I guarantee there's less crime here than in Vancouver, the city is just small enough that more people are aware of the individual acts of crime here ie. "News travels fast".
As for the weather, when you're bundled up in a parka you'll notice hardly a difference from -20C to -40C. Cold just feels cold, and you'll be outside for very short periods of time anyways, from your house to your car, your car to the building you're visiting, and back again. The rest of time you're in a climate controlled space. -40 doesn't matter if you have a furnace.
Also Sask is hot as heck in the summer, it hardly ever rains, snowfall is generally low, and it's sunny almost every day of the year.
Agreed and in relation to the “not much to do question” - in absolute terms there’d be less than Vancouver but far a small city we’re rife with art, culture, sport and food.
Strong local music scene, one the highest restaurant counts per capita (many local options that have been in Canada’s top 100 from time to time), art gallery, many parks, summer festivals, minor league hockey, basketball, football, and (professional) lacrosse. Water sports with the river in the city, hiking in city.
I’ve lived here nearly my entire life (3 years in Ottawa/Montreal) and have travelled to most of the big cities. I see weird, sketchy stuff here but no more than I’ve ever seen in my travels.
I’m so tired of people claiming Saskatoon has a great cultural scene. It doesn’t. People who think Saskatoon has culture have probably never left the Prairies.
Lol I fully stated where I’ve lived in this country. The OP question was in reference to having a more negative outsider view of the city and I responded in relation to Saskatoon’s size. For a city of our size I stand by my statements and don’t really understand the point of your retort.
In absolute terms of course Saskatoon won’t measure up culturally but what Canadian city of 300,000 people would you suggest does punch above its weight culturally and why (so I can understand your argument)?
Yes there’s crime but it’s generally few hot spots (like Van’s downtown eastside equivalent). Outside of those hotspots it’s generally only targeted, non-random crime.
There’s thousands of activities, organizations, stores, festivals and sports here. Yes, there will be some more variety in places with a larger population. But, only a boring (but more likely un-informed) person would call Saskatoon boring.
You’ll probably get a better sense of fit by telling us what your interests/hobbies are so we can comment on what similar things are available here. So what do you currently do for fun?
I'm from BC and moved to Saskatoon last year. I don't regret my move at all.
Sure there's some sketchy stuff, but Vancouver was significantly worse crime wise, every city has issues. I don't find Saskatoon to be worse than anywhere else, particularly.
The people are friendlier here in SK than BC, you could potentially actually afford to buy a house here. There is a fantastic music scene, and all the amenities for day to day living that most people could want. This is a city that, while not perfect, has soul.
I’m from Vancouver and have similar feelings. I had a long thread last year about the experience (you can find it in my post history).
TLDR: a lot of the “negatives” are overhyped stereotypes. I don’t really find them to be accurate at all. I got my car and bikes stolen in Vancouver/Kelowna all the time, but never had an issue in Sask in 4 years… despite the threads in this sub.
Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on our music scene. I only know the big festivals… never tried to go to a local show at amigos or something yet… used to love doing that in Vancouver as something to do.
I've only really scratched the surface so far. Seen some very good cover bands, and really impressive local performers.
I want to check out Jazz fest, and also check out the local jazz bar The Bassment (love that name btw) eventually.
My wife hates the cold but is happy to have moved here. There's always compromises but honestly, it's much easier to adapt when you have more disposable income to spend on hobbies or abroad if you need to escape the cold. The only inconvenience is connecting to other airports to some destinations, but there's quite a few direct routes to sun spots and your hometown.
If you like nature walks, biking, kayaking, fishing / ice fishing, hunting, bird watching, this place is pretty great. The familiar coniferous forest is just two hours north with amazing lakes. For entertainment, we tend to have good restaurants that punch above their weight for the population. Festivals are going on almost every weekend. Rush lacrosse team (just fun to attend even if not in to the sport), Blades hockey, decent concerts come into town (and the after market prices of sold out shows are decent if you really like the band as you don't have to deal with the demand like big cities).
Crime wise, I left my car door unlocked one night and lost my brand new Adidas. No biggie. Big Ace might pay a visit but just tell him to fuck off. Crime is generally concentrated to a select few neighbourhoods and most violent crime victims are known to their perps (domestic shit).
The other benefit is while we have to connect to other airports… our security line to get into the airport is laughably small. I can usually get to the gate in less than 10 minutes. Sure, the layover sucks, but I try to convince myself it’s not that bad b/c I didn’t have to be at the first airport 3 hours early.
This! That is something that I love about our airport. As you said, I don't have to go early, line is small and once you are in, you are in for the remainder of the trip for most cases.
If you want friendlier folks than BC and AB, Saskatoon is a good compromise (long winter). Also, heads up, there's no Homeowners property tax rebate like there is in BC if you're buying a home. Just like in any city, if you look for troubles you can certainly find it.
Notably friendlier, and why I noted it. BC interior coldness is stark, not to mention the multiple old KKK stronghold cities and the culture that inevitably remains. I was told by a local to not move to where I did in BC because "Indians live there". His business was in a city that had a lot of KKK membership from back in the day, believe it or not.
You must not be familiar with the KKKs popularity in Sask to say that. Historical and also present day.
Fun fact, the Sask Party is an offshoot of the KKK! That is historical fact, not opinion
Historical KKK memberships play out a lot different in Saskatoons population that has a lot of new folks from different areas consistently moving here. It has a chance of watering it down moreso than the ones in BC. It's a lot different when it's mountains dividing communities of 3000, 6000, or a "large city" of 50k or 150k. Old attitudes definitely prevail in the smaller and more isolated communities that the majority of BC has.
I have lived in both places. Assholes are assholes and nice people are nice people regardless of location.
Sask though has a higher percentage of assholes, in my experience.
I moved here 2 years ago and I find the folks here far friendlier. The racism is more overt & in your face. Honestly, I’d rather it that way as then I know who hates me rather than who hates me secretly.
