its name) but everything there is cheaper than the others as they are last seasons stuff.

Seriously for work gear you don't need anything too fancy for the short term.

If I need shitty clothes for around the yard and doing some of the house renos, then i'll go to the goodwill store and buy a couple pairs of jean that i don't mind destroying!

I got here from Scotland on the 1st, gave myself the weekend to get over jet lag then started job hunting on monday. (warehouse and labouring initially) I've had 2 invites for interview, both today actually, and everyone I've met has assured me if I want to work, I won't have trouble finding a job.

The weather, well its much like Scotland, Ireland too I would imagine. It dumped about ten inches of snow on sunday/monday, and is fairly chilly atm, but nothing terrible. Clothes and supplies, just pack as if you were moving to england. The city is massive, and will have everything else you could want for I'd imagine.

Thanks mate so picking up a labourer job would be handy enough? whats the hourly rate going? thanks for the advice i will pack as if i am going to england

Yeah, I've seen labouring jobs being advertised from $12-$24.. And coming from britain, that is a decent wage.. Just a bit low when you think of rent etc.

yea i suppose you would want to be earning 20-25 at least to have a good time and probably work 50 hours a week but that's still good money when you are only supporting yourself

yeh, I'm just looking for anything atm until I get on my feet - have a flight booked home on the 17th April if this doesn't work out and I DONT want to be on it lol.

If people working in stores can scrape a living on near min wage, I'm sure if I'm careful things will be alright. hopefully