Help for new immigrants in Calgary

[Hunnia]

Dear,
I, with my husband, plan to land in Calgary by end of Aug 2012.
We are also expecting our first baby around end Nov and it makes us more nerves about coming to an entirely new place with minimum information about it.
Have so many questions like;
What kind of challenges we may have face with a 6 month permanent lady especially when winter is setting in?
What kind of housing/place is better for woman in this condition?
How to find a rented place to live and which area (crime free and with good access/transport/train system)?
Should we plan to buy a vehicle or we can survive without it there?
How much a good condition second hand pickup truck/car usually cost?
What on avg. monthly budget we should plan for a family of two + a baby?
Being Muslim I would also look for information about hilal food, Mosques and Muslim community etc
Huh...and so many more.......
PLEASE! Share your experiences advises and provide as much information as possible even beyond aforementioned questions
God bless you all
Thanks

 

[nhactre99]

As I had a friend who was already living in NE, I choose this area. If you are coming from Asia or Middle East, the NE would be ideal to start with. Because the cultural shock is less and the community and shops are easily accessible. The weather is not so welcome if you are coming from a tropical region. But it is lot more sunny even in winter compared to Toronto, less snow compared to Montreal.

Schools are pretty much same as other Canadian cities. Housing rent and living expenses are v much similar to Toronto, so expect this to be on higher side apart from Vancouver. City is nice, less congested, less traffic, access to Down town is good.

Can you please tell me if there is any major dificulty in landing in winter time?

 

[abidcro]

I would also like to offer my help to new comers , I came to Calgary in September 2011 from Pakistan.

 

[at9459]

are there any jobs for Doctors? Please advise and how much does it cost to live here for a family of five?

 

[khans]

Dear mif mis and Abid cro

Im also planning to land in CAlgry and im finance manager.

What is the job situation in Calgry for finance guys????

Regards

Khans

 

[abidcro]

Dear khan it's all depends upon Luck, hard work, strategy , but don't worry about your RIZQ god is giving it to every one & any where, if I summaries calgary In one sentence I would say " easy to get starting job but really really cold winter"

 

[zafarsaeed]

Assalamo-Alakum Bros

I am landing in Calgary or saskatoon or Toronto (still decisive) on 20th of July 2012. I will be accompanied by my wife. We are living in Australia for last three years where I am teaching at the Australian National University and University of Canberra. I am also working as a pharmacy assistant/technician in Canberra. I have done a Masters (in Marketing Research) from ANU, an MBA from Pakistan and a B. pharmacy from Pakistan.
I wonder what my bros in this forum can advise me regarding city selection and job hunt.

happy ramzan to all of you.

Zafar

 

[zafarsaeed]

Hello All,

I have benefited a lot from this forum. I moved to Calgary 3months ago. Though I haven't settled fully but staying comfortably with family. Willing to help new immigrants who are planning to come to Calgary and don't have anybody here.

Cheers,
mifmis

Hi bro

If I land in Calgary on 20th August, can you be of help in finding an economical accommodation which is for a couple and with heating?

Best
Zaf

 

[ali222]

Dear khan it's all depends upon Luck, hard work, strategy , but don't worry about your RIZQ god is giving it to every one & any where, if I summaries calgary In one sentence I would say " easy to get starting job but really really cold winter"

hi brother i am in surrey b.c and there is no jobs as i have done a security course and B.C is so expensive and I am planing to move to calgary is their jobs are available please tell me about Calgary .

 

[Bally147]

Canpuneet, i see u applied in 0631 category, can u give me your email id, i need some information please.... balvinder.malhotra @ contactoffice.be

 

[mythestic]

I will be leaving my country in September 2012.. Destination city is Calgary and we are interested in NE so far..
What kind of accommodation we should get?
Basements OR an apartment/condo?
Some people are advising to rent the basement in start (because of its less rent) and many of them are in the favor of apartment. They object on basement's suffocation issues etc..

what do you suggest guys?

 

[USH1B]

Hello Khans,

I was originally planning to move to Sasketchwan as one can sponser family members for PR after one year of stay in that province without being a citizen. But now I have changed my mind and decided to move to Calgary in Sept/Oct 2012.

I am also in Finance and Accounting and presently in Houston TX. I am in the O & G industry and thought Calgary to be best option. I have already applied in many companies via www.monster.ca and http://www.roberthalf.ca/JobSeekers. Let us see how things work out.

Thanks to mifmis for starting this thread and others who have pitched in for offer of assistance in relocating to Calgary. Keep up the good job and I will join you all soon.

Good luck to all

USH1B

 

[darwaish]

Like many, I am also planning to land in Calgary this sept.
How is sept in terms of weather. Is it like Dec. in Islamabad/Lahore?
How far is “Chestermere” from the main Calgary city? is it a good place for newcomers specially for survival jobs? Will it be difficult to commute daily to main city by public transport?
Please share
Thanks

 

[ali222]

i have done medical assistant diploma from b.c is it valid in Alberta ?

 

[ali222]

I will be leaving my country in September 2012.. Destination city is Calgary and we are interested in NE so far..
What kind of accommodation we should get?
Basements OR an apartment/condo?
Some people are advising to rent the basement in start (because of its less rent) and many of them are in the favor of apartment. They object on basement's suffocation issues etc..

what do you suggest guys?

Basement is a better choice as its rent is cheap and their is no suffocation in basement as the basements are on ground floor not as our .