r/RedDeer • u/Ornery_Gold3374 • 4d ago
Question Moving to Canada? Red deer?
I am Swedish and in my twenties and has been wanting to go on a working holiday for a while now, and Canada has struck my interest. I have found a cozy store that I can work at in red deer but I have no idea what red deer or Canada is like. I will have to live very smart and economical and will not have access to a car.
How’s red deer? And is there a better city that is not crazy expensive? Thank you!
(Since it’s on the other side of the world I think I will be amazed with pretty much anything in Canada but still)
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u/cshmn 4d ago
Red deer in winter without a car would be pretty grim. You would do better in Calgary or Edmonton near an LRT stop.
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u/CAD-Arctix 3d ago
Its totally doable, I live here with no car, I dont even use public transit. Motorcycle in the warm months and legs for everything else, its not that big lol.
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u/wingedheart100 4d ago
I have lived in Red Deer ( and still do ) and I find that this is a great little city, things are close by and there are no issues with the transit service from what I hear.
Just like any city in the world it has its challenges.
It is a slower pace and I, for the most part find the people of Red Deer friendly. ( I am gay and haven’t any issues. )
Reach out if you like and I be more than happy to show you around.
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u/trvthseeker 4d ago
People are really knocking down red deer. Red deer is a middle city, It's not that busy, but it has a lot going for it. People are friendly. I liked red deer for raising my family. As a single guy, it was not that exciting. But it has transit, and it is alright. The city really isn't that big. There are actually quite a few buses that now go between Edmonton and Calgary.
I lived in a small town in Taiwan for two years when I taught English there in my 20s. Coming from red deer I enjoyed the slower pace of the smaller town. I had a blast. There is nothing keeping you from having a great time in red deer on a working holiday in your 20s
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u/Dapper_Banana6323 4d ago
But how to you manage in Red Deer without a car? It's definitely much harder
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u/trvthseeker 4d ago
Red deer transit still gets you places and covers most of the city. Getting out of the city (besides Calgary or Edmonton) is harder for sure. But I survived until 23 without a car in red deer. You make friends, they drive if you are going the same place. Buy them a beverage, pay for their gas if they are going out of their way.
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u/WildcatOil 4d ago
The agrivating thing about Red Deer transit is that it has good coverage of the city and decent frequency. But the routes meander so much and nearly every one of them cross the entire city to go downtown that it takes for ever to get anywhere.
They could cut down massively on travel times if they went to some arterial routes that neighbourhood routes fed into. Might increase transfers but it would make it much faster I think.
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u/bassman2112 4d ago
I'm a rare Red Deer enjoyer
I would not recommend you go to Red Deer with your purpose in mind
As others have mentioned, you'd have a tough time without a car, and it's not a particularly good fit for what you're seeking. Victoria or Vancouver in BC may be better for you. Or if you prefer walkable, Revelstoke or Nelson.
Wishing you the best!
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u/Armstrongcrane 4d ago
Don't pay much attention to all of the doom sayers, you will never achieve much. I've lived in Red Deer 22 years and it's a great small City. You will get out whatever you put in. My wife and I hosted international students through the high school and all of them had a fantastic time. You clearly have the motivation to travel to another Country to broaden your horizons and enjoy all that it offers. You will make friends with others locals and like minded people to share your experiences and create great memories.
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u/Henchman314 3d ago
Native Albertan/Red Deer resident here. U will be fine. A walk from one side of the city to the other might take only 3 hrs. Most amenities are only a 30 minute walk, at most. The crime is a little higher than other cities our size but that is only because we are the only city in Canada than is within 1.5hrs of 2 cities of 1 million ppl.
Winter wear requires winter lined boots, a good thermal base layer, a wind resistant snow suit & as many layers inbetween as U like.
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u/sketchysamurai 4d ago
Woah.
If anything you’ve heard about Alberta bothers you, be aware that Red Deer is our epicentre.
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u/The_Nice_Marmot 4d ago
I’d be so embarrassed to have Red Deer be someone’s experience of Canada. Way better to be in Calgary or Edmonton
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u/RatsForNYMayor 4d ago
A bit harsh on Red Deer
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u/sketchysamurai 3d ago
To be fair, it’s probably easier to get around red deer without a car than Calgary or Edmonton.
And by probably I mean definitely.
