Ft. McMurray Oil Sands? (apartments, crime, house)

[Dedalus]

I just saw something about this on Craig's list, about lucrative jobs up there. Is anyone from there, or know about this? It might just be one of those come ons.

[amigago]

Be prepared for Winter Low -45 C

[ms.canada2005]

my friend moved there and makes big bucks and everything is mega expensive..and in winter lucky to get out in april from snow..freezing cold and isolated..

[Dedalus]

If you don't mind me asking. I wouldn't be going for the pleasure of living up there (though it'd be an interesting change) but to stay for a year or so, and accumulate some money.

[DaninEGF]

The boom in Ft McMurray has been portrayed in the U.S. on 60 minutes and do any search on it and you will learn lots about the oilsands region and the boom going on. It is really unprecidented. They are desparate for anyone to come to work...you will make good money....but the downside is that housing is very very diffficult to come by as homes and apartments cannot be built fast enough. Thus with more demand than supply...prices are very high...with average rents/housing one of the highest in Canada and Alberta.

I have been following the boom up that way for several years now and its affect on the area in terms of infrastructure and employment. Boom such as what they are going thru seems good from the outside but it is just too much too soon... One of the major oil companies there did announce another million/billion dollar exploration deal...so the jobs are indeed real you read. But as I said the cost of living is very high there. Ft McMuarray has the second largest Newfie population outside of St Johns as many easterners move out west for jobs.

Dan

[Dedalus]

Thanks to all who replied, any additional information would be very much appreciated.

[DaninEGF]

Here are just a few links I thought would be of interest. I have been reading about the boom up there for the past few years and its affect on housing/jobs. The oilsands region of northeast Alberta is only second to Saudi Arabia in terms of possible oil production....but up there the oil is in the ground so lots of digging. Rents are the highest in Canada....with 2 BR apartments around 1500 per month and the average price for a single family home suprassing 450,000 Cdn last year. A lot of folks there are men with families elsewhere who live in tent camps on the outside of town and send money home to their families (mostly in atlantic canada where jobs in some areas area less plentiful) or single men. Drugs and crime have become a problem due to the money out there.


Canada's 'Fort McMoney' is riding an oil boom but still pleads for a handout - International Herald Tribune

Offal News: Fort McMurray - Exporting social problems

Fort McMoney on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos on CBC

[lainie]

I have a good friend who works as an operator for one of the oil companies in Fort McMurray and the money he makes is incredible. But it is a hard life. Since his home is in Peace River, he goes to Fort McMurray for his work session, which I believe is 12 days on and 6 days off, alternating between days and nights. For several years he rented a small space in the basement of someone's home, not an uncommon practice due to the lack of housing. Now he rents a house with another person, so his life is more normal. He is a real go-getter, so he works as much overtime he can. I imagine there are lucrative jobs for those with skills in the oil business.

[gouligann]

My son was out there for a few months and hated it. Yes, you make money, but it's filthy and very expensive.

Good luck finding any place to live...
I heard of a couple paying $2000 per month to live in a heated garage with just their beds, because that's all they could find. They had to go up the street to a trucker's gas station to eat, take their showers and use the toilets.

There are drugs being pushed on every street corner.

There are homeless people everywhere. Shelters are overcrowded and if you don't find a job immediately, you'll find yourself in serious trouble.

If you have children, I certainly wouldn't recommend this as a place to live and raise them.

[LightningGurl]

gouligann, before you rant on about a city you have never been to, do a small amount of research please. I have a family here and this could be the best place we have ever lived. My children go to one of the highest ranked schools in Alberta and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. For the guys that live in the camps it isn't as pleasant. There are drugs here but they are mostly downtown and there isn't any more than any other city. It is dirty and cold in winter (but magical in the river valleys and greenbelts, looks like Narnia) and the traffic isn't so good, but all in all it is a fabulous place to live so long as you have a nice house.