The Alberta Economy

[mr_alberta]

I'll let my brother know. Thanks a lot!

[Willow]

Originally Posted by mr_alberta

Any leads on programming jobs? My brother is currently looking for work in the Vancouver area in that field.

tell him to move to the states he can easy get 200% more money down south.

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by Willow

maybe we could send you back some of your homeless that ralph bought bus tickets for. just to help out, fairs fair right?

I was so embarassed to be Albertan when that happened.

I worry about things like my rent going double of course but I think there are other things to consider. There's no question that we are in for some localized inflation pressure, when the guy making your fries makes $12/hr fries are going get more expensive.

Historically boom times has been followed by bust time. I remember working in DT Edmonton in the late ninties and seeing all that big retail space like Manulife West empty. It could happen again.

[danny zubot]

Right now my company is researching the market to re-evaluate the pay structure for all of us. They don't want to loose us to higher paying companies, so they will probably end up giving everyone raises. Which is good because I need to get a bigger house by winter.

Not all doom and gloom in Alberta. However, I do agree that we're caught up in a catch 22 with employment and housing. Hopefully the economy finds equilibrium gradually rather than a sudden crash.

[mark]

I'm still trying to figure out house prices and what going to happen to the people who have 30yr mortgages on $640K, 1700sqft when it all comes crashing down.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by mark

I'm still trying to figure out house prices and what going to happen to the people who have 30yr mortgages on $640K, 1700sqft when it all comes crashing down.

It happened in vancouver before. People had paid off $100,000 of their $1,000,000 mortgage and the values crashed and their houses were only worth $700,000. There were a lot of people who just walked away.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by AJ_77

There's work in BC? Tell us where!

I'll be going to the Kellowna/Vernon area if I go.I drive a truck,so lots of work.I have family there already,so they have been comming up with some leads for me.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by mark

I'm still trying to figure out house prices and what going to happen to the people who have 30yr mortgages on $640K, 1700sqft when it all comes crashing down.

What some ppl in Calgary did during the 80's boom,was to second morgage their house,then when everything crashed they had cash.Then declared bankrupsy( that is very bad spelling sorry) and walked away from everything with money in their pockets.

[Flusher]

Unemployment in Manitoba is at an all-time low. Apparently there's a huge labour force shortage because everyone has moved to Alberta (certainly not because empolyment opportunities are great here...). This seems to have been a trend for about a decade; I'm quite surprised to hear that Alberta is having problems too.

Screw it, I'm joining the military.
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[Doug]

Originally Posted by Flusher

Unemployment in Manitoba is at an all-time low. Apparently there's a huge labour force shortage because everyone has moved to Alberta (certainly not because empolyment opportunities are great here...). This seems to have been a trend for about a decade; I'm quite surprised to hear that Alberta is having problems too.

Our construction buisness is at an all time high. They cant keep up with the demand for new houses, etc. Try finding a brick layer or getting your stucco finished. Bad enough to even get yer landscaping done.

The new flood diversion is even having trouble getting employees and the new hydro dam is going to be starting up soon.

Plus our housing costs are raising dramatically, although certainly not to the extent of BC & Alberta.