Hi, we've been in Canada for almost 12 years now and love it here. We live in the Fraser Valley area of lower mainland BC but we're considering a move to Alberta, somewhere around the Calgary area.
Wondering if anyone else has made this move?

Being nosey, if you love it there, why do you want to move to Calgary?

The cost of living has skyrocketed since we moved here. We are looking at selling up and becoming mortgage free (or close to).

I haven't made that move myself but I know it is a popular move and I have had friends who have done it, particularly those who have a harder time in BC's insane housing market. Calgary doesn't have a greenbelt/ALR so house prices are a lot more affordable. The downtown is nice too, like Stephen Avenue which is pedestrianized, something Vancouver has still failed to do for it's shopping streets. The LRT transit system is also well received too.

Downside is the political scene - right now the UCP have a terrible reputation and Covid is running rampant while they make cuts to public services as conservatives love to do. Also like using the federal government as a scapegoat for all their problems similar to the way the UK did (or does) with the EU. Then again Chilliwack is pretty conservative so might not be too much of a shift there. Big change will also not being so near the coast and the colder climate in winter.

Hopefully someone will be along with some first hand experience!

I moved once from BC to Edmonton, so not Calgary but same province, winters are colder, but tend to be more sunny, so if your one who doesn't like the grey winters of coastal BC that alone might make such a move worthwhile, if your selling in BC and can buy outright in Alberta with no mortgage, seems to be a good increase in quality of life not having high monthly housing costs in the form of a mortgage or rent.

Probably more pros than cons about moving to Alberta, although really depends on you, some people can live there and tolerate the more conservative governments historically, and some people cannot, but if politics doesn't bother you, and the colder temps and more snow doesn't bother you, I would say its an improvment over Chilliwack, but then I hate Chilliwack so pretty much anywhere is an improvement for me over Chilliwack.

Cost of living has gone mad here too. I suppose you may have equity. I personally can't wait to move to a different Province.

A friend of my wife's just told her yesterday they are moving from here to Edmonton, they had the choice between an old basic townhouse for $700k here or a newer full detached house for the same price there. Continues to be a big draw.

Definitely more affordable housing. Lived there for 15yrs and 700k would get you a very nice house in the Calgary area. The winters are cold, but the chinooks can make things a little more bearable.

Seems like a sensible move to me. BC for it's modest merits is far too overpriced compared to Alberta. I can understand the LM for those who absolutely must be within a drive to the ocean, but otherwise why put up with the housing prices and grey weather. Plus, if you live in Alberta, BC becomes a nice place to visit, whereas it's not exactly the same, vice-versa.