Best place to live in Alberta?

[HeavyD111]

The responses I have gotten are exactly what we are looking for. I know its personal bias, and thats what i hoped would come out. The guys here have posted where they think is best and why or why not. Is there work? High crime? Housing crazy? Is it methhead central? Lots to do? All these answers tend to come out and we really appreciate the time ppl have taken to post.

So far:
-spouse wants to attend SAIT or NAIT for medical lab tech, obviously Calgary/Edm good choices, but expensive.
-if had option we prefer to live in mid to south since weather is milder..she enjoys blistering heat, hates cold. Im used to cold.
-Lethbridge was #1 of where we have traveled, but we know job market without skills is very limited there.
-both like Med Hat but were frustrated with struggles we had while living there. Want to make better decision this time. Also liked Lacombe, heard good things about Rocky m.h, Pincher Creek, interested in BC along southern route as in cranbrook, Castlegar, etc. applying to mills all over no luck yet.
-she Understands opportunity of north, but isnt really a ft mac/gp type person. She grew up in niagra region so northern anything is a whole new world from that. Id like fly in but its not easy to get on.
-want to live in mid to south, but most opportuties are in north. Tough call. Have moved 4 times in 2 years and just want to settle in one place if we can. More info the better, and the postings here have helped a lot.

 

[sirkdev]

GBCA =West of stony plain area

 

[indydude]

I don't have anything to offer for where to live, as I am in Manitoba, but have you looked on the BC health website for jobs in hospitals. I am a 4th, also working on my 3rd, and I work in a hospital in the maint department. A couple of years ago my wife and I had BC on our radar, (she is a reg nurse), and I was looking on the BC health site. I found a few places that were looking for maint staff, and she would just follow me as her options are wide open.

 

[femme.fatale.]

-she Understands opportunity of north, but isnt really a ft mac/gp type person. She grew up in niagra region so northern anything is a whole new world from that. Id like fly in but its not easy to get on.
-want to live in mid to south, but most opportuties are in north. Tough call. Have moved 4 times in 2 years and just want to settle in one place if we can. More info the better, and the postings here have helped a lot.

Unfortunately, many oilfield jobs are out in the middle of nowhere. You guys may have to live one place and have you work elsewhere. That's a reality for many people. I'm lucky that my husband is home every night, but that comes at the price of a 1.5 hour commute each way, every single day. 9/10 of the people on his crew are from elsewhere. Just something to keep in mind!

 

[teeroy]

Tough thread. As mentioned,its kind of bias. Generally people are happy where ever they plant roots, which is a good thing. I've had the opportunity to live in several different areas and have worked pretty much all over the western provinces. It boils down to how you want to live your life and how close you want your family. I have everything that's been mentioned in this thread as I'm sure lots of others do as well.
I live in the foothills 20 min. west of Rocky. Close to my family, 10 minutes from the mountains, 10 minutes from a large boat able lake, 5 minutes from a trout stream, my land borders crown land, sledding, quading and biking out of my yard, paved to my doorstep (literally). Closest neighbour is 400m (best neighbour ever) next closest neighbour is over a Km. Horses, cows and the whole bit. This is how I chose to live my life and absolutely love it. Tons of work here too.
I lived in Whitecourt for 8 yrs on an acreage. Hated it. Too many people and crack heads. Chit was always getting stolen. Mini GP.

if I had to bail outta here, RMH area is where I would relocate to. the ol lady couldn't stop talking about the time we spent around there this summer, she obviously approves of your shenanigans.

I just can't see ever moving from here though. may have to look into a vacation property around there. much like home except for more hills and less mud

 

[ippielb]

Currently residing in Regina and NOT enjoying it here at all.

Join the club. Try being from here...

 

[ABOMB177]

Once you finish your third it will make getting a job a whole lot easier. A second makes it even easier. I know because I've been at this for 10 years now. Currently do the camp life and its not for everyone. Family life takes a beating. Luckily I have a amazing and strong wife. Edmonton area will have the most jobs for a operator but prentiss has several plants down by red deer and they always seem to be looking. There are so many options spread out around alberta like everyone says. For me I left Fort Sask to go to cold lake and after a few years I got tired of the 1.5hr commute and went to camp and moved back to Fort Sask due to family and the large number of plants to work at when I make the move back down. Just north of edmonton is a nice place to live. Close to the city if need be, FT. Sask and St. Albert have anything you could need and are close. Lots of good lakes within a hour or two drive and decent quading. Also housing seems to be a little less

 

[Joholio]

West of tha 5th

 

[X-Treme]

From what I've heard, St. Albert housing is quite expensive, and the taxes are atrocious!! Again tho, this is just what I've heard.

 

[Tpex162]

From what I've heard, St. Albert housing is quite expensive, and the taxes are atrocious!! Again tho, this is just what I've heard.

yes but you get something done for your taxes st. albert is not for the budget minded.

 

[Caper11]

I don't know who owns it but one of the gas plants near Edson hired a bunch of 4ths about a year and a half ago. I've never spent much time there but geographically I think it would be a nice location where you aren't too far away from everything.


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Was that plant in the Robb area?


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[Absledder]

Looked up one of the guys I know who works there and the company is centrica. I don't know exactly where the plant is located.

 

[Caper11]

Looked up one of the guys I know who works there and the company is centrica. I don't know exactly where the plant is located.

Lol yah that sounded familar! Who do you know at that plant? I work there.


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[Absledder]

Lol yah that sounded familar! Who do you know at that plant? I work there.


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Went to NAIT with Dan Thomas. I think a couple other guys from our class work there too but I cant remember there names right now.

 

[Caper11]

Went to NAIT with Dan Thomas. I think a couple other guys from our class work there too but I cant remember there names right now.

Right on, he's a good operator he caught on quick.


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