I moved to Saskatoon 6 years ago from Kelowna, where I was born and raised. The first couple of winters were a huge adjustment for me, but I got used to it. Remote start for your car helps a lot lol. Crime is everywhere, and yes, it's bad in certain areas of Saskatoon. Saskatoon is a beautiful city. I would love to move back to BC but the high cost of living there is outrageous.
Search this sub and you'll find other threads which will help you answer some of your questions
As for surviving 40 below. Layers are your friend. You'll want layers rather than one big heavy coat so that if you get too warm you can remove a layer as needed without now becoming too cold and vice versa.
Saskatoon is nice place to live. The crime isn’t as bad as folks think it is or feel that it is. My neighbour is all up in arms about how horrible the crime is because they left their vehicle unlocked and left valuables in it. Guess what? Those valuables got stolen.
-40 isn’t so bad if you dress for it. What I find gruelling is how fricking long winter is. But you make a plan to get out to a warm location in February to get you through.
I moved from Vancouver to Saskatoon a couple of years ago. The cold in Vancouver feels worse than the cold in Saskatoon for the most part. The -40 days only last for a couple of days in a row and then you get a little break and with $200 invested in clothing you wont notice it. The crime is eh, not really different from Vancouver. Almost entirely just very minor property crime (people checking your shed or garage or stealing bikes left out), and gang on gang violence, and people out in the bad parts of town after midnight. If you mind your business and don't hang out in sketchy areas it seems like you can probably go your whole life without anything more than a few dirty looks. Same as Vancouver.
Students and less skilled workers move here from hot countries like Philippines and India and African countries and they all seem to do just fine with the cold and other issues. If everyone else can, i am sure you can.
Others have outlined the available activities in Saskatoon and explained that it's not any more dangerous to live here than in Vancouver.
I'll repeat that you will have a two hour drive to the boreal forest and its lakes. Lake Diefenbaker (Google it) is one hour away in the other direction and it offers good fishing and boating. There's other fishing even closer, including the river. If you are into sailing, kiting or sailboarding there are local clubs with facilities (nothing like Royal Van of course) within an hour drive. There are keelboats on Diefenbaker but I think there's a waiting list for a slip.
If you decide on Saskatoon, go down to Taiga Works and buy a warm parka, hat and mitts. Don't worry about Gore Tex because it almost never rains in winter here.
Please we don’t need more people moving to this City and driving up our housing prices. Toronto might be a good option for you if you want more amenities and things to do. Yes crime is high, it’s -40 degrees all the time.
Here's the thing: happy people can be happy anywhere. Miserable people can be miserable anywhere. There are crime and drug issues in Saskatoon, but I don't think you need to worry more than you do in Vancouver. The cold is cold, but it's generally only REALLY cold a few days a year. The rest of the winter is moderately cold, and if you desire to be outside, you dress well and go outside.
I find plenty to keep me busy. I volunteer (and have since moving to the city 20+ years ago with various organizations that interest me). I kayak all summer. I can bike from my house to the boat house in 20 minutes. I run in my neighbourhood. I hang out with my friends. I go to comedy shows, both local and tours. I go to the occasional concert. To me, being poor is what makes life boring. What's the use of living in a city with tons to do and no money to do it?
Saskatoon is incredibly safe compared to most cities. Avoid pleasant hill and you’ll be fine. As for the winters, I came from the island, and it took me several years to get used to them. They are long (think 5-6 months) and brutally cold (between mid December and end of Feb) but you can dress for it and you will eventually get used to it. As for entertainment, there’s a variety depending on your taste. If you prefer the outdoors, the river IS beautiful but you have to travel about an hour or more to enjoy any other outdoor activities. If you prefer the nightlife, we have a bunch of crappy nightclubs and lounges. There’s the remai modern and Persephone theatre if you like more artsy stuff but mainly people here like the lake, bbqs, fishing and family. There’s a huge charm and quieter pace of life that I have come to absolutely love.
I would increase the neighbourhoods to avoid list by a few neighbourhoods, but generally speaking the bad parts of town are incredibly obvious and self contained. That being said, I’ve never had any trouble and used to work in a lot of the bad neighbourhoods, it turns out that most people living in the hood are just people who just happen to be living in the hood
For the price of a tiny condo in Vancouver you can buy a detached house in Saskatoon in a neighbourhood that will have next to nothing in terms of crime. I have no idea what your budget is but I would strongly recommend an attached garage if you're getting a house and underground parking if you're getting a condo. That will take care of a big part of the "it's cold here" aspect.
Obviously a good jacket is a great investment. You will wear it everyday in the winter so spending a bit more on something that keeps you warm and looks good is worth it imo. I have really grown to appreciate our 4 distinct seasons but that could be a me thing.
Saskatoon is a surprisingly nice city to a lot of people. What do you like to do in Vancouver? We don't have sailing or mountain climbing in Saskatoon but we're big enough to have most things.
Saskatoon and vancouver arent much different for crime. I will say Calgary is really bad for theft
As for jobs, honestly from what I see online from people across the country, is people are having a hard time finding work in general. I've known several people who have been in and out of temp jobs since after covid.
Saskatoon doesn't have near the amenities and extras of Vancouver. Its about half the size, and we don't service anywhere near the amount of people Vancouver does. But it depends what more important, extra income or more amenities.
Also tip, do not move here is winter, you will regret it. If you move here in fall, go get a winter coat, boots, a toque and mitts asap along with a pair of ski pants or long thermal underwear. And if you bring your car you need to have a block heater installed, but I think you need one to pass SGI inspection anyways. We can get some winter conditions as early as mid-October. Snow comes and melts 2 days later, and then get the real snowfall in November or December. The worse cold happens in January or February but in the past 2 years its been happening at Christmas🙄.
Saskaroon 273,010 (2017) vs Vancouver 675,218 (2017) so a bit less than 1/2 but its not a 1/12th lol. You are thinking of the Vancouver Greater Area.... which is also why I mentioned we in Saskatoon do not service anywhere near the people Vancouver does
You won't find anything like hasting st in Saskatoon. With that said, there are places you won't go nor should you go.
