Landing Experience - Calgary Alberta

[samoo]

Thank you
Relay I'm confused.I cant decide what should I do. Thank you for your help.is Calgary better than Toronto for kids as I heard? As well for jobs!

 

[Boni M]

@amikety
Can u pls tell me the drawbacks of having a basement accommodation for a family of three. Is it ok in terms of Light and ventilation.....

 

[amikety]

Thank you
Relay I'm confused.I cant decide what should I do. Thank you for your help.is Calgary better than Toronto for kids as I heard? As well for jobs!

As far as jobs, it depends on your field. Both cities have lots of jobs - focused in different areas. You can go to a job website and browse the openings in both cities to get an idea.

www.monster.ca
www.careerbuilder.ca
www.wowjobs.ca
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/intro-eng.aspx

Both cities are good for kids and rate well on the quality of life index.

In my opinion, the reason to live in Calgary versus Toronto is about the weather. It's dry in Calgary and very humid in Toronto. I grew up near Toronto, in the same humidity and I hate it!

 

[amikety]

@ amikety
Can u pls tell me the drawbacks of having a basement accommodation for a family of three. Is it ok in terms of Light and ventilation.....

If the basement is a legal unit with it's own furnace and maintained by the landlord, there are no ventilation problems. If there is a shared furnace, sometimes the return air for the upstairs unit will vent into your house! That means any smells upstairs makes flood your house. If the furnace is weak, check the air filter and ask the landlord to replace it if it's dirty (or you can vacuum it for a temporary fix).

The windows can be small. They are required to be large enough you can escape out of them in case of a fire. Try to look at basements that are only semi-submerged or walk-out. They can have bigger windows. My windows are big enough to grow plants in winter.

Sometimes a basement can be cold in winter. Extra sweaters, socks, and blankets are a good idea. On the other hand, they can stay cool in summer.

 

[Charm28]

Since your first port of entry in Canada is Vancouver, you will do your landing formality in Vancouver. Your connection flight to Calgary is a domestic flight.

Thanks Steaky,
Have landed and was welcomed by snowy weather in Calgary...thank God for friends who are very supportive of us...

Our landing formalities was so fast. I was a little bit nervous because our lay over is only 2 hrs but thank God there was no one in line for the new immigrants and it just took 15 to 20 mins and were done heading for our connecting flight.

The Officer asked us questions like, first landing,what are you currently doing,are you going to settle down soon or you'd have plans of going out of the country, first marriage, children? And the. We're done...it was so swift...

Will settle down and once jetlag is over, SIN,health card, jobhunting, etc will commence

Again thanks for the info.

Charm

 

[ublerum]

I am looking for a basement or 1 bedroom apt in NE Calgary ..I am with my hubby and one son who is 5 years old. ! I prefer any place close to LRT or bus stop since we don't have a car ryte now! I would appreciate if someone would help in this regard.Thanks

 

[amikety]

I am looking for a basement or 1 bedroom apt in NE Calgary ..I am with my hubby and one son who is 5 years old. ! I prefer any place close to LRT or bus stop since we don't have a car ryte now! I would appreciate if someone would help in this regard.Thanks

It's illegal to rent a 1 bedroom apartment to 3 people. It doesn't matter that 1 is a child or baby.

 

[mythestic]

I am looking for a basement or 1 bedroom apt in NE Calgary ..I am with my hubby and one son who is 5 years old. ! I prefer any place close to LRT or bus stop since we don't have a car ryte now! I would appreciate if someone would help in this regard.Thanks

I dont suggest you to live in a basement.. I haven't tried it for summers, but in winters.. its hell! Too cold, very less air exhaust, dry throats too.. you will have to ask your tenant upstairs to DONT TURN OFF THE HEATING, dont cook strange foods etc etc..
Look for Two bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment near center street (maintained by Maintenance agencies)

 

[Boni M]

If the basement is a legal unit with it's own furnace and maintained by the landlord, there are no ventilation problems. If there is a shared furnace, sometimes the return air for the upstairs unit will vent into your house! That means any smells upstairs makes flood your house. If the furnace is weak, check the air filter and ask the landlord to replace it if it's dirty (or you can vacuum it for a temporary fix).

The windows can be small. They are required to be large enough you can escape out of them in case of a fire. Try to look at basements that are only semi-submerged or walk-out. They can have bigger windows. My windows are big enough to grow plants in winter.

Sometimes a basement can be cold in winter. Extra sweaters, socks, and blankets are a good idea. On the other hand, they can stay cool in summer.

Thanks for the info amikety.....
And what about the heating systems. Do all houses have heating systems or some of them dependent on fireplace etc. I m little bit scared about the winters in Calgary because I m from New Delhi.

 

[amikety]

A legal apartment will have it's own furnace. Some have shared if its a house divided into units. You usually don't find outdated methods in the city.

The key is LEGAL unit. If you accept an illegal apartment, it may be a dump.

 

[steaky]

So electric baseboard heating are not in use in Calgary? Otherwise, it would be very convenient for users to adjust whatever temperature they feel comfort inside their own unit.

 

[amikety]

So electric baseboard heating are not in use in Calgary? Otherwise, it would be very convenient for users to adjust whatever temperature they feel comfort inside their own unit.

I'm sure it is, but all the houses I've been in have forced air except 1 had radiators (very old house). I hate baseboard heating - grew up with water filled. Takes space out of a room and makes gurgling sounds...

 

[SATDXB]

I really appreciate all members response and help , especially amikety!!
+1 !!



Cheers....

 

[Alfpharm]

Please can someone help.
What kind of accommodation will a family of 8 require in Calgary?

 

[samoo]

Any one has experience with Vancouver. Please share