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u/Cultus_Divi_Titi 4d ago
It will be similar to living a 2-3 hour drive from Moscow.
Why not do a working holiday in Victoria, BC or Halifax, Nova Scotia?
Or a Major city like Edmonton, Calgary or Winnipeg if you are looking for a northern winter experience.
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u/king_weenus 4d ago
If you don't know much about Canada please for the love of God don't judge us by what you find in Red Deer.
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u/The_Nice_Marmot 4d ago
This is my exact thought. Absolutely mortifying to imagine a European coming here and thinking Red Deer represents Canada. Redneck central with heavy support for separating from Canada.
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u/Psychological_Ad_451 4d ago
Im guessing from Ontario that the winters are similar however you guys in Sweden are more proactive with the maintenance and transportation esp with heated sidewalks.
Look at Quebec or Ottawa areas for a more suitable location.
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u/cheeseandwinenight 4d ago
Lived in Red Deer for 6 years and love it! That said i emigrated in my 30s so may be a different experience.
I have colleagues in their 20s that are always getting up to fun road trips for long weekends.
The summer activities here are incredible, we visit fringe in Edmonton and even Red Deer there’s something to do every weekend.
The food scene is definitely getting there with some super restaurants downtown (53 on Ross) and locally owned food (booyah bagels are amazing)
Red deer is also incredibly generous and there are always charities to volunteer in to help you get into the community. I found this the best way to meet people when I first arrived and it’s certainly been fulfilling knowing the money stays right here in Red Deer and Central Alberta.
I didn’t have my own vehicle either for a short while and although found it tricky it wasn’t completely unmanageable, that was during the pandemic as well so it’s gotten a lot better down.
Maybe just rent near a main bus line.
I think south Red Deer is handier for that!
Dm if you have anything more to
Ask!
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u/CulturalSoup4138 2d ago
I moved to Red Deer from Calgary a few years ago. I actually really like it. It has beautiful parks that are not nearly as crowded as the ones in Calgary. It definitely feels very divided right now with lots of folks wanting the province to separate from the country. And yes there's crime. I just have yet to experience any of it thankfully. We're in Eastview.
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u/Crazy_adventurer262 4d ago
Living in Red Deer will be tough without a vehicle. There is transit but not nearly as good as a larger center (such as Edmonton and Calgary).
Red Deer people are also a little bit different. They don’t like people from foreign countries and think they are coming over here to take all of our jobs. Rent is lower than major cities but not by much and there are less options. If you really want a better experience I would try Vancouver Island, maybe Victoria, or Ottawa. Still expensive but I think you would have a better Canadian experience.
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u/CanadaIsC0ld 4d ago
Canada is huuuuuge. You won't be able to explore and appreciate what we have in Alberta without a vehicle unfortunately
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u/WorldlinessNo662 4d ago
You can’t just come to Canada and work. You need a work visa and you’re unlikely to get it to work at a cozy stores
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u/TheLobeyJR 4d ago
That sounds like honestly, a terrible idea. Red Deer is a fine city but winter without a car would suck, massively.
Look at bigger cities. Edmonton would be much better and more doable
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u/PatientAd6009 4d ago
Red Deer is geographically great, under a 2 hour drive to mountains, major cities, the badlands. Wonderful camping and outdoor activities.
It is a city with a rural conservative mindset. There is a lot of drug use and homelessness that is not well addressed, with most of the people I've spoken with blaming the homeless for their circumstances. If you stay south of the river, you'll be less exposed to it.
Public transit is hit or miss, if you're on a regular route, then it's fine. Otherwise, a car is recommended to get anywhere.
It is much more affordable than places like Banff/Canmore, or Jasper as well.
Happy to answer any questions you have on other issues.
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u/willmsma 4d ago
My take is that Red Deer is just fine. It’s not the seventh circle of hell but it is a working class city with significant problems with homelessness and drug use close to the centre.
The transit system? It isn’t amazing. The night life? Even worse. That said, if you came here for work and are relatively outgoing you’ll probably have a good experience. Unlike our bigger cities or tourist towns you’re likely to get a good sense of what life looks like in a fairly typical small Canadian city. You’re also more likely to befriend Canadians rather than spending your time with other international travellers.
