Moving back to Alberta!

Chuck403 · #1 07-22-2008, 10:06 AM

What a relief. Left my home province last may to move to B.C. When I first moved here, I was excited, looking forward to new hunting opportunities, new areas to explore on my quad, etc.

After living here for a while though, discovered that B.C. isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I had to be a resident for 6 months before I could hunt. So no hunting season for me last year. Got flipping through the hunting regulations for a look-see on what I was getting in to.

They have some pretty goofy regulations here. Some that stand out in my mind is a deer that is legal in September is illegal in October, (or something like that, I can't remember exactly how it worked) There are elevation rules for whether an animal is legal or not. Know of someone whose cow elk draw is only good under 1100 meters elevation. Didn't know that an altimeter was a required piece of hunting equipment.

Insurance in B.C. one word, OUCH! In Alberta, for full coverage on my Truck, and 2 quads I was paying approx $1600/year. Same coverage in B.C. is over $2000/year for the truck alone, throw both quads into the mix was approx $1300/year. over twice the price for insurance.

The new "Carbon Tax" As if gas wasn't expensive enough, let's throw another 2.5 cents/liter tax on it.

Drivers license, because I hadn't held a B.C. Drivers License before, my new one is only good for 2 years, then I get to pay again for a new license, and medical. (class 1).

Fishing... all told $53 for a license here. Could have been cheaper but if I got just the regular license, I wouldn't be able to fish the streams/rivers. For fishing those I have to buy a "Classified Waters License" for an extra $15.

No real point to my post other than doing the happy dance for Alberta being home again. Won't be leaving it again.

Rather Be Hunting · #2 07-22-2008, 12:26 PM

Welcome back.

artie · #3 07-22-2008, 03:38 PM

So what was it like living in Sparwood. I always thought that it would be a nice place to live. Close to the Fernie Ski hill without living in Fernie. Close to the Elk valley with all that nice hunting couintry. Close to the Crowsnest Pass with all their nice country. Or maybe as you say it would be better to live in the pass. whats your thoughts?

Reeves1 · #4 07-22-2008, 04:54 PM

You should have been shopping around.....lived a good portion of my life there and know it costs less to live there.

Canada is (was ?) the second most expensive Country to live in, and Alberta is the most expensive in Canada.

Chuck403 · #5 07-22-2008, 08:07 PM

artie, I can't say whether you'll love it here, or hate it here. With regards to hunting the Elk Valley, I can't say as I haven't done it. Did see a fair amount of game while out on quad rides, but the area I was in was a big no hunting area. I didn't check as to other areas to see what was open around here, as this years season hasn't started yet, and couldn't go last year.

As for living in the pass, well, it's a tad breezy there sometimes lol. Main reason I ended up in Sparwood was because the wife has family here, Things ended with the wife in the first part of July. This has been the fifth separation in about as many years. We both realized that we are just banging our heads against a wall by staying together, and are both happier apart. Still good friends, just not compatible as a couple anymore.

Reeves, how many places can you shop around at with 1 insurance company to deal with? ICBC. Same for fishing license prices. Granted rent prices here are cheaper than what I was paying, but that's been about it that I have run across.

My original post after re-reading it sounds like some hardcore B.C. bashing. That wasn't my intent, It's just not my cup of tea. Going home soon, and looking forward to it.

TC7 · #6 07-22-2008, 08:21 PM

Sounds to me like you have to be a lawyer to hunt in B.C. . That government ins. sure sounds like it works well at keeping rates low. I guess B.C. stands for , bring cash. Welcome back . I had to escape socialist Ontario to get back to Alberta about ten years ago .

Reeves1 · #7 07-23-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

I had to be a resident for 6 months before I could hunt.

Going to be the same when you move back here....

