Yes, you read that correctly, after only a few months of living with the boyfriend I’m moving…. TO CALGARY!!! As of May 1st (65 days!!!!) I will be re-located to Calgary for a summer position that is both exciting and frightening!
Edmonton is a funny city, it really doesn’t have a ton going for it career wise, unless you want to work a union job (which I don’t). This summer is especially weird, the job posting board for summer students is near empty in Edmonton. Majority of the jobs are in Montreal, Calgary or Toronto, and while I considered moving out east briefly I think my career will have the best chance of advancing in Calgary.
I took this job a while ago, even though I’m just telling you now and frankly taking this job has increased my stressed and anxiety a ton in the last little while for a few main reasons
- I need to find a place to live
I have 65 days to secure a place to live. I’m trying to find a place that is close to downtown (I would love to bike or walk to work) and a place that is affordable. I will be making more money whenI’m down there and I’m hoping I don’t have to pay more for rent, so that I can save more money to fund my Europe trip (which I ‘m hoping to extend to 6 weeks)
- Long-distance isn’t ideal
I’m not too concerned about our relationship. I love living with my boyfriend (seriously who is going to kill the spiders????) so this will definitely be a change. But, it’s only four months, and it really is only a three two-hour drive (if you hustle speed) back to Edmonton. That being said my Grandma lives on a lake half way between Edmonton and Calgary so we plan on spending most of our weekends soaking up sun on the lake. (side note: I’m getting annoyed with everyone asking if the bf is coming with me… no he isn’t, we aren’t joined at the hip)
- I don’t know my way around
Calgary is a little bit confusing. It’s divided into quadrants and some of the streets are named (god help me). I don’t like being lost, but I feel like this might be a regular occurrence when I’m down there.
But, it also comes with a ton of benefits:
- $5 more an hour + 2% increase in vacation pay
While five dollars an hour more doesn’t seem like a lot that will add up to $3,000 over the corse of 4-month, and over the corse of a year it would be $12,000. $$$$$$$
- Networking in the business community
Eventually, I think the boyfriend and I want to end up in Calgary because there is a ton of opportunity for career advancement. Being in Calgary for four months will give me the opportunity to make a lot of connections and hopefully secure a position down there.
- Calgary > Edmonton
Edmonton really isn’t that great. While I love their hockey team, it’s a fairly blue-collar city. A lot of my friends and family are here but some of our friends and the boyfriends family are in Calgary so I won’t be totally alone for four months!
So there you have it. I’m moving to Calgary. I’m stressed about it but I think it will be a great experience! Have you ever re-located by yourself for career advancement?
Yay for you, friend!! I think moving is such a great experience! You’ll do fantastic. I’ve moved several times for career advancement (when I move in April it will be my 4th time in 3 years) and I’ve never regretted one of them. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Calgary! xo
Thanks for the encouragement, I’m really nervous but I think it will be fun!
Congrats! This sounds like a great opportunity for you, and that you have things (mostly) figured out. I’m far too chicken and too much of a home-body to be able to do something like this myself, even if I was only for 4 months. Hope it works out well for you.
Thanks, lol I just need a place to live haha.
What is the problem with Edmonton being “blue collar”? Why should that matter?
The issue for me is career advancement. There isn’t much here for the type of career I want because it is blue collar.
I haven’t moved for a career advancement, but did stay in NYC after grad school because the bf was here and there were more jobs (mostly because the bf was here and I didn’t want to move back to Boston without him). I would move for my career if necessary and would go with the bf for his career if he found a better job elsewhere. I think it’s a good move if it’s a job you’ll enjoy and you get paid more.
Definitely agree, I can’t believe how much more they will be paying me! Very excited =)
While it’s not an original idea and I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times over, AirBnB would be great for “scoping out” Calgary. Actually, if you were able to definitely escape the city pretty much every weekend, you could rent a new room on AirBnB every week lol. Crazy? Yes. But it’d be an interesting summer. Although you’d need to become an expert on careful packing — unless you own a car which you could transport clothes in.
I’ve never actually thought of that. I will look into that… thanks for the suggestion!
So your BF is coming with you right? Hee hee hee
Lee and I have done a lot of long distance when we first got married, he was doing jobs everywhere but Edmonton. I missed him but I wouldn’t trade the time.
Excited for what the future holds for you!
Haha I almost burst out laughing when I read the first line and I am in the library lol. Any tips for doing the long distance thing?
Similar to Joe’s idea, I would recommend checking out postings looking for someone to take over their room/apartment for the summer. Many college students sign a year lease, but don’t need the place for the summer. If there are gaps in your working time, you could always couch surf or use Airbnb.
I moved cities/countries for each of my internships and it was definitely a great start to my career and has now allowed me to be a bit more stable in my location instead of still moving all the time for new jobs. I promise you that this will be awesome! Good luck!!
I’ve been scouring Kijiji every day for possible sublets but there haven’t been a lot for May. It might be too early. Thanks for the encouragement!
Also try looking at the local university’s off-campus housing board. I’m seeing ads like “Welcome Home! Will share my quiet, comfortable home with visiting scholar, mature student or working professional. Great transit options to UofC, SAIT, downtown. Hi-speed wireless i’net. Optional meal plan available. International students welcome!” for $400/month-ish.
https://www.su.ucalgary.ca/ooch/listing.php
Good luck!
Thank you so much I didn’t even know this existed!!!!
The streets and directions and stuff are weird in Calgary! Don’t worry though, it doesn’t take too long to learn them. It’s mostly just the majors that have names and if you stick to downtown, the rest are numbered.
I’ve moved to four cities by myself
Good to know, I’m definitely used to a place that has all numbered streets. Wow 4 cities is a lot!