Canadians? can you help me find out please?

Question

looking to emigrate to canada, we would like a small town, quiet but quite near to all amenities (employment, etc) but would like somewhere where there is lots of snow, mountains without it being one of the main tourist places, who better to ask than the locals? saskatchewan seems to have a good feel about it, and alberta, any input would be appreciated, thanks

Answer 1

I would look into living in one of the many small towns around Barrie Ontario.

Barrie is a small city/large town about an hour north of Toronto.

There are plenty of ski hills nearby and for summer there is the worlds largest freshwater beach (Wasaga Beach)

Ski Resorts
http://www.skisnowvalley.com/
http://www.bluemountain.ca/
http://www.mslm.on.ca/
http://www.horseshoeresort.com/home.asp

Wasaga Beach
http://www.wasagabeach.com/
http://www.ontarioparks.com/ENGLISH/wasa.html

Answer 2

There are some beautiful small towns in southern Alberta overlooking the rocky mountains, close to Calgary if you need the amenities of the big city, yet you can be out in the country and feel like you're a million miles away from the city.
I don't know where that comment came from about Calgary written above, but it's untrue.
Some towns to look into are Turner Valley, High River, Longview and Fort Macleod. There are many more in that area and the view is breathtaking. You can be right in the mountains within half an hour from any of those towns or you can be in the city within the same amount of time. We are indeed going through a boom here so work is plentiful all over the province and wages are very high. The people are very friendly too!

Answer 3

What do you mean "all the amenities"? Of a large multi-dimensional cosmopolitan city easily reachable?

Saskatchewan has no mountains. Calgary is pretty much a bore - a newly rich place that revolves around the oil boom and has practically nothing for the arts.

There are 2 places in Canada that would seem to fit your parameters:

(1) British Columbia: The Fraser River Valley and the Whistler Highway corridor east and north, respectively, of Vancouver. Further attribute: Seattle not too far away. Additionally you might consider northward of Victoria on Vancouver Island; Victoria is a lovely little city in its own right and Vancouver City is just an hour's ferry ride away. Another further attribute: British Columbia now produces some of the best wines in the world but the supply is still small so few of them are found elsewhere.

(2) Québec: The Eastern Townships region southeast of Montréal. Most people are bi-lingual. No, the mountains are not as high as in B.C. but some 4000 footers - 1250 metres - are in nearby Vermont. The E. Ts. is an area of fine country restaurants and auberges (inns) as well, an extension of the gastronomic capital of Canada. Montréal is one of the world's most spectacular multicultural metropolises. Further attribute: Vermont so close by. Another further attribute: spectacular autumn. Downside: you'll need to be French/English bi-lingual to get a job; HOWEVER, if you are American just retain your citizenship (Canada allows dual citizenship); northern Vermont has one of the USA's lowest unemployment rates.

Answer 4

If I had to chose between Alberta and Saskatchewan - its Alberta all the way. The humidity is low in the summer (great if you suffer from allergies) and you can always go and climb a snow top mountain the the summer, if you really miss winter all that much. Your only a short drive away to any of the Conservation Authorities Parks, its truly beautiful. And who can pass up being able to shop at the world's largest mall (The West Edmonton Mall)!!

I drove through Sask. and its so flat I was starting to believe I would fall of the end of the earth. Mind you its beautiful all the same but totally different from Alberta

Answer 5

My recommendation: Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan. It's a pleasant, quiet city of about 35,000 people located about 75 km west of Regina, which has a good arts center, professional football, plenty of shopping and international Airport.

In Moose Jaw, housing prices are very reasonable and there are a fair number of good jobs available, if you are looking for one. Very little crime and any neat, clean, quiet community. Good for raising kids or for retiring.

I know four people who have just moved back to Saskatchewan from Alberta, citing the frenzied pace, traffic jams and extremely high housing prices.

Some people say that Saskatchewan is "the next Alberta".

Answer 6

Ive got the Perfect place for you!! = )

Okotoks, Albeta is a quiet town and small town that is 10-15 minuntes away from Calgary Alberta.. you would be close to amenities and close to the moutains. THe moutains are about 1 1/2 or more hours away and it snows alot here in Alberta. OKotoks is defentily is NOT a big tourist area and it still has grocery stores, one movie theatre, homes for old folks, comunity centre, schools (for grade 1-9), there is also a highschool called Foothills Composite! and more... it is a great place to live. i have been there SERVERAL times becuz i live in Calgary. its a very nice place..
oh ya.. and if your into golf and camping then its great. there is one camping ground just before you enter into okotoks and there is one in Okotoks.. theres a golfing area just before you enter okotoks as well.
i hope this helped u!

Answer 7

If you like snow, go to Saskatoon, house prices not to bad and there is a fair amount of work available. If you like mountains you are in the wrong province all together. I would suggest Red Deer Alberta, it's half way between Calgary and Edmonton. They get Lots of snow too and there is a lot of work in that area, the down side is the real estate prices are high.

Answer 8

Saskatchewan is an amazing province, a land of contrasts and complexities. From the north with the forests, a national park, thousands of lakes, great fishing and hunting; to the central part of the province with Saskatoon, the great University city, with a gorgeous river running through it, known as the city of bridges, thriving bio-tech industry and economic prosperity; down south with the gorgeous Cypress Hills, the sand dunes, roaming antelope, the capital city of Regina, government city, prosperous.
Low housing costs, decent tax rates, excellent educational and employment opportunities. Plenty of small towns close to the major centres, or smaller cities.
Best part of Sk. is being able to totally participate in all four seasons! Great for family activities of all kinds...
Close enough to the mountains in Alberta and BC for trips there, but don't have to live in those expensive provinces.

Answer 9

First, I owe an apology to Mexico4me because I intended to hit the thumbs up button on his/her reply and mistakenly hit the thumbs down button. My bad!

Mexico4Me's answer is very good and I would agree completely about southern Alberta towns. Calgary has a very rich and varied cultural, sports and entertainment scene with world class restaurants and shopping and all the benefits of small town life just outside it's boundaries. The suggestion of the Red Deer area is a good one too as it is pretty country, with great people and lot of prosperity.

But, you obviously need to do a lot of research before selecting your eventual home and I would definitely suggest you make one or more visits before officially immigrating. And welcome!

Answer 10

Saskatchewan is flat as a pancake. If you want mountains try western Alberta, British Columbia, or Yukon Territory. Jobs are plentiful but housing is in an all-time high crisis. Nowhere near enough housing for the numbers of people, and what there is is dumpy and very expensive. Each province has different housing and employment situation and different economy pros and cons, as well as provincial taxes on top of federal sales taxes (except Alberta has no provincial sales tax).