My wife and I are leaving Toronto. We started exploring alternatives 6 months or so ago, driven by lack of affordable housing options in the GTA. Two attractive job offers on my end, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Remote work on her end gives her flexibility with location. My work is generally specific to urban centres. Currently travelling out west for the week to get a better feel for both places. No significant ties to Toronto for us aside from work, so move is driven mainly by perceived quality of life. Time will tell if perception matches reality. We'd rather try something new while we're in our 30s than continue to rent in the GTA.
I think we talked about this before, but having spent time in both cities, my preference would depend on whether you want access to mountains or prefer a more lively city life. For me, I'd choose Winnipeg over Edmonton as I find the people there very warm and welcoming and the city itself has more to offer. Edmonton has been less friendly to me over the years, but the road riding options are much better, even with the short season and crap asphalt. The Rockies aren't too far away and there are more tracks to ride, even if they're far from world class. For me, I'd take up MX and sledding in Manitoba instead, though.
I have relatives in the 'peg. They have three seasons, winter, flood and mosquito. Toronto has one season, attitude.
One of the things I enjoy about the place is the lack of Toronto attitude.
True about the seasons, but not sold on the attitude. I actually find that aside from driving, Toronto is a remarkably friendly city. Maybe less so in the 'burbs, but the city proper is quite a welcoming place. Same for Hamilton, as one of the best things about our neighbourhood is how it feels like an old school community, with folks watching out for each other and spending as much time in front yards as back yards. Contrasted with the Vancouver area, which is definitely a colder place socially, and it's been a welcome change for us.
As for Alberta, I've never lived anywhere with more attitude and chips on shoulders. Maybe it was just my bad luck, but I absolutely hated living in Calgary and couldn't wait to be done with the job I was working on there. I spent less time in Edmonton, so it was harder to get a feel for the place, but as stated above, I much preferred Winnipeg. The company I work for has its head office in Winnipeg, so I've spent quite a lot of time there over the years, and I really like the place.
Someone suggested taking the front licence plate off your car. People will think you're American. They aren't particularly fond of Americans but hate people from Ontario. Just kidding.
I've never had the sense that people were anti-Ontario in Manitoba. Anti-Toronto in a gentle way, perhaps, but most Ontario plates in Manitoba are from Thunder Bay and closer, so the locals don't pay much attention. Ontario plates in Alberta would be a different story...
