Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

From what I'v seen this question starts some pretty heated debates but I need to decide between the 2 and so far I'm 50/50. I know its an apples vs pears kind of debate but input will still be useful.

Bear in mind this evaluation is from the perspective of a 24 Y.O singleton on the IEC.

So far the impression I got has been.

• Toronto has a better/ busier nightlife
• Its about 4-5 hours less on a flight from the UK
• More of an international community vibe for travellers
• Slightly better weather (milder winters/ warmer, longer summers)
• Close (relative) distance to Ottawa and Montreal for potential visits.
• Cost of living a little cheaper than Calg (excluding. buying a house)
• Very urban for miles round. (little chance to experience Canadian Wildlife)
• Have some family and friends near TO

• Calgary (or places close to) has a much better outdoor scene.
• Skiing, Hiking, kayaking, fishing, hockey etc (things I enjoy)
• Nightlife is reportedly not as good and more spread out than TO :thumbdown:
• Winters longer and harsher
• ....but more things to do outdoors to enjoy that winter.
• More days of sunshine than anywhere else in Canada (or so I'v heard)
• Offers new adventure as I'v already been to TO twice.
• I like Cowboy stuff lol.

Those are just things I'v either researched or remember from when I visited TO so please feel free to correct and add. I'm thinking transport, renting costs, lifestyle etc. I'm sure other people are considering similar things so it will be useful

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Toronto is closer to major US cities. You could, for example, go to NYC for the weekend.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Toronto isn't 4-5 hours less on a flight from the UK - perhaps 2 hours less.

HTH.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

I did not know this! I just judged it to be honest looking at a globe. Alberta looks almost double the distance from UK to CAN across the Atlantic, I guess my eyes were fooling me, or maybe I'm just not clued up enough on the rules of aviation. :)

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

The secret it to look at a globe, not a map (which you're doing)... but look at the shortest distance. When flying to Alberta, the flights go over the Arctic - you don't end up flying over the Atlantic at all. :) This is why it's never a good idea to "break up the flight" from the UK to western Canada by stopping in somewhere like Toronto or Montreal, as it actually adds 4-5 more hours to your flying time than had you just flown direct!

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

The cowboy stuff is only 10 days a year (fortunately) and is all fake anyway.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

We could go to Great Falls or Butte. How different could that be?

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Fair enough, they're very similar to New York City but we can also go to Detroit. You got nothing like Detroit.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Based on the lists provided it would seem Toronto is more favourable.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

That's definitely a plus.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Detroit looks quite nice from Windsor. Maybe the entire view is like those fake facades in London that block out railway/underground tracks.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

That makes sense, damn 2 dimensions!

And as far as I can tell not a lot of people are on Calgary's side! Where are the rest of the Calgarians to defend themselves haha! ;)

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

This mate :thumbsup:

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

They like it so don't feel the need to have to defend another's choice.

Each to their own and all that.

I would argue that Calgary's winter is not particularly harsh and, in the recent past, the weather has been far worse in Toronto than in Calgary, although that is very much of an anomaly.

Most people from Ontario that I have met (southern Ontario) have indicated to me that the winters are much easier to cope with in Calgary than they were back home. Having never spent a winter in any part of Ontario, I have no idea whether this is correct.

I anticipate that you will find it easier to obtain work in Calgary than in Toronto, based simply upon posts on this board.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Good work opportunities in the Ski and Snow resorts around Calgary and the opportunity to learn to Ski/Snowboard well over a 4 to 5 month stretch.

A lot of people on IEC spend their winter out west and then get over to Toronto for the summer. If you do this just make sure you get to Toronto in May as the seasonal summer jobs get filled quickly.

Not a bad strategy or way to spend your 12 months and experience different parts of Canada.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Toronto is good for shopping, you can't beat dufferin mall :rofl:

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

On IEC in Calgary, work is good all be it not offshore, summers amazing (come from west coast of Scotland) winters amazing (who cares about the cold) Banff amazing.

Can't comment on Toronto

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

This seems like a great idea! I had considered it but was a little wary of not wanting to move on if I get comfy/ make friends/ find a nice job etc.

And I would plan on going to Toronto early March so hopefully that would be early enough to beat the summer influx, then I guess I could head west around late October giving me 4 months or so to enjoy the winter season there. Although might be a little more difficult to rent a place for that short a duration.

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Yeah you may get comfy but you will also meet people following the same strategy.

Have a loose plan but keep open minded. At the end of the day you can do what you like and you never know what opportunities and adventures are going to come your way.

Toronto is still a little cold and grey in March most years. If I were you you I'd push back a month. Arrive in April and head west in November- that would give you one extra month on the pistes on the back end. Just my two cents and you may have good reasons for your dates. That is only because I wish I had done that when I spent my initial Work Holiday Visa here 10 years ago :-).

Re: Toronto vs Calgary on IEC
 

Well Said!

I shall take those points into consideration. My reason for leaving early is that I just want to get out there. I'm sort of in that "limbo" phase at the moment where I'm just waiting to go and life seems to be on hold.

And I'm really not bothered about the cold. Whilst I'm sure the recent -40 C or so would have shocked me, I'v been to Toronto in early spring time and was fine. I was thinking it's going to take me at least the first few weeks too to be looking for jobs/accommodation/ meeting people etc. so then Hopefully when the nicer weather starts kicking in I'm "set" to just enjoy it a little more.

Plus flights and hostels/hotels are a little cheaper in March