Alberta ... ATM of canada?? [Archive]

Rob D

Dec 29, 2006, 3:35 AM

Alberta exodus up sharply, StatsCan finds
Pattern points to province as an 'ATM'
Geoffrey Scotton Calgary Herald Thursday, December 28, 2006

The flood of migrants to Alberta continued to accelerate in the third quarter, according to new population figures from Statistics Canada -- but the number of people leaving Wild Rose Country has also picked up sharply. Some analysts believe the increased departures may be because of skyrocketing costs in Alberta, which has posted the highest inflation in the country for years and experienced housing price gains that have topped 40 per cent in a single year.

StatsCan said that between July and September, 2006, 22,800 people left Alberta -- a 36 per cent increase from the same period a year earlier -- with many going to the neighbouring provinces of Saskatchewan and British Columbia. That movement stood in contrast to the larger picture, which showed that Alberta's population rose by 37,701 in the third quarter of 2006, the fastest pace in 25 years and a 1.12 per cent gain, or 1.12 per cent.

Migration from other provinces to Alberta set an all-time high, at 24,500 people and obliterated a record set in 1980, the last time Alberta had an energy boom. Nonetheless, "despite Alberta's booming economy, many people are moving out of the province as well," the federal agency noted.
Alberta's departures during the July to September period was the third highest result for the period since a high of 23,600 in the third quarter of 1989 and compared to just 16,800 in the same period a year earlier. "While the majority of those leaving Alberta went to British Columbia, departures from Alberta have benefitted Saskatchewan the most," said StatsCan, as the flow of 2,400 Albertans eastward in the third quarter of 2005 gushed to 3,700 in the latest period.

Todd Hirsch, chief economist of the Calgary-based Canada West Foundation, said he suspects rising costs in Alberta may be a contributing factor, along with the land of riches reputation that the province has held for many years. "What might be driving that exodus number up is just cost," said Hirsch. "People may be saying that it's not such a bad idea to move back to Saskatoon or Winnipeg. I can cash in the equity of my home and buy a house and a summer cottage in Saskatchewan."

Saskatchewan Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline believes an improving employment market and more affordable real estate is driving people back to their roots. "They often say it would be good to be in Saskatchewan because of the better cost of living plus the ease of getting to work and back," Cline told the Canadian Press. Hirsch added that the pattern doesn't speak positively of Alberta's breadth of attributes. "I'm hoping that what's not happening is that Alberta is becoming the national ATM, where people come in, get cash and leave," said Hirsch. "You do hear that, anecdotally. "If there's nothing more here in Alberta other than economics to keep people here, we shouldn't be surprised that they don't stay."

gscotton@theherald.canwest.com

© The Calgary Herald 2006

chenmau

Dec 29, 2006, 3:52 AM

It would be nice to kow how many of the people are on fixed income - ie. there's no way for them to keep up with the rising costs, so they just leave.

feepa

Dec 29, 2006, 3:53 AM

Thank god, i thought this article would be about how Alberta is the only reason the federal govt has any money.

On topic, I am being here this as well, but people do stay, while others leave.
We could turn it into it if you would like

vid

Dec 29, 2006, 3:56 AM

We could turn it into it if you would like

Please don't. :)

chenmau

Dec 29, 2006, 4:02 AM

newflyer

Dec 29, 2006, 4:04 AM

There was another artcile on the same page .. in where it discusses the succuss of the Sask gov't in attract back its people, after they made some good money off of the Alberta boom.

In fact it states that the Sask Gov't may open a store front (probibly in the downtown) as a information centre, to sell the Saskatchewan Advantage.

It seems to be growing trend.. a couple weeks ago the eastern provinces (paid for by private interests) put out a large pull out section in the Herald promoting its high stanard of living.

Alberta may be a victum of its own success. Unsustainable growth... and overwelming inflation maybe taking there toll.

drew

Dec 29, 2006, 4:17 AM

I was talking with a friend recently about the economy in Alberta, and he mentioned that after one of the pulp mills in Kenora shut down recently, the skilled staff members (electricians, machinists, etc.) started up a sort of "workers co-op/firm" and advertised their skills to the Alberta oilpatch.

Apparently the lot of them were contracted up north in Alberta, and they get flown from Kenora to Alberta for rotating two week stints. So they are are gainfully employed in Alberta, while keeping their residences in Kenora and allowing their families to remain at their current schools, jobs, etc.

This certainly falls under the Alberta ATM.

LordMandeep

Dec 29, 2006, 4:20 AM

Its a good place to live, but still if i had to stay in Alberta i would come back to my area.

Waterlooson

Dec 29, 2006, 4:43 AM

I think labour mobility in Canada is much lower than in the states, where you see this happen more. People go where's there's work. In Canada they stay where they are and wait for the government to make it better for them.

Exactly.

Dalreg

Dec 29, 2006, 5:44 AM

I don't know that this ATM phenomenon is such a bad thing. People come here, work their asses off and then go home when they're not needed any more.
I think labour mobility in Canada is much lower than in the states, where you see this happen more. People go where's there's work. In Canada they stay where they are and wait for the government to make it better for them.

Almost agree with you. Just change not needed anymore to had enough of it and want out.

I have had a few family and friends move back to Saskatchewan this year and almost everyone has said they had enough of Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray etc.

vid

Dec 29, 2006, 5:49 AM

They probably can't take the fast hectic pace of Alberta. I know if I went from Thunder Bay to Calgary I'd be in for a pretty good culture shock.

Bad Grizzly

Dec 29, 2006, 6:29 AM

Anytime you have a hot economy somewhere in Canada you will always get people moving there just to make some money. When things cool down many stay and many leave, and that's what will likely happen here to.

I don't have the exact stat, but ircc the vast mojority of people who left Alberta went to BC As far as the people moving to BC, most of these people are people who are 'cashing out' so to speak. Selling their home while they can get top price for it. Most of these people are also retired.

Bad Grizzly

Dec 29, 2006, 6:36 AM

Alberta may be a victum of its own success. Unsustainable growth... and overwelming inflation maybe taking there toll.

Every booming economy becomes a victim of it's own success. It's a natural occurance. Things will slowdown in Alberta, and even out somewhat. In the long run though, Alberta will gain allot of people over a long period of time. A good number of the people that move here will end up staying here.

newflyer

Dec 29, 2006, 6:39 AM

They probably can't take the fast hectic pace of Alberta. I know if I went from Thunder Bay to Calgary I'd be in for a pretty good culture shock.

... not to mention the 400,000 starter home.

