Talk to me about Saskatoon

[Aithnea]

DH wants to apply for a job in Saskatoon.  It would mean a big pay raise, enough to cover my loss of income if I stay home with DD. The thing is all we know about Saskatoon is from our friend living and working out there.  We currently live in Vancouver and know that a move out there will be a pretty big change.  Not only would be leaving the province that we both essentially grew up in but we would also be leaving our support network behind.  His family living in Vancouver as well and I have my sister here to help if I get over whelmed with DD.

So tell me, what's to love and what's to hate about living in Saskatoon (or Saskatchewan for that matter)?  What is the cost of living out there?  How are the school?  And in case I do decide to return to work, what is the cost of Child Care out there.

Thanks!

[Deepfeet]

...Am I the only person on MDC in Saskatoon right now? 

Aithnea, I moved here from Montreal 2 years ago. Saskatoon is an extreme culture shock to anyone who has lived anywhere other than the prairies. 

I can't tell you a whole lot about this because there is A LOT I have yet to discover, but I'll let you in on what I know, what I love and what I definitely could do without.

Saskatoon is built for the farming community - the conservative farmers of this country.

We are full of loud trucks, harleys, and rednecks. I'm a black girl with dreads and my dh is a white boy with long blond hair. In many cities people wouldn't bat an eye - but here, we are something of a novelty - this place isn't exactly progressive.

Having said that. The farmers market and green community is thriving. Community gardens are all over the place. The arts are a pretty big deal here too, lots of music, lots of visual arts, and some theatre (i haven't been to any productions, but know people involved).

I don't know anything about schools here - DS is only 5 months old and we're committed to unschooling (unless he changes our minds), but there IS an unschooling community here (we aren't involved in it yet).

Daycare isn't outrageous from what I've heard (I'm SAH for now... sorry I'm not much of a help right now!!)  There are a lot of mama's taking one or two kiddies in at a time so prices vary. A friend of mine was paying $25 a day for her 3yr old to be cared for in-home.

Housing is affordable - i'd check kijiji for an idea on prices.

My favorite thing about Saskatoon is the river. We live a block away from the water and I run there all the time. It is beautiful. It really is. The sunsets here are like nowhere else in the land. Magnificent. Breathtaking.

Saskatoon is what you make of it - like any city. 

Hope I helped some. : )