Lethbridge
Introduction
About 2½ hours south of Calgary, Lethbridge is said to one of the sunniest (along with Medicine Hat) cities in Southern Alberta, and for us as a family it has everything we need. Although the town is known as a windy city I have found that although it is a little windy this tends to be useful in the winter for blowing the snow away (called locally as The Lady Chinook) and in summer for cooling the hot summer sun.
On browsing through the internet I found this promotional video entitled Lets all Go to Lethbridge take a look - some might say it is a little cheesy but it gives you an idea of what the town is about.
Why not take a peek at the weather this week
Areas
The town has 3 main residential areas and then one industrial area described below.
East Side
The east side of town is mostly industrial. Although nobody really refers to the east, it's only ever the south, north and west.
West Side
The west side is the newer side of town and also houses the University of Lethbridge. The area has its own elementary and High School "Chinook High School" . It also has its own shops and banks, etc., so that you don't have to go trawling onto the north or south sides to do grocery shopping - some restaurants, Safeway, banks gas station etc.
Its also rapidly expanding with new housing developments for families - check out Riverstone, Copperwood and Garry Station developments - and also has a large student population being the site of the Univeristy of Lethbridge
The west side tends to see a lot more wind than other parts of town, due to the fact that it is sat on top of the coulee (pronounced koolee -- hillside to us UK'ers).
North Side
The north side of town has all types of schools from Kindie right up to Senior High - at Winston Churchill they do the International and advanced International Baccalaureate which, if you ever decided to return to the UK or even the kids wanted to study in the UK, is acceptable as far as I know at our Universities - watch though as if you are non resident in the UK for 3 years you still incur International student fees eve if you are a Canadian PR.
The top end of the north side is where the newer housing is, and is still being built. The Uplands, which is a huge residential estate, is beautiful and very peaceful and family orientated - they are going to have their own school built in the estate too - think it is Kindie only though.
To the left of the Uplands is a newer development which is just being built - think they are on phase 2 at the mo - called Legacy Ridge, commemorating famous Lethbridge women who have made the town what it is today.
The north side has it's own shopping development - Lethbridge's second Wal-Mart, Ardene, La Senza, Reitmans, Tim Hortons and Shoppers Drug Mart, Sobey's and gas stations up there.
On the north side there is also an open air swimming pool (couple of $ for all day) called Westminster Pool - great in the summer to take the kids to with a packed lunch and costs only a few dollars admission.
South Side
The south side is very similar to the north, although they have a huge Canadian Superstore, Walmart, Sears Home, Costco, etc., down there, including the Airport. You can check out flights to and from the town from the airport link on the Lethbridge County homepage here
The residential property on the south side tends to more of a bungalow and basement type property, although there is a newer development - Coulee Creek not far from Canadian Superstore.
The south side also has :
- A sports centre (they also have concerts there called The Enmax Centre home of the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League.
- The Movie Mill (cut price films)
- "'Lethbridge Soccer Association"' here people play indoor soccer and lacrosse etc.
Accommodation
Hotels
- This is a link for Hotels in Lethbridge it will give you both the price of the rooms and also a map to show the hotels location in town.
Short-term rentals
- This is a page of great information about the Lethbridge College Rental Accommodation has to offer between May and August.
I can highly recommend the staff there to help you with your short term rental needs. Extremely good value for money and very comfortable townhouses for a family inbetween homes. Excellent location for viewing properties all over Lethbridge and all amenities are only a few minuets away.
You can also try Elbas Farms Rental for rental units. They have 2 and 3 bedroom rentals for good prices and a very friendly family.
Long-term rentals
For long term rentals try Rentlethbridge or again you could try the private let section in the classified section of Lethbridge Herald
Houses for sale
There are various sites to visit if looking for a home in Lethbridge - try any of the following to see if the property of your dreams is there.
Education
- University of Lethbridge this is the only University south of Calgary.
Employment
The local newspaper The Lethbridge Herald has it's own careers page which is a link to SA Jobline which has all of the jobs advertised in the Southern Alberta press.
There are also the job sites also mentioned on Career (Canada) section of this Wiki.
Attractions
Local attractions
There are a number of other places to go and visit in Lethbridge.
Regional attractions
- Calgary - home of the Calgary Flames Hockey team and the Calgary Stampeders CFL.
- Banff - a must see for all visitors to Alberta.
- Waterton Lakes National Park - a very uncommercialised setting for the Rockies.
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump - this is an interpretive centre which shows how the Native Indians survived - a must see if you have kids.
- Fort Macleod - home of the RMCP and they hold displays of horsemanship amongst other attractions - about half hour away.
- The US of A Border crossing at Coutts - ¾ hour away where you are able to "land" for Permanent Residency by doing a quick turn around.
Local Groups
These are some of the groups that Expats in Lethbridge know about.
Family/Parent Groups
- Mom's Meet Up Group was set up by a British Expat lady and is always looking for families to join.
Sport Groups
- Local Soccer Association here you will find all the information on local soccer teams from junior to more mature people in town - SOFA (Southern Oldtimers Football Association) - something for everyone.
Calender of Events
Several local events run through out the year - here are a selection.
- March - Extreme Bull Riding comes to the Enmax Centre on Scenic Drive yearly.
- July - to coincide with Canada Day the town hosts a Dragon Boat racing competition at Henderson Lake.
- July - the Street Wheelers event comes to town where lots of vehicles cruise down Mayor Magrath - spectacular show of cars.
- August -the city holds Whoop up Days which is week long celebration with parade fair and other attractions down at Exhibition Park.
- August - the town holds an International Air Show great family day out - get the kids down there to have a look at The Snowbirds and take a look at the Canadian Air Force helicopters amongst other things.
- December - New Years Eve the Exhibition Park holds a Family Fest this is a free evening put on by the Exhibiton Park