Retiring soon

[GaryM12]

Let me give you a little background first. I'm in the military and have 27 years service. At around 30 years I want to retire. My wife and I have been talking about where to retire and what our priorities will be when we do. First let me say that I probably cannot stop working when I get out of the military. We just have too many bills with the last kid off in university and us paying for it. So I would need work. Nothing major but something to help defray costs.
Secondly our priorities. I am looking for someplace where I can get into the woods regularly to hunt, fish, camp, canoe and shoot 3D. I told my wife that and she is good with that. Her priorities are to continue her business (she's a tailor) which she said she can do almost anyplace.
So after some consideration we are looking at Alberta. We have lived in coastal BC but it was kind of expensive, Manitoba is too damn cold, and in Nova Scotia you can only hunt for one deer per year....Whats up with that???
I know that there are lots of Albertans on this site and I was wondering if any of you could give me an insite into where would be a good spot to go, second career opportunities, lifestyles, generally anything that would shed light on life in Alberta.....
You could answer here or I have made my e-mail visible in my profile. I would really appreciate some info as we are really considering this for our future. Thanks Guys

Gary

[T-man]

Gary, my Dad just retired from the Military a month ago after 35yrs in. He's in the same boat as you, can' just up and stop working altogether. Alberta is a booming place, don't know what you were doing in the Military, but there are lots of options out here for a guys who have experience in certain things. Dad was a head instructor for NBC/Emerg planning stuff and has the ability to work in the saftey divisions of various oil/gas companies.

I moved out here from BC and love it. If you are sensitive to long periods of cold, try and stay south. If not the Edmonton area would be my pick. Nice and central to lots of good hunting areas and more affordable than Calgary. So many options to choose from really. If you have questions I'm sure there are guys out here who have answers.

[Grunter]

Gary - this is an excellent place for you to start looking into things. Good luck!

http://www.pao.gov.ab.ca/jobs/employment/living-in-alberta.htm

[hunterkiller]

I Lived in Edmonton for 23 years and loved it. The housing is cheaper and overall a bit more affordable. HOWEVER, if you like warmer winters, proximity to the mountains, a great atmosphere in which to live in then it's Calgary. Far too much opportunity at the moment in Calgary than Edmonton. Edmonton is a class city but Calgary and Southern Alberta is the place for me!