Toronto vs Calgary vs Vancouver vs Ottawa - Where to land

[S7]

Depends on what you like. I can't stand rain, so I do agree; but just a few weeks ago one of my collegues got his relocation to Van, he loves rain and hates under zero temperatures.

Go to Vancouver

Not Vancouver... its not on my list anymore... life is very expensive there...and the ratio of income towards house prices is high compared to Calgary and ottawa

 

[steaky]

Just pointing out that Vancouver has terrible weather, rains all the time.

That's a myth.

If it rains all the time, I wouldn't have to watering my lawns at all especially during the hot summer. If you don't like rain, then perhaps you should immigrate to somewhere in California, US instead (where there is severe drought).

 

[Al Kabeer awy]

I live in Calgary since September 2012. It is really a good place to live. within these three years, there are alot of things got worst in Calgary,
- It is really got more expensive
- many many labors and Professionals moving to Calgary (at my point of view this is not a good indication)
- as a result of last point you can imagine how that can affect the people attitude and behaviors in driving, services, ....etc
- I am not happy about the education level in Calgary

Search for Calgary vs Ottawa comparison, (I am not allowed to post links), numbeo website is a great updated source of information

The last thing that I would like to point out is:
1- go for a place that you have more friends and relatives (it is really a very important factor as a family)
2- Ottawa is like a raw model for Canada (government city), so it will be always the best place to live.
3- IT field in East is better than Calgary (I am in IT field) except DB, IT infrastructure and system analysis. These fields are good in Calgary as well but not in these days.
Put in your mind, IT field here in Calgary like all other fields, they are just serving Oil and Gas field.

If I have an option to choose again, I would choose Ottawa. All my old friends are there, IT (web development) jobs are better there.

 

[Jalex23]

If you don't like rain, then perhaps you should immigrate to somewhere in California, US instead (where there is severe drought).

Why so far?

He can move to Fort McMurray and there is little to no rain all across the year.... and it is just across the mountains

 

[S7]

I live in Calgary since September 2012. It is really a good place to live. within these three years, there are alot of things got worst in Calgary,
- It is really got more expensive
- many many labors and Professionals moving to Calgary (at my point of view this is not a good indication)
- as a result of last point you can imagine how that can affect the people attitude and behaviors in driving, services, ....etc
- I am not happy about the education level in Calgary

Search for Calgary vs Ottawa comparison, (I am not allowed to post links), numbeo website is a great updated source of information

The last thing that I would like to point out is:
1- go for a place that you have more friends and relatives (it is really a very important factor as a family)
2- Ottawa is like a raw model for Canada (government city), so it will be always the best place to live.
3- IT field in East is better than Calgary (I am in IT field) except DB, IT infrastructure and system analysis. These fields are good in Calgary as well but not in these days.
Put in your mind, IT field here in Calgary like all other fields, they are just serving Oil and Gas field.

If I have an option to choose again, I would choose Ottawa. All my old friends are there, IT (web development) jobs are better there.

+1 This is by far the best reply I have received on this topic. straight to the point

Very happy to read through your post.

and yes I compared Ottawa and Calgary on numbeo and ottawa is better than calgary is all areas, less crime rate, a bit cheaper and its a family city.

my main concern is the job market

 

[Al Kabeer awy]

Each person has their own way to find a job, some people by networking (which is v important in Canada), recruitment companies, another by jobs searching websites, ... I heard many and many stories. However, the most common is knowing people in your career help you just get in (Entry level position), that is why I recommend to go for a place that you have more friends and relatives.

GOOD Luck!

 

[S7]

Each person has their own way to find a job, some people by networking (which is v important in Canada), recruitment companies, another by jobs searching websites, ... I heard many and many stories. However, the most common is knowing people in your career help you just get in (Entry level position), that is why I recommend to go for a place that you have more friends and relatives.

GOOD Luck!

thank you again....

it seems 90% I will be heading to ottawa.... i have some friends there and one far relative .