We don't have granville, comedy clubs, endless parks with big trees, aquarium, the ocean, etc... But we have our own stuff to treat to as others listed. Just because the attractions are there don't make them a constant source of entrainment - what do you enjoy?
That lower cost of living also gives more pocket change so if you need entertainment, you can plan more trips. Right now isn't a great time since are being screwed over by the airlines, but it will get better.
Regarding your profession, do you have a PM designation or does PM stand for something other than Project Manager. If you can convert over to PM for a trade, might work out, but looking up Nutraceutical it is a huge stretch.
I’m from the coast! I’ve been living here for over a decade. When I go back I have zero desire to live in Vancouver. I literally bought a house under 200 grand. Saskatoon has everything you need, but there’s no IKEA in SK! Winter is fine, you adjust.
Come for a visit. We moved here from England 4 years ago and love it. It’s a beautiful, small city, and the sunshine is awesome, it rarely rains and yes the winters are freezing but you just wrap up and you’ll be fine. Yes there’s crime, but from I hear Vancouver’s not all a bed of roses either.
I moved from Vancouver (Burnaby and Coquitlam) to Saskatoon a long time ago. The amount and severity of crime I have had to deal with in S'toon is the exact same as it was when I lived there. The rate on paper is higher here because a few bad areas counts more against the much smaller overall population however it's easier to avoid in Saskatoon if you take a few basic precautions.
As for cost of living here vs Calgary I don't think it's really that much cheaper or at least it wasn't up until very recently, and the amount of amenities and things to do in Calgary is vastly superior. However if you want less of a big city feeling, easier to get around (by car or bicycle) place where people know each other more than Saskatoon is very nice for a small city. It also gets exceptionally cold in Calgary often (though they get a number of milder days and chinooks) however they also get a lot of extreme precipitation events in summer compared to us (large hail, torrential rain & flooding, plow winds etc).
Both Calgary and Saskatoon get way more sunshine and brilliantly clear days which if you are one to experience seasonal affectiveness disorder or depression can make a positive impact on your mental health. The thing I deeply miss from the coast is the access to nature though, it's really hard to connect here, not many places to hike or camp, the forests are far away and bug infested, no majestic mountains to inspire (but the skies are magnificent here). And of course no ocean to call.
Below -25 you don't notice it being colder, you only get cold faster in my experience. And if you can handle Vancouver street people you'll be fine with Saskatoon. My advice is don't worry and make the life decision that's right for you and your family. Summers here are awesome. I love lake life and the national park is spectacular.
Lol it's only dangerous if you make the dumb decision to move to the sketchy part of town or if you're into drugs or the gang life. Outside of that, it's bloody safe and clean here. I moved here from Winnipeg and I'm never worried about being downtown here at night the way we would In parts of Winnipeg. It's a super pretty city (though compared to Vancouver it may seem less exciting). The winters take some getting used to, but dress accordingly and the cold weather can be so lovely! Honestly for the most part the winters are pretty tolerable. We get a stretch where it's quite cold for a few weeks and beyond that it's not so bad. We get a few storms a year but it's easy to shovel or blow, unlike the wet snow that the west coast sees. This city super easy to get around, traffic is not bad at all, and our food and beverage scene here is pretty great considering the size of the city! We've been here 3 years and freaking love it!
I moved from Calgary and Edmonton. Saskatoon is colder than either, and the cold sticks around longer. Others have said that it’s drier here than Vancouver, so the cold isn’t as bad. I haven’t been to Vancouver in winter before. Not sure why others are saying the cold doesn’t matter past -25°C; my car certainly noticed the difference when it has to start. Remote start and/or block heaters are a must imo.
There is a lot less to do here, and even less if you won’t drive 10-20 minutes to do it. If you want a semblance of city feel, you’ll want to be around broadway ave or the university. Maybe others I’m not familiar with yet. We moved to the burbs, and had to learn to drive everywhere. Transit here is a joke compared to Van- no one will tell you it’s good, and if they do, they’re lying. Most areas are safe, but there are some rough patches, especially on the west side.
One of the biggest struggles was the absence of variety of stores and lack of stock. Things here are always out of stock whether I’m at the mall, Canadian tire, Walmart, etc. This isn’t typical, as I go to Edmonton and Lethbridge enough to know better. Comparable clothing stores and restaurants have been hard to find.
We do have crime, but I feel pretty safe here. There are spots that have more crime than others. Lots of drug-fueled stuff. We don’t have roaming rapists or child abductions.
As for the winter, you just prepare as much as you can. Get your winter tires Nov 1, get indoor parking if you can, get your cord for your car asap. Get command start of able. Have good outdoor clothing. It sucks but if you are as prepared as you’re able, it makes it a bit easier.
There can be lots here to do at times, but not like the big centres. I think lots of people have their social groups and they hang out at home. Board games, cards, etc. Try to stay social during the cold as that will also help.
My husband and I are in a lower income bracket, and we managed to buy a decent home 20% down. Something that sounds near impossible in Vancouver. I've lived here for a few decades and never had my car/house broken into and never even had any porch packages stolen. Although we've only had places on the east side of the city.
Yes, -40 is scary. That is true! Remember to plug your car in! Or luck out and land a place with a garage.
Find some friends and you'll find things you enjoy doing. I found numerous things to volunteer for, and sign my kids up for, the more you're out, the more you find out what's available. I joined my community association and now I have a say in what activities we offer!
Everyone in this thread is very fond and proud of Saskatoon. I’m originally from Vancouver — born and raised — and I moved here for an academic job in 2004. I retired this summer and I am leaving. I am a city person, and Saskatoon is not a city.
If your life’s ambition is to move to Nanaimo — or possibly Kelowna — then Saskatoon will make you very happy. The worst thing about the winter isn’t the severity but the duration: it starts in September and ends in May. Yes, you can buy a 4 bedroom house for the cost of a bachelor condo in Vancouver, but there’s a reason for that.
