Sask./ Alberta living...

Danielle - posted on 01/30/2009

Hi there! My husband is an engineer and he actually has run some of the Ensign rigs. I believe he may be working on one now. I grew up in Sask until I was 14 and moved to Calgary, then Red Deer and lived there for eleven years until six months ago. We moved out to the island to be closer to family-they all moved from Alberta to the island. My husband doesn't come home when we are working so it doesn't matter where we live.I have two children and am expecting one right now. My husband travels through Sask, Alberta and BC. People in Sask. are sweet, down to earth and laid back, but there is nothing to do there. You have to travel to do anything and the winters are VERY desolate. Alberta is fast paced, showy with money, and competetive- but you will also find the funnest people to party with, beautiful mountains and a lot of oil people. There are a lot of young people and a lot to do when you do start meeting friends-A lot of ladies who know what you are going through- but we left Alberta to come here to be closer to family. I was alone in Alberta with plenty of sweet lovely friends, but nothing compares to the support of family when you are alone with your children. Your husband is a rigger, yes? Services companies need to stay close to the work but they can only work in certain areas- service companies like cementing,vac trucks, tong hands, ect(these are not riggers).. that need to be at the site at the drop of the hat- but a pressure tester from Red Deer is not going to be driving from Red Deer to Estevan to work- Engineers are required to hire local companies most of the time. He is part of the rig crew that works shifts? He will always get enough notice to go where he needs to b/c oil companies(who we work with exclusively) always know when their drilling schedules have to commence due to licensing, construction of site, how where ensign has stored it's rig and how far it has to travel,etc. The only unforseen thing is the weather- which would delay him going to work. It would not make him( a rigger) have to be there within an hour or two. And if you do move to a town, you are not always guaranteed that he will have work in the area you live in and he may be away just as much anyways. Or you may hit the lottery and he may stay working in one area and be able to come home all the time. My baby was sick which is what made me reconsider my choices of where I wanted to live- I decided I needed family. But I know lots of sweet, amazing ladies who are going it alone without family in Alberta and Saskatchewan b/c it is a lot easier for their husbands to travel five hours home instead of getting on a plane and coming home- you know. Just weigh your options, but I know that we came out here and are loving it and I have been in all three places.

Tanya - posted on 01/22/2009

Hi Kim, moving away from your family is going to be a big ajustment for you.  They are probably a big support for you when your husband is gone.  I will tell you kids make friends at the drop of a hat, been there done that.  The comment "I think your ponytail" and they will be asking about a play date by the time you walk out of the McDonald's play area.

  I totaly agree with Amanda, during the slow times, like now!, if you are a quick call in to work you will probably be called out to work first, if you are needed.  So being closer to his base office/shop may benefit him right now.  But you have to do what is best for your WHOLE family.

Amanda - posted on 01/13/2009

My bf and I and our daughter just moved to the island from Edmonton. The nice thing about living by their work out there, especially in slow times like these, is that if there is a call they can get work. Also, there isn't the day of commuting both ways, and the ridiculous airfares. But it might be hard if you don't have much of a support network outh there....

Chantel - posted on 01/12/2009

Im in Lloydminster and actually like it. Im origionally from Newfoundland. I find Lloyd is close enough to the big citys so you can still enjoy them ... but far enough away so that you can enjoy the quite of a smaller city.  We're quite happy here.

Lesley - posted on 01/07/2009

Don't move to Sask!! Very dull! Alberta rocks! I've lived here all my life and I wouldn't go anywhere else! You have prairies, mountains,hockey and work. Everything you need!!

Ellen - posted on 11/06/2008

I also live in Northern Alberta - have most of my life. A big thing that most people comment on is how far it is to drive to the next nearest center, but you do get used to that :) The winters are COLD up here and we can have LOTS of snow, but the summers can also get pretty hot! (extreme weather, lol) It is tough making friends where I live, everyone is so busy or into their own groups that it is tough to 'break in' but there are a lot of moms groups out here - there seems to have been/or current is a baby boom going on :) The summers are beautiful out here and the sun stays up most of the day and night (only a few hours of darkness) - It's a tough call, I guess it would boil down to what's important for you :) good luck on making a decision!

Sheila - posted on 11/03/2008

I live in Northern Alberta and we just visited the Island this summer. Girl, don't move!!! Kidding aside, the lifestyle change will be large. The pace is different, the space is different, and the attitudes are different. Larger cities/centres are few and far between, depending on where you re-locate to. Because of the royalty issues, work in Alberta, for now, has slowed considerably. Depending on who you talk to, this coming year may or may not pick up. Once you cross the border into BC, business is brisk (around Dawson Creek and Fort St John). I am not familiar with what is going on in Saskatchewan, but lived there for five years and wouldn't ever move back. You're right to move while the kids are young, but make sure this is a life, and a move, you both really want. I've been a rig wife for almost 15 years, and we also have 3 kids. It's a tough life, but it has it's compensations. Good luck.