Guys,
I'm returning to Edmonton on the 2nd of Oct. I'm in the process of securing a place to stay. Not sure whether I should initially stay at the Hi Hostel on Whyte Ave for a week or so and use that time to find a long term place to stay or should I book a room online for a month from here?

What do you guys recommend?
Also, I'm checking places to stay using rentfaster.ca in Edmonton and it is asking which part of town Id want to stay. Can the E town pros give a low down on the various hoods in town and where is a good place to stay, which are to be avoided? Ideally, Id want to be near Whyte Ave.

All in all, I'm very excited about this move. Plus I'm better prepared now than last time around. This time, I will make it as failure is not an option!

Anyone who's in town on Oct 2nd, lets meet up at night at O'Byrne on Whyte ave to have a few drinks.

See you guys in two weeks!

(09-16-2013 06:06 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Guys,
I'm returning to Edmonton on the 2nd of Oct. I'm in the process of securing a place to stay. Not sure whether I should initially stay at the Hi Hostel on Whyte Ave for a week or so and use that time to find a long term place to stay or should I book a room online for a month from here?

What do you guys recommend?

All in all, I'm very excited about this move. Plus I'm better prepared now than last time around. This time, I will make it as failure is not an option!

Anyone who's in town on Oct 2nd, lets meet up at night at O'Byrne on Whyte ave to have a few drinks.

See you guys in two weeks!

I'm gonna be working in Red Deer around that time but may be in Etown for a day or two around the 11th or 12th, I'm heading back to Sask after that, I'll try to meet up for a beer though. VP you better stay out west this time!

I'd go stay at HI for the first couple of days but try to get a room in some kind of house or apartment near public transportation ASAP.

Will do man! See you there!

seems all the forum is moving to alberta.

I got me a car and a billion safety tickets and a contact in red deer. things are looking good.

Looking at places to stay in Edmonton, a single room in a house/condo starts at 600+ while 2 bedroom aparts are listed for around 1k to 1.1/1.2k and nice 2 bedroom condos-aparts places go for around 1.5k per month. 3 bedroom condos-houses some even fully furnished are going in the 1.5 to 1.8k. Between 3 guys, thats 5-600 a month!!!

Here's an idea that's been running in my head for a week or so now:
Instead of guys from here staying at a random houses individually, why don't we pair up, this way, we could stay with like minded guys, who are in the oil sands for lifestyle reasons, that is make money, build a capital for business/travel/lifestyle reasons while also macking girls not only locally but internationally? Would anyone be interested in such a thing, where 1-2 or 3 guys would join forces and stay together in a house/2-3 bedroom house/condo while sharing the costs? this would be a great way to keep each other going, motivated but also to be with like minded guys and not some random redneck coucou. Not to mention it would cost about the same, if not less than each renting a room in a house individually. I only see positives in this.

Thoughts guys? Interested to gauge the interest of guys already in Etown, but also of new guys about to make the move shortly.

(09-16-2013 01:00 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(09-16-2013 11:09 AM)CallSignBigRed Wrote:  That's pretty dumb because my experience is Africans are fucking retarded. You should see how they operate over here in Iraq and afghan.

***retarded when it comes to military/security operations

Speaking of foreign security guards, a friend of mine posted this pic on his Facebook wall with the caption "So I'm pulling in shell security says "hang on I have to do my pray" drops a rain jacket and goes all downward dog on the side of the road.. Is this real life??"



Honestly I don't give a shit about religion but if I was the client (contractor, oil company, etc) and I had a line up of trucks full of guys at the security gate waiting for this dude to pray, I'd be pretty pissed off, lost time=wasted money.

I never worked for a security company in regards with oil. I do military contracting that partners with Nato allies such as the brits. But when I was in the military you would see them pray on top of there guard towers. I cant see the picture you posted because they filter shit here in afghan (annoying). afghans will not start praying outside in the rain they can do that shit inside as well.