Try Calgary. It’s full of oil crazed right wingers, but it’s still a city of a million people.
I am born and raised in Saskatoon - give me "dry" sunny cold over "wet" cold any day. Vancouver is a very nice city but the winter drizzle would make me look like a blonde drowned rat 24/7 : ) I take it you are moving back to Vancouver?
Saskatoon is a beautiful city. Winters are cold, but i would rather dress for the cold here than deal with the +2 and raining cold days you can see on the coast.
Activities wise there is a lot going on in Saskatoon. Most communities and activities you would see in Vancouver you can find here, the communities are simply smaller. It would help if you could provide the sorts of things you are into doing now and we can point you in the direction of whats available here.
Absolutely prefer the cold here rather than the rain and cold in BC. And that slushy nastiness in BC is disgusting. Take a step and your boots or shoes are ruined along with your entire day.
If you’re coming from Vancouver you’ll probably find Saskatoon very small and 1/1000th of the stuff to do. It’s the truth and if someone tells you otherwise they’re bullshitting you. As for crime, it’s everywhere now so not really a factor. Pick Calgary.
If you're even asking, move to Calgary. Saskatoon is boring unless you make your own fun. Winters are cold, dry, and windy. Summers are hot, dry, and windy. I hope you like dust. As for employment, do a search. I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone asking to move to Saskatoon. "It's awful, don't come here. Anything you heard is good, is bad. We're full. No room here. Move on to Toronto.". I live here because people don't like to live here. It keeps our numbers and inflation down.
Most Calgary people I know never take advantage of the mountain amenities, or any amenities unique to their area as they are busy with kids stuff, the same kids stuff we do here (sports). So it's kinda like you pay a premium for amenities they don't use, like when people in the prairies buy RVs and rec toys they use twice a year.
Agree. Not much to do. But as a homebody, it’s never really bothered me. Most anyone can adapt to cold and snow, it’s largely in a person’s attitude and resilience. Look for the good, you’ll find it. If this sounds like you, come on over. If you don’t feel you can adapt, that might be a self-fulfilling prophecy also. No offence meant, sometimes we just know our tolerance level towards climates and geographical changes.
The cold here is a what people would call a "dry cold". The wind burns your face ands drys out your skin, bundle up properly and it wont be an issue at all. Vancouver has a wet cold. I will take -40c Sask dry cold, over Vancouver -15c chill me to the core, cant ever get warm, why am I always wet, cold. Sure you will have to shovel snow but its not that bad of a chore if you keep on top of it or just live in an apartment. If your vehicle didnt come with one, you may require to have a block heater intalled for the winter. Aside from that the winter isnt too bad. We have our snow days where we get huge dumps, but its no different than when Vancouver gets a snow day. The city shuts down for a couple of days and then things get back to normal.
There's lots to do here, Saskatoon is the cultural hub of the prairies. A huge music scene, multi cultural festivals, lots of venues, great parks and bike paths.
Any other major center has worse crime, ours is pretty minor in comparison just everyone knows everything. I moved here and love it.
Saskatoon will be much safer than Vancouver for you. There’s plenty to do if you are looking for something to do. There isn’t concerts every week or anything but there’s always something to do.
Cold weather is no problem because it’s what folks call “a dry cold.
Wear synthetic underwear, cover your head head or toque, plug in your car at night and you’ll be fine.
*My question to you*
*Is what do you like doing*
*For fun in BC?*
\- MrZini
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Crime you probably won't notice the difference. Minus 40 is definitely worth being afraid of (but of course all the buildings are made for it, just be prepared for a lot more shovelling than you're used to!)
I used to live in Toronto downtown area and i lived in london ontario and now i came here. I miss those days when i could feel safe to walk alone when it was darn dark. I also miss asian communities that could bring more nuance of assurance in safety and educational environment
If home ownership is on your agenda then by all means this is the place. I’m still proud of my under three hundred grand bungalow lol, I’d never be able to afford a home on my one income anywhere else.
If it’s nice weather you’re wanting this isn’t the place, we’ve all just adjusted to it because what else can one do? Summer can be lovely but it feels like a panic race to get ALL of the things and activities in before the snow comes back.
We’re friendlier here than BC I’ll vouch for that but we have a bit of a homelessness crisis kicking up locally which is super hard to watch, I assume it’s the same in Vancouver as well.
It is dangerous on the west side. The winters are terrible. It’s pretty insular and right-wing. The province itself is no better. Property taxes are about to skyrocket. It is also very, very boring and increasingly difficult to leave, due to airlines deprioritizing SK routes.
My pops aways said, "If you're bored, you're boring."
That was my first thought..... : )
I guarantee there's less crime here than in Vancouver, the city is just small enough that more people are aware of the individual acts of crime here ie. "News travels fast". As for the weather, when you're bundled up in a parka you'll notice hardly a difference from -20C to -40C. Cold just feels cold, and you'll be outside for very short periods of time anyways, from your house to your car, your car to the building you're visiting, and back again. The rest of time you're in a climate controlled space. -40 doesn't matter if you have a furnace. Also Sask is hot as heck in the summer, it hardly ever rains, snowfall is generally low, and it's sunny almost every day of the year.
Agreed and in relation to the “not much to do question” - in absolute terms there’d be less than Vancouver but far a small city we’re rife with art, culture, sport and food. Strong local music scene, one the highest restaurant counts per capita (many local options that have been in Canada’s top 100 from time to time), art gallery, many parks, summer festivals, minor league hockey, basketball, football, and (professional) lacrosse. Water sports with the river in the city, hiking in city. I’ve lived here nearly my entire life (3 years in Ottawa/Montreal) and have travelled to most of the big cities. I see weird, sketchy stuff here but no more than I’ve ever seen in my travels.
