What is Calgary like as a workplace?

[AMEM1M2]

Many people have said things here about AME wages in Calgary, cost of living, politics, ect. Some agree that this place is terrible, but I am actually looking into moving closer to the Rockies and like to get your opinion about working there and whether it is worth it to relocate for someone wanting to start over with a family. Your input matters as I have no clue at all so far and from what I have read any decision making is not easy. What do you like about working there? I m 43, have my M1-M2 but no endorsements as of yet (seniority issues), and willing to do what it takes. Any input?

[fortis risk]

The mountains are great no doubt. The only problem with Calgary is that if you want ot enjoy it and the mountains you have to pay to play. Its a suprisingly expensive town, theres alot of money here and AMEs simply don't make enough to really enjoy it..

Everyone talks about how many things there are to do there but when you ask the average person what of those great things he/she has done its always the same answer "We haven't done that yet, it costs to much" Many people have left Calgary after years of living there and never have been able to enjoy all that there is to do.

[rigger]

There is lots of jobs for an AME in calgary. Yes the cost of living has gone up a lot lately but if you compare it toronto or Vancouver it is still resonable. It will be tough to support a family on one AME's income so hopefully mama is planning to work as well.

[bandaid]

And worst of all it is full of Calgarians.

[seamare68]

I would highly recommend coming out to Calgary. I relocated with my teenage kids from BC and couldnt be happier. I have doubled my income in 1 years time. Cost wise I find it no more expensive then living in the lowermainland (a lot less traffic).

[iflyforpie]

I lived there a few years ago when there was still five figure houses available for us with five figure incomes. I couldn't imagine living there now. Those mountains beckoning in the distance are nice but how are you going to get to them with the cost of living and commuting in Calgary so high?

I don't get paid much and I have an expensive place, but I get to live where all the six-figure salary Calgarians come out to play when they want to get away from the rat-race. I have mountains in my front yard and a river in my back yard and all the hiking, biking, skiing, swimming, fishing, golfing... I can handle (or afford) without having to drive more than 15 minutes (or at all for some activities). I guess I'm spoiled 'cause there is no way I would ever go to Calgary.

If I were you I would go to the Okanagan. Good jobs, lousy pay, high prices; but better weather, more to do, and everything is closer.

[bombardierfixer]

As above it's expensive and working as a AME is gonna be tough. Unless your wife want's to work too it's gonna be a tough road seeing is how the average house price is 400,000.00. I take a bit of exception to the " It's full of Calgarians" comment. We didn't all of a sudden start reproducing 40000 babies a year. I think its the "eastern creep's and bum's". But seriously I defy you to find your self a bonafide calgarian who was A:born there B: Lived there all of there lives. Most of the people there are transplants in the last 10 years. Calgary just grew too big too fast with absolutly no guidance from city council, they were just too busy raking in the taxes.