Wierd about the insurance thing.....maybe your age, or have you had a claim ?
For me, with my age and class 1&6 licence & never having had a claim, I'm getting the most/best deal on insurance you can get.
Here I pay more than twice what I was paying in B.C. (a bit over 4 years ago).
When you pay for gas/power, you pay for what you use. Here you pay distribution fees, admin fees etc. Paying 4+ times the amount here.

Wife worked at a food store in B.C. When we moved here she again worked in a food store (Sobeys). She said everything costs more here.

Same sort of property, in the same sort of area, I pay double taxes here. List goes on and on.

However, I had one time lived in the Elk Valley. I also used to visit for years before that. The Elk Valley isn't great hunting.....unless you get WAY back in the bush. Too many closed areas due to mine claims etc.

I do know some of the best hunting I've ever had is in your "general" area.

Too bad your experience there didn't work out. Nice area. When the time comes, my place will be sold and I'll be moving back there !

OWL · #8 07-23-2008, 08:07 AM

Welcome Home!

Dark · #9 07-23-2008, 10:34 AM

I spent 10 years in Kelowna at first its was great. But after about 6 years I relized my money was gone and every month we were going deeper in debt.I had a good job as manager of a large fire protection company but every thing cost money in BC, I don't even remember a campsite with free fire wood. Hunting was the ****s in the okanagan only moose allowed was 2 year old bulls. I thought muleys would be great never seen one worth shooting in the soutern part of BC, not including the Kootenys but they are a 7 hr drive from Kelowna. Fishing and the clean lakes are the biggest thing I miss but come July and Aug. the tourist drive you crazy. Moved back to AB money's good hunting great fishing so,so. I do plan on moving back but it will be the coast after I've made money. You can live there but trying to get ahead and plan for retirement is the tough part. Like they say BC means bring cash.

Chuck403 · #10 07-23-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Going to be the same when you move back here...

I dunno about that, searching through regs online I see a resident defined as:

Quote:

Resident - a person who either

has his or her only or primary residence in Alberta and
is a Canadian citizen or is admitted to permanent residence in Canada, or
has lived in Canada for the 12-month period immediately preceding the relevant date; or
is on full-time service with the Armed Forces of Canada and would, if an election were held under the Elections Act (Canada), be eligible to vote in Alberta under that Act.

It seems to me that there used to be a time you had to be living in Alberta before you were considered a resident, but all I am finding on info now is what is posted above. Well, I am a Canadian citizen, and as of the first part of August, my Primary (and only) residence will be in Alberta. Does anyone have better search skills than I do, and can show if there is a time limit still?

Quote:

Weird about the insurance thing.....maybe your age, or have you had a claim ?

That floored when I heard the price. I am 33, and have never had a claim. No tickets either. Same with the ex-wife, claims and tickets free as well.

Quote:

Too bad your experience there didn't work out. Nice area. When the time comes, my place will be sold and I'll be moving back there !

Lol, well looks like we can agree to disagree on this lol

I think it has a lot to do with what you are used to. I was Alberta born and raised for 32 years before moving here, maybe I'm just a grumpy old man when it comes to change lol

Chuck403 · #11 07-23-2008, 01:45 PM

Just got off the phone with SRD. According to them, as soon as you are moved to Alberta you are considered a resident, for hunting purposes.

No wait time at all.

Reeves1 · #12 07-23-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck403

Just got off the phone with SRD. According to them, as soon as you are moved to Alberta you are considered a resident, for hunting purposes.

No wait time at all.

Opps.....missed a season ?

Chuck403 · #13 07-23-2008, 07:57 PM

Could have. As far as SRD was concerned the only thing you had to wait period for to be considered a resident was for elections. As far as hunting and fishing though, once you are here, you are good to go.

Tundra Monkey · #14 07-23-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck403

I had to be a resident for 6 months before I could hunt.

2 YEARS up here man.....is it worth it.....YOU BET IT IS

Thanx for the info on BC....we looked at it a couple of years ago and was pretty close to moving....Momma wanted the Okanogan and I wanted Dawson Creek....so we stayed...wheww

tm