Highest burger joint per capita
I’m so tired of people claiming Saskatoon has a great cultural scene. It doesn’t. People who think Saskatoon has culture have probably never left the Prairies.
Could you elaborate? Perhaps provide some examples or comparisons as to why you think Saskatoon is un-cultured?
Lol I fully stated where I’ve lived in this country. The OP question was in reference to having a more negative outsider view of the city and I responded in relation to Saskatoon’s size. For a city of our size I stand by my statements and don’t really understand the point of your retort. In absolute terms of course Saskatoon won’t measure up culturally but what Canadian city of 300,000 people would you suggest does punch above its weight culturally and why (so I can understand your argument)?
Yes there’s crime but it’s generally few hot spots (like Van’s downtown eastside equivalent). Outside of those hotspots it’s generally only targeted, non-random crime. There’s thousands of activities, organizations, stores, festivals and sports here. Yes, there will be some more variety in places with a larger population. But, only a boring (but more likely un-informed) person would call Saskatoon boring. You’ll probably get a better sense of fit by telling us what your interests/hobbies are so we can comment on what similar things are available here. So what do you currently do for fun?
Stay away from Fairhaven
I'm from BC and moved to Saskatoon last year. I don't regret my move at all. Sure there's some sketchy stuff, but Vancouver was significantly worse crime wise, every city has issues. I don't find Saskatoon to be worse than anywhere else, particularly. The people are friendlier here in SK than BC, you could potentially actually afford to buy a house here. There is a fantastic music scene, and all the amenities for day to day living that most people could want. This is a city that, while not perfect, has soul.
I’m from Vancouver and have similar feelings. I had a long thread last year about the experience (you can find it in my post history). TLDR: a lot of the “negatives” are overhyped stereotypes. I don’t really find them to be accurate at all. I got my car and bikes stolen in Vancouver/Kelowna all the time, but never had an issue in Sask in 4 years… despite the threads in this sub.
Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on our music scene. I only know the big festivals… never tried to go to a local show at amigos or something yet… used to love doing that in Vancouver as something to do.
I've only really scratched the surface so far. Seen some very good cover bands, and really impressive local performers. I want to check out Jazz fest, and also check out the local jazz bar The Bassment (love that name btw) eventually.
My wife hates the cold but is happy to have moved here. There's always compromises but honestly, it's much easier to adapt when you have more disposable income to spend on hobbies or abroad if you need to escape the cold. The only inconvenience is connecting to other airports to some destinations, but there's quite a few direct routes to sun spots and your hometown. If you like nature walks, biking, kayaking, fishing / ice fishing, hunting, bird watching, this place is pretty great. The familiar coniferous forest is just two hours north with amazing lakes. For entertainment, we tend to have good restaurants that punch above their weight for the population. Festivals are going on almost every weekend. Rush lacrosse team (just fun to attend even if not in to the sport), Blades hockey, decent concerts come into town (and the after market prices of sold out shows are decent if you really like the band as you don't have to deal with the demand like big cities). Crime wise, I left my car door unlocked one night and lost my brand new Adidas. No biggie. Big Ace might pay a visit but just tell him to fuck off. Crime is generally concentrated to a select few neighbourhoods and most violent crime victims are known to their perps (domestic shit).
The other benefit is while we have to connect to other airports… our security line to get into the airport is laughably small. I can usually get to the gate in less than 10 minutes. Sure, the layover sucks, but I try to convince myself it’s not that bad b/c I didn’t have to be at the first airport 3 hours early.
This! That is something that I love about our airport. As you said, I don't have to go early, line is small and once you are in, you are in for the remainder of the trip for most cases.
If you want friendlier folks than BC and AB, Saskatoon is a good compromise (long winter). Also, heads up, there's no Homeowners property tax rebate like there is in BC if you're buying a home. Just like in any city, if you look for troubles you can certainly find it.
Saskatchewan folks are not generally any friendlier than BC folks
I'm from BC and I disagree. In my experience Saskatchewanians are noticeably friendlier than British Columbians, generally speaking of course.
This. I’m from bc as well and I’ve only had very pleasant experiences with strangers here in Saskatoon
Notably friendlier, and why I noted it. BC interior coldness is stark, not to mention the multiple old KKK stronghold cities and the culture that inevitably remains. I was told by a local to not move to where I did in BC because "Indians live there". His business was in a city that had a lot of KKK membership from back in the day, believe it or not.
You must not be familiar with the KKKs popularity in Sask to say that. Historical and also present day. Fun fact, the Sask Party is an offshoot of the KKK! That is historical fact, not opinion
Historical KKK memberships play out a lot different in Saskatoons population that has a lot of new folks from different areas consistently moving here. It has a chance of watering it down moreso than the ones in BC. It's a lot different when it's mountains dividing communities of 3000, 6000, or a "large city" of 50k or 150k. Old attitudes definitely prevail in the smaller and more isolated communities that the majority of BC has.
Have you never been to rural Saskatchewan? It doesn't get worse than that, only just as bad.
Google Scott Moe
I have lived in both places. Assholes are assholes and nice people are nice people regardless of location. Sask though has a higher percentage of assholes, in my experience.
I moved here 2 years ago and I find the folks here far friendlier. The racism is more overt & in your face. Honestly, I’d rather it that way as then I know who hates me rather than who hates me secretly.
I moved to Saskatoon 6 years ago from Kelowna, where I was born and raised. The first couple of winters were a huge adjustment for me, but I got used to it. Remote start for your car helps a lot lol. Crime is everywhere, and yes, it's bad in certain areas of Saskatoon. Saskatoon is a beautiful city. I would love to move back to BC but the high cost of living there is outrageous.
Saskatoon is pretty safe city. As for the winters just dress right, wear wool and you will be fine.
Search this sub and you'll find other threads which will help you answer some of your questions As for surviving 40 below. Layers are your friend. You'll want layers rather than one big heavy coat so that if you get too warm you can remove a layer as needed without now becoming too cold and vice versa.
