AllyS

Hi Lychee,

I love the West coast and the Pacific NW as a whole. Have always been fascinated by the way of life of the coastal First Nations people there too - the Haida etc., Am keen to explore the Queen Charlotte Islands and up the coast to Alaska.

Were we to live in Vancouver, we would struggle just as much I think - have heard so many stories about immigrants unable to get a job, and owning a home is out of the question as they cost way too much. If work is so difficult to come by, why even consider buying a home?

I think it would be an out of the frying pan, into the fire situation.

The same goes for Ontario - heard bad stuff about trying to find work there.

Its a tough one.

Having read loads of posts on this forum, so many immigrants have lived in several locations across Canada - good for them! Shows a willingness to try different locations and see for yourself what else is out there.

I am however, worried about the cost, and repeatedly trying to re-establish ourselves over and over again.

What you say about Calgary being the #1 Career city and I keep reading that it is also the economic power house of Canada rings true - Why? black gold of course.

One of my co-workers said to me yesterday that he worked 11 days straight because there is nothing else to do here but work. Other people (Canadians) chipped in and agreed that Calgary has nothing exciting going on other than the ability to earn good money compared with the rest of Canada.

My hubby and I are struggling with people's values here. And whilst contracting at a couple of the oil companies here, I've read about senior people being walked out the door that same day, and ex-colleagues - well, you know - so and so is no longer working at XYZ, no epitaph for them, just they're no longer working here anymore. One minute they're there, the next they're history. BRUTAL.

Anyway, got to get back to work - have studying to do - of course!!

JonboyE

When I worked in the UK overtime was a fact of life. Employees wanted as much paid overtime as they could get and management were expected to work unpaid.

In Vancouver it was quite the opposite. I couldn't beg or bribe people to work overtime. The attitude was life is only once, there is so much to do, why should I waste my life working any more hours than I absolutely have to?

I hate to see people post things like "we would struggle just as much I think - have heard so many stories about immigrants unable to get a job" Heard from who? Lots of people have very definite opinions about stuff they know nothing about. There are jobs available. People afford to live. Your wage to house purchasing power ratio will likely be lower than in Calgary. However, as you have found out, there is a hell of a lot more to life than a McMansion.

This may not be the place for you but you should find out for yourself rather than relying on other people's opinions.

headingwest

Nothing to do in Calgary???

Born without legs?

Those big things in the distance when you look west, yes they are called mountains. Get your shoes on and go explore. Have a look at some of the pics that have been posted on this site, staggering scenery and endless outdoor activities.

Join a club, find a hobby, meet new friends.

It's your life, only you can change it

AllyS

Thanks for the suggestion Heading West, we actually spent the summer hiking in the Rockies and met lots of people. We also tried snow shoeing last winter and enjoyed it and will likely get into Nordic skiing this winter as it is a cheaper option and a great way to keep fit. I am into horse riding, but this is difficult to do during the winter months......

The above we like doing, but we enjoy other activites too which are hard to find here.

Now that we're over here we realize more the sort of things we like doing and we're not finding here.

And the number of hours we spend at work has gone up.

Almost Canadian

I don't recognize this at all.

I am self employed now but was not for the first 3 1/2 years that I was here. During that time I worked one weekend and rarely worked more than a 10 hour regular day.

We spent most weekends in the mountains (winter, summer, spring or autumn). I was an outdoor enthusiast in the UK (rock climbing, hiking, kayaking etc. and there is ample to keep me interested in and around Calgary.

My daughters both have horses and they are able to ride them year round. In a barn during the winter (I can't imagine snow not being an issue all over Canada with the exception of the interior of BC) and they attend shows, trail ride and ride in the barn throughout the rest of the year. We haven't really looked into trail riding in and around the Rockies in winter but wouldn't be surprised if it is possible.

If you don't like the hours you are working, stop doing them but, as I am sure you are aware, you will have to take the inevitable pay cut on the chin. I know lots in my profession that earn lots more than I do, but work much longer hours than I do. I simply do not accept that anyone in any trade/profession is forced to work the hours you and your OH are. People do work them, but in my experience, they do so out of choice.

gryphea

Agree with Alomost Canadian

You have a choice. Exercise it.

There are loads of other things to do in Calgary apart from the rockies (although they are a huge part for us).

My friend also rides year round.

Geordie Lass

Only just read this thread. I agree with a lot of the posters in that you have to stop working so many hours to make a difference to your life.

You say you haven't made a circle of friends... use here as a starting point. I did and I am not even in Canada yet (am awaiting an LMO approval for husband).

While we were over on a recce we met up with 2 lovely families from here and since then have made 3 more friends on here that I intend to meet up with when I get there.

Put a post out to meet up with people in the Calgary area - there are loads of friendly folks about! When I get over there I will be more than happy to meet up with you!

Hope this helps - chin up!

AllyS

Thanks GeordieLass - I think we're suffering from a case of New Immigrant fever.

The novelty of living here and excitement has worn off and its back to the grind of every day life. At least in our case the grind has been more apparent.

I agree that the answer would be to reduce the number of hours we work, but we are actually obliged to work the hours specified by the company. My husband and I are now working for the same company and doing 9hr days.

The last contract I worked on where I told them (very politely) that I wasn't prepared to give up my personal life i.e work 12 hr days, 7 days a week. The outcome? I got fired.

However......we are financially more secure now and plan to visit more of Canada, particularly the East and I am going to investigate the horse riding options available which I know are plentiful here.

We went to the UK over Christmas and had a great time. It rained most of the time, but as we did a sort of a roadtrip visiting friends and family in the South and the North; we were able to get a better idea of distances, traffic etc., parts of the country we love and could see ourselves living.......

Its a difficult one, yes we need to join more clubs and get more involved, but its the fact that Calgary feels cut off from everything that is a stumbling block for us. Also, we are both outgoing people, interested in other people and socialising, but we have found that work colleagues tended to not socialise outside of work and then we have been too tired and stressed out to put our energies into meeting up with people through clubs etc.

Hope this makes sense.

Almost Canadian

Until recently we boarded our horses between Calgary and Strathmore but, last weekend, we moved one to an "English" stable in Priddis and the other to a "Western" barn quite close to Spruce Meadows. One daughter prefers jumping, the other prefers barrels etc.

Feel free to PM me if you need any pointers as to how it all works over here. There is a huge assortment of options for riding in and around Calgary and I would be amazed if you cannot find something to suit you very close to where you live (where ever that is).

AllyS

Almost Canadian - we are in Killarney, off 17th Ave.

Years ago on a family holiday to Canada, we did some trail riding on a dude ranch in Priddis - does 'Homeplace Ranch' ring any bells?

Almost Canadian

Not with me, but I am just a taxi service. It likely would with those that ride

There are a fair few barns in the NW. Do you intend riding English or Western?

Are you looking to board or simply to ride?

AllyS

At this stage, I am just looking to ride. I would take lessons in English and do trail riding Western.

We still don't know where we are going to be (Canada or UK) at the end of the year.

Made me laugh what you said about being the taxi service - my mother used to be the taxi service when I rode as a youngster. How lucky I was.

Almost Canadian

OK, without your own horse you should be able to source riding lessons for around $40 for an hour. Let me know if you would like pointers as to barns.

AllyS

Thank you Almost Canadian, appreciate that. Will likely be Spring time when I start looking.......