livng in Alberta

[Durk]

How comfortably could you live in calgary or Edmonton on a job that pays about 25 an hour? I am currently in a very low cost of living part of ontario, living on about 13.50/hr and am just getting by. There is a job that I have seen in those areas that I would probably get if I applied for it, but I dont want to relocate just to be in the same situation. Any thoughts on the cost of living between those provinces?

[cog]

What does a home cost where you live.That's the biggest expense.Recently a guy from Toronto said they were roughly comparable.No sales tax here,just GST.

[ironwill]

Alberta is quite different than Ontario....
Albertas insurances on vehicles for instance are much, much cheaper, motorcycles etc, much cheaper...Gas is cheaper...
Energy, like natural gas etc, cheaper as well...
Owning a home in the aREA YOU MENTIONED WILL SET YOU BACK AROUND 350-400K, FOR NOT VERY MUCH...i MOVED FROm Ontario to Alberta a few yrs ago...(sorry for caps)
There are some expenses in getting a vehicle certified for the road...
Rent is around 800-4000.00 depending what you expect for living conditions..I have friends that rent out private entry basement suites for around 700$/month...
The big thing is, you can write off all moving expenses big time...Get a nice fat cheque next income tax time..

I dont know about working for 25$ an hour, but if you are single, no kids, easily doable...
The other thing is once in the province, a lot more opportunities arise while there..Literally a tonne more jobs Durk...
Would your new company help out with relocating, try to negotiate it...They do a lot of that in AB these days...

Good luck!! I would make the jump, it is definitely not 2x more expensive to live in AB, we just moved from there a few months ago, sold our new home, and made off like bandits....haha

[GYMBRAT]

if ya wanna make big bucks, move to AB and get into the patch, you'll NEVER look back trust me!

[Talo]

Best move I ever made :)

[Durk]

Right now I pay about 750 a month for my mortgage. Are there still camps or whatever that I can work a few months on at the patch then come back home for a bit. THe only problem with moving is I dont think my fiance will come. My other problem is that I dont have trades just college, so I dont know where I would even start there. For the past 4 years I have been working with some troubled teens. Much bigger, violenter, and overall way more troubled than your average group home teen. I see stuff posted on the Alberta job site all the time for provincial corrections starting at something like 25, and goes up to 30 something an hour. I figure that I would probably be more than qualified for the job, after all of the shit I have seen over the years.

If I could somehow work set months or something on and of at a camp were possible that would be ideal because I could keep my house, but again other than being willing to work hard I dont really have any real skills when it comes to trade work.

[ironwill]

The money in the patch is decent....Not trades wages by any stretch, but if you get in the patch with a trade, or engineering field, wowsers....
You kind of have to have it in you to be a good tradesperson, you can teach it, but it isnt easy....
There are several options in Alberta, and darn near as many in Saskatchewan these days...All types of industry, and non industry options...

Ive been doing this stuff a long while, so it is easy for me to say, it was a challenge breaking through, but if dilligent, it can be great...
Talo does well, i believe he was from out east also....I was also , not looking back...

We just moved away as we got sick of the Calgary life....Lots of people, lots of vehicles, lots of traffic, many love that.....We don't.....I liked it when living there 10 yrs ago, now im old and want privacy....lol...

If you can get out here with a job, and then start exploring the options in the patch, or in Ft.macmurray areas, you will find work.....I have several connects out there still, you can PM me if you are serious Durk, anytime bro....
Good luck......

[GYMBRAT]

I been in it for 24 years Durk, if like IW also offered you and you need contacts for any and every aspect in the patch bro, lemme know Ill set ya up any time ya need :)

Trades are aight to sure :)

[Durk]

Thanks a lot guys. This is something I deffinately need to talk over with the Fiance. If she is absolutely not willing to go then I dont think I could go without her. I will just apply for the job and if I get it then I will try and talk with her about it.

I really appreciate the offers.

[Mr Ontario]

$13.50 for what your doing in called being under paid.... there is allot of Associations/agencies that start at $17.00 find on that is unionized.


How comfortably could you live in calgary or Edmonton on a job that pays about 25 an hour? I am currently in a very low cost of living part of ontario, living on about 13.50/hr and am just getting by. There is a job that I have seen in those areas that I would probably get if I applied for it, but I dont want to relocate just to be in the same situation. Any thoughts on the cost of living between those provinces?

[Durk]

I have been recently unionized. The union ended up ****ing us more than helping. They really didnt seem to give a shit about anything other than getting voted in, and securing their dues.