 

[Al Kabeer awy]

Another thing it might be important for you, it is recommended to know English and French in Ottawa but not an essential. With just English you still can go.

In this case maybe I can meet you there I am moving as well.

 

[S7]

Another thing it might be important for you, it is recommended to know English and French in Ottawa but not an essential. With just English you still can go.

In this case maybe I can meet you there I am moving as well.

Nice to hear that... when are you moving to ottawa, and where are you moving from?

Yes sure we can meet there if i finally decide to go there....

 

[Al Kabeer awy]

I am moving in the first of September, now I am in Calgary

 

[Ketevan]

I moved from Calgary to Ottawa too and everyday thank God for terminating my stay there. Ottawa has a more punctual and frequent public transit system, longer summers, cheaper rental, more ethnic diversity, more leisure activities, more green spaces, it is easier to fly home (the Greyhound bus takes you to Montreal airport directly from which you can have many direct flights overseas), and the list of advantages does not finish by that.

I am moving in the first of September, now I am in Calgary

 

[Al Kabeer awy]

I totally understand what you mean, to be honest, my first year in 2012/2013 was so good despite I did not get a job in my career. After that I started to be not happy at all as I have described before.

I think the conclusion is that: the only reason that let you com or land in Calgary if you are working in Oil && Gas, Construction or have a good job offer. (this is my point of view based on my 3 years experience)

I moved from Calgary to Ottawa too and everyday thank God for terminating my stay there. Ottawa has a more punctual and frequent public transit system, longer summers, cheaper rental, more ethnic diversity, more leisure activities, more green spaces, it is easier to fly home (the Greyhound bus takes you to Montreal airport directly from which you can have many direct flights overseas), and the list of advantages does not finish by that.

 

[S7]

I moved from Calgary to Ottawa too and everyday thank God for terminating my stay there. Ottawa has a more punctual and frequent public transit system, longer summers, cheaper rental, more ethnic diversity, more leisure activities, more green spaces, it is easier to fly home (the Greyhound bus takes you to Montreal airport directly from which you can have many direct flights overseas), and the list of advantages does not finish by that.

Another positive feedback for ottawa thank you...

 

[Ketevan]

You will not be able to assess how good is a city until you actually land there. I was deeply unhappy in Calgary but I know many people who are very excited about living in Calgary. It all depends on your background and personal preferences. Just look for jobs and be prepared to go wherever you get one to start with. Once you get into the job market, you will be able to choose the city where you want to live in. However, at the beginning we are not in the position to choose where we want to live. We just go wherever we can start our careers. I started in Montreal because I came as Quebec skilled worker. Then I had to go to Calgary because this is where I got a job offer for my first professional job in Canada. Then I got transferred to Ottawa because of reorganization in my company and I came here. Each time I patientily packed up my suitcases and moved. I am not yet in the position to choose where I want to live. If I had a choice, the only city I would live in is Montreal.

Another positive feedback for ottawa thank you...

 

[S7]

You will not be able to assess how good is a city until you actually land there. I was deeply unhappy in Calgary but I know many people who are very excited about living in Calgary. It all depends on your background and personal preferences. Just look for jobs and be prepared to go wherever you get one to start with. Once you get into the job market, you will be able to choose the city where you want to live in. However, at the beginning we are not in the position to choose where we want to live. We just go wherever we can start our careers. I started in Montreal because I came as Quebec skilled worker. Then I had to go to Calgary because this is where I got a job offer for my first professional job in Canada. Then I got transferred to Ottawa because of reorganization in my company and I came here. Each time I patientily packed up my suitcases and moved. I am not yet in the position to choose where I want to live. If I had a choice, the only city I would live in is Montreal.

This is exactly what I want, I want to land in a city where i can secure a job in my area of expertise in the shortest time.

what is your area of work? if IT what in IT?

can you also tell me what things made you unhappy in calgary?