What I hear from the people who want to leave or have since left, is Calgary is becoming way over priced, while lacking infrastructure and a quality of life. They say it is a great if you want to capitalize on its oil wealth, but not that great a place to live. Traffic jams and smog are becoming the new Calgary... For myself I am not too concerned about traffic on the road because I take the c-train.. which is also packed.

I mean think about what 400,000 could buy you in Saskatchewan? You could buy the same home in Saskatoon plus a lakeside cotage plus a new car and still have a hundred and fifty grand... not to mention a very short commute everyday. Plus a stabel economy. Remember Calgary is in a boom, which will come down.. one way or the other. Not to mention having communities with schools.... In Calgary many people register there child within the first year of being born just for the chance of having that child attend the school which isn't built yet.... in the many insta-communities.

newflyer

Dec 29, 2006, 6:45 AM

CMD UW

Dec 29, 2006, 7:33 AM

There was a similar article published in Thursdays Edmonton Journal. I can't seem to find it online. It discussed that same topic, people moving back to Saskatchewan to escape the 'rat race' of Calgary, etc.

crooked rain

Dec 29, 2006, 2:52 PM

My fiancee and I have had discussions about cashing out and moving back to Saskatchewan. We could live mortgage free, I could work significantly less hours and, while we'd miss certain things about Calgary, there are advantages to smaller centres. Housing prices in the core are becoming unrealistic and we don't want to have to commute for 45 minutes each way to work and live in one of Calgary's infamous cookie-cutter subdivisions.

Lifestyle choices will play a significant factor in our decision - possibly even more important than future earnings potential, which, admittedly, would be higher if we stayed.

polishavenger

Dec 29, 2006, 3:09 PM

Lifestyle choices will play a significant factor in our decision - possibly even more important than future earnings potential, which, admittedly, would be higher if we stayed.

I think what people are starting to realize is that the higher earnings are all for not because cost of living eats away at the additional money you make, so in the end, unless you are making a killing here (which lots of people are, but not the majority) the inflation in Calgary has really hurt real earnings.

freeweed

Dec 29, 2006, 3:13 PM

I don't know that this ATM phenomenon is such a bad thing. People come here, work their asses off and then go home when they're not needed any more.
I think labour mobility in Canada is much lower than in the states, where you see this happen more. People go where's there's work. In Canada they stay where they are and wait for the government to make it better for them.

Exactly what I've seen in my 30+ years in this country. When it changes (current AB boom), people freak out like the country's being torn apart or something.

This is an EXCELLENT phenomenon, by the way. Equalization payments managed through the free market!

crooked rain

Dec 29, 2006, 3:14 PM

@polishavenger:

I think that is true of a lot of people that have come here recently. I was fortunate enough to buy early and, therefore, got in the housing market at the right time.

I feel for people who came here in the last year or so and are trying to make ends meet with lower incomes. I suspect this cohort makes up a good percentage of the population going back to lower cost centres.

freeweed

Dec 29, 2006, 3:20 PM

I think what people are starting to realize is that the higher earnings are all for not because cost of living eats away at the additional money you make, so in the end, unless you are making a killing here (which lots of people are, but not the majority) the inflation in Calgary has really hurt real earnings.

Don't know that I'd go so far as to say "a killing", but that's exactly it - people who are paid well here end up with a boatload of disposable income. The amount of stuff being carted out of the malls this past Boxing Day was positively frightening, and I'm from Winnipeg, so that says something :P

For those on the lower rungs, it can really hurt. Making $12/hr at McDonald's only sounds good if you're not paying $1500/month in rent. I think a lot of the current exodus will be people like this who are simply priced out of the market, plus I've seen some numbers on seniors and retiring boomers who are "cashing out", so to speak. I think the latter group will keep fleeing from Alberta for the next 10-15 years.

What will really be interesting to see are two things: a large average wage increase in 2007 to make up for the housing cost increases in 2006, and a HUGE (likely government-funded) push for affordable housing construction. If neither of these happen, people will be flooding out in 2007. If both happen, things might just keep ticking along for a while.

Taller Better

Dec 29, 2006, 3:24 PM

I pointed this out in a previous thread- migration within the country is more unstable than immigration from foreign lands. People will move about the country to find work, make some $$, and then move back to where ever they preferred to live.
I did once read an interesting article on how Calgary has to work on making itself more culturally interesting in order to keep people from moving away.This is the same idea as what the best corporations do... when they hire senior staff, they work hard to make it comfortable within the corporation so that they are not tempted to move to another. A city can do that, too... by investing in the cultural institutions that exist, and creating more.

MonctonGoldenFlames

Dec 29, 2006, 3:31 PM

I did not come to Alberta for the boom, or to prosper from it. It's just working out that way. I came from NB in 99, as a means to see my own country, and travel the west. I have since purchased a home, and have done well from it. Is Calgary ideally where I want to be? no way. Do I want my kids raised here? hell no! I think most people gravitate to where they originate, and this exodus is just that IMO. I can't wait to sell my home, and move back to NB and live on the water. At 28 yrs or age, I'm setting myself up for retirement here in Alberta.

Dalreg

Dec 29, 2006, 4:16 PM

... not to mention the 400,000 starter home.

What I hear from the people who want to leave or have since left, is Calgary is becoming way over priced, while lacking infrastructure and a quality of life. They say it is a great if you want to capitalize on its oil wealth, but not that great a place to live. Traffic jams and smog are becoming the new Calgary... For myself I am not too concerned about traffic on the road because I take the c-train.. which is also packed.

I mean think about what 400,000 could buy you in Saskatchewan? You could buy the same home in Saskatoon plus a lakeside cotage plus a new car and still have a hundred and fifty grand... not to mention a very short commute everyday. Plus a stabel economy. Remember Calgary is in a boom, which will come down.. one way or the other. Not to mention having communities with schools.... In Calgary many people register there child within the first year of being born just for the chance of having that child attend the school which isn't built yet.... in the many insta-communities.

Not in Saskatoon anymore. Prices here have really jumped, not at the same pace as Calgary but significantly. New subdivisions here will start at 250 000+ easily. Inner areas are averaging 165 000+. So you might get your house and cottage and maybe a vehicle if you are lucky. But even lake cottages are going through the roof.

Taller Better

Dec 29, 2006, 4:39 PM

I am happy I am not a person pining to move back somewhere. Where I chose to move to is where I am happiest, or else I would move on. A "job" is not enough to keep me somewhere where I am not happy.

circle33

Dec 29, 2006, 5:03 PM

Not in Saskatoon anymore. Prices here have really jumped, not at the same pace as Calgary but significantly. New subdivisions here will start at 250 000+ easily. Inner areas are averaging 165 000+. So you might get your house and cottage and maybe a vehicle if you are lucky. But even lake cottages are going through the roof.

