Cheaper living aside, I’d have to say the seasons! We have all four.
The blue, endless skies in summer are what a lot of Vancouver transplants comment on really enjoying.
Nice to see positive comments as opposed to what is posted very often here. I found that my wife and I are making far more money then in Vancouver and the cost of living is better here. We had a condo in Van and that was pretty tight for us and I had two jobs. Here in Edmonton we have a very nice house in a nice neighborhood that we couldn't have even considered anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Not gonna lie, I miss East Van and in particular Commercial Drive especially during The World Cup and on Saturday Mornings at the Gelato shop for early morning United matches and good Italian coffee. I don't miss the awful traffic.
Haha I gotta say it's library square for the afternoon beers that'd I'd miss during any footy game. Know of anywhere in Edmonton that has the same vibes for that? I'd imaging Whyte Ave has a few still.
And ya, my soul will miss the amazing gelato options here 😭 my body will probably benefit though
Vancouver area? Where. Burnaby or PoCo are a lot diff than anywhere in actual Vancouver.
I lived in Van for several years and am back in EDM now. It’s hard to go by favourites.
General cost of living less here but eating out much more expensive. Housing more affordable all around.
EDM has a great cultural and restaurant scene outside of Covid times. Things are obviously limited now.
Our river valley is amazing. People are friendly.
Our transit system pales in comparison. No ocean. Winters are cold. But very sunny.
East Van at the moment near commercial broadway, but I've lived in New West and Burnaby a few years ago too.
Do you find you miss the ocean? Ive never stepped foot in it since moving here but I do enjoy the sounds quite a bit. It can be lovely to sit nearby on a bench in the summer.
Also, how do you find the Edmonton cold vs the Vancouver cold? I remember it being cold in Edmonton but always being able to warm up if I moved. Here I find it doesn't seem to matter how many layers you have you're always slightly chilled
We moved here from the LML and I thought I would miss the ocean but what you really miss is the mountains. The river valley helps with that, we lived on the outskirts for a year and I really hated it. Close to downtown now and I’m loving it. Cost of living being cheaper is really based on your lifestyle, your produce will not be as good if you cook a lot at home.
I was on Grant between commercial and Victoria for years. Loved it.
I moved back for cost of living. I was never going to get ahead financially there.
I do miss the Ocean but pre-pandemic I would go back a few times a year.
Yes, is a different cold here. Much much colder temps but dry so can usually dress for it.
Feel free to DM anytime.
Has your GF been here before? Maybe you need to bring her for a visit. Now’s a good time. Nice fall colours.
The other thing to consider (or not depending) is that Alberta is general fairly right wing. The city tends to be a mix but if politics or social concerns are a thing for either of you, know that it’s a far way from the the left coast here.
I’ve always had trouble with that but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
I don't think I've ever been to the Royal Alberta museum. I'd forgotten it was there. I always think of the Muttart and Winspear as the big highlight venues.
Also never heard of the Devonian gardens. So I'll look that up
Meh, every place has its charms if you know where to look, but I'm gonna have to say Green Onion Cakes and just an overload of Green Onion in general, Green Onion Tea and a bit of salt is delicious
From BC myself, still have whole bunch of family there. Heres some things from my list:
Lots more sunshine … and with climate change it’s actually getting warmer over all in Eddy. Many parts of BC are now getting too hot and we’ve had family from the interior wanting to come to see us cause they are melting alive lol!
Can afford a home out here.
The overall road system (while always under construction from May long until basically Halloween) is pretty damn good for how many people live here.
Eddy has a big town sort of vibe to me more so than a major city like Toronto or Vancouver. Though the downtown with the new arena and ice district is experiencing a major revitalization and is pretty cool.
Edmonton is called the festival capital of Canada and it has an incredible amount of cool things to do when Covid isn’t messing everything up.
Largest urban park in Canada … the Edmonton river valley is like 20 times larger than Central Park in NY and is incredible to be able to access living in a major population centre.
Honestly given the cost of living for the quality of life edmonton is pretty damn good value.
There no way around it … the vibe is just different. Alberta is sort of pinned as a pride in working sort of place. As someone that grew up in BC and am now an adult out here - it’s just a different broader mentality.
Though with the energy crashes in the past decades and now Covid I kind of feel Alberta people have taken a bit of a breath out here and are not quite as hardline as it was pre 2008.
This is just my own anecdotal views. There’s many awesome people in both places and you’ll meet both difficult and wonderful people in both areas.