Hey Scotian even though you don't know me I appreciate the info you have given us on this. I have a few questions. How much money can you make realisticly each year (after taxes) if you have no skills in the areas that are required ( I have combat engineering experience = construction for combat operations.) Do you have to pay for food and housing the entire time? also do you have to pay taxes to Canada and America if you're an American civie?. Right now ill clear 80k here in afghan after its all said and done. Which isn't bad but If I could make more there I would certainly do it in a heart beat. Thanks for your time.

(09-17-2013 01:57 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Looking at places to stay in Edmonton, a single room in a house/condo starts at 600+ while 2 bedroom aparts are listed for around 1k to 1.1/1.2k and nice 2 bedroom condos-aparts places go for around 1.5k per month. 3 bedroom condos-houses some even fully furnished are going in the 1.5 to 1.8k. Between 3 guys, thats 5-600 a month!!!

Here's an idea that's been running in my head for a week or so now:
Instead of guys from here staying at a random houses individually, why don't we pair up, this way, we could stay with like minded guys, who are in the oil sands for lifestyle reasons, that is make money, build a capital for business/travel/lifestyle reasons while also macking girls not only locally but internationally? Would anyone be interested in such a thing, where 1-2 or 3 guys would join forces and stay together in a house/2-3 bedroom house/condo while sharing the costs? this would be a great way to keep each other going, motivated but also to be with like minded guys and not some random redneck coucou. Not to mention it would cost about the same, if not less than each renting a room in a house individually. I only see positives in this.

Thoughts guys? Interested to gauge the interest of guys already in Etown, but also of new guys about to make the move shortly.

I am down dude, your idea sounds great. Couple factors you have to consider though: Most landlords require one year or six month leases, proof of employment, and previous residential references. Will we be able to commit to a long lease knowing that previously you came to Edmonton and left? I have employment now but what about other tenants? Also have you thought about furniture?

(09-17-2013 09:25 PM)MiddleEastern Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 01:57 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Looking at places to stay in Edmonton, a single room in a house/condo starts at 600+ while 2 bedroom aparts are listed for around 1k to 1.1/1.2k and nice 2 bedroom condos-aparts places go for around 1.5k per month. 3 bedroom condos-houses some even fully furnished are going in the 1.5 to 1.8k. Between 3 guys, thats 5-600 a month!!!

Here's an idea that's been running in my head for a week or so now:
Instead of guys from here staying at a random houses individually, why don't we pair up, this way, we could stay with like minded guys, who are in the oil sands for lifestyle reasons, that is make money, build a capital for business/travel/lifestyle reasons while also macking girls not only locally but internationally? Would anyone be interested in such a thing, where 1-2 or 3 guys would join forces and stay together in a house/2-3 bedroom house/condo while sharing the costs? this would be a great way to keep each other going, motivated but also to be with like minded guys and not some random redneck coucou. Not to mention it would cost about the same, if not less than each renting a room in a house individually. I only see positives in this.

Thoughts guys? Interested to gauge the interest of guys already in Etown, but also of new guys about to make the move shortly.

I am down dude, your idea sounds great. Couple factors you have to consider though: Most landlords require one year or six month leases, proof of employment, and previous residential references. Will we be able to commit to a long lease knowing that previously you came to Edmonton and left? I have employment now but what about other tenants? Also have you thought about furniture?

When I first moved to Etown in 06', when the vacancy was near 0% I slept on my bros's chesterfield until he got evicted cuz his rent went up in smoke, a couple months later I then had to move into an apartment with a bunch of dudes from back home. There were 7 of us living in a 3 bedroom apartment near South Gate Mall, I was lucky to sleep on the inflatable mattress when my buddy went outta town, I usually slept on the floor. This was one of the contributing factors to me moving the fuck back to Halifax after 6 months but the point of this post is that you guys have to hustle harder, don't worry so much about potential road blocks like leases and furniture.

Your first few months out west will probably suck!

I'm gonna write a big post here soon enough.

