Hi all. So IA have come to realize that the probability of me being moved to Fort McMurray is pretty high. I dont know for sure but within the next few months I will know.

I want to know if Fort McMurray is really as bad as they say it is. I have been there before working for an O&G company, and was based in a camp.

It was a bit boring and isolated,the OH was in England whilst I was working there.

Now the situation is a bit different, I will be reloacted there and will bring my OH with me, company will help with housing.

So what is Fort Mac like for a couple, or even a couple with a little baby? Do they have all the amenities a family will need?

I dont know these questions becasue I was hardily ever in the actual Town, so I would appreciate any info I can get.

Thanks alot

From all of the stuff I've read on her over the past year or two, Fort McMurray's not the place to bring up a family. Have you considered relocating the family to Edmonton and flying down there from work for your days off.

Yes, and then some.

Purgatory. As a mother, and having been up there with a tiny sprog, there are few places more revolting and isolated for a new Mum with a baby. Even Iqualuit beats Fort Mc.

Oh my - In what way was it so terrible? I heard there are plenty of acitivities to keep kids busy - but I guess this isnt the case for a newborn...

There are/were mother and tot groups. An indoor play area somewhere. Parks when its not frozen solid. Peter Pond Shopping Centre (oxymoron) which is great if you like Zellers, when they have any stock, that is. Plenty of hard drugs (mainly cocaine). Very expensive booze. Check the winter weather averages - and I think the sense of isolation and restrictions on what you really can do with a newborn in minus 35 degrees will become self-evident. You will be working, so you will be fine. Your wife will go mental, especially coming from the UK with everything at her fingertips. All I could think of was the movie called The Shining when I was stuck up there (with a baby), due to being accidentally snowed in. I was with friends too, who were from Grande Prairie and used to it all, but they would not live there either. Good money, but I'd respectfully suggest you park your family in Edmonton and fly down on days off.

Just to echo a few people that have replied to you OP.

Many people live in Edmonton that work in Fort Mac, generally they have three weeks on two off etc etc. Not sure about your work. The pay is quite good but the housing is very expensive, even just to rent one room.

I have never been there before but would love a treck up there to see what all the fuss is about. My manager used to work up there and I'll ask him later what he thinks it would be like for a family with a newborn.

One of my other workmates says of Fort Mac, all there is to do there is Drink, Drugs and Sex. So it didn't really paint me a happy picture of the place.

I'm not trying to worry you just telling you how it is.

So... a bit like Alton Towers then ?

expensive and crap once the novelty wears off?

My husband went up there for a conference and on his way back to the airport he had a cab driver from Sierra Leone...This guy had been through hell in Africa and had come to Canada as a refugee. When my hubby asked him what he thought of F Mc the guy turned around totally deadpan and told him "This is the worst place in the world!!!"

I think if you are a single guy it is probably ok but young baby and new ish Mother no chance!!!! Go to Edmonton as the others have said!!!
Good luck anyway
L

If you're gonna have to fly why 'suffer' Edmonton? Park yourself in Calgary or even Van.

I'd have said Blackpool in winter.

Shorter flight times = a little more home time.

7:20 am Depart Edmonton (YEG)
Arrive Fort McMurray (YMM) 8:27 am Mon 22 Jun
Duration: 1hr 7mn
Air Canada Air Canada Air Canada 8380 operated by /JAZZ8380
Direct flight


6:10 am Depart Calgary (YYC)
Arrive Fort McMurray (YMM) 7:24 am Mon 22 Jun
Duration: 1hr 14mn
WestJet WestJet 157
Direct flight

Yep I can see where that 7 minutes makes ALL the difference.

...Well....in that case...Calgary every time!!!!!

Do I even need to say anything?

Now also factor in the difference in arrival times. The Edmonton flight gets there 1h 3mins later, so your 7 mins becomes 1h 10 mins. An extra hour at home makes a difference, but I guess it depends on how early one wants to be in Fort Mc.

Acording to Westjet's schedules page, flight time between Calgary and Fort McMurray is 74-75 mins. Edmonton to Fort Mc is given as 54-55 mins (a difference of 20 mins, and more than the 7 minute difference given in your examples).