Your City's Kirsten-Ellen Fleming and videographer Jeff Hodgson travelled to Regina to learn why folks from Calgary are migrating east.
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The capitol of Saskatchewan, is the queen city - Regina. For decades it seemed young people could hardly wait to get out, many to Calgary, but that's changing. For the first time in history, more people are leaving Alberta for the land of the living skies. This is a special treat for Joshua. He's spending the day in the park with his mom and his dad. Five months ago, family time like this was rare, until Rod and Vicki Delnea decided to make the move. "We were both happy there but after we had Joshua , life takes on new twists and turns," says Rod.
He is originally from Regina and lived happily in Calgary for 7 years. His wife Vicki is a transplant from England and lived in Calgary for 17 years. Both thought they'd never leave. "We were just both really getting tired of some of the things that Calgary was exhibiting in terms of growth. the traffic, cost, time," says Rod. Vicki adds, "the traffic is huge. I made two appointments for myself and it took me three and half hours just to get to them."
Today the couple jumped in their car for the 8 minute drive from their home to Wascana park. "There was no such thing as putting on your shoes walking out the door going to the store or pool everything became a chore," says Rod. So the Delnea's sold their home in Citadel, cashing in on the 110% gain."You don't get that many opportunities to make that sort of gain in equity, but also crystallize it and do something with it, take care of a lifetime of mortgage debt," says Rod.
Vicki now stays home with Joshua. Rod actually kept his Calgary job and works from home, commuting to Calgary twice a month. He says those flights are shorter than the commute he made each morning on the Deerfoot. Vicki has warmed up to her new life in Regina, but it took some time. "Oh god Regina please no that was my initial reaction. We've been back to Calgary twice since we've lived here and I just love coming back to Regina, I really do," says Vicki. While they admit to missing the mountains, Chinooks, NHL hockey and the endless choices of restaurants, it wasn't enough to keep them and many others from leaving. "What we gained vs. what we gave up -- there's really no comparison," says Rod.