My boss paid over 300k for a knock down cabin on Christopher Lake. $400 grand doesn't buy what it used to.

feepa

Dec 29, 2006, 5:22 PM

come on, Calgary isn't THAT horrible to live in :haha: :banana:

CMD UW

Dec 29, 2006, 5:35 PM

/\ this isn't just happening in Calgary. As Edmontons housing prices and cost of living increases, the same thing is happening here.

freeweed

Dec 29, 2006, 6:04 PM

come on, Calgary isn't THAT horrible to live in :haha: :banana:

Calgary's a wonderful city to live in. It's just not for everyone.

You get 2 kinds of people in this world:

1. Those that will always think that where they grew up is the best. These people will always want to live there.

2. Those who are willing to live elsewhere, whether it's for money, a job, a spouse, climate, politics, whatever. These people do not tend to have as strong an attachment to their "hometown" as the folks in 1.

Calgary right now is teeming with people who are, at their core, 1s. As someone else posted (and really, what this entire thread is about), you're going to see a TON of these people moving back home eventually. Many of us 2s will stay, which is why this city continues to grow, and also imparts some of the sense of what being a Calgarian is. There's definitely a "new world/old world" sort of feeling between Calgary and a city like Winnipeg (or Montreal, or much of Saskatchewan, or most small towns...). Cue the jokes about how no one is actually born here...

Incidentally, the overwhelming majority of people are 1s. Most people don't move often in their early years, and get very attached to what they've grown up with. Hell, I grew up in NW Ontario and often think about moving back there, even though by all objective standards (for me) there is no reason at all to do so - it's just what I grew up with, and it feels comfortable.

Favourite Simpson's joke: "We were born here, what's your excuse?" :jester:

chuber

Dec 29, 2006, 6:09 PM

I don't get why so many people think everyone is going to pick up and leave the province now that it is getting expensive to live here. Calgary and Edmonton are both considerably cheaper to live in than Vancouver and Toronto (although Calgary is closing in), and people here make comparable wages to those cities (sometimes more), yet you don't here about people flooding out of Toronto and Vancouver just because of expensive housing.

Sure some people will leave. But remember, lots of the people that come here from other provinces are the people that weren't 'good enough' to get a good job at home and are hoping to suddenly be wealthy by moving here and it doesn't work like that. And I can tell you from experience at work that we get tons of people from down east that work for 6 months and then beg to get laid off so they can go home and collect EI again. When that runs out, they come back and the circle continues. (I have actually had death threats from people because I refuse to lay them off) I am hoping that for the most part those are the people that are going back to where they came from.

And I feel sorry for people that are ruining the best years of their lives working somewhere they don't like just waiting to go home. Life is too short to not enjoy yourself. If you don't like it here, get out.

Personally I love Alberta and I love living in Edmonton (not that I hate other provinces, I have been to most and each one is great in its own way). I am getting tired of the growing pains like everyone else, but I'm hoping eventually things level off a bit and go back to 'normal'.

feepa

Dec 29, 2006, 6:46 PM

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2296/albertapop281951efye1.jpg

Rob D

Dec 29, 2006, 7:31 PM

I've been living in Calgary for 16 years now. It was not booming at all back in 1991 but I still found a job right away. I had visited Calgary many times over the years from the time I was a little kid and always enjoyed it. My perspective of the city changed greatly during the first few years here. The more I got to know the city the better I liked it. Calgary is definitely not a city where everyone would want to live but none-the-less it is a great city to live in and IMO is getting better all the time as far as diversity goes.

Sometimes it seems as though people who don't want to live here or have never even been here don't want Calgary to change. It has been too convenient to give us a label (ie: redneck) and pigeonhole us as a certain type of city. Well, the city is evolving and showing many signs of coming of age, and as it does it is becoming a much better place to live (aside from the problems associated with rapid growth).

Live and work where you are happiest. Think outside the box. There are opportunities to earn a living in a place where you want to be if you really put your mind to it. Money is not the be all and end all believe it or not, although it does wonders to help things along. A happy life is much more fulfilling. Happiness is more a state of mind than anything IMO and when you are happy the other things start falling into place.

shreddog

Dec 29, 2006, 7:36 PM

^^ Here, here. Well said there Rob.

Life is definitely too short to live somewhere where you are not happy.

Western Spaghetti

Dec 29, 2006, 8:43 PM

Even though some people will move back to their hometowns, many will stay.

If you look at Alberta back at the last boom, after the downturn there were some people who moved back, but many stayed. I know lots of people here in alberta today, who came in the late 70's with the intentions of making a buck and then moving back to their hometown, those people are still here. Regardless of people moving back to their place of origin, Calgary and Alberta will still continue to grow. just like it did after the last downturn.

When things cool off for Alberta, new opportunities will be crerated.

As far as the people who are arriving here just to make a quick buck and leave, to me they are just like buffalo hunters, they arrive, make a quick buck, and leave. Frankly, I don't care if we lose those kind of people.

dubiousmike

Dec 29, 2006, 9:37 PM

Did anyone catch the large article in todays Herald.. in which it discussed the perspective of people in Canada using Alberta is a large sized ATM ( come get money and leave ).

True. Definitely. But somewhat incomplete.

I could be categorized as one of the people who use Calgary as an ATM machine. I've been hopping back and forth between here and the coast my whole life. I'm presently on my fourth stint in Calgary.

The region's economics do contribute greatly to my quality of life. Not necessarily because of the money, but because I have a feeling of purpose and relevance in my work life here that I don't get in BC. I feel more appreciated here. I feel as though my contribution is more highly valued. Being a "land of opportunity" isn't just about being able to buy more shit, it's about how you feel about yourself when you come home from work every day.

I will leave Calgary again, and more than likely will return again, and I see nothing wrong with that. I count myself lucky to have Calgary in my life, but the pace does get to me. Every time I land in BC I have to remind myself to walk a little slower and breathe a little deeper. The best part is how each place enhances my appreciation for the other. And every time I move it's just that much better than the time before.

Think of it as an ATM machine with good food, great bars, neighbourly people, an incredible park and pathway system, and 300 days of sunshine a year.

The real lesson to be learned from jumping from city to city is that the place itself doesn't matter nearly as much as the people you share it with. And one thing I do see in Calgary is a lot of very lonely newcomers. I think that at least partially accounts for the common perception of Calgary as being impersonal and culturally sterile.

Coldrsx

Dec 29, 2006, 9:56 PM

I personally know a handfull of friends who have moved back to SASK, REG, PEG, EDM from calgary simply due to the ridiculousness of housing and lifestyle.