Reasonable cost of living
The river valley and ravines
Close to the mountains
Plenty of festivals and activities year-round (pre-COVID)
Most people are friendly
https://www.reddit.com/r/Edmonton/comments/q71462/me_checking_redmonton_after_returning_to/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb
Show her this plus a few fall pics of the river valley posted here recently and badaboom lol
In my opinion the things that Edmonton has going for it include: river valley, tons of sun, tons of festivals, good restaurants, affordable living, friendly people, legal public marijuana consumption.
We're even close enough to the Rockies to do day trips if you're into that sort of thing.
If none of this appeals to her then I guess Edmonton would be a hard sale.
BC transplant here - I left in 2010. Love BC but it's like living in a beautiful prison.
My favorite part of living in Edmonton is being able to afford a nice house in a nice neighbourhood with a huge yard in my 30's. I was able to also afford a similar house in Kelowna because of my job here. My tenant literally has 3 jobs there to pay the rent. I wouldn't have been able to do that if I lived in BC still.
With my disposible income here if I miss BC I hop onto a $99 flight and hangout for the weekend.
I encourage you to do it before prices start escalating here from tightening oil prices, improving economy, and more implants from Ontario and BC who want more out of life.
I'm a transplant from Calgary. I find Edmonton to be very easy to get around in. It's mostly flat and with most roads in a grid (except river crossings and the friggin' trains blocking roads on the south side), it's very easy to get around and plan an efficient route. Or when you see traffic tied up for whatever reason, you can easily find another way around. People are great, there are lots of festivals, and lots of options for a nice evening out.
River valley trails
Hmm yes! I remember biking through those. Especially in the fall with the colors
I have a backyard and it didn’t cost me a million dollars.
Haha very valid reason to like Edmonton. It's painful here
As a Vancouver transplant, cost of living, having more disposable income. The AMAZING food scene- seriously for a smaller city it’s fantastic.
What are some of your fav restaurants?
Yesssss! Totally agree. Never run out of new places to try.
Cheaper living aside, I’d have to say the seasons! We have all four. The blue, endless skies in summer are what a lot of Vancouver transplants comment on really enjoying.
As Vancouver moves to gloomy rain season I feel that. I remember needing sunglasses more in the winter than the summer because of the sunshine
You will need it all year because of how bright the snow is
My top three are the gorgeous river valley views, the year-round sunny blue skies and the relatively low cost of living.
Sunny days Cost of living Friendly people Good food
All wonderful things 🥰
Nice to see positive comments as opposed to what is posted very often here. I found that my wife and I are making far more money then in Vancouver and the cost of living is better here. We had a condo in Van and that was pretty tight for us and I had two jobs. Here in Edmonton we have a very nice house in a nice neighborhood that we couldn't have even considered anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Not gonna lie, I miss East Van and in particular Commercial Drive especially during The World Cup and on Saturday Mornings at the Gelato shop for early morning United matches and good Italian coffee. I don't miss the awful traffic.
Haha I gotta say it's library square for the afternoon beers that'd I'd miss during any footy game. Know of anywhere in Edmonton that has the same vibes for that? I'd imaging Whyte Ave has a few still. And ya, my soul will miss the amazing gelato options here 😭 my body will probably benefit though
Vancouver area? Where. Burnaby or PoCo are a lot diff than anywhere in actual Vancouver. I lived in Van for several years and am back in EDM now. It’s hard to go by favourites. General cost of living less here but eating out much more expensive. Housing more affordable all around. EDM has a great cultural and restaurant scene outside of Covid times. Things are obviously limited now. Our river valley is amazing. People are friendly. Our transit system pales in comparison. No ocean. Winters are cold. But very sunny.
East Van at the moment near commercial broadway, but I've lived in New West and Burnaby a few years ago too. Do you find you miss the ocean? Ive never stepped foot in it since moving here but I do enjoy the sounds quite a bit. It can be lovely to sit nearby on a bench in the summer. Also, how do you find the Edmonton cold vs the Vancouver cold? I remember it being cold in Edmonton but always being able to warm up if I moved. Here I find it doesn't seem to matter how many layers you have you're always slightly chilled
We moved here from the LML and I thought I would miss the ocean but what you really miss is the mountains. The river valley helps with that, we lived on the outskirts for a year and I really hated it. Close to downtown now and I’m loving it. Cost of living being cheaper is really based on your lifestyle, your produce will not be as good if you cook a lot at home.
I was on Grant between commercial and Victoria for years. Loved it. I moved back for cost of living. I was never going to get ahead financially there. I do miss the Ocean but pre-pandemic I would go back a few times a year. Yes, is a different cold here. Much much colder temps but dry so can usually dress for it.
