QE2 commute in winter from Red Deer - Moving from BC

[quasar81]

Hello to Albertans out there...

I have a question regarding out 'potential' move from BC.

My wife is getting a good job offer from Red Deer regional hospital and she needs it to get some practical experience needed to get a step in door as a specialist for which positions are rare. Not to go into details – it is pretty important gig. So, We were thinking of taking it up.

My company has offices in Edmonton and Calgary. So, I was thinking I can work at one of those offices while we buy home in Red Deer. Clarification: I am okay with upto 1.75hr of commute. Done that before. So that is not the question.

I have heard QE2 highway gets pretty bad in winter. Seen all the google link to news. Question is how often? Once every week or once every month? I can put up at relatives if there is a blizzard or something once in 2 weeks or so, but it might me tough if it is every day…… Need input from folks out there. BTW, I know cold driving. Have lived in Northern Minnesota(upto -15C and below 0 for months) for 6 years. Just mentioning before somebody say I am in for winter driving surprise.

Thanks in advance for your inputs!!!

Regards,
Quasar

[Dalreg]

Why not look at an option in between. You can both commute from a smaller center?

[Xelebes]

Lacombe and Ponoka are options to consider.

[thegx]

The Calgary-Red Deer portion is closed more often than the Edmonton-Red Deer portion due to white-out conditions.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by quasar81

Hello to Albertans out there...

I have a question regarding out 'potential' move from BC.

My wife is getting a good job offer from Red Deer regional hospital and she needs it to get some practical experience needed to get a step in door as a specialist for which positions are rare. Not to go into details – it is pretty important gig. So, We were thinking of taking it up.

My company has offices in Edmonton and Calgary. So, I was thinking I can work at one of those offices while we buy home in Red Deer. Clarification: I am okay with upto 1.75hr of commute. Done that before. So that is not the question.

I have heard QE2 highway gets pretty bad in winter. Seen all the google link to news. Question is how often? Once every week or once every month? I can put up at relatives if there is a blizzard or something once in 2 weeks or so, but it might me tough if it is every day…… Need input from folks out there. BTW, I know cold driving. Have lived in Northern Minnesota(upto -15C and below 0 for months) for 6 years. Just mentioning before somebody say I am in for winter driving surprise.

Thanks in advance for your inputs!!!

Regards,
Quasar

I live in Calgary but work in Red Deer. I don't make the commute daily (much less frequently actually) and don't usually travel at rush hour, but I've been lucky and never been held up, so I would say it's probably more in the once a month range. Traffic only gets busy around Airdrie/Calgary and Red Deer.

[quasar81]

Originally Posted by milomilo

I live in Calgary but work in Red Deer. I don't make the commute daily (much less frequently actually) and don't usually travel at rush hour, but I've been lucky and never been held up, so I would say it's probably more in the once a month range. Traffic only gets busy around Airdrie/Calgary and Red Deer.

Per suggestions, we are exploring Lacombe and Ponoka options. Thanks everybody!!

I am glad folks here put that commute in tough, but not impossible category. I am okay with tough and 1.5hrs. Also, seems like 1-2 times a month is the general consensus regarding bad weather commute - months Nov to April....

[DizzyEdge]

I'd be curious which one you pick, and why.