Canada... where to move?

[Khayman]

We also are the Slurpy Capital of the World for as long as they have held that contest.

If you don't mind my asking, what part of the city are you from?

Living in Wolseley right now; prior to that, East Kildonan.

 

[Davek]

Elmwood/Glenwood area is my haunt.

 

[Arnwyn]

That's $70,000 Canadian? Yeow, that's less than $57k US at the current exchange rate! I'm not sure what your standards of a decent house are, but that's still insanely cheap compared to what I'm used to. My house was recently valued at over four times that amount, and I only have a "decent" house by my standards, as opposed to the house I hope to have in 5 years or so. Now, I know the area in which I live is relatively expensive, but even in Texas where I used to live, I'd be spending at least twice as much as you are saying.

Winnipeg is one of lowest cost-of-living cities in Canada. It is completely incomparable to Detroit or Texas.

[In certain areas of the city (like in Wolseley) $70,000 CDN can indeed get you something "decent" (though only "decent"; in other areas of the city it would get you something atrocious). The average house price in Winnipeg is about $130,000 CDN; and as an example, $150,000 can get you a 1600 sqft. home + fully finished basement rec-room, skylights, small yard, 2-car garage, and very close to a large park and golf course.]

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I'm in Winnipeg, and for someone from a warm place on earth, I recommend anywhere but Winnipeg. Sure, it gets hot in the summer, but only for a day or two and then *wham!* you're neck-deep in snow.

Toronto seems like a nice place if you want to be near the main population zones. Lots of tourists like it. But Vancouver is even better because it's way over on the left-hand side of the continent--nearest to California and...uh...Washington (not that you'll be able to cross the border, of course). Plus the tourists seem to like it.

I honestly can't recommend anywhere else.

A song about the Red River Valley in Winnepeg...
Come and pay for my fair if you love me,
And I’ll hasten to bid you adieu..
Say farewell to the Red River Valley,
And the folks who are shivering and blue.

Oh it’s forty below in the winter,
And it’s twenty below in the fall,
And it rises to zero in springtime,
but we ain’t got no summers at all...

In Maine we have a similar comment:
Summer? I wouldn't be gettin' you hopes up for summer, boy. Closest thing to summer we get around here is nine months of winter, and three months of rough sleddin.

The Auld Grump

 

[Sledge]

Don't let anyone here give you all this misinformation. If you are asking on ENworld, you need to go to Calgary. Not for "culture" or anything fancy. Just for gaming. Sentry Box is Calgarys primary gaming store. There are a few of the usual small places but this place is what makes Calgary a good place to live. That and no PST.

 

[AIM-54]

4. Celebrim, are you aware that Saskatchewan has been run almost continuously by socialists since 1944 and that Manitoba has just re-elected the socialists to a second term in office in a row (their 5th I believe since 1965)? They're red states but not in the way you think they are. You see, in Canada, being rural doesn't have a whole lot to do with being right-wing.

Left-wing locally, right-wing nationally! It's a rather interesting dichotomy.

But really, Western Canadians are a rather...unique lot.

Yes, I can say that. I grew up there.

 

[SWBaxter]

Left-wing locally, right-wing nationally! It's a rather interesting dichotomy.

But really, Western Canadians are a rather...unique lot.

Nah, just sensible. While they're conservative by nature, they're honest enough to understand that both farming and the natural resource sectors depend very strongly on government involvement, and vote accordingly. You're not as likely to see western Canadians get frothing mad over government spending while demanding increased subsidies for farmers as folks in certain other parts of the world.

So far as the original question goes, I have lived in southern Ontario (lived in Mississauga and Oakville, worked in Toronto), Ottawa, and now Vancouver. Overall I'd give the nod to Toronto and area, but it does depend on priorities. Vancouver has a better climate and outdoor activities of all types are a lot more accessible, so if those are priorities I'd give the left coast the nod.

 

[fusangite]

Left-wing locally, right-wing nationally! It's a rather interesting dichotomy.

But really, Western Canadians are a rather...unique lot.

Yes, I can say that. I grew up there.

I'd view them as being more anti-incumbent than right-wing nationally. BC and Saskatchewan just consistently vote at the federal level against whoever is running their province at the time (with a few very rare exceptions).

 

[AIM-54]

I'd view them as being more anti-incumbent than right-wing nationally. BC and Saskatchewan just consistently vote at the federal level against whoever is running their province at the time (with a few very rare exceptions).

That's one interpretation certainly, but I haven't paid too much attention to Canadian politics in quite a few years, so my opinion probably isn't worth a heckuva lot.

On the other hand, the orneriness certainly explains where I got it!

 

[Y.O.Morales]

Damn, I forgot this thread (busy life). I'll try to catch up with everything.

@ fusangite

But I would still appreciate knowing what your criteria are for a place to live.

1. Efficient means of transportation (something we lack here in PR; either you have a car or you dont move anywhere).
2. Relatively good climate. Maybe I can get accustomed to low temperatures. As for rain, that's not a problem because here in PR rains a lot.
3. I dont want a totally urban life. I'm sick of traffic jams and advertisement floods: ads, posters, banners, highway signs, neon signs, etc. Almost everywhere you look here in PR there's a Verizon, or Coca Cola, or Toyota ad crap. Seriously, someone who has lived here can tell you that the thing has broke its limits.
4. Good University, both for me (in the field of design and computers) and for my girlfriend (in the field of English literature).
5. And of course, some obviously convenient things: decent living costs, decent crime rate, etc.

(In conclusion, somewhere between an urban and rural life. A place quiet enough with nice people, but not so far from a University, and that has public transportation so I can get around without depending on a car).

@ kmdietri

I would suggest you have a look at the University of Waterloo.

Aye ( ). I'll have a look.

@ Khayman

I'd recommend Vancouver --- less pollution than Toronto, more tolerant than Calgary, better weather (despite the annoying winter rain), good transit, great scenery (mountains, forests, ocean), and some unbelievable restaurants.

Sounds like Vancouver is a good place (from your opinions and Internet photos and websites). I'll keep looking at it.

@ Ambrus

On the other hand, Montreal has a wonderful European feel with an embarassing number of fun festivals to partake of.

Just like here (Puerto Rico). We have a gazillion holidays and enough excuses to party in each of them.