Mind you i prob know as many who haved moved there as well to get their gold.

newflyer

Dec 29, 2006, 11:52 PM

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2296/albertapop281951efye1.jpg

Whats this graph depicting??

newflyer

Dec 29, 2006, 11:56 PM

True. Definitely. But somewhat incomplete.

I could be categorized as one of the people who use Calgary as an ATM machine. I've been hopping back and forth between here and the coast my whole life. I'm presently on my fourth stint in Calgary.

The region's economics do contribute greatly to my quality of life. Not necessarily because of the money, but because I have a feeling of purpose and relevance in my work life here that I don't get in BC. I feel more appreciated here. I feel as though my contribution is more highly valued. Being a "land of opportunity" isn't just about being able to buy more shit, it's about how you feel about yourself when you come home from work every day.

I will leave Calgary again, and more than likely will return again, and I see nothing wrong with that. I count myself lucky to have Calgary in my life, but the pace does get to me. Every time I land in BC I have to remind myself to walk a little slower and breathe a little deeper. The best part is how each place enhances my appreciation for the other. And every time I move it's just that much better than the time before.

Think of it as an ATM machine with good food, great bars, neighbourly people, an incredible park and pathway system, and 300 days of sunshine a year.

The real lesson to be learned from jumping from city to city is that the place itself doesn't matter nearly as much as the people you share it with. And one thing I do see in Calgary is a lot of very lonely newcomers. I think that at least partially accounts for the common perception of Calgary as being impersonal and culturally sterile.

You make very good points. I would agree for almost everything you said.

Now when I travel to other parts of Canada it seems like they are on island time. Its a nice relaxed pace.

The region's economics do contribute greatly to my quality of life. Not necessarily because of the money, but because I have a feeling of purpose and relevance in my work life here that I don't get in BC. I feel more appreciated here. I feel as though my contribution is more highly valued. Being a "land of opportunity" isn't just about being able to buy more shit, it's about how you feel about yourself when you come home from work every day.

Very well said!! :tup:

Boris2k7

Dec 30, 2006, 12:12 AM

Whats this graph depicting??

Alberta population growth...

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 12:53 AM

What 400,000 gets you in Saskatoon...

a nice 1500 sq/ft home on a 54x114 sq/ft lot .... $ 232,900
.. only 10 minutes from downtown
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9018/2340481vi7.jpg

a water front lot on Manitou Beach .... $ 24,500
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/1083/manitoubeachmi7.jpg

a new BMW Z4 .... $53,900
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9646/z4di7.png

total cost ... $311,300

That leaves a cool $88,000 and change in your pocket....

Now let me ask you what $311,300 would buy in Calgary ...

Claeren

Dec 30, 2006, 1:02 AM

Now let me ask you what $311,300 would buy in Calgary ...

Admittedly, elastic housing prices can literally work to re-balance the movement of labour and capital throughout the national economy.

But it is still far far far easier for the hardworking, well educated, and/or determined person to make $400,000 in Alberta then in Saskatchewan.

I have a group of engineer friends all under 30 and some under 25 who make more then that a year just in stock options. That type of thing is FAR more common here then there.

Claeren.

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 1:05 AM

For a cool $319,000 you could have something like this little beauty...

832 sq/ft .... on a large Calgary 45x100 sq/ft lot.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3493/calry0.jpg

of course this leaves nothing for your bus pass. :rolleyes:

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 1:08 AM

Admittedly, elastic housing prices can literally work to re-balance the movement of labour and capital throughout the national economy.

But it is still far far far easier for the hardworking, well educated, and/or determined person to make $400,000 in Alberta then in Saskatchewan.

I have a group of engineer friends all under 30 and some under 25 who make more then that a year just in stock options. That type of thing is FAR more common here then there.

Claeren.

but thats the point.. for those who came to Calgary.. made there money and now want to have a higher quality of life elsewhere.

Hardhatdan

Dec 30, 2006, 1:15 AM

Admittedly, elastic housing prices can literally work to re-balance the movement of labour and capital throughout the national economy.

But it is still far far far easier for the hardworking, well educated, and/or determined person to make $400,000 in Alberta then in Saskatchewan.

I have a group of engineer friends all under 30 and some under 25 who make more then that a year just in stock options. That type of thing is FAR more common here then there.

Claeren.

What company is giving engineers 400 000$ a year in stock options please and where can I sign up?

Claeren

Dec 30, 2006, 1:43 AM

What company is giving engineers 400 000$ a year in stock options please and where can I sign up?

I don't know if i can say?

And they are not really giving $400,000 in options, they are giving ~$50,000-$100,000 in options that seem to multiply by 4 or 8 times a year. I just said they were 'making' that much off of the options, not being 'given' that much in options...

They are all juniors/start-ups. Most of my friends started with and proved to be very capable at big companies like Petro-Canada for example, and then when their own managers have left to start/join these juniors they have taken the young talent with them. Most have seen their (still considerable) salaries drop by 1/2 but with rich stock options on the table to more then make it worth their while.

Of course there are risks as well. It is not like they are getting shares in a huge and established company.

My friends tend to be very dynamic people though. There are plenty of much older and more experienced engineers being left behind. Sometimes it is not capability and skill but rather personality and potential. Frankly, a well dressed, fit & happy, and well spoken young engineer is going to have more luck finding these opportunities then a up-tight, married & depressing, mid-30 or mid-40 type with a big belly and no fashion sense (How i imagine you to be) - assuming they are somewhat talented (even if without much experience). And of course a young man can afford to take the needed risks to earn the big money more so then the older man who has a family to support...

Claeren.

PS - Frankly, after you were so rude to me prior in the forum i am hardly inclined to help you out. I am shocked you are an engineer frankly. I assumed you were a gas station attendant or something...

Claeren

Dec 30, 2006, 1:45 AM

vid

Dec 30, 2006, 1:48 AM

PS - Frankly, after you were so rude to me prior in the forum i am hardly inclined to help you out. I am shocked you are an engineer frankly. I assumed you were a gas station attendant or something...

Give a little, get a little...

Claeren

Dec 30, 2006, 1:50 AM

Give a little, get a little...

"Get a little, give a little..." is a little more accurate.

Since i based my assumption on his rude behavior.

Claeren.

skrish

Dec 30, 2006, 1:51 AM

Hey, where is that?! That is a pretty good price!!! lol.... seriously! Where?

Claeren.

haha, that's what I wanted to know when I first saw it

LordMandeep

Dec 30, 2006, 2:03 AM

some of those ads are messed. Get 150k for a bus driver...

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 2:26 AM

Hey, where is that?! That is a pretty good price!!! lol.... seriously! Where?