(09-16-2013 06:06 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Guys,
I'm returning to Edmonton on the 2nd of Oct. I'm in the process of securing a place to stay. Not sure whether I should initially stay at the Hi Hostel on Whyte Ave for a week or so and use that time to find a long term place to stay or should I book a room online for a month from here?

What do you guys recommend?

I recommend staying at HI hostel for a week or two. It'll give you a chance to explore the neighbourhoods that you find apartments/condos for, and therefore you can decide if the area is to your taste. I also highly recommend staying as close to Whyte Ave as possible. Zeeman is already hating on the fact that he's down south and can't join in on the luxuries of convenience when it comes to stumbling home drunk and running that first date bang recipe!! You'll also find networking much, much easier when you remove transportation out of the equation.

(09-17-2013 01:57 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Here's an idea that's been running in my head for a week or so now:
Instead of guys from here staying at a random houses individually, why don't we pair up, this way, we could stay with like minded guys, who are in the oil sands for lifestyle reasons, that is make money, build a capital for business/travel/lifestyle reasons while also macking girls not only locally but internationally? Would anyone be interested in such a thing, where 1-2 or 3 guys would join forces and stay together in a house/2-3 bedroom house/condo while sharing the costs? this would be a great way to keep each other going, motivated but also to be with like minded guys and not some random redneck coucou. Not to mention it would cost about the same, if not less than each renting a room in a house individually. I only see positives in this.

Thoughts guys? Interested to gauge the interest of guys already in Etown, but also of new guys about to make the move shortly.

Here's my take on such a situation: be extremely weary of who you share your home with. One thing you'll discover when you network (if you haven't realized yet or you just don't network) is that people love to do the yip-yap-yippity-yap. For the foreigners, I mean: people love to talk. Not to say that the people from this forum are all bums and will continue to be bums when they move here. But people's 'motivations', more often than not, differ from their actions. The worst fucking part about networking in these neck of the woods is when you know the dude is lying to your face about his experiences about working in the oil patch, almost as though he feels the need to match your 'manliness' of experience, or when he brings up his 'rough past' upon your first time meeting him and uses it to form his identity, or in other words, my first impressions of him. Like fuck man, I don't give a fuck about your drug problems in your past, that you quit that shit and now you're doing all you can now to make it to the top while simultaneously macking and fucking new bitches all the time. Once he divulges this information, I KNOW he's talking shit. And I KNOW that when shit hits the fan, they turn into a fucking little bitch. I've seen it in person, it's pathetic.

...my bad for the digression, dude.

Anyway, the point is, just because they say, upon your first meet, that they have the same motivations, doesn't make it so down the road. I suggest befriending such people and understanding what type of people they really are before proceeding to share living space. If shit ain't right in your own home, that'll really kill your work ethic and attitude when you're out there in survival mode.

(09-17-2013 09:40 PM)scotian Wrote:  When I first moved to Etown in 06', when the vacancy was near 0% I slept on my bros's chesterfield until he got evicted cuz his rent went up in smoke, a couple months later I then had to move into an apartment with a bunch of dudes from back home. There were 7 of us living in a 3 bedroom apartment near South Gate Mall, I was lucky to sleep on the inflatable mattress when my buddy went outta town, I usually slept on the floor. This was one of the contributing factors to me moving the fuck back to Halifax after 6 months but the point of this post is that you guys have to hustle harder, don't worry so much about potential road blocks like leases and furniture.

Agreed. Worry about getting your legal documents straightened out, a local phone number, and a place to stay. Once you have that foundation settled, depending on how much money you have in the piggy bank, pick up a car. It's getting cold. If money is short, start visiting those offices/shops ASAP.

(09-17-2013 09:40 PM)scotian Wrote:  When I first moved to Etown in 06', when the vacancy was near 0% I slept on my bros's chesterfield until he got evicted cuz his rent went up in smoke, a couple months later I then had to move into an apartment with a bunch of dudes from back home. There were 7 of us living in a 3 bedroom apartment near South Gate Mall, I was lucky to sleep on the inflatable mattress when my buddy went outta town, I usually slept on the floor. This was one of the contributing factors to me moving the fuck back to Halifax after 6 months but the point of this post is that you guys have to hustle harder, don't worry so much about potential road blocks like leases and furniture.

