Can you pick a "best" place to live in Canada? - Page 2

[just_lily]

Originally Posted by linsybyster

You do have to be a bit more careful in Alberta because it is more conservative, but from what I know BC has almost as many rednecks anyway, they just also have more AP pockets.

I am conservative politically (but not socially) and AP. So they aren't mutually exclusive concepts.

Canada is a really giant country. So many beautiful places. I have lived in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta, and there are pros and cons of each. We also just went to visit my brother who just moved to the lower mainland of BC, and I was desperately jealous of their scenery.

The most important questions to ask yourself are 1) what are you / your partner / family / etc. planning to do for work as each region of Canada tends to specialize in different industries, 2) how much are you willing to pay to live, as cost of living also differs dramatically, and 3) what environmental, regional, climate and cultural aspects are important to you?

Right now we are living in a small community outside of Calgary, Alberta. I enjoy it here very much for the most part, but the downsides (for me) is that there aren't a lot of trees in the prairies and I really miss forests, and there isn't a lot of fresh local produce available. Beef we have lots of, but most produce, fish, etc. has to be shipped in. But we are an hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains, and there are lots of economic opportunities. Living outside of the city gives us the best of both worlds.

[Chronic Chrissy]

Wow she says no big cities and everyone says BC????

I'm Manitoban and absolutely love it! We live and hour form the largest city Winnipeg, right on the lake, surrounded by rivers, lakes, and beaches. Our area of the interlake is compared to being inland oceans. There are so many different types of ecosystems within a few hours drive, from wide rolling prairies, to lakes rives and forests then their is the canadian sheild which is filled with rock formations. The people are friendly, the schools haven't yet manifested. And the cost of living is so incredibly low compared to most parts of the country. We have access to a variety of local foods from gardens farms and lakes(yes lots of fish). As well as your basic meats like beef poultry and pork, also bison. And most foods can be purchased strait from the farmer around here. They city is about to go through a large boom with a new port being made in our airport, and there are always a wide variety of jobs to be had from most every profession. Everyone helps everyone else out, and there are enough smaller cities and towns around that you really never have to go into Winnipeg. Also the climate has some of the most extrem changes going from 35+degrees in the summer(but it feels much hotter with the humidex) down to -40 in the winter. You can expect about 2-3 storms a winter, and no real climate emergencies in the summer. If you want lots of different things to explore and go on adventures while having your space and removing yourself from society while enjoying the convienences this is the place to be, it really has something for everyone. Oh we live on a single income of $30,000/yr, our food costs $70 a week, our hydro bill is $85 a month, and our mortgage on our gorgeous house(with 1400sqf, 3 brm, hot tub, skylights, deck, garage, and 5 minutes from the lake) only cost us $129, 000, which puts our mortgage payments at $360 every two weeks.

[dawncayden]

Originally Posted by Chronic Chrissy

Wow she says no big cities and everyone says BC????

BC is a huge place and full of smaller towns and small cities


ETA, my cousin lives in Brandon and LOVES it. She bought it for crazy cheap too.

[Megamum2008]

I say BC too, just not necessarily the lower mainland! The Kootenays, around Nelson, are awesome, as is the Okanagon. I live in Kamloops, and it's ok. I love the north too, and the island. It's a great province all around!
That being said I grew up in the Yukon, and if you want forests and beautiful scenery and wonderful people, Whitehorse is a great little city to live in!
Good luck!

[JessieBird]

No votes for Quebec yet? I have to jump in. I've lived in BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia, and have roots in Newfoundland, but I'll never leave Quebec again. Exciting weather and exciting politics, there's always plenty to talk about and you've never met more engaged people in your life! Quebec is generally very socially and environmentally progressive and our small towns will melt your heart. Don't be scared off by the high income taxes, in my experience you get what you pay for and it is nice to feel so well looked after by a government. Also there are far more English and bi/multi-lingual pockets than most people realize so speaking French is not a requirement if that daunts you. Economically, it is a bit hit and miss (like anywhere in Canada these days) but jobs are still plentiful and entrepreneurship thrives here, if you're the sort who likes to carve out your own living. There is lots of government and community support for small businesses. Like all other provinces and territories, Quebec offers huge variety in landscape, climate and culture so there is a lot to choose from.