Claeren.

I found it on MLS .. in the Montgomery area.

circle33

Dec 30, 2006, 2:26 AM

a water front lot on Manitou Beach .... $ 24,500
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/1083/manitoubeachmi7.jpg

True that, but Manitou Beach is certainly not what one would call desirable, as the price clearly indicates.

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 2:31 AM

vid

Dec 30, 2006, 2:36 AM

Hmmm...

For the low price of only $1,300,000 you can get a whopping 27.648ha (68.32acres) with over 8000ft of lake frontage, 1500ft of road frontage, hydro and phone service, in the wonderful town of Neebing, about 15 minutes south of Thunder Bay! Try and find THAT in Alberta! :banana:

$28,000 here get's you 'A mobile home with a view!' on 1/16th of an acre. :)

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 2:48 AM

True that, but Manitou Beach is certainly not what one would call desirable, as the price clearly indicates.

..... or you could have this grub for $395,000 in Alberta.

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/4096/albbz9.jpg

I'd much rather take the Sask property!!!

There are no quality beaches in Alberta... but than again I am used to the amazing beaches around Winnipeg.

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2661/bigsunvictoriabeachthumcr4.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/162/grandbeachmj3.jpg

Thats kilometers of white powder sand baby!!

Dalreg

Dec 30, 2006, 4:46 AM

Its not the best beach, but still not too bad either..a nice valley view. The beaches around Saskatoon aren't amazing, but not bad for some recreational fun.... within a hour of town.

Of course this is only the lot.. you still have to build a cottage.

So if you know anything about Saskatchewan you would know that the lot and cottage you posted is on a salt lake that isn't even suited for swimming. Not to mention that the lake has no fishing to speak of. As for the lake it is no wider than the bow river in southern alberta. But if you want to come and build a cabin there be my guest. If you want a decent lake be prepared to spend a hell of a lot more than that. You want a decent cabin on a decent lake be prepared to shell out at least $150 000. Not saying Saskatchewan is a property gold mine, just saying it isn't as cheap as you think.

I can go online to and find houses for $150 000 in Calgary much better/bigger than what is shown. So don't try to manipulate things.

At the same time I can find homes smaller and more expensive than what was posted for Saskatoon. We can manipulate numbers all you want it doesn't prove a thing.

Taller Better

Dec 30, 2006, 5:22 AM

yeeg

Dec 30, 2006, 5:33 AM

total cost ... $311,300

That leaves a cool $88,000 and change in your pocket....

Now let me ask you what $311,300 would buy in Calgary ...Thanks for asking...$313,000 in Calgary was able to buy me a 2823 sq ft house on a 10,200 sq ft lot...Its irregular pie shaped but one side is about 200 feet, the back fence is 98 feet, the other side is 160 feet and the frontage is about 47 feet...What it doesnt get me was the $79,000 lot that the house sits on...What it also gets me is a house thats worth about $800,000 in just 3 years...One thing that is much better here is the property tax...I pay $4300 per year here and it would be about $12,000 in Regina where I am originally from...

Cars are worthless because they depreciate in value unless you own something exotic and then you might have a chance at not losing so much...

You might think that since I paid so little for the house of such size, it should be of poor quality but here is a link to the homebuilder I used and my home is "The Carrington"...

http://www.albihomes.com/explore-designs-carrington.asp

yeeg

Dec 30, 2006, 5:37 AM

I found it on MLS .. in the Montgomery area.

Damn, I was going to say Bowness so I aint too far off...People shouldnt discount Montgomery /Bowness as its going through a transition period...The homes there will and some are already large cash...Backing on the river, big lots, established foilage, what else can you ask for?

CCF

Dec 30, 2006, 8:03 AM

So if you know anything about Saskatchewan you would know that the lot and cottage you posted is on a salt lake that isn't even suited for swimming. Not to mention that the lake has no fishing to speak of. As for the lake it is no wider than the bow river in southern alberta. But if you want to come and build a cabin there be my guest. If you want a decent lake be prepared to spend a hell of a lot more than that. You want a decent cabin on a decent lake be prepared to shell out at least $150 000. Not saying Saskatchewan is a property gold mine, just saying it isn't as cheap as you think.

I can go online to and find houses for $150 000 in Calgary much better/bigger than what is shown. So don't try to manipulate things.

At the same time I can find homes smaller and more expensive than what was posted for Saskatoon. We can manipulate numbers all you want it doesn't prove a thing.

Hmm, in the Regina area our lakes still have some very reasonable prices. For instance, Last Mountain Lake has plenty of prime lots available. The older areas, such as Saskatchewan Beach haven't skyrocketed as of yet. The same can be said for Katepwa, Echo, and Pasqua lake.

Katepwa
http://www.sask2005.ca/stories/files/FUL/Sunset%20Katepwa.jpg

http://www.parklandpublishing.com/skphotos/quappelle_valley/images/katepwa_217s02.jpg

vid

Dec 30, 2006, 8:03 AM

That little bungalow, with river frontage and large trees, would probably only cost about 90,000 to 125,000 here. :) Though it could be made to look very nice if one was to put money into restoring it. Give it new siding, a bit of colour, and you could have a very nice river front home there. :)

CCF

Dec 30, 2006, 8:05 AM

Thanks for asking...$313,000 in Calgary was able to buy me a 2823 sq ft house on a 10,200 sq ft lot...Its irregular pie shaped but one side is about 200 feet, the back fence is 98 feet, the other side is 160 feet and the frontage is about 47 feet...What it doesnt get me was the $79,000 lot that the house sits on...What it also gets me is a house thats worth about $800,000 in just 3 years...One thing that is much better here is the property tax...I pay $4300 per year here and it would be about $12,000 in Regina where I am originally from...

Yes, but in Regina you would have paid half the price on that home. Things have a way of evening out, and that's what people seem to forget.

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 8:31 AM

I can go online to and find houses for $150 000 in Calgary much better/bigger than what is shown. So don't try to manipulate things.

Yeah okay... you just go do that. :jester: ... 150 won't buy you much at all in Calgary.

If you can find a home for $150,000 bigger and better than the one I posted than please become my real estate broker, because I have been keeping an active eye and haven't seen a detached home below 250,000 in a long time, and that was in a bad area of town.

I didn't search long and hard to find that house... it is honestly what you get in Calgary for that price.

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 8:36 AM

You want a decent cabin on a decent lake be prepared to shell out at least $150 000. Not saying Saskatchewan is a property gold mine, just saying it isn't as cheap as you think.

$150,000 for a decent cabin you say?? Well in Alberta that is dirt cheap.