Your first few months out west will probably suck!

I'm gonna write a big post here soon enough.

I agree with you. A wise man once said "There is no progress without struggle". I wouldn't mind living with like minded oilfield oriented RFV members, we'll see how this will work because personally I am already in Edmonton and have a good shared place to live in NW, no lease commitments though.

Some good points guys! Agreed that the wisest thing to do is to screen the guys carefully, get to know them before sharing a place with them.

As usually, Scotian is spot on that the first few months in the patches might not be all roses and that initially some comfort sacrifices will be necessary. And to hustle hard to make it happen.

Albertron, point taken about being close to Whyte ave. I will stay for a week or so at Hi Ho and hit the pavement during that time to get a decent place near W ave.

Job wise, I am confident that the course I'm taking next week will allow me to get my foot in the door in the field I am aiming to get into.

Now back to studying for that course!

Scratch those questions found everything on the forum.

My buddy is an MWD trainee at one of the heavy weights and he was complaining about how stressful his job is and how he is applying for other jobs at other companies for better jobs even if they pay less. He is making around $75k and he has not even completed a year with the company. He is doing his lead-hand breakout test after his upcoming rotation. Shall he passes it, his bonus will be AT LEAST $600 a day instead of $250 for each day spent on the field . His base salary will increase from $2000 to $2500-$3000. We did the mathematics and assuming he works 8 out of 12 months, his earnings will be around $164k! more than double! I was like dude if you quit now you are crazy. Work one year as a lead hand and then start looking for another jobs. A year as a lead hand will pretty much set your future up. It's crazy money up there. The main downside on MWD work or the field work in general is they are extremely mentally taxing, if you can handle the job mentally and can give up your used to lifestyle, give it a year and a half or two and you will be rapping about money! it's that good guys!

the good thing about working in the oilsands is that when you're back you can totally ignore shitty roommates if you work shifts in and out of town, just don't be the main guy on the lease. But man there's so much opportunity here once your in, you're in and I'm just shocked at all the idiocy that goes on here and people that get away with it. Frankly, if you work hard and stand up to bullshit there is just so much room to advance, it may be shitty right now; but I'm shaking with excitement with what I can do once I get some money, connections, and skills here.

Also when there's downtime, don't waste it. Use it to learn some skill or something, or network, meet people etc. I went from working 80-100 hrs a week to having downtime for over a month in july. It drove me nuts, I wanted to kill myself and pissed all the time away doing nothing. Now I can barely check my emails and do any reading.

Good to hear you're heading back VC, it's been a long time coming.

The guys on here have already outlined pretty much everything that needs to be done, Hi Hostel for contacts and lodging, hitting the pavement, and getting that car if you're going to be hitting up Nisku/Leduc/and the remaining industrial parks. If you luck out, some places will have some sort of ride sharing, or may be within a bus stop distance, that's a big if, but certainly possible.

I'll spit a bit about how it's gone down for me since and what anyone moving out here needs to watch for.

Last time we met up I was working non stop more or less. The week we met up I was on one of my 7 days off, and was then off to embark on a 45 day work period (with no days off in between, except the customary forced day off since law states you can't work that long without a day off).

I made money, in fact I made more out of town in those 45 days than I'd made in 4 months in Toronto. When I came back to town in December, my general feeling was:



The industry has a major slowdown from mid to end to December to end of January. And I sat on my ass all that time. This was expected and since I was exhausted I was glad to take all that time off.

Thus started the restaurants, the partying (without the coke/crack, stay away from that shit it'll ruin your life!), the local travelling (banff, Jasper, etc), more eating out and restaurants, and the circle revolved until the begninning of February when I finally went back to work.

By then, the money had run out. I'm not talking about starving, or being totally out. The general rule should be 2 months of living expenses in your savings account at all times no matter what happens.