[Scarborogal]

Toronto!!!

I can't say I've ever been to British Columbia but I hear it is so beautiful. But personally I would never live anywhere other then Toronto. There is so much to do here and some really amazing places for children.

I think anywhere you go in Canada you will love it.

K.

[paakbaak]

i`m completely in love with BC!!!!!!!!!!
thank you all for your hints!

[NorthernPixie]

I used to live on Vancouver Island, near Courtenay, BC. LOVED it and would go back in a second. Small town but with lots of stuff going on. Gorgeous mountains, ocean, so beautiful.

[crocus]

You might want to avoid Ontario, especially Ottawa. I'm origionally from the West and I find it to be a really rough ride here!

[anarchamama]

I'm with Chrissy, Manitoba is great. I'm in Winnipeg an dwe love it. It's big enought ohave everything you would want to do but still has that smallish feel. And like Chrissy it's so cheap it's easy for us to live well on a teachers salary for a family of 5, which means I can homeschool! We would neevr live anywhere else!

[josephelite]

Best place in Canada? I'd say Vancouver!



----------------
Joseph Wallace
Environmental Activist
Think about the environment: Vancouver Computer & Electronic Recycling

[MountainMamaGC]

Anywhere in the Rocky Mountains. Alberta or BC. I the Alberta side is more affordable than BC.

[gillibean]

After visiting my brother in BC a couple summers ago, I don't really think I could do the mountains full time. (Yes, I know it's not all mountains.) The city DH and I keep coming back to is Thunder Bay. My BIL grew up there and he and his siblings really enjoyed it there. The cost of living is very reasonable and there is stunning scenery. Plus, my brother said that when he lived there (about 10 years ago) there were a lot of concerts. Musicians doing a Canadian tour generally have to stop in Thunder Bay anyway so they give a concert there. He's seen tons of bands there.

[African Tulip]

Kimberley, BC!!!!

I'm sad to say that I'll be leaving here in about a year.

We are nestled in the Rocky Mountains. It's a snow belt so we usually get more snow than the other towns near us. That's okay though as we have a great ski hill right here in town. The hill is very family oriented and you will see kids as young as 1yr on the hill.

In the summer there are more nature trails including back country hiking than you'll ever be able to tackle. Great lakes and rivers as well.

I homeschool my children and no one ever gives us a second glance and the homeschooling community is growing. We have some great schools that are very ecofriendly. Two of the schools were built with an ecofriendly blueprint as well. The one has an outdoor classroom and an enviromental club (this is the elementry school). All schools encourage outdoor activities.

We are a small town of 7,000 people but live close to larger centers. The closets town has 15,000 people and Calgary is only 4hrs away. Lethbridge is 3.5hrs away.

It's also affordable to live here. The housing market is lower here than anything else around us. The average price at this time is about $220K(cdn). Fernie/Nelson both sit at about $350K(cdn)

[Hollycrand]

African Tulip,

Can I ask why you will be leaving Kimberley? It sounds like a nice place!

[African Tulip]

Unfortunatly my hubby has been transferred out of the province. So while we have to leave we will be moving closer to my family. It'll probably be for only a year or two before he is transfered again to yet another part of Canada.

We will miss Kimberley though it's been great.

[sanguine_speed]

[Hollycrand]

Yes, I'd like to know more about pros/cons of Ottowa, because it's on our short list of places we may like to move to someday (we love Montreal, but aren't big city people at heart).

[earthmother3]

we live in beautiful nova scotia and it's pretty nice for raising kids and getting away from the fast life.people treat you like one of their own here:

[JorgieGirl]

Nova Scotia has my vote! Cape Breton in particular.