I posted a grubby ugly lot in Alberta, which was facing some sort of creek without any building which was way beyond $150,000.... try 395,000 ... but I'm sure I am manipulating that number too. :haha:

Saskatchewan is a complete bargain... and I mean that in a very good way.

I don't see why you are offended that I am saying Saskatoon is an affordable city.

vid

Dec 30, 2006, 8:38 AM

The cheapest in Calgary, other than a shack in Bowness, I can find is a one bedroom in the Pallisades for 180K, on mls.ca.

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 8:45 AM

So if you know anything about Saskatchewan you would know that the lot and cottage you posted is on a salt lake that isn't even suited for swimming. Not to mention that the lake has no fishing to speak of. As for the lake it is no wider than the bow river in southern alberta. But if you want to come and build a cabin there be my guest. If you want a decent lake be prepared to spend a hell of a lot more than that. You want a decent cabin on a decent lake be prepared to shell out at least $150 000. Not saying Saskatchewan is a property gold mine, just saying it isn't as cheap as you think.

I can go online to and find houses for $150 000 in Calgary much better/bigger than what is shown. So don't try to manipulate things.

At the same time I can find homes smaller and more expensive than what was posted for Saskatoon. We can manipulate numbers all you want it doesn't prove a thing.

You are hilarious!!!

Take some time .. and look at MLS.

... and for your info I did live in Saskatchewan for a couple years .. I am well aware of the cost of housing.

newflyer

Dec 30, 2006, 8:53 AM

The cheapest in Calgary, other than a shack in Bowness, I can find is a one bedroom in the Pallisades for 180K, on mls.ca.

now now... Dalreg says he can find a great home in Calgary for $150,000... lets give him his big chance to prove it. :D

vid

Dec 30, 2006, 9:13 AM

but... mls.ca already proved him wrong... :(

A proof is a proof! What kind of proof? It's a proof! And you know you have a good proof - IT'S BECAUSE IT'S PROVEN! (http://www.mls.ca/PropertyResults.aspx?Mode=0&Page=1&vs=1&rlt=&cp=&pt=0&mp=0-175000-0&mrt=0-0-0&Beds=0-0&Baths=0-0&f=&ft=all&o=A&of=1&ps=50&ptgid=1&aid=6266&MapURL=%3fAreaID%3d6266) :D

Dalreg

Dec 30, 2006, 10:06 PM

Well I admit I made a mistake. I was on Royal Lepage website and in the south east section of Calgary one house was listed for $9,999 but further reading stated house only. Land not included. Also several other houses listed in this section were in the 30-40 thousand range, but were actually located in NFLD? What the f**k is a Calgary real estate firm doing listing houses in NFLD.

Here you go listed for $124,000: http://www.welist.com/calgary.html
Detailed Information
Style: Mobile/Manufactured sri Size: 1152 Price: $124,900
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Parking: 2

http://www.welist.com/pics/25000/25560.jpg

So I think some of you might like some ketchup with that crow you should be eating?:jester: :jester: :jester: :jester: :jester:

yeeg

Dec 30, 2006, 11:00 PM

deleted message as duplicated below

yeeg

Dec 30, 2006, 11:12 PM

Yes, but in Regina you would have paid half the price on that home. Things have a way of evening out, and that's what people seem to forget.

I seem to have a hard time finding a 2800 sq ft Regina house on 1/4 acre on MLS...Maybe its the time of year...The extra $8000 taxes go bye bye but if I paid that in mortgage, I at least have a chance at getting it back when I sell...

The extra 5% income tax I would pay in Regina hurts as well...Although we have health care premiums in Alberta, it only amounts to about 1% of my income so still, that extra 4% is gone...And what about the 5% sales tax in Sask??

Oh yeah, my car insurance is cheaper in alberta than it is in Sask as well...There goes another argument for Sask...

I lived in Regina for 25 years and only in Calgary for the last 9 years...I am still proud to say that I am FROM Regina because its a good place to be FROM...However, when people ask me where I LIVE, I say Calgary and dont even mention Regina...

drew

Dec 31, 2006, 12:10 AM

I seem to have a hard time finding a 2800 sq ft Regina house on 1/4 acre on MLS...Maybe its the time of year...The extra $8000 taxes go bye bye but if I paid that in mortgage, I at least have a chance at getting it back when I sell...

You'd have to look carefully at the difference in interest you would pay on that larger mortgage too. If you were making a fairly close income between the two cities, the bank would need to get very creative in terms of morgage length and interest rates (i.e.$$$$) for you to afford a 300k mortgage in Calgary versus the 150k mortgage in Regina.

Surrealplaces

Dec 31, 2006, 1:14 AM

Now let me ask you what $311,300 would buy in Calgary ...

While I agree with some of your points, you also have to look at the big picture, and look at the future as well.

I bought my home 7 years ago for 195,000, and my cousin in Regina thought I was nuts. She was telling me how I could have bought a house their for 85,000. Today my house is worth around 600 - 700,000. The same house in Regina is probably worth 150,000 tops.

My brother in law just bought his mother's house in Sault st Marie last month for 65,000. She bought it twenty years ago for 45,000.

You have to consider the market of where you're buying your house, and the longterm effects. It's not all about what you pay today.

dubiousmike

Dec 31, 2006, 1:55 AM

^^^

That's true. Even in urban BC, it's been my experience that if you can scrap together the money to buy real estate, it's always worthwhile. Regardless of perceptions of relative value.

DLLB

Dec 31, 2006, 2:16 AM

We moved to Calgary about 14 years ago and we have seen a great deal of change since then. The population has grown by about 275K - 300K in that time and everything is busier, especially the roads. The malls are busier, it takes a bit longer to get to work but I LOVE THIS CITY.

I love that I can leave my home and in 10 minutes be in the foothills on my way to Bragg Creek with the $1M view of the Rockies the whole way there. Or that I can leave my house and in 5 minutes be in Fish Creek Park which is in the south part of the city and only hear the sounds of water running and birds singing and will often see deer.

No place has everything but I feel very fortunate to live in a city that has so much to offer if you just take the time to seek it out and take advantage of it.

Yes we are the ATM, in fact a major funder of Canada. We pour billions into Ottawa (which is really a 4 letter word) to support the rest of the country and get no thanks for that at all. Anyways, I have been lucky enough to have seen a fair part of this world and I would not want to live anywhere else but Calgary. Now if only the Flames and Stamps would do their part.

Habanero

Dec 31, 2006, 2:37 AM

While I agree with some of your points, you also have to look at the big picture, and look at the future as well.

I bought my home 7 years ago for 195,000, and my cousin in Regina thought I was nuts. She was telling me how I could have bought a house their for 85,000. Today my house is worth around 600 - 700,000. The same house in Regina is probably worth 150,000 tops.