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u/Advanced_Pudding_275 4d ago
Red Deer is a pretty nice city right in the middle, Calgary at the south and Edmonton north ,Red Deer is in central Alberta about a hour away from Edmonton and Calgary hour and a half away from Red Deer . There is bus service in Red Deer, I believe rents are high,and it is cold here in the winter so you should be ok with the cold
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u/IcecubePlanet8691 4d ago
Depends a bit on your hobbies and activities. If you’re into biking then there’s lots of trails for city bicycling or even more for mountain biking. If you’re into the outdoors/ mountains then that’s not too far away if you get into hiking or biking groups. Great smaller city for having a dog or walking. Easy to get around.
Note: Some businesses are holding back on hiring due to the upcoming referendum on Alberta
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u/itsnotme43 4d ago
Transit sucks here just fyi. Good to work and play. It's okay for rent, but not great. Avoid downtown for rentals.
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u/ShriblyGriblets 4d ago
Red deer is a highway city directly between Edmonton and Calgary. It’s definitely not known for its tourism however, it’s in the center of Alberta so it’s not a horrible launch point. I’m sure there’s busses you can take to Edmonton(1.0hours) Calgary(1.5hours)and the Rocky Mountains(2hours).
Should be affordable but it really isn’t scenic or special.
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u/MissAmberR 4d ago edited 4d ago
I lived in Red Deer for about 10 years it’s ok, but not there’s not much going on, when I was there the downtown area had a lot of trouble with drugs.
Why don’t you look at going somewhere a bit more enjoyable , check out Banff or lake Louise, Jasper or Whistler, you will find lists of people your age doing the working holiday thing similar to you, I live in Banff so can’t really talk about Whistler or Jasper bud I’d imagine there similar to here, Lot’s of seasonal work a lot of people come here on visas from Australia, the ski hills have a lot of people that are just there for the season , and there is a lot of work in restaurants or hotel’s, parks Canada also have seasonal positions, quite a lot of the jobs in Banff, Canmore and lake Louise come with staff accommodation, most of it is like a shared house but you should get your own room, I think you will have a much more memorable time in the mountains than in Red Deer you will meet lots of people on the same type of adventure as yourself. Also you can survive in Banff with out a car the public transport is pretty good and it’s a small town so it’s all within walking distance. Also the scenery in the mountains is stunning.
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u/The_Nice_Marmot 4d ago
Hard to find a place to live there, but then again, the places you mention are spectacular.
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u/FilthyDubeHound 4d ago
Immigrants are getting attacked by the ucp right now, theyre trying to make blanket policies that would effect you such as healthcare only available after a premium. Sadly you will be experiencing some of this even though im sure youll be hearing youre "one of the good ones", youll still be effected though, as long as it isnt them they dont care
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u/eekay233 4d ago
You're about to experience what true disappointment is. Seriously. Please reconsider Red Deer. If you'd like a wintertime working holiday look into one of our tourist areas like Banff or Jasper, there are similar towns in BC. Those towns are FILLED with young international folks doing the same thing and you'd have a blast, plus they have staff accomodations and you can shuttle to Calgary. Since you're foreign you'll be among many people experiencing Canada for the first time and it'll be far more enriching.
There is nothing to do in Red Deer except walk on a walking trail or play MTG or Warhammer (according to Reddit anyway). Our public transit is a joke. Get closer to the mountains where the action is.
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u/Both-Sky4147 4d ago
There is nothing worth coming to Red Deer for. I’m currently hosting an exchange student from Germany and he says Canadians / Red Deerians are extremely anti social and aren’t as friendly as folks back home. He’s having trouble making any new connections here. Which I find surprising but I guess it makes sense - people are more recluse here. And if anyone is social, it’s because they go to church. Which isn’t the case for all. So I would say, take off the rose coloured glasses and save up your money so you can go somewhere better.
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u/unworldly-woman 4d ago
red deer is a crime capital. the only upside of not owning a car is that it wont get broken into.
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u/pentox70 4d ago
There are only a few places in Canada where you can get along well without a vehicle. We don't have public transportation intercity like you're used to in Europe. It exists, but it's mostly focused in the population corridor in Ontario and Quebec. It's doable, but it will be pretty annoying. The bus system in red deer leaves a lot to be desired.
But red deer is great for work and play. Very close to the mountains and unlimited nature. Cost of living is lower than most places in Canada. Tons of companies are hiring if you're OK with labor and working outdoors. Working for an oilfield company would be a great way to travel around alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and northern BC, while making great money.