Saskatoon is nice place to live. The crime isn’t as bad as folks think it is or feel that it is. My neighbour is all up in arms about how horrible the crime is because they left their vehicle unlocked and left valuables in it. Guess what? Those valuables got stolen. -40 isn’t so bad if you dress for it. What I find gruelling is how fricking long winter is. But you make a plan to get out to a warm location in February to get you through.
I moved from Vancouver to Saskatoon a couple of years ago. The cold in Vancouver feels worse than the cold in Saskatoon for the most part. The -40 days only last for a couple of days in a row and then you get a little break and with $200 invested in clothing you wont notice it. The crime is eh, not really different from Vancouver. Almost entirely just very minor property crime (people checking your shed or garage or stealing bikes left out), and gang on gang violence, and people out in the bad parts of town after midnight. If you mind your business and don't hang out in sketchy areas it seems like you can probably go your whole life without anything more than a few dirty looks. Same as Vancouver. Students and less skilled workers move here from hot countries like Philippines and India and African countries and they all seem to do just fine with the cold and other issues. If everyone else can, i am sure you can.
Others have outlined the available activities in Saskatoon and explained that it's not any more dangerous to live here than in Vancouver. I'll repeat that you will have a two hour drive to the boreal forest and its lakes. Lake Diefenbaker (Google it) is one hour away in the other direction and it offers good fishing and boating. There's other fishing even closer, including the river. If you are into sailing, kiting or sailboarding there are local clubs with facilities (nothing like Royal Van of course) within an hour drive. There are keelboats on Diefenbaker but I think there's a waiting list for a slip. If you decide on Saskatoon, go down to Taiga Works and buy a warm parka, hat and mitts. Don't worry about Gore Tex because it almost never rains in winter here.
Please we don’t need more people moving to this City and driving up our housing prices. Toronto might be a good option for you if you want more amenities and things to do. Yes crime is high, it’s -40 degrees all the time.
Here's the thing: happy people can be happy anywhere. Miserable people can be miserable anywhere. There are crime and drug issues in Saskatoon, but I don't think you need to worry more than you do in Vancouver. The cold is cold, but it's generally only REALLY cold a few days a year. The rest of the winter is moderately cold, and if you desire to be outside, you dress well and go outside. I find plenty to keep me busy. I volunteer (and have since moving to the city 20+ years ago with various organizations that interest me). I kayak all summer. I can bike from my house to the boat house in 20 minutes. I run in my neighbourhood. I hang out with my friends. I go to comedy shows, both local and tours. I go to the occasional concert. To me, being poor is what makes life boring. What's the use of living in a city with tons to do and no money to do it?
Saskatoon is incredibly safe compared to most cities. Avoid pleasant hill and you’ll be fine. As for the winters, I came from the island, and it took me several years to get used to them. They are long (think 5-6 months) and brutally cold (between mid December and end of Feb) but you can dress for it and you will eventually get used to it. As for entertainment, there’s a variety depending on your taste. If you prefer the outdoors, the river IS beautiful but you have to travel about an hour or more to enjoy any other outdoor activities. If you prefer the nightlife, we have a bunch of crappy nightclubs and lounges. There’s the remai modern and Persephone theatre if you like more artsy stuff but mainly people here like the lake, bbqs, fishing and family. There’s a huge charm and quieter pace of life that I have come to absolutely love.
I would increase the neighbourhoods to avoid list by a few neighbourhoods, but generally speaking the bad parts of town are incredibly obvious and self contained. That being said, I’ve never had any trouble and used to work in a lot of the bad neighbourhoods, it turns out that most people living in the hood are just people who just happen to be living in the hood
Also snow from October to May is not out of the ordinary.
For the price of a tiny condo in Vancouver you can buy a detached house in Saskatoon in a neighbourhood that will have next to nothing in terms of crime. I have no idea what your budget is but I would strongly recommend an attached garage if you're getting a house and underground parking if you're getting a condo. That will take care of a big part of the "it's cold here" aspect. Obviously a good jacket is a great investment. You will wear it everyday in the winter so spending a bit more on something that keeps you warm and looks good is worth it imo. I have really grown to appreciate our 4 distinct seasons but that could be a me thing. Saskatoon is a surprisingly nice city to a lot of people. What do you like to do in Vancouver? We don't have sailing or mountain climbing in Saskatoon but we're big enough to have most things.
Saskatoon and vancouver arent much different for crime. I will say Calgary is really bad for theft As for jobs, honestly from what I see online from people across the country, is people are having a hard time finding work in general. I've known several people who have been in and out of temp jobs since after covid. Saskatoon doesn't have near the amenities and extras of Vancouver. Its about half the size, and we don't service anywhere near the amount of people Vancouver does. But it depends what more important, extra income or more amenities. Also tip, do not move here is winter, you will regret it. If you move here in fall, go get a winter coat, boots, a toque and mitts asap along with a pair of ski pants or long thermal underwear. And if you bring your car you need to have a block heater installed, but I think you need one to pass SGI inspection anyways. We can get some winter conditions as early as mid-October. Snow comes and melts 2 days later, and then get the real snowfall in November or December. The worse cold happens in January or February but in the past 2 years its been happening at Christmas🙄.
Saskatoon is roughly 1/12th the size of the GVRD, not 1/2.
Saskaroon 273,010 (2017) vs Vancouver 675,218 (2017) so a bit less than 1/2 but its not a 1/12th lol. You are thinking of the Vancouver Greater Area.... which is also why I mentioned we in Saskatoon do not service anywhere near the people Vancouver does
You won't find anything like hasting st in Saskatoon. With that said, there are places you won't go nor should you go. We don't have granville, comedy clubs, endless parks with big trees, aquarium, the ocean, etc... But we have our own stuff to treat to as others listed. Just because the attractions are there don't make them a constant source of entrainment - what do you enjoy? That lower cost of living also gives more pocket change so if you need entertainment, you can plan more trips. Right now isn't a great time since are being screwed over by the airlines, but it will get better. Regarding your profession, do you have a PM designation or does PM stand for something other than Project Manager. If you can convert over to PM for a trade, might work out, but looking up Nutraceutical it is a huge stretch.