My brother in law just bought his mother's house in Sault st Marie last month for 65,000. She bought it twenty years ago for 45,000.

You have to consider the market of where you're buying your house, and the longterm effects. It's not all about what you pay today.

Very well put! You can always find cheaper property somewhere, but the value of it, likely won't increase by much. The case of Sault St Marie is a good example.

Calgary is one of the main cities in Canada, and it's a progressive city. In a progressive city, the real estate is always going to be a higher price.

newflyer

Dec 31, 2006, 2:57 AM

newflyer

Dec 31, 2006, 3:03 AM

While I agree with some of your points, you also have to look at the big picture, and look at the future as well.

I bought my home 7 years ago for 195,000, and my cousin in Regina thought I was nuts. She was telling me how I could have bought a house their for 85,000. Today my house is worth around 600 - 700,000. The same house in Regina is probably worth 150,000 tops.

My brother in law just bought his mother's house in Sault st Marie last month for 65,000. She bought it twenty years ago for 45,000.

You have to consider the market of where you're buying your house, and the longterm effects. It's not all about what you pay today.

All I am saying is what the article said... which is some ex-Saskatchewan people are cashing out and moving home with a wallet full of money.

Then I compared what type of lifestyle you could have in Saskatoon vs Calgary.. thus proving that if one was inclined to sell ther home here and move back they could live very well.

I mentioned Saskatoon, because the article focused on Saskatchewan.. and I think its a very nice smaller city with a growing economy. Your income wouldn't be as high, but you more than likely could live mortage free.

freeweed

Dec 31, 2006, 3:09 AM

Well I admit I made a mistake. I was on Royal Lepage website and in the south east section of Calgary one house was listed for $9,999 but further reading stated house only. Land not included.

If you really needed "further reading" to realize that the land wasn't included with that, I pity you. You can't get a lot for that price in any city these days, let alone Calgary. Well, if you can, I pity your city. :haha:

Here you go listed for $124,000: http://www.welist.com/calgary.html
Detailed Information
Style: Mobile/Manufactured sri Size: 1152 Price: $124,900
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Parking: 2

http://www.welist.com/pics/25000/25560.jpg

So I think some of you might like some ketchup with that crow you should be eating?:jester: :jester: :jester: :jester: :jester:

You do realize that's a TRAILER, right? As in, trailer park? Hell, if you consider THAT crow, then I can find you a house for under $100 in downtown Toronto - it's a cardboard box and I'll sell it to you for $25. What? You want some land included with that?

newflyer

Dec 31, 2006, 3:14 AM

If you really needed "further reading" to realize that the land wasn't included with that, I pity you. You can't get a lot for that price in any city these days, let alone Calgary. Well, if you can, I pity your city. :haha:

You do realize that's a TRAILER, right? As in, trailer park? Hell, if you consider THAT crow, then I can find you a house for under $100 in downtown Toronto - it's a cardboard box and I'll sell it to you for $25. What? You want some land included with that?

hell .. I can offer you a temp home for $10/day ..... but don't keep your stuff there, because the garbage truck dumps the bin a couple times a week. :haha:

drew

Dec 31, 2006, 4:20 AM

I bought my home 7 years ago for 195,000, and my cousin in Regina thought I was nuts. She was telling me how I could have bought a house their for 85,000. Today my house is worth around 600 - 700,000. The same house in Regina is probably worth 150,000 tops.

I agree that your real estate in Calgary gained more value than than Regina but...

Your house isn't worth 600-700k until that 600-700k is in your pocket, especially in a volatile real estate market.

I know a person trying to sell a condo in Calgary right now, and it seems the days of asking ridiculous prices and then getting even more than your asking price are slowing down there. I'd imagine my friend will probably end up getting about 25k less for her condo than she would have just a couple months ago.

Dalreg

Dec 31, 2006, 5:13 AM

... ummm thats a molbile home... if you think thats better than what I posted... although I don't think there is much crow for me. How much do mobile homes cost in Toontown? ...

"If you really needed "further reading" to realize that the land wasn't included with that, I pity you. You can't get a lot for that price in any city these days, let alone Calgary. Well, if you can, I pity your city."

No one ever said manufactured homes weren't allowed. Sorry maybe you folks should have checked the fine print.:D

You folks threw the gauntlet done asking me to find a home for less than $150,000. Well I did. :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:

I'm not trying to stir anything up here all I did was back up my statements. Thats all I expect anyone else to do.

Dalreg

Dec 31, 2006, 5:17 AM

newflyer

Dec 31, 2006, 5:25 AM

So you figure that cabin can be built for $88,000? What about the $150,000 you said you would have left out of the $400,000? I'll give you a chance to back up your STATEMENT. It can be done.

I may have exaggerated a bit... but my point still stands... you can have have a much higher standard living if you cashed out of Calgary and moved to a city like Saskatoon.

If you tried to buy a 1500 sq-ft home and a waterfront cabin and the BMW ... would push you over the 1,000,000 mark easily in Calgary ... so Saskatoon is still an amazing bargin.

Although I bet a could get make an interesting 400,000 comparison in a community like Humbolt.. but you'd be giving up all the convenences of city living.

newflyer

Dec 31, 2006, 5:32 AM

"If you really needed "further reading" to realize that the land wasn't included with that, I pity you. You can't get a lot for that price in any city these days, let alone Calgary. Well, if you can, I pity your city."

No one ever said manufactured homes weren't allowed. Sorry maybe you folks should have checked the fine print.:D

You folks threw the gauntlet done asking me to find a home for less than $150,000. Well I did. :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:

I'm not trying to stir anything up here all I did was back up my statements. Thats all I expect anyone else to do.

Actually you said a bigger better home... I can go online to and find houses for $150 000 in Calgary much better/bigger than what is shown. So don't try to manipulate things.

That is a trailer park home. Not even close to better..... although that would explain alot.

Don't worry everyone knew it was a lost cause to even try.

newflyer

Dec 31, 2006, 5:38 AM

"If you really needed "further reading" to realize that the land wasn't included with that, I pity you. You can't get a lot for that price in any city these days, let alone Calgary. Well, if you can, I pity your city."

I found many lots in Saskatoon going for well less that 150,000 ...... infill lots can be had for less than 30G.. one less than 10G ... and new lots for less then 80G. Brand new homes in Willow Grove go for less than 200G.

By the way mobile homes in Saskatoon can be had for less then 15,000... not exactly Calgary. :rolleyes:

Don't worry I won't pity Saskatoon.... its a nice small city with great deals. The Sask Gov't is very wise to promote the cheap housing to people in Calgary. It seems to be working, as indicated by the article.