I dont live anywhere near Toronto, Ottawa or any place that would pay that much, and if I did what would be the point double the cost of living in an Ontario city is not worth 17 an hour. My options for what is in driving distance of me is either my current job, or a call center.

[ironwill]

I been in it for 24 years Durk, if like IW also offered you and you need contacts for any and every aspect in the patch bro, lemme know Ill set ya up any time ya need :)

Trades are aight to sure :)
Bro, honestly, there are 2 guys on these forums that i would contact if i was looking to get into the patch scene....
Gymbrat, or turboturist.......They are connected...
Hopefully you dont get a flurry of pm's now gb...

[GYMBRAT]

Bro, honestly, there are 2 guys on these forums that i would contact if i was looking to get into the patch scene....
Gymbrat, or turboturist.......They are connected...
Hopefully you dont get a flurry of pm's now gb...

no probs broski, im always happy to help :)

[TexTRex]

How much a job in the patch pays out? (hourly wage)

[Durk]

Cant find much on posted wages but im guessing there is a huge gap between entry level and say a level 3 acid handler or whatever they call it lol

[GYMBRAT]

its usually a start of around 20+ an hr, BUT greatly depends on what your doing for work as well.....gunna say, I dont think you'll be under 20 an hr anywhere out here tho to start for wages

[Talo]

Hey Gymbrat can you PM me your email I've got an old friend stuck in Ontario looking to get out - he is a mechanical engineer looking to come out here.

[ironwill]

Hey Gymbrat can you PM me your email I've got an old friend stuck in Ontario looking to get out - he is a mechanical engineer looking to come out here.

Holy, that is money right there...shoot me a pm with info, i can make a couple grand for recruiting him to one of my headhunter buddies........
Mechanical anything will have no issues getting a job, mechanical engineer easily...He must be very new and green if he is having trouble getting out west...I would hire him tomorrow if experienced, but i am in BC, on the island, not sure if he needs a job out here, or focusing in Ab...If only ab, get me his info, and i will get him a job, lickety split...Signing bonus, all expenses paid, and a high wage...If he is not an EIT, and has a good background...I am a professional and in charge of engineers, trades and some operations....I am looking big time as always for GOOD millwrights, welders, fitters, electricians, and Mechanical engineers, problem is, so is everyone else....But once in awhile someone is hiding out there...
peace

[Talo]

Will do - just give me a finders fee :)

I will send you his resume and talk more about this via email or PM.

[Talo]

Are you still around IW ? Sent you a PM and i haven't heard anything from you. If you want that resume shoot me an email at Logan.kwiatkowski@apachecorp.com .

[waderow]

Durk,
Alberta is tough on the pocket. Groceries, homes, vehicles, rent, whatever... Its all more $$$ than most places in canada. Sure, you can rent a place for $700, but it will be in a shithole neighborhood, and will not be nice. Most decent places im edmonton begin at $1000/mos. To buy, you can get a condo for 200-300G for entry level, or a house for 300-500G for entry level.
Lots of people come here to make it rich to only return home broke.
Lots come here and get rich.
Make sure you do your research.

I didnt start doing well until I passed 100G/year and now I have a stay at home wife and 3 kids, so 100 no longer cuts it.

Fort Mac can be lucrative if you know the right people, otherwise you fiddle **** around bouncing from job to job paying too much rent.

You can work at Tim Hortons here for over $20/hour I believe, just to put it in perspective.

[Durk]

I just applied to a job in peace river. Seems like a pretty small town. I will just see how it pans out.

[Talo]

It's a nice place but it is strange how in Alberta that just because your in a small town doesn't make it cheaper to live. I'm in whitecourt and before walmart and no frills came in we always went to the city to shop. Gas here is usually .10c more to.

[GYMBRAT]

small towns are more expensive for the most part imho, we dont have the option to shop around to find the best prices, you pay what you pay das dat

[warlock]

Bite the bullet and pay the price now for a better future.

It may be though for 1 or 2 years but them you have opportunities there that you never have where you are

[turboturist]

Bro, honestly, there are 2 guys on these forums that i would contact if i was looking to get into the patch scene....
Gymbrat, or turboturist.......They are connected...
Hopefully you dont get a flurry of pm's now gb...

Nice to see I still get a little love after not being around for a year or more.

You end up moving Durk?

[Durk]

Still jumping through application hoops. I think I will have the job, but the fiance is getting pretty upset about the whole thing.

[turboturist]

What did you apply for if you dont mind me asking? If it is anything weather dependent that might be the issue. We have been getting a ton of rain lately and off and on. Things start up for a bit then shut down again. Bit of a yo-yo. Just try and be patient man.