Thinking of Immigrating to Edmonton (living, price, agricultural)

[Geostrophi]

I am an American Muslim working overseas, and will be relocating my family to either the United States (first choice Minneapolis St-Paul MN) or Canada (am thinking of Edmonton, maybe Calgary?) in about 1-2 years. I have recently started thinking about the possibility of moving to Canada, for several reasons:
1) I am concerned about the loss of civil liberties in America, and the fact that America seems to be moving closer and closer to a police state.
2) I really like the fact that Canada is more diverse and accepting of other cultures. I think that my children will be able to live in Canada without having to defend being a Muslim all the time.
3) From my reading related to investing, I believe natural resources will be more and more in need, and that Alberta's economic prospects are excellent.
4) I have always found Canadian cities to be cleaner, and more vibrant, than American cities.
I havnt been to Edmonton, or Calgary, yet.

Any comments or thoughts about Edmonton and/or moving to Canada woudl be appreciated.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by Geostrophi

I am an American Muslim working overseas, and will be relocating my family to either the United States (first choice Minneapolis St-Paul MN) or Canada (am thinking of Edmonton, maybe Calgary?) in about 1-2 years. I have recently started thinking about the possibility of moving to Canada, for several reasons:
1) I am concerned about the loss of civil liberties in America, and the fact that America seems to be moving closer and closer to a police state.
2) I really like the fact that Canada is more diverse and accepting of other cultures. I think that my children will be able to live in Canada without having to defend being a Muslim all the time.

Take my word: your worries are justified about the U.S. on both the above counts. Bringing your kids here now (and I live in Washington, a reasonably tolerant state) would be one step short of being the first black family in an old sundown town. That holds true for any non-Christian (which I am), but most especially for a Muslim (which I ain't). When Scientology gets less scrutiny or hassle than Islam, I'd say that's what we call bad. The government may pay lip service to the First Amendment, but the population no longer does. It's almost amusing, especially when all the draconian passages in the Koran get quoted, yet the ones in the Old Testament, well, hey, that was the old days.

I can't say what your experience will be in Alberta, because I haven't traveled there for quite a few years, but it would surely be more positive than here. It's definitely got a lot of oil. It's probably also the most right-wing province in Canada, judging by Albertans I talk to, but in Canada I don't think that very often means nativism or religious intolerance. To give you an idea, some years back they even decided that Sikh Mounties could wear their turbans instead of the Smokey hat. (I still think it was a bad decision in that particular case, but it's their country, so if that's what they choose, so be it.)

[dreameyes]

Hello,

I grew up in Edmonton and I also lived in Calgary for 2 years. Both cities are wonderful and I would say very diverse and accepting. I would say that Calgary is more cosmopolitan and busy whereas Edmonton is more laid back. Calgary is also a bit more pricey.

[Fnix]

It is cold in Edmonton!!!!!!

[zoran]

Edmonton is cold but so is most of Canada which is why Canadians are referred to as snow birds when we fly off to Florida during the winter months.
Cost of living is very high in Edmonton, but our son lives there and he loves it. If you move farther down, towards Lethbridge, Medicine hat, things are mostly agricultural, the way of life is very quiet and laid back. Housing in Alberta is much more expensive than other areas, for instance Ontario has a lower housing price market.
As for religion or race Canada is a mixed culture to say the least and we are all very accepting of other nationalities, religions, etc. Kids are brought up with mixed cuktures and pay no mind to skin colour , race or beliefs and principles.

[Alt Dach]

Look at Halifax N.S.,the most overlooked smaller gem in Canada.
Ottawa too is a gem of a city,more diverse than Alberta,warmer and
a lot of culture.

[Cornerguy1]

Originally Posted by Geostrophi

I am an American Muslim working overseas, and will be relocating my family to either the United States (first choice Minneapolis St-Paul MN) or Canada (am thinking of Edmonton, maybe Calgary?) in about 1-2 years. I have recently started thinking about the possibility of moving to Canada, for several reasons:
1) I am concerned about the loss of civil liberties in America, and the fact that America seems to be moving closer and closer to a police state.
2) I really like the fact that Canada is more diverse and accepting of other cultures. I think that my children will be able to live in Canada without having to defend being a Muslim all the time.
3) From my reading related to investing, I believe natural resources will be more and more in need, and that Alberta's economic prospects are excellent.
4) I have always found Canadian cities to be cleaner, and more vibrant, than American cities.
I havnt been to Edmonton, or Calgary, yet.

Any comments or thoughts about Edmonton and/or moving to Canada woudl be appreciated.

There's a little more to moving to Canada than just showing up at the border with your suitcase. Contrary to popular opinion, Canada does not just open its doors to any would-be immigrant that happens along; there are specific criteria which must be met and the process can be both lengthy and expensive.

For more information look on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site.

[Alt Dach]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

There's a little more to moving to Canada than just showing up at the border with your suitcase. Contrary to popular opinion, Canada does not just open its doors to any would-be immigrant that happens along; there are specific criteria which must be met and the process can be both lengthy and expensive.

For more information look on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site.

Of course that true.But back in 1960 I got landed immigrant status in about a week to use my sonar skills in thev RCN after my 4 yrs in USN>

READY-AYE-READY

[Geostrophi]

I do understand that having the ability to immigrate to Canada is not a 'given', and your point is well taken. Thanks to everyone for your feedback. I am going to do a bit of research on Ottawa, also - it looks very attractive. From what I have read, the most expensive cities are Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Ottawa, in that order.

[j_k_k]

Is it still true that if you speak French and declare intention to settle in Quebec, you get preference? (I wanted to type that in French but did not want a warning, as I recall this is strictly an English only forum.) That's the card I'd play. Well, that combined with reasonable assets, marketable skills, no record of jail time for littering, and enough knowledge about Canada to suggest a sincere commitment.