ReginaGuy

Dec 31, 2006, 5:52 AM

Oh yeah, my car insurance is cheaper in alberta than it is in Sask as well...There goes another argument for Sask...
I doubt it.. SGI is non profit. I pay $933/year to plate my 1999 Intrigue in Saskatchewan. I did a search on www.kanetix.ca, and the cheapest quote I could get for my car in Calgary was $3248 per year with Millennium Insurance... $3248!!

How on earth can you possibly be paying less in Alberta than in Saskatchewan? I'm sure it's possible to pay less for car insurance in Alberta, but I'm guessing at least 99% of Alberta motorists pay more than Saskatchewan motorists

newflyer

Dec 31, 2006, 5:54 AM

How is that possible? SGI is non profit. I pay $933/year to plate my 1999 Intrigue in Saskatchewan. I did a search on www.kanetix.ca, and the cheapest quote I could get for my car in Calgary was $3248 per year with Millennium Insurance... $3248!!

How on earth can you possibly be paying less in Alberta than in Saskatchewan?

I agree .. Alberta insurance is very expensive.

Boris2k7

Dec 31, 2006, 6:05 AM

tuffyy

Dec 31, 2006, 6:52 AM

This is a ongoing problem and I have seen it first hand,A fellow and his GF moved to Edmonton to take advantage of the work.They are now looking to move ''back home'' because he finds the lifestyle is to rushed for his liking,he admits he will lose thousands per year in income but just cant handle living here because the cities (Edmonton and Calgary) are too busy for his liking...The labour shortage will surely continue to attract alot of these ''vagrant'' workers.

ssiguy

Dec 31, 2006, 6:53 AM

That little house in Calgary would be a MINIMUM of 600k in East Van and 800-900k on the westside.
A 300k house in Vancouver would be gov't subsidized housing. Calgary is getting expensive but not even remotely close to Vancouver. ALL of BC is expensive no matter what little dump of a town you live in. BC doesn't mean "bring cash" for nothing. That, however, begs the question..........why do people in Alberta continue to move to BC and even head home.
Housing is very affordable in Alberta when compared to Greater Victoria, Kelowna, and of course the Lower Mainland. The wages are higher in Alberta and the taxes lower.
Maybe the government of Alberta and Albertans themselves should take a look at their province and ask why people would move if it weren't for the money.
If people were all of a sudden offered similar wages in the rest of the country I bet many would leave and not just back to their home province and maybe they should take a look at their province and the things that many who move find distasteful about Alberta.

ReginaGuy

Dec 31, 2006, 7:14 AM

Alberta Insurance is not expensive. Sask. Insurance is just cheap. My insurance (1st time driver, older vehicle) was only $1500 a year (I no longer drive). Even $3248 a year is affordable, and I can only imagine that you have either a very good car or a horrible record for it to be that high anyways.

My dad's insurance is about $850 a year.

I have a perfect driving record, and Ive had my licence for about 4 years. The cheapest quote I could get (by lieing, saying im a married doctor with a perfect driving record of 10+ years was about $800

thats good, but it would still be cheaper in Sask under the same circumstances.

And I never said Alberta has expensive insurance, I was just saying theres no way its cheaper than Sask's

Boris2k7

Dec 31, 2006, 8:15 AM

And I never said Alberta has expensive insurance, I was just saying theres no way its cheaper than Sask's

Sorry, I should have clarified... that part was in response to newflyer

freeweed

Dec 31, 2006, 8:49 AM

I have a perfect driving record, and Ive had my licence for about 4 years. The cheapest quote I could get (by lieing, saying im a married doctor with a perfect driving record of 10+ years was about $800

thats good, but it would still be cheaper in Sask under the same circumstances.

And I never said Alberta has expensive insurance, I was just saying theres no way its cheaper than Sask's

Saskatchewan, like Manitoba (and all government insurers) has cheaper insurance if you're a bad driver, or young, or only have had your license for a few years - as you've discovered.

Our insurance went down over $200 annually when we moved from MB to AB, but that's due to neither of us being under 25, both having perfect records, and both with 7+ years driving experience.

Government insurers average out the pot, whereas in private jurisdictions you tend to pay a lot more if you're a higher risk driver, and a lot less if you aren't. Also, the introduction of the no-fault tort systems have radically changed how claims are paid out, allowing the government insurers to charge a hell of a lot less on the whole as they're paying a lot less. I happen to agree with no-fault systems, in case you're wondering - even though they're poorly named. Fault is still assigned, but the "OMG you owe me $100,000 because I can no longer play rec hockey" payments (ie: pain and suffering) no longer exist. You get compensated for financial losses, and that's about it. Take away pain and suffering compensation and the private jurisdictions like ON and AB could drop rates dramatically.

Dalreg

Dec 31, 2006, 3:03 PM

I may have exaggerated a bit... but my point still stands... you can have have a much higher standard living if you cashed out of Calgary and moved to a city like Saskatoon.

If you tried to buy a 1500 sq-ft home and a waterfront cabin and the BMW ... would push you over the 1,000,000 mark easily in Calgary ... so Saskatoon is still an amazing bargin.

Although I bet a could get make an interesting 400,000 comparison in a community like Humbolt.. but you'd be giving up all the convenences of city living.

As I may have exaggerated a bit too. I never intended to compare Saskatoon with Calgary, I just had to speak up since you used Saskatoon as your Saskatchewan option. If you had choosen Regina, I wouldn't have said a word.

As for Humboldt houses average over $100,000 but if you buy anything new it will push you well over $200,000. Cabins at the nearby lake are hard to come by, nNobody sells. New lots on the lake are $39,000 and the show cabin put up is listed at $149,000.

yeeg

Dec 31, 2006, 4:16 PM

You'd have to look carefully at the difference in interest you would pay on that larger mortgage too. If you were making a fairly close income between the two cities, the bank would need to get very creative in terms of morgage length and interest rates (i.e.$$$$) for you to afford a 300k mortgage in Calgary versus the 150k mortgage in Regina.If interest on a 150K mortgage is $10000 per year and interest on a 300K Calgary mortgage is $20000 per year, I would not care about the interest so much as the appreciation in Calgary is far more than the appreciation in Saskatchewan...

Someone also mentioned their friend is selling a condo for about 25000 less than the prices it was asking a few months back...Well, its still higher than a year ago and more importantly, much higher than it was when they bought it...

As for mortgage rates, they are more competitive here...I picked up a 4.15 - year mortgage 2 years ago...

Real estate commissions are much better as well...Regina has straight 7% but its 7% on the first 100K, 3% thereafter...