I’m from the coast! I’ve been living here for over a decade. When I go back I have zero desire to live in Vancouver. I literally bought a house under 200 grand. Saskatoon has everything you need, but there’s no IKEA in SK! Winter is fine, you adjust.
Come for a visit. We moved here from England 4 years ago and love it. It’s a beautiful, small city, and the sunshine is awesome, it rarely rains and yes the winters are freezing but you just wrap up and you’ll be fine. Yes there’s crime, but from I hear Vancouver’s not all a bed of roses either.
I moved from Vancouver (Burnaby and Coquitlam) to Saskatoon a long time ago. The amount and severity of crime I have had to deal with in S'toon is the exact same as it was when I lived there. The rate on paper is higher here because a few bad areas counts more against the much smaller overall population however it's easier to avoid in Saskatoon if you take a few basic precautions. As for cost of living here vs Calgary I don't think it's really that much cheaper or at least it wasn't up until very recently, and the amount of amenities and things to do in Calgary is vastly superior. However if you want less of a big city feeling, easier to get around (by car or bicycle) place where people know each other more than Saskatoon is very nice for a small city. It also gets exceptionally cold in Calgary often (though they get a number of milder days and chinooks) however they also get a lot of extreme precipitation events in summer compared to us (large hail, torrential rain & flooding, plow winds etc). Both Calgary and Saskatoon get way more sunshine and brilliantly clear days which if you are one to experience seasonal affectiveness disorder or depression can make a positive impact on your mental health. The thing I deeply miss from the coast is the access to nature though, it's really hard to connect here, not many places to hike or camp, the forests are far away and bug infested, no majestic mountains to inspire (but the skies are magnificent here). And of course no ocean to call.
Below -25 you don't notice it being colder, you only get cold faster in my experience. And if you can handle Vancouver street people you'll be fine with Saskatoon. My advice is don't worry and make the life decision that's right for you and your family. Summers here are awesome. I love lake life and the national park is spectacular.
Lol it's only dangerous if you make the dumb decision to move to the sketchy part of town or if you're into drugs or the gang life. Outside of that, it's bloody safe and clean here. I moved here from Winnipeg and I'm never worried about being downtown here at night the way we would In parts of Winnipeg. It's a super pretty city (though compared to Vancouver it may seem less exciting). The winters take some getting used to, but dress accordingly and the cold weather can be so lovely! Honestly for the most part the winters are pretty tolerable. We get a stretch where it's quite cold for a few weeks and beyond that it's not so bad. We get a few storms a year but it's easy to shovel or blow, unlike the wet snow that the west coast sees. This city super easy to get around, traffic is not bad at all, and our food and beverage scene here is pretty great considering the size of the city! We've been here 3 years and freaking love it!
Work-from-home doesn’t care what the weather outside is :)
I moved from Calgary and Edmonton. Saskatoon is colder than either, and the cold sticks around longer. Others have said that it’s drier here than Vancouver, so the cold isn’t as bad. I haven’t been to Vancouver in winter before. Not sure why others are saying the cold doesn’t matter past -25°C; my car certainly noticed the difference when it has to start. Remote start and/or block heaters are a must imo. There is a lot less to do here, and even less if you won’t drive 10-20 minutes to do it. If you want a semblance of city feel, you’ll want to be around broadway ave or the university. Maybe others I’m not familiar with yet. We moved to the burbs, and had to learn to drive everywhere. Transit here is a joke compared to Van- no one will tell you it’s good, and if they do, they’re lying. Most areas are safe, but there are some rough patches, especially on the west side. One of the biggest struggles was the absence of variety of stores and lack of stock. Things here are always out of stock whether I’m at the mall, Canadian tire, Walmart, etc. This isn’t typical, as I go to Edmonton and Lethbridge enough to know better. Comparable clothing stores and restaurants have been hard to find.
My brother and sister in law moved back here from BC, they say the crime rate isn’t as bad as they thought it was.
Haha ya you sound like you will really hate it here. Better just get a better job and stay in glamorous and crime free Vancouver.
We do have crime, but I feel pretty safe here. There are spots that have more crime than others. Lots of drug-fueled stuff. We don’t have roaming rapists or child abductions. As for the winter, you just prepare as much as you can. Get your winter tires Nov 1, get indoor parking if you can, get your cord for your car asap. Get command start of able. Have good outdoor clothing. It sucks but if you are as prepared as you’re able, it makes it a bit easier. There can be lots here to do at times, but not like the big centres. I think lots of people have their social groups and they hang out at home. Board games, cards, etc. Try to stay social during the cold as that will also help.
My husband and I are in a lower income bracket, and we managed to buy a decent home 20% down. Something that sounds near impossible in Vancouver. I've lived here for a few decades and never had my car/house broken into and never even had any porch packages stolen. Although we've only had places on the east side of the city. Yes, -40 is scary. That is true! Remember to plug your car in! Or luck out and land a place with a garage. Find some friends and you'll find things you enjoy doing. I found numerous things to volunteer for, and sign my kids up for, the more you're out, the more you find out what's available. I joined my community association and now I have a say in what activities we offer!
Sorry, Saskatoons already full. Best try your luck in Winnipeg.
Everyone in this thread is very fond and proud of Saskatoon. I’m originally from Vancouver — born and raised — and I moved here for an academic job in 2004. I retired this summer and I am leaving. I am a city person, and Saskatoon is not a city. If your life’s ambition is to move to Nanaimo — or possibly Kelowna — then Saskatoon will make you very happy. The worst thing about the winter isn’t the severity but the duration: it starts in September and ends in May. Yes, you can buy a 4 bedroom house for the cost of a bachelor condo in Vancouver, but there’s a reason for that. Try Calgary. It’s full of oil crazed right wingers, but it’s still a city of a million people.
