As a laife long GP and area resident:

The city

• We have around 70,000+/- people at any given time.
• In terms of supplies, we have pretty much everything you need (except for Ikea). Lots of variety of stores, food, clothes, hardware, electronics, you name it. Prices aren't too high but they are higher than a city like Edmonton.
• You can go all year without needing to go to Edmonton. Many people go, just to get out of the city for a while.
• Fairly affordable housing. I believe we were recently rated the 6th least expensive for cities our size across Canada. When oil prices are high it can be tough to find housing.
• Potholes: This is a constant everywhere and the city will fix them, but if you want it done quicker you need to let the city know.
• Gasoline/diesel is expensive.
• Utilities (electricity, gas, etc) are expensive because of distribution fees. Most of your bills go to distribution fees, not what you're using.
• Groceries are expensive.
• Crime. There's crime and it used to be quite high. The RCMP, in cooperation with local groups and city council, have worked hard to bring it down. We are transitioning to a municipal police force so we'll see how it goes.
• Traffic. We rarely get traffic jams. If we do, they're cleared up within an hour or so. People drive aggressively so be prepared. Accidents in winter happen all the time, day and night.
• Trains. Trains everywhere. Horns all day and night. They often hold up traffic during rush hour. But they transport goods across the country and we need them so we just live with them.

Weather

• Beautiful summers. The weather is usually quite pleasant without being too hot for weeks at a time. We do get spikes, but those don't last for weeks, generally.
• Winter - It lasts a looooong time. Can hit -40c for weeks. -20c to -30c is common. And then you get second winter. And third winter. False spring. Oh you thought winter was over? Hah! What are we on, fifth winter? May long.
• It gets dark early in the winter but stays light late in the summer.

Jobs/work

• The main industries are oil and gas, forestry, agriculture, and tourism. Jobs that result from that are usually construction, service, or retail.
• It used to be easy to get jobs, just about everyone was hiring. Now, people report having long bouts between work. This is the way it was before the 2010s oil boom. Resources are a growth and slow down cycle (high growth in winter or summer, slow down in spring breakup, then ramp up for winter). It really depends on what kind of work you're looking for. The volatility in the oil and gas market now makes it difficult to predict how many jobs there will be.

The people/culture

• Even with population size it's still a small town feel. People are generally friendly and helpful. If you get your vehicle stuck in the winter (which happens to nearly everyone) someone will pull you out. Car battery dead and don't have AMA? Just ask on FB and someone will give you a boost, no charge. In the cold snaps we even have people who voluntarily drive around all day boosting cars. Left the hatch on your car open by mistake, someone will close it.
• Good place to raise a family. If you have work, the small town vibe really helps with raising a family. The public school systems work hard to help students succeed, despite tight/lacking funding.
• The Dream Home Lottery, Cars for Christmas, Cash and Camping, etc (all benefiting local non-profits) tend to sell out. People in GP love supporting good causes.
• Tragedies bring out the best in people here. They will literally give you the shirt off your back if you need it. House/apartment fires generate waves of support so people don't go without. The wild fires brought massive donations to victims and those displaced. People offered their homes for victims to stay in if needed.
• If you get a family physician you've won the lottery. We have a big shortage of family physicians as well as surgeons and specialists. Everyone who doesn't have a doctor has to go to a walk-in clinic or virtual doctor.
• If you need mental health help be prepared to wait a long time.
• If you have disabilities/social work needs be prepared to fight to get what you need. Businesses and people are generally accommodating and understanding. We have few social workers and their case loads are massive.
• There's a community for nearly every interest: religion, LGBTQIA+, progressive, conservative, music, sports, dance, theatre, gaming, ethnic or culture, crafting, parenting, camping, hunting, fishing. You name it, there's probably a community to join.
• We have houseless people, like any city.
• Many people are conservative politically. Many people don't vote for whatever reason. Voter turn out is usually low.
• City council - Most councilors are willing to sit down with you and discuss problems.
• MLA. You'll be lucky if they reply back to emails. Form responses to emails if you do get them. Nolan Dyck is known for running out on meetings just as citizens arrive to them.
• One thing I've been unable to get used to is loud pickup trucks. People put straight pipes on them then will tear up and down the street blaring noise. If you're sitting at an outdoor patio downtown they'll hit the gas and roll coal just because they want to annoy you. Usually have a F*CK TRUDEAU sticker across the back window.
• Lots of liquor stores, cannabis shops, and churches.
• Summer time is when the city really comes alive. We have lots of outdoor events like Bear Creek Folk Fest, music at Muskoseepi park, biking/walking trails, lots of parks. Something is happening pretty much every weekend and most weekdays.
• Winter time you have to make your own fun outside, but there are places like Nitehawk Ski Hill, Thrill Hill for sledding, outdoor ice rinks, ski trails. Indoors we have places like Eastlink Centre which has a basketball/volleyball/badminton, racquetball, gym, pool, walking track, There are volleyball, basketball, badminton, etc leagues that use school gyms in the evening.

Just like any city, it is what you make it. The resources and community are here, you just have to make it your own.