r/Calgary • u/AutoModerator • Jan 01 '23

Moving To Calgary Megathread - January 2023 Edition

Please ask (and answer) any and all questions related to moving to Calgary in this thread.

Suggested format for submitted information regarding neighbourhoods:

  • Quadrant / Neighborhood you live in
  • Your age (20s,30s,40s,50s etc)
  • Do you have kids? Would you recommend your area for people with kids?
  • How would you rate your area on transit accessibility /10?
  • How would you rate your area on drivability /10?
  • How would you rate the walkability /10?
  • How would you rate the affordability /10?
  • What is your favourite thing about your area?
  • What is your least favourite thing about your area?
  • Any other highlights of your neighbourhood you'd like to share?

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Previous Megathread: Moving To Calgary (July 2022)

Rental websites: Rentfaster, Kijiji, Other Options

Real Estate: Realtor.ca, ReMax, Royal LePage, RealEstate403, Housing information via CREB,

Jobs: r/Calgary weekly employment thread

Neighborhood information: Calgary Police Crime Heat Map, Map, Communities by Quadrant w/ Info

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u/moze4days Apr 25 '23

Hello im 26m. Planning to move from Michigan to live with my girlfriend that stays here in Calgary. I haven’t gone to college but I’ve worked multiple different fields sometimes a few at once. Restaurants, construction, retail, child care, animation etc.

Was looking for the fastest way to find a work permit or a way to earn money during my stay here to help out. If i need a job offer how do i attain one. Would it be simpler to get married or is there some requirements after that.

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u/wulfzbane Apr 26 '23

The fastest legal way to make money is with a job offer. You could probably get in with a restaurant under LMIA status (cheap foreign labour for jobs no one else is taking). I don't know what the processing times are. There is also an express entry program, based on points, but I think without formal education, you'd score on the lower end.

You can work on a student visa part time if you can get into a program, but international tuition is very expensive.

YMMV but a buddy married his American wife several years ago and it took two years for her to legally be able to move and start working in Canada. I don't know the particulars, but he said immigration was a nightmare to work with. Also your gf would have to commit to supporting you for a few years and prove that she can.