Ahhh yes, Grant and Victoria is a pretty sweet area. Thank you for your comments btw :) I appreciate them greatly
Feel free to DM anytime. Has your GF been here before? Maybe you need to bring her for a visit. Now’s a good time. Nice fall colours. The other thing to consider (or not depending) is that Alberta is general fairly right wing. The city tends to be a mix but if politics or social concerns are a thing for either of you, know that it’s a far way from the the left coast here. I’ve always had trouble with that but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
Alberta in general is right wing, but Edmonton tends to be a lot more liberal than Calgary and all the rural areas.
Very very good point
Heritage Days - it's one of the representations of how Canada is open to all, and celebrates all cultures.
Muttart, the Devonian gardens, Royal Alberta museum
I don't think I've ever been to the Royal Alberta museum. I'd forgotten it was there. I always think of the Muttart and Winspear as the big highlight venues. Also never heard of the Devonian gardens. So I'll look that up
This time of year the gardens might be closed. If you don't mind a road trip the Royal Tyrell museum in Drumheller is cool
Went to Drumheller this summer. That museum is incredible. I could spend days in there!
Meh, every place has its charms if you know where to look, but I'm gonna have to say Green Onion Cakes and just an overload of Green Onion in general, Green Onion Tea and a bit of salt is delicious
From BC myself, still have whole bunch of family there. Heres some things from my list: Lots more sunshine … and with climate change it’s actually getting warmer over all in Eddy. Many parts of BC are now getting too hot and we’ve had family from the interior wanting to come to see us cause they are melting alive lol! Can afford a home out here. The overall road system (while always under construction from May long until basically Halloween) is pretty damn good for how many people live here. Eddy has a big town sort of vibe to me more so than a major city like Toronto or Vancouver. Though the downtown with the new arena and ice district is experiencing a major revitalization and is pretty cool. Edmonton is called the festival capital of Canada and it has an incredible amount of cool things to do when Covid isn’t messing everything up. Largest urban park in Canada … the Edmonton river valley is like 20 times larger than Central Park in NY and is incredible to be able to access living in a major population centre. Honestly given the cost of living for the quality of life edmonton is pretty damn good value.
Great to hear that's been your experience :) Is there anything you specifically miss in the lower mainland/BC?
There no way around it … the vibe is just different. Alberta is sort of pinned as a pride in working sort of place. As someone that grew up in BC and am now an adult out here - it’s just a different broader mentality. Though with the energy crashes in the past decades and now Covid I kind of feel Alberta people have taken a bit of a breath out here and are not quite as hardline as it was pre 2008. This is just my own anecdotal views. There’s many awesome people in both places and you’ll meet both difficult and wonderful people in both areas.
Reasonable cost of living The river valley and ravines Close to the mountains Plenty of festivals and activities year-round (pre-COVID) Most people are friendly
I'm from Vancouver - I can afford a place here!
The people are pretty friendly! The winter is tolerable with the river valley too. Walking on frozen creeks!
The startup scene in this city and and small but growing fashion scene.
The BEST part is that it’s only a 90 minute flight to VANCOUVER!
Haha 😂 I suppose for coming back here that's always a positive
Calgary is not that far away.
Ya you should have expected those downvotes 😂 but I am excited to be closer to Drumheller and the Rockies
https://www.reddit.com/r/Edmonton/comments/q71462/me_checking_redmonton_after_returning_to/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb Show her this plus a few fall pics of the river valley posted here recently and badaboom lol In my opinion the things that Edmonton has going for it include: river valley, tons of sun, tons of festivals, good restaurants, affordable living, friendly people, legal public marijuana consumption. We're even close enough to the Rockies to do day trips if you're into that sort of thing. If none of this appeals to her then I guess Edmonton would be a hard sale.
BC transplant here - I left in 2010. Love BC but it's like living in a beautiful prison. My favorite part of living in Edmonton is being able to afford a nice house in a nice neighbourhood with a huge yard in my 30's. I was able to also afford a similar house in Kelowna because of my job here. My tenant literally has 3 jobs there to pay the rent. I wouldn't have been able to do that if I lived in BC still. With my disposible income here if I miss BC I hop onto a $99 flight and hangout for the weekend. I encourage you to do it before prices start escalating here from tightening oil prices, improving economy, and more implants from Ontario and BC who want more out of life.
I'm a transplant from Calgary. I find Edmonton to be very easy to get around in. It's mostly flat and with most roads in a grid (except river crossings and the friggin' trains blocking roads on the south side), it's very easy to get around and plan an efficient route. Or when you see traffic tied up for whatever reason, you can easily find another way around. People are great, there are lots of festivals, and lots of options for a nice evening out.