But for making so much in such a short burst, I certainly should have had quite a fat amount in the bank at the time. I didn't. I was back to base level of slightly above 2-3 months safety funds. Poor decisions:





The moral of the spiel is, the seasonal nature of the industry means you'll make tons of cash in bursts, then you'll sit for a bit, and repeat. My mistake was spending like I was still working 12 months straight in Toronto while I'm really working 9-10 months per year or less, and in semester like sequences.

Budgeting becomes absolutely tantamount to a healthy savings account. Living from paycheque to paycheque isn't really what we came to Alberta for after all. It's to build a fat stack to have for a rainy day, a business, travel, property investment, and other non frivolous activities.

After getting back to work in February, and rapidly rebuilding my account. I went through one more cycle of pissing money away on an out of country holiday in April.



Fun as fuck, but expensive.

After doing up my taxes for the year, and seeing how much I made, and how much I've pissed away, I buckled down and began recording every single expense in a spreadsheet similar to the one Roosh made in this post:

http://www.rooshv.com/how-to-get-your-finances-in-order

Since then I've rebuilt the account above base level of the standard few months of survival and hope to keep it there barring any extraneous or unexpected major catastrophes or expenses.

Budgeting here is so important, far more than back out east where each month you're guaranteed X amount and you work based on that. Here you may get one paycheque of $4000, then $2000, $1000, then nothing for a month, then maybe $5000 in one shot, and so on.

And one more thing is, the booze here is much cheaper than in Toronto, which creates an interesting effect. While spending less per night out, during the summer sometimes I'd go out up to 4 times a week, and it adds up fast. So fast in fact that I spent more out here than in Toronto. Which meant cheaper booze = more money spent. That's another Edmonton trap. Those beers for $3-4 add up much faster than $7 brews in Toronto.

That's it in a nutshell. Watch that money like it's a short skirt with a nice tan walking down Whyte ave.

Great post with great insight and tips Djemba!
I'm ready and everything is in order just studying now for that course next week then I'm back in town and in biz right away.

I hear you about budgetting things and watching those beers as they add up. No worries on the drugs part as I've never and never will touch that shit! I dont even smoke!

Are you going to be in town on the 2nd of Oct? Would love to catch up with you at O'Byrne with Irish and the rest of the boys.

I'm glad to hear that there will be a break for about a month towards the end of the year and in jan. a much needed vacation in the DR or Asia is exactly what Id need big time!

See you there amigo!

P.S. I'm very excited and looking forward to moving out west almost like if it were a trip/vacation. Obviously it isnt a vacay but the fact that Im well prepared and with a solid shot at getting into the field I want right away plus add the fact there guys I know that I consider friends all of that is making the move a lot smoother.

Cant wait to get there boys!!!

Good on ya vp for Makeing the move out I should be up to e-town soon I am working crazy hours here in calgary waiting on my approval for my trade once that comes through I will be going to my camp job I can't wait now tbh as the wage I am on now is not the best so I am working these crazy hours to make some good coin.. Any of ye in calgary or is it all oilers on here?? Looking forward to Makeing the move to ye and hopefully I will see ye soon:-)

god dammit getting past the HR ditz is hard
To get into a trade you need to find an employer. To get response from employer you need a resume with trade. catch 22

(09-20-2013 12:48 PM)PanzerTape Wrote:  god dammit getting past the HR ditz is hard
To get into a trade you need to find an employer. To get response from employer you need a resume with trade. catch 22

I hear ya man, I've been looking to start a trade here in Ontario for the past 4-5 years. I finally got a new job at a heavy equipment fabrication shop and hopefully they'll teach me some welding before I make the move in a couple months. It's been mentioned here before but look for a helpers position and work your ass off and they might indenture you. Hope it works out for you.