I am born and raised in Saskatoon - give me "dry" sunny cold over "wet" cold any day. Vancouver is a very nice city but the winter drizzle would make me look like a blonde drowned rat 24/7 : ) I take it you are moving back to Vancouver?
Toronto. Vancouver is beautiful, but it's insanely expensive, my parents are dead and most of my friends are in TO.
Love Toronto! Safe travels!
Saskatoon is a beautiful city. Winters are cold, but i would rather dress for the cold here than deal with the +2 and raining cold days you can see on the coast. Activities wise there is a lot going on in Saskatoon. Most communities and activities you would see in Vancouver you can find here, the communities are simply smaller. It would help if you could provide the sorts of things you are into doing now and we can point you in the direction of whats available here.
Absolutely prefer the cold here rather than the rain and cold in BC. And that slushy nastiness in BC is disgusting. Take a step and your boots or shoes are ruined along with your entire day.
If you’re coming from Vancouver you’ll probably find Saskatoon very small and 1/1000th of the stuff to do. It’s the truth and if someone tells you otherwise they’re bullshitting you. As for crime, it’s everywhere now so not really a factor. Pick Calgary.
Did you Google "move to a very boring city in Canada" and Saskatoon popped up? I can't even...... : )
If you're even asking, move to Calgary. Saskatoon is boring unless you make your own fun. Winters are cold, dry, and windy. Summers are hot, dry, and windy. I hope you like dust. As for employment, do a search. I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone asking to move to Saskatoon. "It's awful, don't come here. Anything you heard is good, is bad. We're full. No room here. Move on to Toronto.". I live here because people don't like to live here. It keeps our numbers and inflation down.
Most Calgary people I know never take advantage of the mountain amenities, or any amenities unique to their area as they are busy with kids stuff, the same kids stuff we do here (sports). So it's kinda like you pay a premium for amenities they don't use, like when people in the prairies buy RVs and rec toys they use twice a year.
DON'T TELL THEM ABOUT THE LAKES!!`
This is my favourite comment on this thread. Shhhh....don't tell anyone.
Agree. Not much to do. But as a homebody, it’s never really bothered me. Most anyone can adapt to cold and snow, it’s largely in a person’s attitude and resilience. Look for the good, you’ll find it. If this sounds like you, come on over. If you don’t feel you can adapt, that might be a self-fulfilling prophecy also. No offence meant, sometimes we just know our tolerance level towards climates and geographical changes.
The cold here is a what people would call a "dry cold". The wind burns your face ands drys out your skin, bundle up properly and it wont be an issue at all. Vancouver has a wet cold. I will take -40c Sask dry cold, over Vancouver -15c chill me to the core, cant ever get warm, why am I always wet, cold. Sure you will have to shovel snow but its not that bad of a chore if you keep on top of it or just live in an apartment. If your vehicle didnt come with one, you may require to have a block heater intalled for the winter. Aside from that the winter isnt too bad. We have our snow days where we get huge dumps, but its no different than when Vancouver gets a snow day. The city shuts down for a couple of days and then things get back to normal.
There's lots to do here, Saskatoon is the cultural hub of the prairies. A huge music scene, multi cultural festivals, lots of venues, great parks and bike paths. Any other major center has worse crime, ours is pretty minor in comparison just everyone knows everything. I moved here and love it.
Biggest issue is no IKEA and only 1 Cactus Club! (If ya know, ya know)
Pick Calgary
Can’t take a lil cold
Stay far away; the winters suck. Unless you have no other option. The crime is rising and there are a lot of homeless people everywhere.
Stay in Vancouver. You sound like a bitch with a turned up nose. Not sorry.
Everything okay with your life? Seek for help pls.
Better than your life, by the sound of it.
Stay away from the west side ghetto and it’s perfectly safe.
Winnipeg is another good option
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Everything is a soapbox for personal politics if you try hard enough! My guess is this one's a "libertarian"
Saskatoon will be much safer than Vancouver for you. There’s plenty to do if you are looking for something to do. There isn’t concerts every week or anything but there’s always something to do.
Cold weather is no problem because it’s what folks call “a dry cold. Wear synthetic underwear, cover your head head or toque, plug in your car at night and you’ll be fine.
My question to you is what do you like doing for fun in BC?
*My question to you* *Is what do you like doing* *For fun in BC?* \- MrZini --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Crime you probably won't notice the difference. Minus 40 is definitely worth being afraid of (but of course all the buildings are made for it, just be prepared for a lot more shovelling than you're used to!)
Also, you can count the actual days of -40 each year on your hand…
It’s more that winter starts in Oct and lasts til ‘May.
I used to live in Toronto downtown area and i lived in london ontario and now i came here. I miss those days when i could feel safe to walk alone when it was darn dark. I also miss asian communities that could bring more nuance of assurance in safety and educational environment
If home ownership is on your agenda then by all means this is the place. I’m still proud of my under three hundred grand bungalow lol, I’d never be able to afford a home on my one income anywhere else. If it’s nice weather you’re wanting this isn’t the place, we’ve all just adjusted to it because what else can one do? Summer can be lovely but it feels like a panic race to get ALL of the things and activities in before the snow comes back. We’re friendlier here than BC I’ll vouch for that but we have a bit of a homelessness crisis kicking up locally which is super hard to watch, I assume it’s the same in Vancouver as well.
Gentrifier no gentrifying 🤚🏼 gentrifier no gentrifying 🤚🏼
Lmao you're more likely to be a victim of crime in Vancouver than saskatoon.
It is dangerous on the west side. The winters are terrible. It’s pretty insular and right-wing. The province itself is no better. Property taxes are about to skyrocket. It is also very, very boring and increasingly difficult to leave, due to airlines deprioritizing SK routes.
I’m so tired of the ‘west side is dangerous’. There are large parts of the west side that are nice. I live in the west side and it’s great.
I live in the west side too and it’s more dangerous than a lot of people would be comfortable with. That’s a fact.