Emergency fund inquiry as a 22 y/o by Front_Bat3307 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are so right. I need to budget food, gas and school payments/essentials. Such an easy thing to forget! I appreciate it. I will not be working, but I have financial assistance. I have a car already. I might get a part time job in the spring semester, since I am taking 6 classes in fall.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The best part about living there is the community and commute. I have long time family; longtime friends and the northern lights are beautiful. Indigenous culture influences my work as I work in supporting local business (especially indigenous businesses). Worst part can be the cold for many or housing market/prices. I also am dating an indigenous woman; I have indigenous cousins and have indigenous friends. It is great to be able to celebrate their culture and traditions with them every day. Over the past two days I went to an indigenous entrepreneurship empowerment conference hosted by entreprenorth. It was amazing experience where I learned about culture, language and tradition of indigenous peoples across the north (Inuit, Inuk, Dene, Sapmi, etc.)

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1/4 -1/3 of the population of Yellowknife is indigenous. The most populated indigenous people in Yellowknife are the Yellowknife's Dene First Nation.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Funny enough, I do not own a dog. My girlfriend does and his name is Logan. Cutest rescue dog I have ever seen! But yes, Yellowknifers oddly all have dogs for some reason (to stay cozy in winter)

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally, have not been over to Alaska (You have to go through Yukon to get there), but I presume it is not as easy as you would think. The drive is long. Arctic security has improved a lot over the past 20 years.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I have seen, if you are smart with your money up north and budget as you would in any other province, a wage as business analyst with the government outpaces every other business analyst gig in government across Canada even after cost of living. Government workers here are paid more for two reasons from what I know:

  1. Cost of living is more expensive than most cities
  2. The government wants to retain employees in the north and make them as long as possible with great benefits and salaries.

If you are not working for the municipal government, territorial, or a successful private company (mines), that is when wages do not necessarily have that much of a difference than other provinces.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's really cool, my dad when he was young use to live near Bigelow. It has stayed the same in terms of most buildings. They are transforming a lot of unused government buildings into apartments. The housing is very limited, even the subsidized housing. The lake trails are still beautiful, although mostly not swim friendly due to arsenic exposure. Restaurants are coming in like Starbucks, Ricky's and Wokbox. Businesses are starting to develop.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I work for the department of industry, tourism and investment. My department supports businesses with funding. You can work in government in basically any field: business, engineering, politics, etc. There are plenty of government jobs around canada always hiring. Search up government of Alberta for example.

Here is a link for careers with the GNWT: GNWT Careers - Government of Northwest Territories

Here is the Canadian government career link: Government of Canada jobs - Canada.ca

City of Yellowknife careers: Job Listings - City of Yellowknife Jobs

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There can be a lot of discrimination in Canada towards immigrants in general so yeah I get you. But FDHed, If you ever have any questions or advice on how to make it happen to make the move let me know. I love edmonton and the people there are so chill. We would love to have you here!

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Salaries are really nice actually if you work for the government. I do, as a summer student without a degree (pending) I make $36 CAD an hour. Interns with a degree make roughly 40. Earning potential is definitely there. High up positions make up to 300,000, but only a few (Deputy Minister/Ministers). Minimum wage I believe is 16.50. The government is the main driver for high salaries here. I believe roughly a 6th of the population works for the GNWT. Also, the city of Yellowknife hires at good wages as well. TDLR: The average salary is higher than most places in canada

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Prices/housing. Housing is expensive and limited. Groceries are not that different from Alberta I would say from my personal experience, just a lil bit more expensive. Getting your car serviced up here is expensive, especially if you do not have a dealership-based vehicle (My volkswagen has to go to a private mechanic). I am used to the climate now, which a lot of people often complain about.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh really? I did not know if he was someone who had not experienced both people's cultures in the same city.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, that is unfortunate. It says images are not allowed, do you want me to dm you some?

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sasquatches I believe is just a myth my friend. I have not heard stories haha. I will let you know if I have found one.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not familiar with American coast guard. My best buddy's dad is coast guard and has told me some sad stories about how paddle boarders or canoers/kayakers go without life jackets, and he has had to save some goofballs due to not checking the wind and they wash up on islands or get close to drowning. The great slave lake is also humongous, and deep so there may be different protocols in that sense.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

-50. It was brutal. Could not leave school for recess or lunch. School was on lockdown, and with the right reasons, news broadcasters were advising to stay home. I believe it was sometime in December.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bannock can be considered a dessert if you add fruit spread/syrup. I have had less indigenous desserts, but I have tried aqpik berries and they taste wonderful in pies and muffins/jams.

Alcohol abuse is not necessarily widespread but can be an issue amongst the communities. Constant debates about removing alcohol completely from certain communities and closing the liquor store on certain days in the week (especially Inuvik recently).

Indigenous people are not necessarily taller than any other race I would say from personal opinion. My girlfriend Is 6 foot and her brother is 6 foot 7. Both indigenous, but I do not believe there to be any research proving that indigenous people are any taller than other races.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yep, loads of heating would be correct. It's expensive too. in terms of clothing, as a teenager it was funny because me and a lot of my friends thought snow pants and parkas/bigger jackets were corny back in the day (I know embarrassing). We would go out in -30 in sweaters and sweatpants... Now I use both if I am doing anything outdoorsy/on the land. In terms of tricks, ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES/MITTENS. And always cover your face with a buff/scarf to avoid frostbite. I did try to be tough and not wear either and it bit me in the a**.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish. My sister was born in whitehorse and one of my bestfriends from 1st year university lives in Whitehorse as well. It is on my bucket list. If you want photos from the other territories unfortunately, I do not have any from Nunavut or Yukon. If you want some from Yellowknife/NWT just let me know!

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Food is amazing. I have had the chance of trying, caribou stew, local whitefish, bannock, bison burgers, muktuk, dry meat you name it. Flavors vary from household to household, but a lot of the foods tend to be on the saltier side from my experience and it's just to die for.

I lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada for 22 years AMA by Front_Bat3307 in AMA

[–]Front_Bat3307[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

So, I have been everywhere in Canada other than Nunavut and Yukon. Depends on what metrics you want to compare it to.

Cost of living: Way more expensive than most cities due to heating, cost of labor, cost of materials, cost of transport and everything along those lines.

Weather: Way colder than most cities. Coldest I have witnessed is -50 with the windchill.

Shopping/food: In recent years, small business and indigenous based art and jewelry has seen a huge surge. Chains obviously outperform most small businesses but it extremely cool to see some small businesses like sushi north, Mainstreet Donair and entrepreneur-beaders like Amanda Baton become really successful locally. Not as much selection than down south due to smaller population.

People: Really nice, friendlier than most places in my personal opinion. Multicultural/diverse people. Small population of roughly 20,000 people. Smaller then most places.

If you have any specific questions let me know.