Ive been shipped to the states for 3-4 weeks to work. Not so bad is its not a camp its in a new hotel with everything you need and we get a nice rental vehicle. The daily food allowance is good to as ill never spend $75 in a day on food, not to mention the daily free breakfast at the hotel which saves even more cash. I will be back in Edmonton (I think) October 7 so hope we can have a meet up guys. But I can't say for sure because if its one thing I've learning working in the oil biz for 6 weeks is that plans ALWAYS change and there are a lot of delays. One day I was scheduled to be going to B.C. for work then 3 hours later it was Manitoba then by the end of the day I had a flight booked to the US. Never make solid plans outside of work and always be available and your employer will love you.

(09-21-2013 11:34 AM)Kdog Wrote:  Ive been shipped to the states for 3-4 weeks to work. Not so bad is its not a camp its in a new hotel with everything you need and we get a nice rental vehicle. The daily food allowance is good to as ill never spend $75 in a day on food, not to mention the daily free breakfast at the hotel which saves even more cash. I will be back in Edmonton (I think) October 7 so hope we can have a meet up guys. But I can't say for sure because if its one thing I've learning working in the oil biz for 6 weeks is that plans ALWAYS change and there are a lot of delays. One day I was scheduled to be going to B.C. for work then 3 hours later it was Manitoba then by the end of the day I had a flight booked to the US. Never make solid plans outside of work and always be available and your employer will love you.

I love that kind of schedule but how much advanced notice do you get on the regular? Is the example you gave(B.C. Manitoba, U.S) normal or do they give you a few days prep time to get your affairs in order? Also are you able to bypass slow periods by going to different provinces or the U.S if your employer has operations there? One last question that may be stupid, Is your pay rate the same outside of the oil sands?

Sorry if this question has already been asked. I'm still reading through this thread and I'm investigating the hell out of this life option. As far as Americans trying to work in Canada, I know you have to pay like 25-30% of your net in taxes. But Americans unlike many countries are taxed on income earned abroad. So if Americans then had to have their earnings double-taxed, it may make it not worth it for us. Is this the case or are there ways around this?

(09-23-2013 07:57 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  Sorry if this question has already been asked. I'm still reading through this thread and I'm investigating the hell out of this life option. As far as Americans trying to work in Canada, I know you have to pay like 25-30% of your net in taxes. But Americans unlike many countries are taxed on income earned abroad. So if Americans then had to have their earnings double-taxed, it may make it not worth it for us. Is this the case or are there ways around this?

I am a US Citizen and have worked overseas for 17 years now. You can apply the Canadian taxes toward your US tax so that you are NOT double taxed. As I work and stay outside of the US for 330 days a year, I also receive a $95,000 US Tax Credit that really helps offset any additional US taxes. Here is the IRS Website

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Internati...Tax-Credit

Here is another good website

http://www.jamesdance.com/us_expatriates.htm

For my current position, my company pays 30% of my gross salary to Indonesian Taxes. I take that 30% paid to Indonesian taxes and apply it to my US Taxes so that I receive credit from the US Government for paying Indonesian Taxes and I am NOT double taxed. If I am exposed to any additional US Taxes above the 30% tax rate, I then use my calculated $95k US Foreign Tax Credit to offset all additional taxes plus my normal family and investment deductions (IRA, 401k, College Fund for kid, ect..). You need to find a good CPA who is familar with US Expats working overseas to make sure that your foreign tax credit is calculated correctly so that you can apply the tax credits to your advantage. If you can stay in Canada without returning to the US for 330 days, that will make sure you qualify for the $95k US Foreign Tax Credit. FYI, I use H&R Block to do my yearly taxes. Fees to file are higher for US Expats living abroad. Normally around $500 - $700.

A bit off topic here:

To all you guys staying long periods away from home, do you see yourselves in a serious relationship? How would you have a serious relationship when you spend a lot of time away from home? Do you see yourself trusting a woman even though you work long periods away from home?

Ok, i got another question. My pal went back to platform and forwarded my CV and all to some higher people on the board. Now, how long does it take for one to get invited after that? What's the procedure? How long can i expect to wait at home, a couple of weeks, moths or at worst couple of years?

Please someone answer cause sitting at home not knowing what's going on and when will something happen is nerve breaking.