British family relocating - "it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown"
Hi All,
I have carried out as much research as I could over the internet, so I would welcome any real live thoughts and opinions from any members willing.
I appreciate the answers I receive to any questions below, will be based on individual opinions and personal requirements. So please, I will read and acknowledge any comment you have and will be grateful of any advice. Also we would welcome any general comments on items you wish you knew before arriving in a new place!
I am married with a family of 5 (three boys aged 1, 5, 6); I have recently secured an offer of employment to relocate to Canada. The companies head office is based in Calgary, Quarry Park (I think this would be Zone D? Please correct me if I am reading the zoning wrong!!).
Below is a summary of what would like any opinions on:
1 – The general consensus is that areas in the north are more desirable places to live with a young active family? (Please do not be offended if this is incorrect, I am willing to be educated)
2 – If this is to be true, is it possible/easy to commute to Quarry Park from areas in the North?
3 – We would be hoping to rent a 4-5 bed accommodation (family members are already booking time slots to visit us!!!!), from my searching of rent costs, I have a resulting price range from 2,000 – 10,000 Canadian dollars a month, ideally we would be looking to pay around 2,000-2,500 per month, would this price us out of a desirable location with the required nr of bedrooms?
4 – I have studied the Fraser institute school card reports to help decide on a suitable location for our children to thrive, how reliable is this report?
5 – My children are young, and choosing a school is very high on our agenda, I believe that while public education is basically free in Calgary, you will be required to pay in the region of C$500 a year to cover school uniforms, materials, field trips and the like, Is it worth paying for private schools when the reports I have read say public schools are of good standards.
Do any expats have thoughts of the standard of public schools (compared to what we expect in UK)?
6 - And finally, (apologies if I have sent any members off to sleep with my first ever novel!!) of course, the monthly cost of living in Calgary, we understand that this will depend significantly on the kind of lifestyle we choose to lead. However, for accommodation, food, (public) transportation and utilities, one forum suggested “expect to pay a total of about C$2,200 (for a family of three).” Any comments on this?
thanks in advance to any comments received
John
Hi All,
I have carried out as much research as I could over the internet, so I would welcome any real live thoughts and opinions from any members willing.
I appreciate the answers I receive to any questions below, will be based on individual opinions and personal requirements. So please, I will read and acknowledge any comment you have and will be grateful of any advice. Also we would welcome any general comments on items you wish you knew before arriving in a new place!
I am married with a family of 5 (three boys aged 1, 5, 6); I have recently secured an offer of employment to relocate to Canada. The companies head office is based in Calgary, Quarry Park (I think this would be Zone D? Please correct me if I am reading the zoning wrong!!).
Below is a summary of what would like any opinions on:
1 – The general consensus is that areas in the north are more desirable places to live with a young active family? (Please do not be offended if this is incorrect, I am willing to be educated)
2 – If this is to be true, is it possible/easy to commute to Quarry Park from areas in the North?
3 – We would be hoping to rent a 4-5 bed accommodation (family members are already booking time slots to visit us!!!!), from my searching of rent costs, I have a resulting price range from 2,000 – 10,000 Canadian dollars a month, ideally we would be looking to pay around 2,000-2,500 per month, would this price us out of a desirable location with the required nr of bedrooms?
4 – I have studied the Fraser institute school card reports to help decide on a suitable location for our children to thrive, how reliable is this report?
5 – My children are young, and choosing a school is very high on our agenda, I believe that while public education is basically free in Calgary, you will be required to pay in the region of C$500 a year to cover school uniforms, materials, field trips and the like, Is it worth paying for private schools when the reports I have read say public schools are of good standards.
Do any expats have thoughts of the standard of public schools (compared to what we expect in UK)?
6 - And finally, (apologies if I have sent any members off to sleep with my first ever novel!!) of course, the monthly cost of living in Calgary, we understand that this will depend significantly on the kind of lifestyle we choose to lead. However, for accommodation, food, (public) transportation and utilities, one forum suggested “expect to pay a total of about C$2,200 (for a family of three).” Any comments on this?
thanks in advance to any comments received
John